CHAPTER 6: YOU FAILED MISERABLY

I initially thought Alan had sent me an apology message, but instead, he had the audacity to send me a voice recording of him and Samantha during an intimate moment when she was calling out his name. He knew this would infuriate me, and it did. After listening to the recording, my heart raced, and I felt deeply upset. "Why am I being treated like I don’t matter?" I thought.

Without a second thought, I went to the wardrobe and started packing my clothes. As I rummaged through my belongings, I came across our wedding picture. I picked it up slowly, holding it close to my chest, and began to cry, letting my tears fall on Alan's face in the photograph.

I glanced at the open door, realizing I could leave at any moment and change everything. But then I remembered the look in Alan's eyes when I begged him not to divorce me. I was convinced he still loved me and that he was being misled. So, I stood my ground and stayed, but I collapsed onto the bed, clutching my pillow tightly and cried the entire night.

The next day, Alan and Samantha returned, and she was surprised to see me there. I looked beautiful and cheerful, just as I always did.

Clearing her throat and blinking rapidly, Samantha stuttered as she flipped her hair back, "I... I... I... thought... um... why... you're still here?"

Raising my eyebrows, I shook my head at her and focused on Alan. "Alan, I know you didn’t expect me to still be here after you shamelessly sent me that recording of you and your mistress..."

Alan blinked and interrupted, "What are you talking about, Audrey? What recording?"

I nodded and let out a laugh, shaking my shoulders without showing my teeth because he was acting like he didn’t know what I meant. "Stop pretending, Alan. You sent me that voice recording of Samantha calling out your name last night during you both intimate moment because you knew it would upset me and make me leave before you got back. But I didn’t leave and..."

Alan looked genuinely confused. "Audrey, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I didn’t send you any..." He paused, looked at Samantha, and pointed at her, chuckling to himself. He rubbed his lips with his hands, sniffing.

That’s when it all clicked for me, and I couldn't help but laugh wickedly while both of them stared at me in curiosity. Samantha had used Alan’s phone to send me that recording, intending to upset me so that I would leave and she could take my place as his new wife. But I surprised her by staying. "Oh, now I understand why she looked shocked and stuttered when she saw me," I thought to myself.

I only said three words to her before I left: "You failed miserably."

Alan turned to her, "Why did you send that to her, especially after I told you I planned to divorce her soon?"

Samantha gulped and spun her usual lies. "Oh darling, don’t be mad at me, it was a mistake."

Alan chuckled, "A mistake? Are you serious right now, Samantha? I know you too well to believe that."

Then Samantha put on a fake crying face. "Okay, fine, I did it on purpose, but only because I want her out of your life. I want to be the only one for you. I don’t want to share you."

Foolishly, Alan fell for her act and hugged her, telling her it was okay.

I stood in a corner, feeling disappointed as I watched him embrace her, but I tried to let it go.

Samantha continued to visit frequently, and each time, Alan wouldn’t sleep at home. I endured a lot of mistreatment from both my husband and his mistress, but I refused to give up.

While cleaning the living room one day, I heard a knock at the door and opened it.

"Hi, Audrey, glad you’re home," Alan's mom, Mrs. Helen, said, standing there with her two daughters, Caroline and Isabella, and a mountain of luggage behind them.

"Catch!" Caroline said, tossing her handbag at me as she strolled inside without carrying anything.

"Oh, Audrey, help us bring in the luggage, and be careful not to break anything," Mrs. Helen instructed boldly as she walked in, leaving her bags behind.

I was left speechless, but Isabella smiled and said, "I’ll help you carry the luggage, sister-in-law."

I took a deep breath, thinking, "At least someone in this family sees me and cares."

I smiled and thanked her. While we were bringing in the luggage, Caroline yelled at Isabella to let me do it alone, but she ignored her and continued to help me.

I asked Mrs. Helen if Alan was aware of their visit, and she said yes. I was upset that he hadn’t informed me, leaving me unprepared. When Alan returned, I confronted him, asking why he would make such a decision without my consent. He retorted that I didn’t own the house and told me not to question his authority again. He insisted I follow his rules if I wanted to remain his wife.

In no time, my husband’s family had moved in with us, making my life unbearable. Yet, I endured it all because I still had feelings for Alan, and I believed he felt the same way. Isabella was the only one who treated me kindly.

Alan invited Samantha over and introduced her to his mom and sisters, calling her the woman who always makes his dreams come true. Mrs. Helen and Caroline welcomed her warmly from the bottom of their hearts, but Isabella did not share the same enthusiasm. Alan mentioned that Samantha was the daughter of a tycoon, and she accepted that label.

Between Alan and Samantha, it's hard to say who is more selfish. Their hearts seem filled with greed. How can Samantha be so bold and at ease claiming to be someone she isn't? This really frustrated me.

I overheard their conversation and decided it was time to teach Samantha a lesson...