He Built a Harem, I Burned the Crown

Chapter 1 I dragged my exhausted body home. I had just finished a long postpartum nanny shift, the arrogant mother and the baby's endless crying had completely drained me. Andrew wasn't at home. A month ago, he took on a long-haul trucking gig out of state. While he drove trucks, I worked as a nanny. Our lives were nothing like the luxurious days we once had. But after four or five years of hardship, I had grown used to it. Love could make anything bearable. As long as I was with him, I could endure it all. Lying in bed, I glanced at my phone. Every night before sleeping, Andrew would send me a message. "Babe, I'm coming home tomorrow. Miss me?" Of course I did. I replied and was about to fall asleep when I noticed I'd been added to a new group chat by a number I didn't recognize. The group was named "Mr. Carter's Harem". I assumed it was some dumb prank and was about to exit when the group owner posted a video. It showed a well-decorated dining room. A graceful woman held a three-year-old girl on her lap. A birthday cake sat on the table. The little girl blew out the candles in one breath. A man and a woman said together, "Happy birthday, sweetheart!" "Daddy, cut the cake!" the girl chirped. The camera panned—and there he was. My husband, Andrew Carter. The chat messages started flooding in. A woman whose profile picture was a rose asked, "Are you the wife?" The group admin replied, "Nope. I guess I'm Mistress #1. But Carter's actual wife? She's a washed-up nobody. No need to worry about her." The woman with the rose profile photo replied with a row of mocking laughter. "Seriously. Word is, she's a diaper-changing nanny. Not even worth a spot in Mr. Carter's harem!" "Then I guess that makes me Mistress #2?" A woman with a diamond ring as her profile picture sent a photo. "How old is your kid? Based on the ages, I'm probably #2. You're more like #3 at best." The picture showed a woman holding a newborn. And it hit me—that was the mother and baby from the family I just worked for today. The same woman who had just paid me for postpartum nanny care. "Kids? Fine! You were with him way before I was. I'll admit defeat. Much respect, hahaha." Then the woman with the rose profile picture tagged me. "Your username is Jessica_55? So you're #5? Carter really moves fast!" "Then who's number four?" That's when the group admin chimed in. "Looks like Mr. Carter's still got a few girls he's keeping under wraps." "But numbers aside, we all know we're part of Mr. Carter's harem now. His thirtieth birthday's next month, and I'm throwing him a huge party! Everyone, prep your best talents, we'll see who wins his favor!" Messages flooded in. "Got it!" "Totally ready! Can't wait!" … My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped my phone. I saved the videos. Took screenshots. Then I called Andrew. The line was busy. No answer. Meanwhile, the group kept tagging me. "Number five, what's your talent?" "Why are you so quiet?" "How'd you manage to hook Mr. Carter, huh?" … Everything I thought I knew shattered. Mr. Carter? A harem? I looked around my shabby little apartment. Each message in that group chat was a scalpel, peeling away my heart. How could I convince myself this wasn't just a nightmare? But still… I waited for his explanation. Andrew came home the next evening. As he walked in, he beamed at me. "Babe! I brought you roses!" "I know you think flowers are a waste of money, so I got these on discount from a closing stall." "I made 600 bucks this trip. That should cover food for the next couple of months." He placed the cash on the table, then noticed the empty bowls. His smile faded. "No dinner yet? What have you been doing all day—trying to starve your husband?" The table was bare. No home-cooked dishes waiting for him like usual. I curled my lips into a mocking smile. "What's wrong, Mr. Carter? With your whole harem, you still don't have a place to eat?" He froze. "Jessica, what's going on?" "You didn't go to work today?" The moment he said that, the fury I'd been holding back finally exploded. "I did. Went to take care of your second mistress's newborn!" "Andrew Carter, how could you do this to me?" For a moment, panic flashed in his eyes. But he quickly regained his calm. "Mistresses? Baby, What are you talking about? You must be tired." "If you need a break, take two months off. I'll work more. I'll support you." He reached for my hand, but when his fingers brushed my rough palm, he pulled away like nothing happened. "You just rest. I'll make us some noodles." He dashed off to the kitchen, probably thinking I'd be touched beyond words. Don't even dream of it, Andrew Carter. I opened the "Mr. Carter's Harem" group chat, pulled up the video, and shoved it right in his face. "What do you have to say now?" Andrew watched the video. Then casually scrolled through the messages. To my shock, he actually looked