4 — Play Like A Fool

Nora

If the ground was ever going to open and swallow me whole, now was the time, because Caden looked like he was going to bury me alive.

His face was red, and he was reeling from whatever he just read.

“What the fuck is this?!” His tone was cold and his gaze was colder. I started to back up as he moved forward. “Fucking answer me! What the fuck is this?!” The document was in his hands, now squeezed in the middle due to how tight he was gripping it.

“I-I… ” I stammered, frantically looking for an excuse or a lie to tell, but my brain was moving super flipping slow.

Think. Think. Think Nora!

“You know… I must really give it to you. You’re quite bold.” He threw the document and the papers scattered on the floor, just like my thoughts were in my head, and to make it worse, the back of my knees hit the edge of the couch, causing me to fall on it.

From the corner of my eye, I could see Rory grinning, clearly enjoying the show. I made a mental note to knock her teeth out if I ever got the chance to.

“Caden… Please, calm down. We can settle this between us as mature adults.” I tried reasoning with him, but he grabbed my arm instead and yanked me forward.

“You bought a fucking house with my money, and you want me to calm down? When did I give you permission to spend my money on things like that hunh!? What have you ever done to deserve a house or anything that’s actually nice?”

I managed to get a glimpse of the papers on the floor and realized it was the deed of the house I decided to get for him a month ago as a surprise gift for his birthday that’s coming in a week.

I had it processed through his office because he had been too much in my business the previous month. And I had the property bought in my name so he wouldn’t suspect a thing and ruin his surprise.

Now, I realize that he was in my business that month to make sure I wasn’t thinking of going back to racing after I mentioned liking a particular race car to him.

But more importantly, I’m happy that the house was bought in my name because he doesn’t deserve the gift.

His words replayed in my head and tears welled up in my eyes. I tried to blink them back and look away from him, but he held my chin and forced my face back to his.

“Fucking look at me when I am talking to you.” There was this look of contempt in his eyes that I used to mistake for anger. “You are nothing but a house wife and a baby maker. You have no real achievements and no real value like Rory does that makes you deserve a house.”

“Is this really how you see me?” My voice was broken, and the tears were already rolling down my cheek.

“Don’t think because I’m your husband, I’m going to let you get away with stealing from me.” He released his hold on my hand and folded them against his chest. I raised my brow questioningly, egging him on. “You have to apologize, and transfer the property to my name.”

“And if I don’t?” The back of my palms found their way to my cheeks, angrily wiping off the tears that had wet them.

“Seriously, don’t push it. Caden is being very generous with you here. I know plenty of men who would lock their wives up for this.”

I turned to her, a hundred times more irritated than I was before due to the grating sound of her voice. “I wouldn’t be surprised that you keep horrible people as friends.” I paused and gave her a once over.

“Remind me who asked for your opinion again? Because as far as I’m aware, my husband and I are having a conversation.”

Her face went red and an ugly scowl twisted her features. “You-”

I assume she had a lot of insults to douse me with, but she had to hold herself back to keep up the façade of character she had fooled Caden with.

“Caden, I was only trying to help.” She whined and like a pathetic fool, he jumped right to her defense.

“When did you become so ill-mannered?” I rolled my eyes, irking him more. “I brought a guest to the house, and not only did you not welcome her properly, you also insulted and humiliated her in front of me.”

My heart squeezed painfully as I watched him reprimand me on her behalf, but I pushed my hurt away and focused instead. Since he hadn’t seen the Divorce papers, I still had some leverage.

I looked between them and kept a poker face. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think she’s your mistress with the way you’re defending her over me just now.”

They both looked taken aback, their eyes widening before Caden cleared his throat and chuckled a little. “I am only correcting you because she’s my guest and you didn’t welcome her well.”

“Oh, was I supposed to put a red carpet on the floor, flowers around the house and balloon decorations around the house for your belated guest that you didn’t even inform me was coming?” I stood up and gave them both a fake smile.

“Concerning the house, I will transfer it to the rightful owner. Asides that, I don’t know of anything else I did wrong.” And with that, I turned around and went to my daughter’s bedroom.

On the way, I met Joseph again and he was holding another envelope. He bowed his head and handed it to me.

“This came in shortly after, but I figured it was best to wait, considering…” He didn’t need to finish his sentence.

“Thank you.” I offered him a small smile, feeling relief soothe my heart. That was close, but I guess fate is on my side this time. I will be out of this farce soon.

I got to Zara’s bedroom, and after making sure she was alright and that she didn’t hear any of the argument from earlier, I put her bed and kissed her forehead.

“Forgive me for putting you in the middle of all of this drama, Zara. I hope you don’t hate me for taking you away from your dad.” I turned off the light and went to the kitchen to get some water, but my whole body went stiff and refused to move when I heard moans coming from there.

I peeped and my eyes widened.

I knew Caden was cheating on me with Rory, but seeing it happen was a whole different thing. I felt disgust and anger and an embarrassing type of ridiculousness overcome me.

Rory giggled as she stopped Caden when he was about to put his dick inside her. “Wait, Baby. I think we should take this elsewhere.”

I put my back against the frame of the door, seeking the support because my legs suddenly became too weak to support my weight.

“But we’re at my house. She’s going to find out if we aren’t careful.” So, he still cared about if I found out or not.

“Not if she’s knocked out. We put these tasteless sleeping pills in her water, and when she’s out, you text me to come into the room.”

“You’re such a naughty girl. But I love when you are this needy for me.” I could hear the smile in Caden’s voice as he spoke.

I peeped again and saw them put six pills in the water they intended to offer me. Even I knew that that much wasn’t safe.

Sobs threatened to come out of my mouth as my heart pounded against my rib cage. But making a sound would ruin their plan. I needed their plan to go well, because two could play their game.

I rushed to my room, changed to a silk night dress I haven’t worn in years and sat down at my side of the bed, combing my hair.

Just as I knew he would, he came into the bedroom with the cup of water in his hand and offered it to me. “Hey… I know you don’t like it when I bring Rory over, but she’s really just a friend.”

I mentally scoffed. The nerve of this man to lie to my face. I suddenly felt even more stupid over again. How many other times has he lied to my face like this while I was unsuspecting?

I ignored him, and then he sat down beside me and pecked my cheek, then handed me the water. “I brought you a cup of water.”

I collected it and then he smiled at me. “Go on… Drink.”