Lahat ng Kabanata ng Renovation Gone Very Wrong: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 9

Faye's POVDaxton Pruitt was still sweet-talking on the other end. "Come on, baby, don't be mad. She's just a site supervisor. I'll replace her soon. My wife already gave me $1.3 mil for the reno—get whatever you want. If it's not enough, I'll handle it."That "baby" was sugar-coated poison.I froze.Then it clicked.Two months back, Daxton claimed he was off on some work retreat for three days.When he got home, his phone wallpaper had switched to a beachy sunset.I said it looked cool. He dodged my eyes and muttered something about finding it online.But now? The shell bracelet from that photo was wrapped around Mona Scambley's wrist.Last month, when I got back from a trip, Daxton picked me up at the airport. I caught a sweet scent on him—something unfamiliar.He brushed it off, said it must've rubbed off from a client.I'd actually felt touched. Thought he was squeezing me in after a meeting. Thought he was loyal.But now, that same scent was all over Mona.It wasn't a

She shoved me again. I stumbled, staring straight up at the chandelier.Dozens of pounds of crystal swayed above me, barely hanging on. The wires sparked—tiny, sharp zzzts slicing the air.The workers paled."This isn't safe, Ms. Scambley! Someone could get seriously hurt!""Don't be dramatic! I picked that chandelier myself—there's nothing wrong with it! Turn it on. My friends want to see it shine. If something happens, I'll take full responsibility!"The electrician—clearly ticked but stuck—froze. His paycheck came from her.Before he could move, Mona's friends shoved past and yanked the breaker.The second the switch flipped, I grabbed Mona's wrist and dragged her under the chandelier with me."Ms. Scambley, a light this gorgeous? We HAVE to enjoy it together."Zzzzzaaap—Sparks cracked. The overhead lights stuttered, the room flashing between bright and blackout.Clang!One of the steel cables snapped with a sharp pop.The chandelier tilted hard. Crystals burst midair,

His face went from rage to full-on ghost mode.Guilty people always freak when the truth slaps them in the face."B-Babe? What... what are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to be abroad?"Mona still hadn't caught up. Clinging to his arm, she whined, "Daxton, that's the supervisor who bullied me! She just threatened to call the cops! Fire her already—get rid of her!"But Daxton flinched like she burned him and ripped his arm away.His eyes locked on me, pure panic. "Babe, wait—just let me explain! This is a huge misunderstanding!"I laughed, sharp and cold, stepping in. "A misunderstanding? If my flight hadn't been canceled, I'd STILL think you were some decent guy. "I was out there busting my ass, and you turned our house into your little love nest? "What—if I'd stayed abroad, would I have come back to honeymoon decorations and a 'just married' sign?""No! No, it's not like that!" He was drenched in sweat. "She-She got handsy because she's my cousin! Yeah, cousin! She was

I tapped my phone again.Mona's voice blasted through the speaker, loud and clear, followed by her little fan club:"Mona, you seriously have a gift—Daxton's obsessed with you. This bed is insane! You two really went all out!""That's nothing. That old hag's gone at most nine months a year. Once Daxton and I move in, we'll have all the time in the world to enjoy it..."I'm telling you, Daxton said he wants me to feel the most top-tier pleasure ever—right on this bed!"When the recording cut, the silence hit different.No more poor, heartbroken husband. Just a full-on public takedown—wife vs. cheating trash and his wannabe queen."Oh my god. He's the one who cheated? While his wife was overseas and then flipped the script?""Gross! Using her money to buy that for his side chick? What a sleaze."The buzz spread like wildfire.Office workers packed the windows for a better look.Daxton came storming out, flanked by a few coworkers, face flushed with fury."Faye Faulkner!" he s

That nuked whatever fantasy Daxton still had."No... no way..."Mona lost it. She grabbed his arm, shaking him hard."What is happening? You said this house was yours! Where's the money? Our money? I'm pregnant—what am I supposed to do if you're broke?"Daxton whipped around."Money, money, money. That's all you care about!" His eyes were feral. "If you hadn't screwed up that $2.6 million invoice, I'd have cashed out and vanished already!"Everything was her fault. Every screwup. Every loss.Mona snapped back."My fault? You said it was foolproof! You said your wife was stupid and would never catch on! Now the money's gone, the house is gone, and you're dumping it all on me? I'm carrying your kid!""A kid doesn't pay bills!" Daxton shouted. "If I'd gotten the house, maybe I could've floated you for a bit. But now it's gone, and I've got nothing left to leech. "You and that thing in your stomach? I don't care. Kids are expensive. I'm not wasting my money.""You—!" Mona shook