She winced internally at the sight of tears in Marissa’s eyes.  Part of her hated the other woman for putting them in the situation they found themselves in, and part of her wanted to punish Cyril for his inability to keep things from going this far.  At the end of the day, however, it was her fault.  She had chosen to live the life she did, and to sell the fantasy and reality of her dominant nature for profit.  She couldn’t well blame someone else for her choices.<br/><br/>When the woman left she really wasn’t surprised, but she glanced towards Cyril and made a sharp motion with her hand that he was to stay where he was.  She was fairly certain that after so long her control of him wouldn’t be broken, even by something as devastating as having his wife run away.  She didn’t wait to see if she was correct, but followed Marissa outside far enough to see her stop in the driveway near Cyril’s car.<br/><br/>She waited, not interrupting.  It had to be Marissa’s choice or she’d never be able to truly understand why Cyril needed what Bridget offered.  There was a good chance she’d never be able to understand it anyway, but as long as she turned back willingly there was a chance she’d at least listen.  It would have to be enough for now, and it was all she’d promised.  If she couldn’t handle such a base part of the man she had loved then it was better that she leave now as far as Bridget was concerned.<br/><br/>She was mildly surprised when Marissa turned back around and started back towards the house, pleasantly so.  She had more of a backbone than Marissa would have thought.  “If you walk out again this isn’t going to work,” she said not unkindly.  “Next time stop and ask him why he’s doing what he is, the answers might surprise you…”<br/>