All Chapters of The Mistress: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The drive back from the party was quiet, too quiet. The headlights of our car sliced through the night, casting fleeting shadows along the road.Ethan had fallen asleep in the backseat, his little head resting against the window, oblivious to the tension that hung in the air between Daniel and me. I could feel it—a subtle but undeniable distance between us, something that had grown over time, something that we both chose to ignore until it became too big to avoid.Once we got home, I helped Ethan into his pajamas and tucked him into bed. Daniel kissed him goodnight and then retreated to his study, as usual. I wandered into our bedroom, but the weight of the evening kept pulling me into a place I didn’t want to go. I couldn’t sleep.My mind wouldn’t stop spinning, analyzing every look, every word, every moment that had made tonight feel like a performance—something I didn’t want to be a part of anymore.I tossed and turned for what felt like hours, but it was no use. Sleep wouldn’t com

The air was tense as Zander and I sat across from each other in the dimly lit café, the quiet murmur of patrons around us barely registering. The weight of what we were planning pressed heavily on my chest, but I knew there was no turning back. The betrayal we both faced had created a bond, an unspoken understanding that this wasn’t just about revenge—it was about reclaiming the control stolen from us.“This has to look real, Victoria,” Zander said, breaking the silence. His tone was measured, but his piercing gaze left no room for doubt.I nodded, my hands tightening around the cup of tea I hadn’t touched. “I know. But we can’t go too far. I don’t want Ethan involved in this.”“Agreed,” he said without hesitation. “This is between us and them. Ethan won’t know a thing.”I sighed, glancing out the window at the passing cars. The streetlights cast a faint glow on the glass, but it did little to lighten the storm inside me. “How do we even begin?”Zander leaned forward, his voice droppi

The evening was warm, with the soft glow of the setting sun casting a golden hue over the Blackwood estate’s sprawling garden. Victoria sat on the porch swing, her hands wrapped around a cup of tea. From her vantage point, she could see Daniel and Ethan playing with a frisbee on the lawn. Ethan’s laughter echoed in the air, a carefree melody that tugged at her heart.She smiled faintly, though her chest felt heavy. On the surface, everything seemed perfect—her husband doting on their son, the picture of a happy family. But beneath the facade, she knew the truth. And it was eating her alive.“Mom! Did you see that?” Ethan’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts. He ran up to her, beaming as he held the frisbee triumphantly. “Dad says I’m getting really good!”“You are, sweetheart,” Victoria said, mustering enthusiasm. She ruffled his hair, her fingers lingering a moment longer than usual, as if the touch could anchor her spiraling emotions.Daniel jogged up, a broad smile plastered acr

Victoria stood in the middle of the living room, arms crossed, surveying the stacks of boxes and bags filled with decorations. Balloons in vibrant colors, a mountain of party favors, and an array of dinosaur-themed props filled every corner of the space. Sophie sat cross-legged on the floor, a banner in her lap that read “Happy Birthday, Ethan!” in bold letters.“Do we have enough streamers?” Sophie asked, tying a knot in one of the balloons.Victoria smirked. “We have enough streamers to cover the entire neighborhood if we wanted to.”Sophie laughed. “Good. Ethan’s going to love this. I mean, who wouldn’t love a dinosaur birthday extravaganza?”Victoria smiled, picturing her son’s face lighting up when he saw everything. “He’s been talking about it for months. I just want to make it perfect for him.”The doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation. Victoria frowned. She wasn’t expecting anyone.“I’ll get it,” Sophie said, hopping to her feet.A moment later, Sophie returned, her e

The evening had started to wind down, and the last of the guests had filtered out, leaving behind empty glasses, uneaten snacks, and the fading echoes of polite conversation. Victoria stood in the quiet of the living room, surveying the aftermath of Ethan’s birthday party.It had been a successful event in all the ways that mattered on the surface. Ethan had been happy, and everything had gone according to plan. But deep down, Victoria could still feel the weight of the evening, a tension that had lingered in the air all night.She wasn’t sure if it was just her mind playing tricks on her or if it was something more, but she kept returning to the same thought: Maya.The woman was Zander’s fiancée, the one who had been so sweet and perfect during the party, acting like the model guest, chatting effortlessly with the other guests, and making sure to compliment Ethan endlessly. But something about her didn’t sit right with Victoria. It wasn’t anything overt, but there was a layer beneath