All Chapters of The Mistress: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The morning sun streamed through the sheer curtains of Victoria Sy’s home, casting a warm glow over the cheerful chaos of toys and scattered crayons in the living room. She breathed in the sweet scent of pancakes wafting from the kitchen, a comforting aroma that signaled another day in her seemingly perfect life. As she adjusted the apron tied around her waist, she couldn’t shake the feeling that beneath the surface, something was about to shift.“Mommy, can I have extra syrup?” a small voice piped up from the table. Victoria turned to see her five-year-old son, Ethan, his big brown eyes sparkling with mischief.“Only if you promise to eat your pancakes first,” she replied, her voice playful as she ruffled his tousled hair. The truth was, Ethan was her anchor in a life that sometimes felt like it was drifting away. No matter how chaotic the mornings became, he brought a sense of joy and innocence that grounded her.As she flipped pancakes with practiced ease, her mind wandered to her

With hands around a steaming cup of coffee, Victoria watched the morning fog descend over the yard from the kitchen window. Everything appeared quite normal—the gentle golden light of dawn, the clean grass still shimmering with dew, and the quiet murmur of morning birds she could hear through the glass. Still, the sight seemed subdued, almost strange, as though it were occurring just slightly apart from her. She discovered herself slightly squinting, as though she were looking for something just outside the periphery of her own vision.She drew a long breath and allowed the aroma of coffee envelop her senses. She considered, maybe I just need more sleep, but she knew the discomfort had persisted for longer than a few sleepless evenings. Like a weak tug at the rear of her consciousness, it had begun as a barely perceptible sensation she could readily overlook. But lately, it became more difficult to distance yourself and drown out with morning rituals and grins shared at school drop-of

Victoria sat at the kitchen table, stirring her coffee absentmindedly as the morning light streamed through the window. The once-familiar silence of the house now felt different, carrying a weight she couldn’t ignore. She glanced over at the empty seat across from her, where Daniel usually sat during breakfast. Lately, though, that seat had been empty more often than not.She sighed, taking a sip of her now-cold coffee, glancing at the clock on the wall. Daniel had been leaving earlier and coming home later, citing endless meetings and new demands at work. He’d mutter excuses, claiming it was all part of moving up in the company, his words always slipping away before she could find the right questions to ask. She’d tell herself it was probably nothing, just him being driven and ambitious like he always was.But then, there were the small changes. The way he’d glance at his phone with a strange look in his eyes, how he’d step out to take calls in another room, his voice low and guarded

Victoria paced the living room, her mind racing with thoughts that spiraled into despair. The silence of the house felt heavy, amplifying the thudding of her heart. She had to confront Daniel; there was no other choice. Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself, her resolve hardening like a stone.When Daniel walked through the door, still wearing his work clothes, she turned to face him, determination in her eyes. “We need to talk,” she said, her voice steady but strained.“About what?” he asked, dropping his briefcase by the door, a casualness in his tone that made her stomach churn.“About your texts. The ones I found on your phone,” she stated, her heart racing as she watched his expression change from casual to guarded.His brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”“Don’t play dumb, Daniel. You know exactly what I mean. The texts you’ve been sending to her,” she said, the words tumbling out, full of anguish.“I told you, it was just a joke,” he replied, shifting his weight unc

`The following day was gray and overcast, a perfect reflection of Victoria’s mood. She stared out the window, watching the rain fall in soft, relentless sheets, feeling as if the world outside mirrored the turmoil inside her. Despite Sophie’s encouragement, the heaviness in her chest didn’t lighten.“Vic?” Sophie’s voice broke through the fog of her thoughts. She entered the living room, a warm cup of tea in her hands. “I thought you might like this.”“Thanks,” Victoria replied, taking the steaming mug. She wrapped her fingers around it, letting the warmth seep into her cold hands, but the gesture couldn’t thaw the chill that had settled deep within her.Sophie perched on the edge of the coffee table, leaning forward, concern written all over her face. “I know it’s tough right now, but you really need to think about your happiness. You can’t let this situation consume you.”“I just don’t know how to be happy right now,” Victoria admitted, her voice heavy with resignation. “Everything