Chapter 2 Game Mode Activated

"Thank you, Lord," I whispered as I slid back into my car, waiting for his entourage to clear. I'd insisted on leaving after them, careful not to draw suspicion. With Matthew, one could never be too sure, he seemed to have eyes everywhere.

A giddy mix of excitement and tension coursed through me, a feeling I hadn't known since the day I discovered I was pregnant. An experience that was short-lived.

Before turning onto my street, I took off the beanie and sunglasses, checking the mirror to confirm that I didn't look suspicious.

"Welcome, Ma'am. Mr. Wellington said he's been trying to reach you," Anna said, taking my handbag.

"Oh, shoot!" I muttered, realizing I'd forgotten to take my phone off DND.

I hurried upstairs, straight to the master bedroom. From my pocket, I pulled out the tiny chip Carlos had given me just before I alighted from his car. A recorder. My pulse quickened. I hid it in my jewelry box for safety,then picked up the landline and dialed his number deliberately , a signal that I was home.

"Where the hell have you been, Sierra? Your line kept disconnecting. Anna said you weren't home. Does my trip give you the right to suddenly become unreachable?"

"I'm sorry. Maria needed my urgent assistance. I was at the store to pick up a delivery for her. The network was bad. Something might be wrong with my phone." The lies rolled out with ease.

"Excuses! That's all you ever give. I wonder how long I'll have to put up with this." His voice dropped into a bitter murmur.

"Sorry... did you say something?"

"Forget it. We're hosting my birthday dinner with family this evening. Share a menu for approval. Look nice. And make your signature chocolate cake. Mum's been craving for it. "

"We were supposed have an intimate dinner instead-"

"Mum insisted on coming, and I agreed. Plan accordingly and share the goddamn menu. I don't owe you an explanation."

I dropped the receiver before he hung up first . There was no point.

I exhaled slowly, and sent him a message from my i-pad immediately:

Caesar Salad – Appetizer

Grilled Potatoes and Salmon – Main

Chicken Wraps

Chardonnay Wine

Chocolate Cake and Cream – Dessert

***************

I brushed the Moulin Rouge lipstick across my lips, the one from Paris. Hair swept into a bun, golden curls framing my face, diamonds catching the light, a red floor-length dress slit high at the knee.

"The ravishing Mrs. Wellington," I hailed my attractive reflection in the mirror.

Dinner was set, the table gleaming. Matthew had already texted, they were on their way.

"Welcome, Madam," I said with a dazzling smile, pulling my mother-in-law into an undeserving warm embrace. Arthur and Leona also had their fair share. But my husband got something else: a sudden, full-mouthed kiss that startled him. The camera flash from Alfred, his hawk-eyed assistant, captured my attention.

"What was that for? Are you drunk?" Matthew muttered as I locked my arm in his.

"Far from it. Just excited to see my husband," I whispered with a wicked smile.

Once, Dinner with my In-laws had been my worst nightmare. They showed me no grace and were quick to humiliate me. Except Patrick, the Patriarch whose kindness died with him a few months after our first meeting. But now, I'd learned to grow thick skin because I was done with their dysfunctional family. Tonight, apparently, they were gossiping about me.

Madam stuffed her cheeks with chocolate cake, smearing cream across her lip. Meanwhile, the twins were discussing with Matthew about their plans to throw a private party in Paris. They were spoiled brats with no ambition, drowning their allowances in drugs while the family turned a blind eye.

"You know," Madam said, dabbing her lips, "if you ever choose to do something with yourself rather than sit idly in pretty dresses, you'd make a good baker. There's just something about this cake."

I smiled sweetly. "Thank you for the compliment, Madam. Though I took lessons on being an idle housewife from none other than yourself"

Leona coughed loudly. "Ahem. Ahem."

"Matthew, are you going to let your wife speak to me like this?" Madam shrieked

"I apologize for her disrespect," Matthew said flatly, turning to me. "Are you out of your mind? Apologize. Now."

The words "Or else what?" burned on my tongue, but I swallowed them, shoving a cube of potato into my mouth instead.

"Apologies, Madam. I'm-"

But before I could finish, she gagged and let out a loud, humiliating fart.

"How embarrassing," Arthur muttered as I called Anna over.

Matthew rushed to his mother's side, supporting her. "Are you okay?"

"I think... I have a stomach upset." She responded whilst walking hurriedly to the guest toilet

I donned concern. "I'm so sorry, Ma. But we're all eating the same meal... or was it something else?"

"Anna.. please can you bring the first aid box for Madam and give her something for the upset?"

This was all my doing, of course. I spiked the cake with just enough pecans to trigger her allergies. She had to also pay for her son's infidelity. I'm certain she was aware of it.

Whilst I awaited Anna's arrival , Matthew's hand clamped around my wrist. He pulled me into the study and shut the door behind us and turned, his eyes blazing red.

"How dare you talk back to mother?"

I wore a feigned expression of remorse even as my chest tightened. "Matthew, it wasn't serious. I was only joking. I never meant to sound disrespectful." My voice sounded slow and seductive as I reached for his hand. "It's your birthday dinner, I want everything to be just perfect. Don't let my poor joke ruin the night. Forgive me?"

He didn't blink. His jaw tightened. his breath sharp against my cheek.

"If you don't want me triggered," he said slowly, "you'll walk back into that dining room, smile, and keep your mouth shut. No more snide comments. If you do..." his hand flexed into a fist between us, "...I'll make you full of regrets before the night ends."

I froze, my apology hanging in the air as he turned, straightened his jacket, and walked out. What's the worst that he could possibly do? Hit me? He had done this several times already.

The door closed behind him, and just like that, the mask of the perfect host was back on him.

I sank onto the waterbed to catch my breath, chest rising and falling as though I had just escaped drowning. My phone buzzed on the nightstand.

Instagram notifications.

Our pictures at the entrance with my plastic smile had already been posted by his Alfred. Comments were flooding in, dripping with praise and envy. "#PowerCouple." "#BirthdayGoals." "She's stunning."

In less than an hour, I gained over a hundred new followers. What an interesting life; polished on the outside, suffocating on the inside.

I scrolled absently until something stopped me.

People You May Know.

There he was.

Carlos Maine.

My heart gave a small, betraying flutter. Excitement? Passion? Something nameless but magnetic pulled at me as I remembered his parting words to me during our encounter this morning

" We have a deal, Mrs. Wellington" his voice reverberated in my ears causing me to blush mildly like a teenager.

"Don't do this Sierra" my inner voice of caution warned. Still, I tapped on his profile, only to be met with the lock icon. His profile was private, of course. Always private.

So different from Matthew, who lived for spectacle, lights, and pageantry. Carlos was the opposite; quiet, deliberate, grounded.

I slid the phone into the drawer with a shaky breath, smoothed down my dress, and stood. Time to return to the dining table. To my picture-perfect family. To my role in the life everyone envied, yet no one truly knew.

Yet as I walked back to the table, my pulse wasn't beating for Matthew's birthday.

It was beating for Carlos Maine

And vengeance.