Addicted To My Two-faced Wife

"Meet me at the Grandeur Club. I need you to pick me up."

Upon reading this message, Kelsey Lawson, who had been on the verge of sleep, sat upright in her bed with a start.

She hurriedly changed into fresh clothes and made her way to the location specified in the message.

Upon her arrival at the club, she found Julien Stanley, visibly inebriated.

As Kelsey entered the private room, the people inside paused and looked at her with mild surprise.

Then, as if deciding to ignore her presence, the people in the room carried on with their activities.

The air in the private room felt stuffy. Overwhelmed by the pungent smoke, Kelsey instinctively frowned, unable to adjust to the smell.

Waving her hand to clear the smoke, she walked further into the room.

Under the dim overhead light, she spotted Julien in a corner, leaning against the wall. His handsome features, delicate skin, and unusually long eyelashes caught her eye, along with the captivating black mole near his left eye.

Quickening her steps, Kelsey approached him.

She reached down, gently tapping Julien's cheek. "Julien, wake up," she whispered, her voice a soft caress.

Stirred by the familiar gentle tone, Julien's eyes fluttered open.

His gaze, heavy with a drowsy charm, met hers. Kelsey couldn't tell if he truly recognized her. He offered a faint smirk and murmured, "You're here."

"Yes," Kelsey replied in a hushed tone. She then stooped to place Julien's arm over her shoulder.

Julien stood up in cooperation.

Supporting a man over six feet tall was challenging for Kelsey, who was only five feet five inches herself.

But Julien, not entirely incapacitated by his inebriation, managed to stand with her help.

-

As Kelsey escorted Julien out of the private room, snippets of conversation reached her ears.

"Is she Julien's new girlfriend? The one he's been with for over three months?"

"Yes, that's her."

"She resembles that woman quite a bit."

"Well, that must be why she's lasted more than three months with Julien. But no matter the resemblance, she's just a substitute. Julien's heart belongs to someone else. Didn't you notice? He started drinking heavily right after that woman announced her marriage."

Their voices dwindled as Kelsey moved further away.

She navigated Julien through the long corridor, finally reaching the elevator.

Together, they stepped into the elevator.

Once inside, Julien, troubled by the alcohol, embraced her, resting his head against her neck.

Kelsey cradled the back of his head, asking softly, "Which floor is your car on?"

"Basement level," Julien replied, his voice rough.

"Okay, got it." Kelsey acknowledged, leaning against the elevator wall as Julien clung to her like a large dog.

She had a faint scent of milk about her. Perhaps her daily habit of drinking milk was the reason she still carried a milk-like fragrance, even though she was well into her twenties.

Julien found her scent quite appealing.

He leaned in, inhaling the scent of her neck, then gently kissed the corner of her mouth. "Baby, you smell so good."

They had company in the elevator.

Embarrassed by his actions and his sweet words, Kelsey quickly pinched his waist and whispered, "We're in an elevator. Please, don't."

Realizing they were not alone, Julien raised his eyebrows in mild annoyance but ceased his flirtatious behavior.

-

Once they reached the basement level, Kelsey spent about five minutes locating Julien's Bugatti Veyron.

She opened the passenger door and helped Julien inside.

After securing his seatbelt, Kelsey moved to the driver's side and settled into the car.

Sitting composedly in the driver's seat, she buckled up, started the engine with skill, and smoothly maneuvered the car out of its parking spot.

Executing a drift, she drove the sports car out of the club's underground parking lot.

The roar of the engine echoed in the quiet parking lot.

-

The car eventually pulled up in front of Julien's villa.

Once parked, Kelsey assisted Julien out of the car and into the villa, finally guiding him to the bedroom on the third floor.

Kelsey had just thrown him onto the expansive bed and was about to leave the room.

However, Julien caught her hand, pleading, "Don't go."

She paused, glancing back at him over her shoulder.

Under the shimmering light of the crystal chandelier, Julien's gaze, slightly hazy from inebriation, met hers. The black mole near his left eye seemed particularly striking in that moment.

"Don't go," he repeated.

