When Sophie finally walked out, I grabbed my keys and followed her car from a distance. At first, she drove toward the direction of David’s office, and my chest began to ache with dread. But then she turned again, and the streets grew quieter, more familiar in a way that made my throat go dry.
It wasn’t his office she was heading to. It was Linda’s neighborhood. When she stopped in front of my MIL’s house, I felt my whole body tense.
My heart thudded against my ribs as I parked two houses away. I stepped out and crept closer until I reached the side fence. The kitchen window was open just a crack, and Linda’s voice drifted out.
“So? How’s it going?”
Sophie sighed. “Nothing’s working.
I’m doing everything you said. Cooking his favorite meals, keeping the house the way he likes it, even dressing up more, but he barely notices me.”
“You’re not trying hard enough,” Linda snapped. “My son just needs a little push.
That woman doesn’t deserve him.”
“He seems to love her.”
“Love,” Linda scoffed. “All men are the same. Give him the right moment, and he’ll forget her fast.”
My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and typed: Come to your mother’s house.
Now. Don’t ask why. It felt like forever before David’s car finally turned the corner.
He spotted me crouched by the fence, confusion flashing across his face. “Claire, what on earth—”
“Shh,” I whispered. “Listen.”
Inside, Linda’s voice grew sharper.
“You need to arrange a dinner when she’s not home. Make him feel special. Men are simple creatures.”
“I don’t think I can.
He’s faithful. You should stop this.”
“You’re not paid to think!” Linda hissed. “Just make it happen.”
David stared at me, disbelief and anger twisting his features.
I stood up. “Let’s end this,” I said quietly. He followed me to the front door, and when I rang the bell, the noise echoed through the house.
When Linda opened the door, her practiced smile froze. Sophie stood behind her, pale as paper. “Well,” David said evenly, “if there’s going to be a dinner, I prefer red wine.
And maybe Thursday—Claire might ‘work late.’”
I crossed my arms. “Yes, Thursday sounds great. You two can have all the time you need to plot.”
“David, it’s not what it sounds like,” Linda stammered.
“I heard everything,” I said. “You hired her to break us apart.”
“I only wanted the best for my son.”
David took a step closer. “I have a wife I love, a son I adore, and a home I’m proud of.
From now on, don’t come to our house, don’t call, and don’t see Ethan until you understand what boundaries mean.”
Linda’s face went ghostly white. “You can’t do this.”
“I just did,” he said. He took my hand, and together we walked out.
The air felt lighter, cleaner. Neither of us spoke until we reached the car. “I’m sorry,” David said quietly.
“Mom was the one who recommended Sophie. I didn’t tell you because I knew it would start a fight.”
“From now on, we will decide together. Always.”
He nodded.
“Deal.”
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