Episode 35: The Poisoned Table

 

💔 Episode 35: The Poisoned Table 

Cindy sat in her small, anonymous hotel room, the hum of the city a dull counterpoint to the sharp calculations in her head. She watched the video of the kiss again, a slow, triumphant smile curving her lips.

Cindy’s Thoughts: It’s started. This isn't revenge; this is punishment. They think they can ruin my life? No. They will pay. Every moment of happiness Ted and Allyson thought was precious—I'm going to destroy it all, starting with her.

She reviewed her notes, guiding the situation for maximum damage without arousing suspicion. She secured her new place in Cannon Beach, ensuring she would be a constant presence. She visited Ted for two days, establishing a rapport and cementing her false narrative.

The day arrived. Allyson got on the road to Portland. Cindy, informed of Allyson’s arrival, timed her final hospital visit perfectly.

Scene 4: The Unusually Cold Question

Allyson found Ted’s room and opened the door. Her world stopped. There was Cindy, sitting inches from Ted, laughing with him.

The shock made Allyson go instantly pale. What is Cindy doing here? Why are they being friendly? What has Cindy said to Ted?

ALLYSON: “Oh, Cindy. I see they released you from jail,” she said, her voice dangerously even.

Cindy looked at Allyson and flashed the wickedest, most triumphant smile.

CINDY: “Well, hello, Allyson. So I hear that Ted broke up with you. How are you doing?”

ALLYSON: “That’s between me and Ted.”

CINDY: “Well, I have to go, Ted. I have to move into my new place in Cannon Beach. Oh yeah, Allyson, I’ll be sticking around,” she said, directing the final line straight at Allyson, a clear declaration of war.

Cindy gave Ted a quick peck on the cheek and left.

Allyson walked over, tears already streaming down her face, and sat beside Ted.

ALLYSON: “Ted, you look better. I want to work things out. I love you, sweetie. I want us to get back together.”

Ted looked at her, his eyes distant.

TED: “Cindy came right up and spent several days with me. She says we went up the cliff to talk, she admitted her love for me, things got hot and heavy, and I tripped on my own pants and fell. She panicked and ran. Do you have any proof that that was a lie? Any real proof, beyond feelings?”

Allyson’s Thoughts: He is listening to her! She spun this terrible lie, and he is entertaining it. This isn’t my Ted. My heart is breaking.

ALLYSON: “No, I don’t have any proof. But I know how she is. You know how manipulative she is, Ted.”

TED: “So you don’t think she’s feeling guilty? You don’t think she’s just trying to be a better person? Allyson, do you think Cindy can't change?”

ALLYSON: “Ted, I know her. She lied to you before. I’ve never lied to you. I only have love for you.”

TED: “So you only have eyes for me, Allyson? You have been waiting for me and never wanted to be with anyone else?”

Scene 5: The Video Evidence and Confession

TED: “Let me show you a video, somebody forwarded me.”

He played the video. Allyson instantly recognized the motel security footage showing her and Andrew kissing and embracing in the hot tub. Her face crumpled.

ALLYSON: (Sobbing) “I can explain, Ted! You had rejected me, and I was feeling alone. The man is Andrew. He and his wife, Sarah, had already decided to work out their marriage two days before our encounter, and he said I should try to get back together with you. We went to that motel, and yes, we were in the hot tub. We just sat and talked in the hotel room after. That’s it! That’s what happened.”

Ted listened, the coldness in his eyes softening slightly.

TED: “Did you make love to him, Allyson?”

ALLYSON: (Crying) “No! We didn’t make love. Only kissing.”

Ted wiped his eyes, feeling the sting of the lie of omission. She lied, he thought.

TED: “Can you answer this for me? Did you want to have sex with him? If he hadn’t called it off, would you have had sex with him?”

Allyson’s Internal Thoughts: Answering truthfully would make it incredibly hard to ever get back together, but he wouldn't respect me if I didn't answer truthfully.

She took a deep, shuddering breath.

ALLYSON: “Yes. I wanted to. My world had collapsed when you broke up with me. I was broken and emotionally vulnerable. Yes, if he had called it off, I would have had sex with him. I am so sorry, Ted.”

Scene 6: The Uncomfortable Truce

TED: “I won’t close the door on possibly getting back together. But Cindy has expressed she wants to also pursue something with me.”

TED: “I also kissed Cindy.”

Allyson’s Internal Thoughts and Feelings: Her soul collapsed. The kiss she just shared felt colder now. She understood why. Cindy was already nestled deep in Ted’s mind. She was disturbed, thinking of how precise and deliberate Cindy was.

Ted grabbed her hands. “I still have feelings for you. Deep feelings, confusing feelings. But right now, I’m still angry. And you have to allow me to get over that before there’s a possibility of anything beyond friendship. I’m coming back to Cannon Beach in a week. I’ll be friends with both of you, and I will choose eventually. Are you okay with that?”

Allyson’s Feelings: She was glad he was coming back, but the fact that she would have to compete with Cindy infuriated her. She knew the truth, and she prayed he would remember it.

ALLYSON: “Okay, I will go back to Cannon Beach and wait your return. I really want to work this out, Ted. I miss your love.”

TED: “I love you, too.”

She left the hospital room and got on the road back to the beach.