His grip tightened subtly, and suddenly, Kelsey found herself tumbling onto him.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Julien's hand cradled the back of her head, drawing her down into a kiss that was heavy with the scent of alcohol.

He had been drinking whiskey, a particularly strong variety of alcohol.

It was just a kiss, and yet, Kelsey felt a wave of dizziness, as if she had imbibed the liquor herself.

Lost in the moment, she reveled in the kiss, unsure if it was the heady aroma of alcohol on Julien's breath or his skillful embrace that intoxicated her.

Unknowingly, she shifted her position.

Initially, Kelsey lay atop Julien, but now he had maneuvered her beneath him, his kisses growing more fervent.

His hand roamed over her, slowly removing her clothes, piece by piece.

The room's temperature seemed to rise.

Outside, the moon, as if privy to a secret, coyly veiled itself behind clouds.

-

In the aftermath, Julien's voice, tinged with sadness, whispered into her ear, "Am I not as good as him?"

Kelsey, her cheeks flushed, lay on the bed, breathing gently but steadily.

She was exhausted, yet sleep eluded her.

Moments later, she turned, nestling into Julien's embrace.

Her face buried against his chest, she spoke in a voice filled with loneliness and sorrow. "Julien..."

-

The shrill ring of Kelsey's phone shattered the morning stillness.

Julien, deep in slumber until then, stirred awake.

His face, so alluring that it drew many, now bore a trace of wild fierceness.

With a frown, he slowly opened his eyes, heavy with sleep.

He felt a slight movement in his arms and looked down.

Kelsey, nestled in his arms, lay there peacefully asleep. Gradually, her eyelashes fluttered like delicate fans, and her brows knit together slightly. Slowly, her eyes opened.

Meeting his gaze, she blinked and offered him a sweet smile. "Good morning," she said.

Julien's eyes lingered on a hickey on her bare shoulder, prompting him to swallow hard before responding with a deep, pleasant voice. "Good morning."

The phone continued its insistent ringing.

Kelsey intended to rise and answer the phone, yet her nakedness hindered her from doing so.

Biting her lip, she turned to Julien. "Could you close your eyes for a moment?"

Julien, not immediately grasping her request, asked bluntly, "Why should I close my eyes?"

"I need to answer the phone, but I'm naked," she confessed, her voice tinged with shyness.

As she spoke, her face and ears flushed a deep red.

Julien couldn't suppress a chuckle at her embarrassment.

With a teasing smile, he whispered in her ear, "Why feel shy now?"

He playfully added, "After all, I have seen every part of you."

It wasn't their first time having sex, and Julien wondered why she felt so bashful now.

Julien, perceiving her behavior, thought she was feigning naivete.

Kelsey was at a loss for words.

As the phone kept ringing, her patience wore thin. She quickly turned Julien's face away, snatched up the quilt, and wrapped herself in it tightly.

Exposed to the cool air, Julien raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Kelsey then hurried out of bed, picking up her phone from the floor. It was a call from her roommate, Jenna Higgins.

As she glanced back at Julien, she inadvertently caught sight of him lying naked on the bed. Startled, she swiftly closed her eyes and turned away.

Answering the phone in front of Julien didn't seem appropriate.

Phone in hand, Kelsey awkwardly gathered her clothes from the floor, clutching them under her arm as she shuffled towards the bathroom, resembling a cocooned cicada.

Julien watched her, amused at her ungainly posture, but his smile soon faded, replaced by a look of detached coldness.

When Kelsey returned from the bathroom after ending her call, Julien was partially dressed, leaning against the pillow and smoking a cigarette, his upper body bare.

Julien's features held an allure that seemed to captivate the world. As he smoked, glancing at Kelsey with half-lidded, seductive eyes, he radiated an irresistible charm.

Kelsey remembered their first encounter. He was the same then: cynical, defiant, exuding an air of arrogant solitude, reminiscent of a lone wolf in the wilderness.

Noticing Kelsey's return, Julien beckoned her over with a casual wave, as if calling a pet.

"Come here," he called.

