chapter30

The message on the screen was a jagged blade: "I just wanted to show you how amazing he is."

Those few words sent my imagination into a dark spiral. I knew exactly what she was implying about Matthew’s "talents." Outraged, I hurled my phone across the room, my chest heaving as I fought back a scream of pure, concentrated fury.

She was taunting me. I clenched my teeth so hard I could hear them grinding, my vision blurring. I forced myself to close my eyes and take several ragged, deep breaths. After a few minutes, the red mist began to recede. I picked up my phone, grabbed my bag, and stormed out of the house.

The moment I saw Ivanna, the dam finally broke. I threw myself into her arms and wailed, my body shaking with the aftershocks of the torment I’d endured.

When I showed Ivanna the photos and the message, she exploded. she roared, kicked a chair, and swept a stack of magazines off the table—her own way of venting the frustration I couldn't yet release. “That bastard is shameless! A disgraceful, bottom-feeding degenerate! How dare he?”

Once the air cleared and we both calmed down, I looked at Ivanna with newfound clarity. “I won’t fall for her provocations. She’s the one in the wrong, and I need to show her that these petty tactics are futile. If she has the courage to steal a husband, she should have the guts to face me. Hiding in the shadows like a coward doesn't impress me.”

“You’re damn right!” Ivanna ranted, pacing the room. “Are mistresses so bold these days? Since when did being a homewrecker become a point of pride?”

“She must be someone we know, or at least an acquaintance,” I mused, my intuition sharpening. “She clearly knows I’ve returned to the company. She’s been inseparable from Matthew lately, and now that I’m back in his orbit, she’s losing her cool. She can’t sit still.”

Ivanna sat beside me, her expression serious. “Chloe, if you can stay this composed, we can win this. I don’t believe for a second that our combined intelligence can’t handle a girl who doesn't even know the rules of the game. But she’s clearly tired of being a secret. How do we handle her next move?”

I leaned back, my mind racing. “She’s openly challenging me. If I do nothing, I’m letting her off too easily. Since I know it kills her to see me with Matthew, I’ll give her exactly what she fears. I’m going to rile her up until she makes a mistake.”

“But won’t that put Matthew on edge?” Ivanna asked worriedly. “What if they team up against you?”

“He’s already being careful,” I countered with a cold laugh. “He’s gone to the trouble of creating a whole fake life to keep me satisfied. He only acts this cautious because he knows what he’ll lose if I find out. I’m going to use that against him.”

Ivanna snapped her fingers. “Exactly. So, what’s the play?”

“I’ll continue to play the doting wife. I’ll put on a grand show of our 'perfect' love. First, it will smoke her out of hiding. Second, it buys me the time we need to finalize our own plans. We have to maximize every second.”

Ivanna nodded in agreement.

“Meanwhile,” I continued, “keep an eye on Johnson. I know there’s a secret between him and Matthew. Matthew has been entrusting him with specific errands lately—that’s our breakthrough. I’m going to give Johnson a taste of his own medicine.”

“How?” Ivanna asked, leaning in.

“He has vulnerabilities,” I said, contemplating how to turn Johnson into a pawn in my own game.

Before leaving work that evening, I returned to the office and walked straight into Matthew’s suite. As luck would have it, Erica Turner, the head of finance, was there with a high-profile client.

I seized the moment. I walked right up to Matthew and boldly asked for fifteen thousand dollars, claiming I’d seen a few designer bags and outfits while shopping that I simply couldn't live without.

Matthew had always been obsessive about his public image. Without a moment’s hesitation, and with a performative flourish for the client, he transferred twenty thousand dollars to my account. The client immediately began praising Matthew for being such a generous husband, while Erica looked on with an amused, knowing expression.

In the past, I would never have dreamed of asking for money in front of others. I used to refuse his offers, citing company expenses and the need for frugality. But the mask was off. If I didn't take what was rightfully mine, I knew Matthew would just use those company shares to pamper his mistress.

After bidding the client goodbye, we went to the preschool to pick up Ava. I affectionately linked my arm with Matthew’s, certain that a pair of spiteful eyes was watching us from some dark corner nearby.

I smiled to myself. The woman wasn't finished with me, but I was just getting started with her.