My Husband Thinks I’m My Own Mistress Chapter 05

My Husband Thinks I’m My Own Mistress Chapter 05

Elara wanted me to quit my job and move to another city.

No way.

This was my first real job. I’d fought through five rounds of interviews to get it. Quitting after only six months would ruin my résumé.

She begged and begged, but I refused. Finally she gave in, took the phone number I used with Kael, stayed at our parents’ place for a few days, then went back to the Voss Estate. She grilled me for every little detail about being with Kael, and I told her everything honestly.

I didn’t have to work nights anymore. For the first time in months, I slept well. I was in a great mood, smiled at all my coworkers, and bought everyone iced coffee.

Even when I ran into Kael in the elevator, I chirped, “Morning, boss!”

He looked terrible.

Pale, haggard, sickly white.

He’d never looked this bad, not even after we’d been up all night and he’d had to jump straight into an international meeting.

“Boss?” I asked, confused. “Are you feeling okay?”

He didn’t look at me. His voice was cold and sharp. “None of your business.”

“…Right.”

I worked energetically all morning. I was trying to decide what to eat for lunch when I saw Elara glide into Voss Group Tower with a lunch box.

She’d copied the soft, sweet persona I’d made for myself. She wore a pink tweed dress, a silver butterfly clip in her hair, and smiled sweetly.

I watched her walk into Kael’s office.

She’d been back at the Voss Estate for a week. There was no way they hadn’t slept together… I didn’t even like Kael, but the thought of someone else using what was mine made me sick to my stomach.

I pressed a hand to my temple. I was about to go downstairs for lunch when Kael called.

“Bring in two coffees.”

Kael had a sweet tooth and loved rich coffee. The ratio of sugar to cream was precise.

I made them exactly how he liked them and carried them into his office. I heard Elara’s syrupy voice.

“Honey, come eat. I made this just for you. Try it.”

She froze when she saw me, then forced a smile.

“Lila, I’m having lunch with your brother-in-law. What are you doing in here?”

“Bringing coffee.”

I didn’t want trouble. Kael was still at his desk, so I set one coffee down and handed the other to Elara on the couch.

She reached for it politely. The second I let go, she smiled.

And threw the scalding coffee straight at me.

The hot liquid burned my bare arm.

My skin turned red and blistered instantly.

“Oh, Lila, are you okay?!” She gasped, looking panicked and worried. “How could you be so clumsy? What if it scars?”

She looked like she was about to cry from guilt.

Kael stepped over and patted Elara’s shoulder gently. “It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault… Let’s get you to the hospital. I’ll cover the bill.”

“Honey, you’re the best.” Elara leaned into his chest, whimpering. “It’s all my fault. If Lila scars, I’ll never forgive myself.”

She hid against him, glanced up at me, and smirked.

Just like she always did — faking innocence and twisting the truth in front of our parents.

I smiled back.

I left the office.

I cleaned my wound quickly, then leaned against the elevator door and waited. When Elara walked out looking triumphant, I crooked my finger at her.

I grabbed her arm and slapped her caked‑on makeup face hard.

“You —”

Slap! I hit her other cheek just as hard.

Her face swelled red. She stared at me, furious and shocked.

“How dare you —”

“I played along in front of Kael, but I’m not letting you get away with this.” I crossed my arms and smiled. “Add two million dollars. Transfer it to me tonight. Stay out of your little married games with him from now on… or you better not mess with me.”

Elara covered her face and glared at me with pure hatred, but she didn’t dare say a word.

She knew I’d snap if pushed too far.

Three years ago, I’d pushed her into the pool and held her under until she nearly drowned. She would’ve died if a maid hadn’t screamed.

Our parents spoiled her, but I was their daughter too.

She’d never call the cops.

She’d just have to swallow it.

“Quit your job, Lila,” she said, taking a deep breath.

“The world’s huge. Why are you clinging to your brother-in-law?”

“If you hate me and don’t want to see me, just leave. Get out of this city. Go far away. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

I realized at once.

“You whispered in his ear, didn’t you?”

She smiled at me tauntingly and said nothing.

My jaw tightened. Being played with like this made me furious.

I shoved Elara hard.

Then I turned and walked back into Kael’s office.

Kael was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, staring blankly.

He held a lit cigarette between his fingers. Smoke curled around his face, softening his sharp features.

He turned when the door opened. He froze when he saw me and frowned.

“What is it?”

“I know my sister told you to fire me,” I said directly.

“I’ll leave. But you have to pay me ten million dollars.”

He almost laughed. He stepped forward and stamped out his cigarette.

“With all the mistakes you’ve made lately, I’d be justified in firing you. Why would I pay you that much?”

I took a deep breath.

Then I smiled.

I walked up to him, wrapped my arms around his neck, stood on my tiptoes, and whispered in his ear.

“Because you’ve fallen for me, brother-in-law.”

He tried to push me away, but I held on tight. His whole body went stiff. He snapped at me in a low, dangerous voice.

“Lila Mae —”

“You’ve fallen for me. That’s why you’re annoyed every time you see me. That’s why you yell at me three times more than any other secretary. You feel guilty about your wife, so you want me gone. Isn’t that right, brother-in-law?”

He paid extra attention to me, so he noticed the hickeys on my neck.

He felt he owed his wife loyalty, so he wanted to fire me.

I stirred up too many feelings in him, so he snapped at me constantly, hoping I’d leave on my own.

Kael — did I seduce you, or did you just lose control of your own heart?

I pressed my face against his chest and whined. “Brother-in-law, that coffee was so hot. I have huge blisters. My arm hurts so bad…”

He closed his eyes. “Get off me. I’ll take you to the hospital.”