Julien's voice, lazy yet captivating, reached Kelsey's ears, snapping her back to the present moment.

She approached with a smile.

As she drew near, Julien wrapped his arm around her, pulling her onto his lap.

"Who was on the phone?" he inquired, leisurely exhaling smoke rings while his left hand traced her slim waist.

"It was my roommate. She was wondering why I didn't return last night, worried something might have happened to me. She just wanted to make sure I was okay," Kelsey explained.

"Alright," Julien responded nonchalantly, as if the question was merely a formality.

He extinguished his cigarette in the crystal ashtray and then, gently gripping Kelsey's chin, drew her into a kiss infused with the potent aroma of tobacco.

Kelsey's expression shifted to one of discomfort.

After their kiss ended, she felt nothing but dizziness and found herself coughing from the smoke.

Despite it not being the first time Julien had kissed her post-smoking, she struggled to acclimate to the taste.

Yet, as a heavy smoker, Julien's habit was something Kelsey realized she would have to gradually adjust to if she wanted to maintain their relationship.

Lost in her thoughts, Kelsey was jolted back to reality by Julien's unexpected proposition. "Let's get married, Kelsey."

"What?" she responded, her astonishment evident.

"Don't you want to marry me?" Julien's eyebrows arched, a hint of displeasure was evident on his face.

Kelsey hurriedly reassured him. "How could it be? I'm just a bit surprised. Why such a sudden decision?"

"Do you think it's too sudden? I think it's the right time," Julien remarked casually.

"Then, shall we get married?" he asked once more.

Kelsey met his gaze, sensing an underlying reason behind his question.

It crossed her mind that he might not genuinely intend to obtain a marriage certificate with her.

Maybe it was spurred by the news of another woman's marriage.

Regardless, she smiled and agreed, "Okay."

For her, the joy of being with him for life overshadowed any reason he had for marrying her.

Julien appeared earnest as he instructed, "Go home and get your documents. Meet me at City Hall."

"Okay," Kelsey replied, a touch of surprise in her voice.

She hadn't anticipated his seriousness, but she harbored no reservations.

"I'll head home now," she said, making a move to get off his lap.

But Julien had other plans. He gently pushed her back onto the bed, kissing her. "There's no rush. Let's enjoy this moment first."

Kelsey found herself at a loss for words.

-

It had been almost a month since Kelsey last visited her home.

She and her adopted sister, Elodie Lawson, had been kidnapped, but her parents chose to rescue Elodie first. That decision had only deepened the growing rift between her and her parents.

After exiting the taxi and settling the fare, Kelsey proceeded to make her way towards the grand villa.

Upon spotting Kelsey's return, a servant hurriedly approached her.

"Miss Lawson, good morning." The servant greeted her.

"Good morning," Kelsey replied with a slight nod and moved to enter the house.

The servant quickly advanced, halting Kelsey in her tracks. She hesitated before speaking. "Miss Lawson..."

Observing the servant blocking her path, Kelsey couldn't help but regard her with a puzzled expression. "What's the matter?" she inquired.

The servant, appearing somewhat embarrassed, glanced at her before speaking. "Mrs. Lawson and Miss Elodie Lawson are entertaining guests in the living room."

Understanding the implication, Kelsey nodded. "I'll use the back entrance, then."

With that decision, she headed straight for the villa's rear entrance.

As she walked away, the servant couldn't help but gaze after her with a sense of pity.

Who would have imagined that the eldest daughter of the second son of the Lawson family would have to use the back entrance to enter her own home?

If news of this got out, it would surely shock others.

However, Kelsey had grown accustomed to such treatment.

Kelsey's mind drifted back to three years ago. The first time her mother, Louise Lawson, had taken her to a dinner party after her return, Kelsey had caused an incident that left Louise feeling humiliated. From that moment, Kelsey found herself in an immensely uncomfortable position within her own family.

Now, holding her documents, Kelsey prepared to leave.

As she descended the stairs, she crossed paths with Elodie, who was heading upstairs.

Elodie had been adopted by Kelsey's parents after Kelsey's disappearance.