relieved. Amused, even. He shook his head with an indulgent smile. "That Lily… such a little troublemaker." He set down the phone, pulled out a chair, and sat like a damn king. He was no longer the hunched, worn-out truck driver he used to pretend to be. Within seconds, he straightened up and slipped right back into boss mode. "Jessica, now that you know, I won't hide it anymore." "That story about cutting ties with my family to be with you? Fake. Just for show." "And those business trips, the trucking runs? That was just work, business dinners, meetings." He shrugged. "You know I'm the only son in my family. Carrying on the Carter legacy is my duty. With everything my family owns, do you really think I'd throw it all away just for you?" "So it was all a lie?" I stared at him, teeth clenched, my fingers digging into my palms as I fought to stop myself from shaking. "It wasn't all lies." He held up two fingers. "One, I did marry you." "Two, I could've gone straight into the Carter Group office. But to protect your pride, I played poor, lived in this dump with you." I laughed bitterly. "So I should be grateful you let me take care of your mistress's baby?" He nodded, completely serious. "You can't have kids anyway. Being a nanny lets you bond with them. It's good for you." "Now that you know everything, I won't divorce you. We're family. My children are your children. You'll be their official mom." He looked deep into my eyes. "Jessica, when we got married, I promised to love you for life, and I meant every word." I looked at the man I'd loved since I was young, when did he become someone I no longer recognized? Maybe young love really isn't meant to last. I slumped into a chair. "Leave, Andrew Carter. We're getting divorced tomorrow." "Divorce?" He raised his brows mockingly. "Wait... Jessica, are you serious?" "You think you'll survive without me?" He crouched down beside me, speaking in that slow, patronizing tone like he was doing me a favor. "You left that world before you were even grown, so you don't understand how men at the top operate. It's all about competition." "You know the CEO of Starlight Group, right? His harem includes an entire dance troupe." "I've only got a few women, and you're already threatening divorce? None of them can ever shake your position." "Think about it. My birthday's next month, I want you to run the show." Andrew Carter left, off to who knows which corner of his harem for the night. Probably relieved he didn't have to act anymore. I sat on the balcony, staring at the city lights, then at my cramped one-bedroom. Once upon a time, I was a cherished little princess too. The Lanes and the Carters were business rivals. Yet I fell in love with Carter like it was destiny. Unlike Romeo and Juliet, we were lucky. Our families eventually agreed to our marriage. The cost was exile. I was cut off completely, never to set foot in my family again. But at least we were alive. And until today, I truly believed I had all of Andrew Carter's love. Turns out my fairytale was just a cheap balloon—one prick, and it all leaked out. He said today that I can't have children. Funny. What does he even know about why I haven't? I sat there until dawn, reliving every memory we'd built. The more I remembered, the more it hurt. When I woke, my head was pounding. After days of exhaustion and emotional strain, I got sick. I didn't have the strength to get to the hospital, so I called Andrew. A woman answered, giggling, "Hehe… Who's this ‘old hag' calling? Mr. Carter's mom? Or maybe the maid?" "Put Andrew on the phone," I mumbled, barely conscious. He picked up, voice suddenly worried. "Jessica? Hang on. I'm coming." Even after I regained consciousness for the second time, Andrew Carter still hadn't come back. I picked up my phone and found the group chat called "Mr. Carter's Harem." Sure enough, there were new messages. The one with the rose avatar sent a message in the group chat. "Some old hag called Mr. Carter today saying she had a cold. So funny. The man can barely keep up with the young ones, who has time to deal with a sick grandma?" Group admin replied. "Mr. Carter's at your place tonight?" "Of course. We're at a hotel. I even brought a little surprise." She sent a photo of Andrew Carter lying in bed, wearing a black sleep mask. Then she turned the camera on herself. She was pouting as she leaned in to kiss him, wearing a sexy black lingerie set. Diamond Avatar chimed in. "Damn, lucky you. We've got kids around, we can't play like that!" ... I called Andrew again. He answered with speakerphone on, the sound of bodies hitting the bed and his breathy moans filled the line. "You… didn't go to the hospital?" He panted. "I'm…working late…can't leave. Call an…ambulance. I'll… reimburse you later…" I stayed in the hospital for two days. Andrew Carter never came to see me. Not even a phone call. It wasn't until the day before his