Steven Lester's Duplicity

Naomi discovers that maintaining a double life is an exhausting endeavor, with unforeseen consequences for someone seemingly invincible with vast resources. Raised as an only child with boundless expectations, her intellect and ambition led her to excel academically and ascend the corporate ladder in the finance world. However, her inclination to outsmart the odds may prove fatal. While managing a demanding career that involves frequent travel between Washington DC and Los Angeles, Naomi's marriage to Charleston faces challenges. Initially, his passion for gaming eased the strain, but as they welcomed two children into the world, the distance between them grew. Naomi's complicated family dynamics, including a strained relationship with her half-brother Randall, adds another layer of tension. During one of her business trips to L.A., Naomi unexpectedly befriends Dion Okafor, a journalist and part-time comedian. As their friendship deepens, the tension between them becomes undeniable, leading to a never-ending secret affair. Despite the obvious egregiousness of her deceit, Naomi manages to keep both families hidden from each other. After expertly juggling her double life for years, new challenges arise, as fate will give Dion an opportunity to secure a writing position in Washington D.C., bringing both families closer together. Naomi, burdened by her web of lies, confides in her close friends who reluctantly support her deception. With her main family in D.C. and her transplant family in Northern Virginia, Naomi tries to keep them separate, but destiny intervenes. As all of her children approach college age, their paths eventually cross, threatening to expose Naomi's intricate charade. A disaster looms as her children, unaware of each other's existence, meet through a mutual friend, leading to a shocking revelation that shatters both men's lives. Naomi is forced to confront the consequences of her deception as the truth unravels in a poignant climax.