Chapter 3 His mistress

Chapter 3

I entered the house and installed tiny hidden cameras so they wouldn't notice. I also connected a wireless link to their phones-luckily, they had left them in the living room. This way, I could listen to their conversations and uncover their plans, including how they managed to kill my mother in my previous life.

As I glanced around, my eyes landed on the edge of the table, where a picture frame stood. A fresh wave of anger surged within me. It was a family photo taken at an amusement park-my father, his mistress, and their illegitimate child. They were smiling, with my father carrying Jaine in his arms while his mistress leaned close to him. The date inscribed on the frame caught my eye. It was taken on my 7th birthday-the same day my father was supposed to be on a business trip. That night, when he finally came home, my birthday was already over. He brought a gift, and I didn't feel bad at the time because I believed he had been working. I had hoped our family would be complete on my special day. But now I know the truth-he was with them, celebrating at an amusement park while I was waiting for him.

Overcome with rage, I yanked the picture out of the frame, tore it into pieces, and tossed it onto the floor.

I left just as they arrived home. Moments later, I heard Jaine scream.

"Nooooo! That was my only childhood picture with Dad! Who did this?!"

She cried hysterically. Well... that was nothing compared to what they did to me. That was just an appetizer. The main course was yet to come. Wait and see.

I got into the car, ignoring the smirk on his face. I took off my jacket.

"What did you do this time, little wild cat?"

"Nothing... just letting off some steam."

"Need help? I can lend you a hand."

"No thanks, I can handle it."

He drove me home. What an awful day.

The next day, I went to the office to grow the business my grandfather left behind. I didn't bother asking my mother for guidance-I still clearly remembered everything she taught me in my past life. I used my suspension as an opportunity. Time was running out, and I couldn't afford to waste it.

After a week, I had completed everything. Growing the business was much easier than in my past life when it took years. I had investors-people I trusted before.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

A woman entered. I looked at her-I knew her. She was one of my father's employees who betrayed me. He had personally recommended her to me.

"Ma'am, here's my resume."

"Sit down. You can start tomorrow." I said seriously.

"But, ma'am... you haven't even read my resume yet," she replied hesitantly.

I sat with my legs crossed, looking at her.

"No need. I know I can trust you. My dad recommended you to me, and he thinks highly of you."

I smiled at her-but, of course, it was fake.

She stood up and bowed. "Thank you, ma'am. I'll do my best to help you."

"Okay, you may go."

She left. Of course, I wanted to keep an eye on her every move. I knew someone was behind her, planning to steal confidential files-just like in my previous life. I would use her as bait to catch the bigger fish.

I smirked.

The game has just begun. Gotcha.

I almost forgot-today marks the last day of my father's happiness. He was coming home. I figured his so-called "business trip" at his mistress's house had ended.

I got ready and went home. As expected, my father was already there. My mother was crying-I knew why. She must have seen the lipstick stain on my father's collar.

"Mom, what happened?" I asked, pretending not to know.

She quickly wiped her tears. I sat beside her, offering comfort.

"You're home, Ash. By the way, how's your company? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, Mom. What about you?"

She looked down, avoiding my gaze. I felt sorry for her, but she needed to be strong-her weakness would only push her toward death.

"Mom, I know you're not okay. And I think I already know why... Dad is having an affair, isn't he?"

She gasped at my words.

"Mom, don't hide it from me. I'm not a child anymore. What if..."

I held her hands and looked her straight in the eye.

"What if you divorce Dad?"

She was shocked. Her eyes widened as she covered her mouth in disbelief.

"Don't say that, darling. I can't live without your father... I don't want people to talk behind your backs just because we got divorced."

"My sister is right, Mom. Divorce Dad," my sibling said, arriving home from school.

"But..."

"Mom, don't hesitate. We don't need Dad in our lives. We can be happy on our own. You know Dad has had another child all this time."

