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Chapter 4
"Baby, you're here!" Elaine called out, practically purring as Lionel walked in. He was just about to slip off his shoes when he froze mid-step, his eyes darting around. His expression turned dark in an instant, and I could practically see the wheels turning in his head as if he were about to turn around and bolt out the door.
"I'm back from work," he mumbled, but there was no humor in his voice. His face was pale, beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead.
Elaine threw me a quick, smug glance before jumping to her feet. With a flirtatious grin, she rushed over to Lionel and flung herself into his arms. But Lionel pushed her off roughly, his expression only growing darker as he slumped down onto the sofa. Yeah, the mistress was making her move, and I was the one left standing here, forced to witness it all. Classic.
Elaine didn't seem to care, though. She was on cloud nine. "This is my boyfriend, Lionel," she said proudly. "He treats me so well. You should've seen what he's done for me."
I couldn't even look at her. Instead, I turned my eyes to Lionel. "So, you brought the mistress home. Is this your idea of a 'surprise' for me?"
He just stood there, face draining of color. He didn't expect to be caught like this, maybe he was scared? Or just guilty as hell?
Elaine piped up again, this time with that same smug look plastered on her face. "The mistress is the one who's unloved! Lionel and I are childhood sweethearts! We were in love first. It's you who ruined everything!"
Her arrogance was so thick I could almost taste it. My blood was boiling, but I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction of seeing me fall apart. I steadied my breath, refusing to let her see me cry or break down.
Lionel pulled me into the bedroom, looking like he was about to explode. "Wife, let me explain, "
I didn't let him finish. I slapped him so hard my palm stung. "Explain? What's there to explain? Is it that you've been making $4,197 a month for five years, and that you've been buying gifts and houses for her, while I'm here stuck with you? Is that what you want to explain? You keep saying you're off on business trips and social events, but I know exactly where you end up, right in her bed. What kind of man does that? You've been lying to me, working two jobs just to finance this affair with your mistress!"
I could feel the tears running down my face, but I wasn't about to wipe them away. I was done holding it in. I cursed him. I cursed myself for not seeing it sooner, for putting up with him.
Lionel stood there, stunned by the truth coming out of my mouth. "Wife, you knew everything? I didn't mean to lie…"
I couldn't even look at him anymore. "Shut up! All you do is lie. If you can't be honest, if you can't even support your own family, then we're done. Let's get a divorce!"
His face changed, his eyes cold as ice. "Emma, how can you be so selfish? Did you marry me just for my money? Why should I give you $1,119 out of my $1,399 salary? You're so materialistic! You don't even understand how hard I've been working! I just wanted you to see what I've been going through. And you still dare to scold me? I don't even know why you've become like this, like a shrew. You wanna know why I don't love you? Look at yourself in the mirror!"
I couldn't process what he said. I was too stunned. A gold digger? Me? I didn't accept a single penny from him. I paid off my car loan, my mortgage, everything by myself. And yet, I was the gold digger?
And then, in the living room, Lionel pulled Elaine closer and kissed her, not even trying to hide it. Something inside me snapped, but at the same time, I felt... numb. Elaine shot me a look of triumph as they walked out of the house, turning to shout one last dig at me.
"Emma, you're the mistress now. Got it?"
And that was it. No more tears. No more drama. There's nothing more devastating than having your heart completely drained, realizing that the man you loved and trusted was nothing more than a stranger, lying to your face the whole time.