"Yes."
"He caught his arm on a nail as he was climbing out a window."
"I know, he told me."
"Do you know why he was climbing out a window?"
"He said the room was on fire and the only way out was through a window."
"How very clever of him. He saw fire all right - coming from an enraged husband's gun. If you like, I will give you the name and phone number of the husband. He left his wife, of course, and Mathew deserted her as well."
"You are telling me the truth?"
"Every word." Laura felt sorry for the woman with tears in the bottom rims of her eyes. "Dearest, do not cry. Men like Mathew are not worth even one single tear."
"I thought…I mean…I believed him."
"I know, it is so easily done," Laura comforted. "You must be wise in what you do next. Do not tell him we have spoken. Instead, find a way to make him leave you."
"How?"
"I don't know; do something crazy or disgusting…anything and everything until he leaves. If you reject him, he will be inspired to win you back. Let him think the end of your affair is his idea."
Amanda stood up. "I'll try, but right now I am so angry, I can't think straight."
"I know. Do take care of yourself."
"I will."
Teresa hurried to open the door for Amanda and then gently closed the door behind her. When she walked back into the living room, Laura had her eyes closed.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, dear. I feel so sorry for each of them. It is always the young and the vulnerable that men like Mathew prey on. I wish I could put billboards up all over the world to warn them."
"Are you afraid of Mathew?"
"Me? No, dear, I am the last person he would ever harm…at least not yet. I have something he can't live without."
"What's that?"
"A steady income large enough for a fresh stake when he hits a losing streak."
"Has he ever hurt you?" Teresa asked, following Laura back to the family room.
"Once when we were first married. I had an attorney draw up the divorce papers, but Mathew swore it would never happen again and I believed him. I was so in love, all I wanted was to be back in his arms."
"He never hurt you again?"
"No, but I suspect he has hurt others," Laura sighed. "Taking him back turned out to be the biggest mistake I have ever made."
"I can see why."
"I'm sure you can. I hope you are the wiser of the two of us. You are young and beautiful, and that makes you a prime target for men like Mathew. A man with wealth will take you to all the best places, buy you nice things, make passionate love to you, and work hard to win your heart. Once you say you love him, the challenge is over and he begins to lose interest."