"What?! Is that true, sis?!" my sibling shouted in shock.

Good thing Dad is at the office; he's not here, so we can talk properly. When he got home, he just changed clothes and left immediately.

"Yes, it's true. I have evidence."

I showed them the CCTV footage taken from his mistress's house.

Mom broke into sobs, while my brother was furious, ready to confront Dad. But I stopped him. Just like before, when he confronted Dad, he ended up as the villain and lost his right to inherit the company. Because of that, Jaine easily took over the business that Mom had worked so hard to build.

Mom and Dad built it together, but it was really Mom who did everything to bring it to where it is today. I won't let history repeat itself in this life.

I knew Mom had suspected Dad of having an affair and even hiring a private detective to follow him. But Dad was too cautious, and she never caught him.

"I have a plan... but act normal. Especially you."

I pointed at my brother. He always acted recklessly, which led us to our tragic deaths before.

I want to take back everything we deserve. I want to reclaim everything they stole from us.

I won't leave them with anything. Right now, all I feel is rage.

I glanced at the clock. Dad would be home soon.

"Mom, brother, remember what I said. Don't act rashly. Leave everything to me."

I told them before heading upstairs to my room.

I had already talked to Mom about the divorce papers and arranged everything through our trusted private attorney. She deserved better. She didn't deserve to be deceived and hurt.

First mission accomplished: convince Mom to get a divorce.

Suddenly, I remembered what Mr. Handsome said-that I would learn his name tomorrow. But it's been a week, and I still haven't heard from him. Nah, never mind. He's not important enough to think about.

After all this, I want Mom and my brother to live happily. But before that, I want them to pay the price.

I don't want to kill them, but I want them to suffer a million times more than I did in my previous life.

I stayed in my room, unaware of what was happening downstairs. I opened my laptop and put my AirPods in.

Then, two familiar snakes appeared on my screen.

"Mom, I don't want to be a bastard child forever," Jaine complained on the other end.

Her mother hugged her. What a drama queen.

"Don't worry, child. If his wife is dead, I will be Mrs. Wilston."

She smiled. Don't worry, your dream will come true... I smirked.

"What about my stepsister and brother?"

"Don't worry about them. I've already convinced your dad to marry her off to a rich family."

"What? No way! That would make her inferior to me!"

"Oops, no... She's going to marry Mr. Lopez."

I froze at her words. Mr. Lopez? The man I was with that night in my past life? No way...

I remember now-I had a fiancé before. Because I refused to marry someone I didn't love, I ran away from home and stayed at my best friend's apartment. As I was going down the stairs, someone pushed me. I almost fell, but Xander caught me. That's how I started falling for him.

But it turns out... he was just using me. He was in cahoots with Jaine all along.

"Mr. Lopez? The powerful businessman? No one has ever seen his real face, right?" Jaine asked.

"Yeah, but rumors say he's fat, ugly, and has women everywhere. He treats them as playthings, and when he gets bored, he passes them to others."

She smiled. So that was her plan-to make me suffer before.

"You're the best, Mom! But what if your plan fails?"

"Hmm, I haven't thought about that."

"Don't worry, Mom. I have a Plan B."

Her mother looked at her.

"What is it?"

"You know Xander, right? He's been courting that bitch. What's so good about her?"*

Jaine said irritably. So she knew about Xander? I was so foolish to believe them.

Her mother frowned.

"If your plan fails, I'll take care of the rest."

"Okay, sweetheart."

So that was their plan... And because Amanda (Jaine's mother) failed, she used Xander as bait instead.

I was such an idiot back then, running to the family gathering to meet my fiancé.

But now that I've been reborn, I want to see this so-called Mr. Lopez. I want to meet him in person. Why are there such rumors about him? Are they true or not?

If I'm not mistaken, that meeting is tomorrow.

I chuckled.

Of course, I need to prepare to meet this so-called fiancé of mine.

To Be Continued...