CHAPTER 2: “THE HOUSE ISN'T YOURS”
I barely slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I heard them laughing upstairs.
In my bedroom.
Our bedroom.
The next morning, I walked into the kitchen and found her making breakfast.
In my robe.
Victor looked up from his coffee.
"Good. You're awake."
The woman smiled.
"Your husband likes his eggs scrambled."
I stared at Victor.
"Seriously?"
Victor didn't even look embarrassed.
"Her name is Vanessa. Try to be civil."
I laughed.
"Civil? You moved your mistress into my house."
Vanessa gasped dramatically.
"Mistress? Victor said your marriage was basically over."
I slowly turned toward my husband.
"Is that what you've been telling people?"
Victor stood up, annoyed.
"Look, Vanessa is staying. Deal with it."
I folded my arms.
"Then both of you can leave."
Victor actually laughed.
"You don't get to kick me out."
"Why not?"
"Because this is my house."
I stared at him for several seconds.
Then I started laughing.
Hard.
Victor frowned.
"What's so funny?"
"You really don't know, do you?"
"What are you talking about?"
I walked to my office and returned with a folder.
"Remember when we bought this house eight years ago?"
Victor rolled his eyes.
"Of course."
"You were unemployed."
"So?"
"I paid for everything."
I dropped the folder onto the table.
"The mortgage. The down payment. The renovations."
Victor looked confused.
"So?"
"The deed is in my name only."
Silence.
Vanessa looked nervous.
Victor opened the documents.
His face turned white.
"This can't be right."
"Oh, it's right."
At that exact moment, the front door opened.
Two police officers stepped inside.
Victor frowned.
"What's going on?"
One officer looked directly at him.
"Mr. Hayes, we need you to come with us regarding allegations of financial fraud at Hayes Consulting."
Victor froze.
I blinked.
"Financial fraud?"
The officer nodded.
"We believe company funds have been stolen."
Then he added:
"And your assistant, Ms. Vanessa Brooks, is involved."
May you like
Vanessa suddenly ran for the back door.
END OF CHAPTER 2.
