"Don't worry. She won't be waking up soon."
Selena's voice drifted into my ears as I slowly came out of a long, heavy sleep.
My eyes opened slightly.
Mary, my maid, stood beside the door in her white shirt and black pants—the Sterling household uniform. My gaze moved across the room and landed on Selena.
She was sprawled on the Chanel chair beside my bed, glaring at me.
What was she doing here?
"What is she doing here?" I asked hoarsely, my voice still rough with sleep as I turned to Mary.
Mary lowered her head, her face buried in silence.
"Oh, you're awake," Selena said with a smile that never reached her eyes. "I just came to have a little conversation with you… as friends. It's been a long time since we gisted."
My chest tightened at the sight of her face.
"Leave," I ordered Mary.
She quickly slipped out of the room, leaving Selena and me alone.
I stared at Selena. Our eyes met—sharp and fierce. Her gaze was threatening.
"How dare you invade my privacy?" I demanded, anger rising in my voice.
"Privacy?" she laughed lightly. "The last time I checked, you're a lonely wife sleeping alone in a big bedroom."
She leaned back and crossed her legs confidently, her voice calm.
"Meanwhile, Victor crawls into my bed willingly every night like his life depends on it. I must say… he's very good in bed." She burst into laughter.
"What do you want?" I growled, my eyes flashing with fury.
"I just came to tell you something," Selena continued casually. "If you are willing to stay in this marriage, no problem. But in a few days, it will be my birthday, and Victor has already promised to buy me the most expensive jewelry from the Sovereign Auction at the Aurelius event—something every woman dreams of."
"Has he ever done that for you?"I guess not."
She stood up and paced slowly around the room, happily listing everything Victor planned to buy for her.
The truth was… Victor had never even bought me a pen in all the years we spent together.
On my birthdays, he would send a late, half-hearted apology message days later, claiming he'd forgotten. This only happened when he needed my help with the business; if he didn't need anything, there would be no calls, no messages, and no appearances.
And now his mistress was standing in my bedroom, trying to make me jealous and serve him a divorce so that she can have all I have worked for, but not until I took back every piece of what I created. Only then could she have him.
"And that's not all," she continued proudly. "He will buy me a house in Aurelius..."
"Oh!" she snapped her fingers suddenly as if remembering something.
"And a car too. The newest model. All of it… for me."
Her face glowed with satisfaction.
"And you," she leaned closer toward me, "will be left with nothing."
Silence filled the room as I allowed her to finish speaking.
"Congratulations," I said calmly. "You must be very rich after that."
"Leave, bitch!" she snapped. She yanked the duvet off my legs."Or you'll get divorced in the most embarrassing way possible," she added before storming out of my bedroom.
My stomach twisted with anger.
The audacity… in my own bedroom.
I exhaled slowly, forcing the fire in my chest to calm just enough for me to think clearly.
"Mary!" I shouted her name like a gunshot.
She rushed in immediately, standing obediently with her head lowered and hands folded.
"Ma'am," she said softly.
Victor employed Mary as my maid. Even so, I treated her like my own sister. I bought her clothes and sanitary supplies whenever she needed them.
"Mary," I said quietly, my voice trembling slightly, "ever since you started working for me… have I ever treated you badly?"
"No, ma'am."
"Then tell me why my husband's mistress was sitting beside me on my bed while I was asleep. You were standing there, and you didn't even wake me up!"
My eyes narrowed.
"Is that how badly you feel about me?"
Mary had grown close to Selena recently. I had caught them together more than once.
"Is there something you're hiding from me?" I asked.
"No… nothing, ma'am," she stammered. "I… I didn't know what to do. She said Mr. Victor told her to come here."
"Mary, I don't seem to trust you these days," I said quietly. "If things continue like this… I'm sorry to say I'll have to replace you."
"I'm sorry, ma'am," she whispered.
"I want to be alone."
She nodded and left the room.
Just then, my phone buzzed on the bedside table.
I reached for it.
A news alert flashed across the screen.
Headline: The government announces a major construction contract open for bidding.
Williams' card was left in my bag yesterday. I reached for it and dialed the number on it.
"William's speaking," his voice was deep and gravely on the other end.
"This is Lysandra," I said, my tone steady.
"I remember," he replied. "I want to discuss the government contract. Come to my office."
The call ended.
The red dress fit my body perfectly, revealing just enough of my cleavage. My curves, including my ample hips and soft breasts, stood out as I admired my reflection in the large mirror. I had styled my hair into a deep side wave, which framed my round face and gave me a sharper, bolder appearance. I dressed carefully, taking my time to perfect the look. Grabbing my bag, I dashed out of the bedroom.
In the sitting room, the aroma of delicious food filled the air. Victor and Selena sat across from each other at the dining table.
I paused at the doorway, but the scent pulled me in. I headed toward the table.
Victor's expression changed at my appearance; he frowned immediately. He expected me to confront him about why he ignored me or why he dined with Selena.
"Lysandra, don't—" he began, but I ignored him. I sat in a chair and served myself three portions of fried eggs with yams. Both of them stared in shock as I devoured it.
"If you're this hungry, why didn't you tell the maid to prepare your food?" Victor wheeled.
I kept eating, not even glancing at them.
"She disgusts me with the way she's eating," Selena growled.
I downed three glasses of water and stood, ready to leave.
But Victor's voice stopped me mid-step.
"The government contract has been announced, Lysandra," he said, calm but firm. "I believe you're already working on it."
This jerk still thinks I'm the same woman he used to build his life for him and his mistress.
"It seems I don't understand why you still need the help of that woman who cost you your happiness. You should tell your love to get it for you," I said, gesturing toward Selena.
His face twisted in shock, mouth wide, as if he were gasping for air.
"Victor, don't worry. We'll get the contract ourselves. Let her go," Selena spat, her fury barely restrained.
"Selena, stay out of this. You know nothing about contracts," Victor snapped.
He turned towards me, "Lysandra," he said, "I know I must have hurt you." His eyes flickered. "You know how important this contract is. You've always been the..."
"Victor," I interrupted calmly, "getting you a contract, building an empire with you—that's what I would love to do… with a man I love, who loves me back. Not with someone who thinks I'm just a tool to build his life for him and his mistress."
I didn't wait for another word. I turned and walked away.
Outside, the Sterling Parklot was refreshing. My eyes landed on the dusty car parked on the other side. Victor had bought it for me—a Mercedes-Benz, one of his media camouflage "love" gestures before our wedding. Yet he never encouraged me to use it. "Take a cab," he'd say. "It's easier."
It wasn't about convenience—it was to make me feel that he didn't do it for love, only to offset Selena.
I dug into my bag and pulled out the key. My fingers glided over the smooth surface of the black Mercedes. Everything inside was pristine and new.
"Well," I thought, "I guess this is the right time to use it."