During that trying time, Louise blamed herself for losing her daughter and spent many sleepless nights.

In an effort to lift her spirits, Gerardo Lawson, Kelsey's father, had gone to an orphanage and adopted a girl who bore a slight resemblance to Kelsey. He hoped that this would divert Louise's attention and bring some joy into her life.

His plan had succeeded. Louise had embraced Elodie as if she were her long-lost daughter, showering the young girl with love and care.

Over time, even after Kelsey's return, Louise continued to favor Elodie, her adopted daughter. Perhaps it was because Elodie was the one she had raised personally.

Louise's affection for Elodie surpassed that for her biological daughter.

In fact, in Louise's eyes, Kelsey seemed inadequate compared to Elodie, which led to Louise's disdain for her own flesh and blood, making it difficult for her to accept Kelsey.

Elodie, dressed in an extravagant outfit worth $2, 700 from a luxury brand's summer collection, and sporting heels costing over $1, 500, exuded the aura of a noble princess.

Conversely, Kelsey appeared rather plain in her attire-a simple T-shirt and unbranded blue jeans that looked like they had been purchased from a roadside stall.

Upon seeing Kelsey's modest attire, a hint of disgust briefly flickered in Elodie's eyes.

However, she quickly replaced it with a friendly smile and greeted Kelsey. "Kelsey, good morning."

Out of politeness, Kelsey offered a smile to Elodie and replied, "Good morning."

Elodie approached and extended her hand as if to hold Kelsey's. "Kelsey, why haven't you been home lately? Are you still upset with Mom?"

Kelsey subtly evaded her touch, responding, "No, I'm not."

Seeing Kelsey dodge her hand, Elodie wore a crestfallen expression. "Kelsey, do you blame me?"

Kelsey, appearing puzzled, furrowed her brows. "Why would you think that?"

Elodie, with a cautious look, bit her lip and continued in a wounded tone, "I never intended to snatch your parents' love from you. I didn't know Mom would choose to save me first. I thought she would..."

Unable to tolerate the angelic facade any longer, Kelsey interrupted her, "I don't blame you. Your concerns are misplaced. I have other things to attend to. I must go now."

Fearing that Elodie would persist in acting like a loving sister, Kelsey cut the conversation short and began to depart.

Elodie, however, wasn't ready to give up. "Kelsey, you rarely come home. Why don't you stay for lunch before leaving?"

"No, thank you." Kelsey declined as she walked past Elodie, heading downstairs.

Suddenly, a startled scream echoed from behind.

Kelsey swiftly turned around, only to witness Elodie tumbling down the steps.

Concerned, she frowned and asked, "Are you..."

Before she could finish speaking, an indignant scream echoed from downstairs. "Kelsey, what have you done to Elodie?"

Suddenly, a well-dressed woman rushed upstairs and collided with her.

The impact caused a sharp pain in Kelsey's shoulder, making her wince.

Louise, seeing Elodie's swollen ankle, was furious. She scolded Kelsey without restraint, "Do you realize how vital feet are for a dancer? How could you push her? What were you thinking?"

The clear disgust in Louise's eyes sent a pang through Kelsey's heart. She averted her gaze and responded coolly, "I didn't push her."

Elodie quickly interjected, "Mom, it's a misunderstanding. Kelsey didn't push me. I tripped and missed a step. It's not her fault."

Louise, helping Elodie to her feet, paused in shock at her daughter's words.

She glanced at Kelsey, her lips parting as if to speak, but her pride held her back from saying anything.

Elodie seized the moment to apologize for Louise's behavior. "Kelsey, Mom didn't mean to accuse you. She's just really worried about me."

Kelsey looked down, a mysterious glint in her eyes.

"Be careful, the floor is slippery. Maybe avoid wearing high heels at home." After offering this advice, Kelsey turned and walked away.

Elodie watched her go with a sly smile tugging at her lips, yet she feigned concern and turned to blame Louise. "Mom, you were a bit too harsh just now."

