Winning against them.

Alyssa Watson

My heart beat fast at the comment. My breath was held as I glared at her, anticipating her next statement.

   "Yes, honey! You have transformed and honestly, I love the new you," Tristan's mother said, she came closer to me and kissed me on my forehead.

Although I don't know how they relate to Alyssa, one thing was sure. These people took her like their own daughter. Sadly, Alyssa's husband, Tristan, was her only problem.

I chuckled, holding her hands. "Thank you, ma," 

   "What! Don't call me that. Keep calling me mother as you used to,"

   "Okay, ma... Sorry, mother," We all laughed.

Tristan's mother took me to her bedroom after having lunch and trust me, I had the best time of my life. Additionally, I got to know more about Tristan and Alyssa Arnold.

We were both engrossed in the discussion that we didn't notice it was already time for dinner. "Oh my!," She exclaimed after checking her wristwatch.

   "It's almost time for dinner and I have promised Tristan I will prepare his favorite spaghetti," She said, getting out of bed. 

   "Come down when you are done, my love," She told me and dashed out. I heaved after she left, stood up, and walked around the house scrutinizing everywhere if I could learn more about Tristan. Tristan's mum and dad are out of my revenge list. 

I only have four people on my list, which are Tristan, Clara, Chloe, and Leon. 

Later, I went downstairs and dinner was already served. Tristan's mum stopped what she was doing when she heard my approaching footsteps. "I was just about to call you. Come, dear. Tristan will be here soon," She gestured with her hands and I smiled uneasily.

Tristan is coming. He must have seen the I*******m post I made and he must have learned I was the one.

Just as I took the next step, the door opened and he strode in gracefully. His demeanor was powerful and intimidating, yet, he was handsome. I was lost in his world of looks for a moment but I quickly jerked myself out. 

He halted in his footsteps when our eyes met. I guessed he wasn't expecting to meet me here. When his mother realized there was silence in the room, she turned. Her face lit up when she saw Tristan. 

   "My handsome billionaire son is here," She strode towards him and embraced him tightly.

   "Mum! Where is dad?" He asked, glancing around.

  "I am here," His father announced, striding out of his bedroom. He moved toward him and suddenly, he smacked him hard on the face.

   "Kpaak," The slap resounded in the room. Mrs. Griswol, Tristan's mother rushed toward them. She stood in front of her son as if he was blocking him from his father's wrath.

   "Why did you hit your son that way?" She asked angrily.

"He is such an unfilial son. He is too stupid to be my son," Saying this, he showed them a picture from his phone. It was the photo I posted on I*******m.

I turned my face aside and smiled secretly. "I didn't expect my win to be this soon. What a good point,"

Mrs. Griswol quickly snatched the phone and scanned the picture. She was speechless, "Di... Did you really do this?" She asked, facing him.

His face dropped as he touched his charred face. "Mum, I swear there is an explanation to this," His eyes were fixed on me as he said this. Of course, I was aware I was in trouble. Fortunately, I was ready for it.

    "Will you shut up or do you want me to shut it with another slap? You are not my son. My son will never cheat on his wife because I, his father, didn't do such to his mother. How can you cheat glaringly? Do you know how much this is going to cause the company? The shareholders are already calling me to express their worries. Do you really want to fall from grass to grace?" 

He was exasperated. His veins puked out of his skin because of his anger. 

   "I am sorry," He humbly pleaded.

   "Tell that to your wife," He said and walked to the dining room, he sat and tucked into his food without raising his head. 

Tristan moved silently closer to me. My body stiffened when his body brushed mine and my heart raced more than usual.

   "I am so sorry, my love," He mumbled and I scoffed inwardly. "Love indeed," I mumbled while smirking. He held my hand and squeezed it while flashing a cruel smile at me.

   "Ah!" I winced briefly. I chided myself when I saw his warning glare. 

With a gritted smile he said, " Please forgive your beloved husband," 

He didn't stop twitching my hand. The pain was becoming excruciating and I had no choice but to act fast so that I could save myself.

I fell to the floor and cried out, "Oh! My husband! Why did you do that? Why? Why did you kiss a common actress? She isn't even as pretty as I am. She is ugly and shapeless. There was also a rumor that she contracted STDs when she was sleeping around with rich men. Did you want to bring STDs home? Are you trying to infect me?" I cried out, forcing tears out of my eyes. He let my hands go and watched me with a little admiration. He marveled at my new way of getting out of trouble.

His mother rushed to me and bent to my level, "I understand, Alyssa. I apologize on his behalf. Please stop crying," With a mug, she asked him to coax me but he wasn't flinching. She pinched him and he quickly bent too.

   "Mum! You can't understand my pain. The pain of seeing my husband with another woman. It's so hurtful. I feel like dying. Despite your promises, Tristan. You told me you were different from the men out there," I hit my chest and coughed continuously. 

Tristan's mother became scared and ordered one of their maids to take me to Tristan's room. I couldn't feel more fulfilled. I ate my dinner alone in the bedroom. 

Just as I finished eating dinner, the door opened and Tristan walked in. He was taking his steps slowly as if he was trying to think of how to punish me.

    "Why did you do that?" He asked. His tone transmitted cold and fear down my spine. Without being told, I knew he was exasperated. 

Thinking about his fury got me terrified. We were alone in his bedroom and everyone thought we were trying to strengthen our bond after the cheating scandal, so if he started abusing me, nobody was going to find out. Not when his door was soundproof and locked.

   "Why did I do what? Ah! My chest," I whimpered, still pretending.

   "Stop the pretense... Now!" His voice was commanding. I trembled like I was an epilepsy patient. 

    "What do you mean? Haven't you done enough already? You even made the world know you are having an affair with Clara Banks. Don't I deserve some peace just for today?" I hissed, trying to hide my shaky voice.

   "I know you are the one behind the post, Alyssa. Pretending is only going to make things worse," 

   "Well, I don't fucking have any explanation after this. It is....," He stormed closer to me and clasped my neck tightly. 

   "How dare you!" His grip tightened and his bloodshot eyes sent shivers down my spine. It was as if I was seeing death. 

   "Let... Me... Go, you despicable man," I struggled to say, stuttering and coughing.

  "Slap!!" He hit my face. "Shut your stinky mouth," 

He shoved me to the floor furiously. A little blood spewed out of my mouth. My eyes had reddened. 

I chuckled slightly. "An animal will always be an animal," I let out, trying to infuriate him more. And it worked, he bent to my level and pulled my hair violently. 

    "Say that again and I swear, I will cut your tongue," He brought out a small knife from his pocket and flashed it before my eyes.

   "What is happening here?" A question popped up. We both glanced in that direction and we found Tristan's mother, standing and holding the doorknob.

Our bodies froze.