บททั้งหมดของ The Mistress: บทที่ 21 - บทที่ 30

Victoria parked her car in the school lot, glancing at the clock on her dashboard. She was early, but she preferred it that way—better to settle in and avoid awkward small talk with the other parents. She stepped out, smoothing down her blouse, and headed toward the entrance, the faint hum of children’s laughter in the distance pulling a small smile to her lips.The parents-teacher event was already buzzing when she arrived. Brightly colored posters lined the walls, and the chatter of proud parents mingled with the occasional cries of younger siblings. Victoria scanned the room until she spotted Ethan’s class.“Mom!” Ethan’s voice broke through the noise as he ran up to her, his face lighting up with excitement. He hugged her around the waist, and for a moment, the weight of the past few weeks melted away.“Hey, buddy,” she said, kneeling to his level. “Excited to show me what you’ve been up to?”Ethan nodded vigorously, taking her hand and leading her toward a display of projects. “L

Victoria sat in her favorite corner of the art studio, her hands nervously smoothing the edges of an untouched canvas. She didn’t need to start painting yet; her mind was already swirling with emotions that no brush could capture. The faint sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, and soon Zander appeared in the doorway, his sharp features softened by the dim afternoon light.“Mind if I come in?” Zander’s voice was gentle, almost hesitant.Victoria looked up and managed a small smile. “Of course not. I could use the company.”He stepped inside, his presence both comforting and unsettling. Zander had a way of grounding her while simultaneously stirring feelings she didn’t fully understand—or dare to explore. He pulled a chair closer, sitting just far enough to respect her space but close enough to signal his intention to listen.“I figured you might want to talk,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “About… everything.”She sighed, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweater. “Wh

VICTORIAThe dining room was as grand as ever, yet suffocating under the weight of unspoken expectations. Rita Blackwood, my mother-in-law, sat at the head of the table, her demeanor regal, her sharp gaze cutting through the room like a finely honed blade. Across from her, I felt the familiar tension coil in my stomach, the kind that only arose when I knew a confrontation was brewing.“So, Victoria,” she began, dabbing her lips with a linen napkin before placing it down with exaggerated precision. “I’ve been hearing about your art again.”Her tone wasn’t accusatory, not outright. But there was a distinct note of disapproval woven through her words, as if my art were some hobby too frivolous for someone carrying the Blackwood name.“Yes,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. “I’ve been working on some pieces for an exhibit I’m planning. It’s something I’ve been putting a lot of thought into.”Rita’s lips pursed, the corners of her mouth twitching as if she were holding back a particular

Sophie and Victoria sat on the couch, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words. Sophie’s eyes remained fixed on Victoria, her gaze steady and probing, waiting for her to speak. Victoria’s fingers fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her gaze deliberately avoiding Sophie’s as the weight of her thoughts pressed down on her chest. The words were there, tangled and knotted, refusing to come together in any coherent form.Finally, Sophie broke the silence, her voice gentle but firm. “You’re not okay, Vic. I know that. What’s going on? You can’t keep pretending everything’s fine.”Victoria swallowed hard, the familiar knot tightening in her stomach. For as long as she could remember, Sophie had been the one person she could share anything with, but this… this felt different. It was a truth so raw and bitter that even acknowledging it aloud felt like a betrayal.Taking a shaky breath, she forced herself to meet Sophie’s gaze. The pain she had been hiding was now laid bare. “Sophie, I

“Victoria, we can’t keep living like this,” Zander’s voice cut through the heavy silence, his words low but firm. The words hung in the air between them, filling the space with a tension that felt like it might crack any moment. Victoria stared at her hands, her fingers tightly clasped in her lap. Her stomach churned, a tight knot of anxiety and fear she couldn’t shake. “Daniel’s actions—they’re not just hurting you anymore,” Zander continued, his gaze never leaving her. “They’re hurting Ethan too. He deserves to know the truth.” Victoria shifted uncomfortably, her gaze flicking to the untouched glass of wine on the coffee table. The liquid swirled gently as if mocking her inability to settle, her mind whirling with the weight of his words. “Ethan…” she murmured, her voice breaking slightly. She paused, the knot in her chest tightening. “He’s just a kid. He doesn’t need to be dragged into this mess. He’s already been through enough.” Zander’s face softened, though his resolve didn