With her lips pressed tightly together, Louise responded, "I thought she was acting out of jealousy. I remembered how she was still angry at me for rescuing you first that time."

At the sound of these words, Kelsey abruptly halted.

Elodie feigned sympathy for Kelsey. "She's been troubled about this matter. With your misunderstanding, her sadness must have deepened."

Instead of acknowledging her mistake, Louise shifted the blame onto Kelsey. "Had she not acted so poorly, I wouldn't have had such a misunderstanding."

Expressing her disapproval, Elodie remarked, "True, Kelsey had her issues in her teens. But hasn't she improved significantly?"

Louise, feeling exasperated, replied, "Let's not dredge up the past. I sometimes wonder what I did in a past life to deserve such a peculiar and unreasonable daughter. She was reckless with men and even had an abortion at a young age."

After a moment's pause, Louise sighed again, "If only she could be even half as good as you."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of coldness passed through Kelsey's eyes. She no longer listened to their conversation but instead hastened her steps, leaving the villa behind.

-

Kelsey reached the City Hall just as Julien was arriving.

Today, Julien was dressed in stylish attire, donning a black coat, cargo pants, and a pair of black Dr. Martens.

His hair was parted deeply to the side, revealing his broad forehead.

The hairstyle complemented his strong features, making him appear quite distinguished.

Julien sported a pair of sunglasses perched on his prominent nose.

He wasn't a celebrity, yet he drew more attention than one.

As Kelsey approached, Julien removed his sunglasses and placed them in his coat's chest pocket, then strolled towards her with his hands casually tucked in his pockets.

Always exuding a rebellious and arrogant air, Julien never tried to downplay his presence, even in front of Kelsey, despite their impending marriage. He lifted his chin with a nonchalant air and asked, "Did you bring everything you need?"

Gazing at his striking features, Kelsey gave a slight nod, replying softly, "Yes."

"Let's go then," Julien said, nodding slightly before striding into the City Hall.

"Okay." Kelsey trailed behind him obediently. Despite her not having short legs, she found it challenging to keep pace with him.

Perhaps due to Julien's prior arrangements, they obtained their marriage certificate swiftly.

In about ten minutes, they were officially a married couple, legally recognized.

Thus, Kelsey and Julien were married after a three-month courtship.

Marriage was typically a joyous occasion, but no such joy was evident on Julien's face. Instead, he seemed to be undertaking a necessary task with a sense of duty rather than delight.

Julien glanced at Kelsey and suggested in a neutral tone, "How about I drive you back to school?"

"Alright," Kelsey agreed.

While they were on the road, his phone rang abruptly.

The caller ID displayed "Eileen", promoting Kelsey to glance at Julien instinctively.

Unaware of her gaze, Julien answered the call, equipped with a Bluetooth headset, which made the conversation inaudible to Kelsey.

She only caught Julien's response. "Keep an eye on her. I'll be right there."

After ending the call, he pulled over and said to Kelsey, "You should take a taxi to school. I have another matter to attend to."

"Okay," Kelsey replied, without any inquiries.

She calmly unbuckled her seat belt and stepped out of the car.

The moment the door shut, Julien sped off, leaving a trail of exhaust in his wake, which hit Kelsey's face.

She stood there, momentarily speechless.

Her newlywed husband had just left her roadside to meet another woman, yet Kelsey felt no annoyance.

Today, she had no classes, so there was no rush to return to school.

Instead, she made her way to a cemetery.

At one of the tombstones, there was a photo of a man with the kindest face imaginable. His eyes sparkled like stars, and his lips curved slightly, reminiscent of a gentle summer breeze.

"Ashton, I'm here to see you," she whispered.

Kelsey gazed at the name chiseled on the tombstone, slowly squatting down.

She reached out to touch it, her voice tinged with sorrow. "I got married today. His name is Julien Stanley. He's quite handsome, and he treats me well."

A soft breeze caressed Kelsey's face, as if comforting her.

She closed her eyes, leaning her cheek against the cool surface of the tombstone. "I miss you so much," she murmured.

She recalled a small black mole near Ashton's left eye.