Candace: Still laughing lightly she explains. I always knew you where a little full of yourself, but this is too much.

Bette: Her tone is laced with annoyance. Excuse me?

Candace: This She points both hands towards Bette and moves them in an up and down movement like she is modeling Bette off to a group of contestant about to bid on her. You. Bette gives her an annoyed and perplex look. Let me ask you this; where was all this union and commitment when you got into my truck that day? Where were they when you let me ***** you at that bed and breakfast or in your office? Bette blushes from shame. Where were they when we were in that jail cell? Remembering what Mikela accused her of earlier, Candace decides to put all the cards on the table. Where were they when you offered me to bid on and then gave me the contract for Provocations?

Bette looks utterly stunned by the last question. She wants to deny it, but cant muster the words. Seeing the stun look on Bettes face and her silence to the accusations she has just thrown at Bette as a sign of defeat, Candace decides to rub her face in it by taunting Bette. Huh? What? She places her hand to her ear. Speak up Bette, because I cant hear you. She removes her hand from her ear and places an expression of mock surprise on her face. Oh could it be? The great Bette Porter has nothing to say?!

Bette: Not at all amused by Candaces little performance decides to respond with her best Im so above your level voice. Im not going to waste my breath on speaking to you, let alone trying to explain what Tina and I have to someone who clearly could never understand anything as beautiful as marriage. You could The look of pure rage emanating from Candace makes Bette stop mid-rant.

Candace: Through clenched teeth Candace responds in a deadly calm voice that is clearly contrary to what she feels at this moment. You dont know a god damn thing about me Bette. Who are you to say I dont understand commitment or marriage? You self-absorbed arrogant She decides to not finish that train of thought and instead switches gears completely. You want to know who Sanai is or shall I say was? Youll be happy to know she isnt some piece of ***** on the side, not that it is any of your business. Sanai was my partner; she was my wife.

The word shock does not begin to express how Bette feels about this new revelation. It just never occurred to her that Candace was going to say she had a wife.

Candace: Yeah thats right Bette, I had a wife. So the next time you see Tina you can tell her who Sanai is. Candace walks back to her desk and sits down in her chair. Now that Ive answered your question you can get the ***** out of my office.

Bette: Not knowing what to say or if there is anything left to say at this point, Bette decides it is time for her to leave. She picks up her purse from one of the chairs and turns to leave. Something about what Candace just revealed begins to nag her so out of plan curiosity she asks,You said is then you emphasized it as a was. What happened to her?

Candace: Lets out a humorless laugh. God! You dont quit, do you?

Bette: Just answer the ***** question Candace.

Candace: Shes dead.

Bette: Still curious. Howd she die?

Candace: With haunted eyes, Candace looks at Bette and mumbles. She killed herself.

Tbc