birthday party that he finally showed up, just to toss a business card at me. "Go get yourself a dress. Make sure you look decent at the party. Don't embarrass me." I scoffed and looked away. Don't worry, Andrew Carter. I'll wear something that suits exactly who I am. Something that fits the role of your rightful wife. Just wait and see. On the day of Andrew Carter's birthday party, I walked in from the entrance, and all heads turned. Everyone was stunned. Andrew's voice dropped into a furious growl. "You—what are you doing? Did you wear that on purpose?" I smiled faintly. "What's wrong with this outfit? Isn't this the uniform from the first job you found me? I'm just showing my gratitude, dear husband." That first job Andrew arranged for me was at his friend's company—as a cleaner. Back then, he must've laughed behind my back, watching me scrub the floors in that cleaning uniform like my life depended on it. "So you're the old hag from the phone!" His secretary, dressed in a glittering gold mermaid gown, gasped with a hand over her mouth, her eyes sparkling with open mockery. She was the same woman from last night's video—the one with the rose avatar. In the group, she was Mistress #3. No doubt she was chosen for easy access during office hours. Andrew clenched his jaw. "Hide for now. I'll have someone bring you a dress." The secretary giggled. "Why not just give her a rag and let her clean up a bit? Wouldn't it make more sense for me to be on stage instead, Mr. Carter?" Andrew shot her a sharp glare. "Know your place. You're overstepping. Go get a dress for my wife." She stomped off in a huff, swaying her hips dramatically. Andrew pulled me aside. "Jessica, it's my thirtieth birthday today. Don't be mad at me, okay?" "No matter how many women I have, you're still the one I want by my side tonight." "Just stand by me on stage. You don't need to speak. Everyone is watching, and I'm only acknowledging you. That means something, doesn't it?" "Don't make a scene." I looked at his fake, pleading face and nodded. Andrew exhaled in relief. Once the showy performance was over, he walked up on stage. "Thank you all for joining me in celebrating my birthday and supporting Carter Group." "Many of you have heard of my wife, Jessica Lane, daughter of the prestigious Lane family. Today, I'd like to invite her to the stage…" The crowd buzzed—everyone dying to see the so-called legendary heiress. Everyone had heard rumors of the heiress who cut ties with her family for love. Yet the Lane family, even after disowning her, never retaliated against the Carters. On the contrary, they seemed to quietly let his business flourish. The smart ones aligned themselves with the Carters early. That's how the company kept thriving. And yet, over the years, the heiress never made a public appearance, which led many to question whether the story was real. Andrew Carter clearly chose this moment to reassure his business partners. Even if the Lane family didn't show up, people knew: if you could get in good with the princess and her husband, you were bound to benefit. So all these years, Andrew Carter had been using my name to build his business. His schemes shattered what little illusions I had left. I had been blind for years. But now I saw clearly. I hadn't changed out of the cleaner's uniform. Andrew tried to stop me, but it was already too late. I took the microphone. "I'm Andrew Carter's wife. Not an heiress. Just a cleaning lady." "He fooled you all—and fooled me even longer. But tonight, I'm done playing the fool. I'm divorcing him—right here, right now" Andrew stood frozen. Then he lunged to grab the mic. "What the hell are you talking about?" He tried to smooth things over with the crowd. "It's just a little game between husband and wife. She's only joking. Please don't take it seriously." He was fuming, practically ready to explode. He grabbed my arm and yanked me off the stage, his voice low and tense. "Do you have any idea what kind of mess you've made?" "Don't ever say the word divorce again." "You think you can survive without me? You'd be dead in a week." I shook him off. "Let's find out, shall we? Let's see if I starve without you." Andrew Carter snapped and dropped the act. He struck me across the head before I could even react. "Enough. Calm the hell down. Do you even know who you're talking to?" "Jessica, have I spoiled you too much?" "Just because I praised you a little, you think you're still the Lane family princess? Look at you. You smell like leftover food. You're just a washed-up housemaid who wipes up after other people's babies." "You think your parents will take you back? Dream on. They've got your brother. They've long forgotten you." My ears rang. My head spun. Just then, the grand doors of the ballroom creaked open. Two firm, commanding voices echoed through the hall. "Who the hell dares spread nonsense that we'd ever abandon our daughter?"