Liv understands.

Lottie arrived home, checking the time on her phone. It was 1:45, and she had managed to go the rest of the day at work without incident, sending both Ron and Charlie home early.

As soon as she changed into a soft pair of sweatpants and a cosy hoodie, the door opened. "Lottie!"

"Coming!" she called, jogging down the stairs to see Olivia pouring two glasses of wine in the kitchen.

"It's too early," Lottie said, but Olivia only smiled.

"Most definitely not too early," Liv replied before placing the bottle back down and approaching Lottie. She pulled her close, and Lottie instantly broke down in tears.

Sitting on the sofa, Lottie described the events of the last few days, the games they'd played, the sex she'd had with Harry, her indiscretions with Charlie, every detail. Olivia didn't know where to start.

"Wow, that's not what I expected."

"I'm a stupid slut is what you want to say, right?"

She was pulling Lottie close, comforting her. "Don't ever say that!" she said, chuckling at Lottie's choice of words.

"Look... You messed up... But. But Harry put you there. You told Harry that Charlie had grabbed your thigh with him in the room? And he still wanted to continue. He still wanted to strip you for Charlie at work?"

"yeah... but there's a big difference between showing off a bit and me Betraying our marriage two days in a row." Despair in Lottie's voice.

"I think Harry is going to surprise you."

"What are you on about?" Lottie said, shaking her head, "He's only going to surprise me by not kicking me out on my ass tomorrow morning."

"He won't." Olivia took a deep breath and continued, "I think he will actually enjoy it when he finds out...and I think it might make him like you even more."

Lottie looked at her in shock, "Are you serious?"

Olivia nodded her head and continued to explain, "Yes - I think he might be... hmm, I think he's a cuck. Some men get off on their partners fucking other people, especially if they can watch or hear about it afterwards. It's a really powerful fantasy for some people..." Liv trailed off as Lottie slowly processed what she said.

"No, Harry wouldn't ever want that. He loves me. And I've betrayed that."

"I don't think you have. I think he really does get off on the idea of you being with someone else. And if he's not admitting it to himself right now, that doesn't mean it isn't true. Tell him when he gets home from his night out - even if he's a little drunk, he will be more open than usual. I promise."

"I'm not using him being drunk to get out of this."

Liv sighed. "Well, if you think he's going to divorce you anyway, use it for another night of sex you won't forget,"

Lottie felt a strange mix of hope and fear as she thought about finally telling Harry everything. On the one hand, it was possible that he might forgive her - but on the other hand, she knew that even if he did, things would never be the same again. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the worst yet to come.

"Let's just take a break - the next few days are going to be extremely demanding, and you'll feel all sorts of emotions," Liv said.

"Yeah, thank you - I don't know what I'd do without you," Lottie replied.

Liv smiled and nodded. "I'm aware," she said, which finally made Lottie crack a grin.