Lora met me at a coffee shop.
Seeing my appearance, she was shocked.
“God, you’ve lost so much weight.”
“Haven’t had much appetitetely.”
“Iris,” she gripped my hand, “what the hell is going on?”
I told her everything from the past three years.
From when Melody joined thepany, to now when she controlled everything in our home.
Lora was livid.
“That woman is so calcting! She’s ying the long game–slowly pushing you out of your own home!”
“Jaxon doesn’t see it.” I smiled bitterly. “To him, Melody’s just an excellent assistant.”
“Men are idiots!” Lora fumed, then looked at me seriously. “You’re really decided on divorce?”
“I’m exhausted. I can’t live like this anymore.”
“Okay, I’ll help you.”
She pulled out a notebook.
“But Jaxon’s legal team is strong. We need to gather evidence.”
“What kind of evidence?”
“Emotional neglect evidence–proof that he ignores and controls you. And…”
She lowered her voice. <b>“</b><b>If </b>we could prove he and Melody have an inappropriate rtionship, that’d be even better.”
I shook my head.
“They don’t. Jazon isn’t interested in anything except work.”
“Don’t be so sure.” She gave me a meaningful look.
“Feelings develop over time–happens all the time.”
On the way home, I got a text from Melody.
[Hey Iris! The security system needs maintenance tonight–might lose power a few times. Don’t be scared!]
Before I could reply, another came through.
[Jax is workingte at the office tonight, says don’t wait up.]
10:19
Hell Yeah, Forget the Other Woman, My Smart House Was Cheating On Me!
36.4%
Always her rying Jaxon’s messages, like she was his spokesperson.
At home, the power did go out.
I sat in the dark living room, listening to the smart system reboot.
“System updating… Updateplete. Wee home, Ms. Rivera.”
I froze.
“Alexa, I’m Iris.”
“Identifying… Hello, guest.”
Guest.
In my own home, I was a guest…
While the system’s default greeting went to Melody.
I texted Jaxon.
[System has Melody set as the house master.]
He replied quickly.
[System bug. I’ll have it fixed tomorrow.]
[Where are you?]
[Office.]
I opened the location app–something he’d installed for “security” purposes.
He was indeed at the office.
But Melody’s location showed the same ce.
At 2 AM, unable to sleep, I called him.
“Still awake?” I asked.
“Yeah, reviewing reports.” His voice sounded tired.
“Alone?”
“Melody’s here too, organizing data.”
It was quiet in the background, but I could faintly hear typing.
“Get some rest,” I said.
“Yeah, you too.”
After hanging up, I saw Melody had posted something visible only to me.
10.10
Hell Yock Forget the Other Woman My Smart House Was Cheating On]
[Some people calling at all hours to check up… so insecure. Too bad–you can’t hold onto exceptional men like that.]
The photo showed two coffee cups with Jaxon’s silhouette in the background.
The next day, I went to see a private investigator.
“I want to know the real rtionship between my husband and his assistant.”
The PI looked at their photos.
“Sterling Corp’s CEO? His assistant is Melody Rivera?”
“You know her?”