Chapter 12 Who The Fuck Do You Think You Are?
Ian
I spent the entire day with Pattie, and as I headed home I hated what was coming: Claire’s questions, the confrontation. I had already decided that if she asked, I’d finally say it out loud: our sex is boring, our marriage is boring, everything about us has been dead for years.
She called me a cheating bastard the other night. She knows. She wouldn’t have said it otherwise.
And if she thinks I’m going to dump Pattie, she’s dreaming.
Yet my hands were still trembling when I stepped into the house.
Luppy rushed forward and took my bag. “Welcome back, sir.”
I cleared my throat, trying to sound in charge. “Thank you, Luppy.” She nodded and went upstairs.
Then Claire came down the stairs, head high, walking like nothing had happened.
I stood there, waiting for the fight.
Instead she reached me, smiled sweetly, and said, “Welcome home. I hope work wasn’t too exhausting?”
I blinked, thrown off. “It was… but I’m okay.”
She probably doesn’t want a scene with Riette around. That must be it.
“Go freshen up,” she said lightly, sitting on the couch and picking up a magazine. “Oh, Riette’s not home. He’s at a friend’s.”
I swallowed. Riette’s not here. So why isn’t she saying anything?
“Is there something you want to tell me?” I asked, keeping my voice even.
She looked up, face blank, no emotion at all. That cold, regal look she rarely shows, the one that reminds me she was born rich and spoiled rotten by her family. The look I hate and fear.
Then she smiled. “What good would it do me?” She turned a page. “But next time you want to withdraw that kind of money, let me know beforehand.”
My blood froze. The bank manager told her.
I clenched my fists. “I can use the money however I want, Claire. It’s mine.”
She laughed, a short, sharp laugh that made my skin crawl. She tossed the magazine aside, stood up, and walked right up to me.
“You seem to have forgotten,” she said quietly. “That money is ours. And what I put in there is three times more than yours by far, Ian. So yes, you’ll tell me first.”
I was shaking with anger. She’s reminding me who really pays for this life.
“Is that so?” I forced out.
She nodded. “Yes. That’s all I have to say. And enjoy your little missy all you want.” She turned and walked toward the dining room. “Come eat. You must be hungry after your day.”
She knows about Pattie.
And she didn’t cry, didn’t beg me to end it, didn’t scream.
She just smiled and reminded me who holds the real power, again.
But that calm scared me more than anything.
I walked up to her in long strides, grabbed her arm before she could sit down, and turned her to face me.
“How long have you known?” I demanded.
She just stared.
“Answer me now.”
She looked me dead in the eye. “That does not concern you in any way, Ian. But whatever you do with that mistress of yours, don’t let our children find out. If they do, I’ll make your life unbearable. Do you understand?”
She shrugged my hand off like it was nothing.
“You will pretend everything is fine in this house,” she said, sitting down. “You can enjoy your new obsession for all I care, but don’t you dare ignore your duties as a father.”
She calmly dished out her food. When she finished, she looked up at me. “We will keep living in harmony in front of the children. That’s all I care about. And never withdraw that kind of money again without telling me. That’s my children’s future.”
She took a spoonful of Chinese fried rice and started eating.
I turned and walked straight out. As I passed the hallway, I saw Luppy staring with wide eyes, she had heard everything, but I didn’t care. I kept going and headed for the bedroom.
The second the door shut, I let out a frustrated growl. “Who the fuck do you think you are?”
I was shaking with rage. She had insulted me, made me feel small again.
All these years I’ve been the one in control, telling her what to do, what not to do, and she always obeyed without protest. But now she’s changed. Telling me straight to my face that her children are all that matter to her. No wonder our marriage became boring.
Fine. I’ll do exactly what she said. I’ll fuck Pattie whenever I want, take her on dates, show her off, do everything with my own money.
It’s not like I’m broke. It's just that, that account holds my savings, and I’ve been feeding off that witch. Now she’s restricted me. That bitch.
At least Isabella and Max are in college, and Riette, the good boy, won’t suspect anything. I’ll use every bit of this freedom she just gave me.
And moreover I have Pattie. My sweet Pattie. Who is a thousand times better than Claire.
Claire
The moment Ian stormed out, I let the spoon clatter onto the table and dropped my head into my hands.
I had really said it. I had just given him permission to keep sleeping with her.
I’m so stupid.
But he’s clearly fallen hard for that girl, and I can’t compete—not in looks, not in youth, not in anything. So to save whatever is left of this marriage, I did the only thing I could think of: I let him go.
Footsteps approached. Then Luppy’s arms wrapped around me from behind.
I managed a bitter smile. “Sorry you had to hear that,” I whispered, voice small.
She only hugged me tighter. “It’s okay, ma’am. I’m here for you. If you ever need anything, anything at all, just tell me.”
My eyes burned. My lips trembled. Tears spilled over before I could stop them.
I’ve tried so hard to be the perfect wife, the perfect mother. And look where it got me.
I wiped my face quickly as Luppy loosened her hold.
“Ma’am, can I sit?” she asked softly.
I nodded.
She pulled out the chair beside me and sat close, giving me a gentle, knowing smile.
“While I was cleaning the floor earlier… I saw dried droplets on the floor. Semen.”
My head snapped up. My eyes went wide with pure horror.
She met my gaze calmly. “I’m not judging you, ma’am. I saw you sneak in last night too. I know it came from you.”
I pressed my lips together, mortified, but she reached over and covered my trembling hand with hers.
“If he keeps cheating on you, don’t feel bad about doing the same. Do it with your whole chest. I’ll always have your back.” A mischievous spark lit her eyes. “One thing I can’t stand is men who cheat and think they can hurt women like you. Don't let him break you.”
I shouldn’t feel comforted right now. I should be drowning in shame.
But the steady, loyal look in Luppy’s eyes told me my secret was safe, so I leaned in and whispered, “It’s not what you think, Luppy… I’m being blackmailed.”
Her eyes went huge. “What?”
I nodded, throat tight.
I trust Luppy with my life. She’s been with us since the twins were born, helped raise them, stood by me through everything. I’ve supported her family back in the Philippines for years; she’s not just staff, she’s family now and we all adore her, she was like a second mother to my children and I to hers.
“Please,” I said, squeezing her hand hard, “keep this between us. I can’t let the children find out.”
She nodded instantly. “Of course, ma’am. Those kids are mine too.”
A shaky laugh escaped me. Then she tilted her head, a tiny teasing smile appearing. “But… it doesn’t exactly look like you hate it.”
My eyes widened.
She grinned. “Blackmailed or not, ma’am, you were glowing this morning.”
This woman misses nothing.
Who wouldn’t glow after finally getting the rough, mind-blowing sex she’s been starving for?
“Thank you,” I murmured, voice thick.
She just squeezed my hand back and smiled.
We were sitting there like two little girls sharing a naughty secret when the front door suddenly opened. Luppy and I both jumped.
Riette walked in, grinning ear to ear. “Well, well, my two favorite people having dinner and gossiping without me?”
I burst out laughing, the tension melting off me. He came straight over and threw his arms around me.
“How was your stay at Mara’s?” I asked, ruffling his hair.
His cheeks went bright red instantly.
“Ooooh, someone’s in love with his little friend?” Luppy teased, eyes sparkling.
“You gossip too much!” Riette shot back, but he was smiling.
I couldn’t stop laughing as they bickered back and forth, Luppy poking, Riette pretending to be annoyed. For a moment everything felt normal, light, safe.
If only Isabella and Max were here too, the five of us around the table, we’d be complete.
I made a mental note to check when they’re coming home for the holidays. I need my whole family under one roof again, even if it’s just for a little while.