He Chose His Mistress, so I Chose Revenge

“Do you think he’ll like it?” Amelia stood in front of the mirror, holding a bouquet of red roses against her chest. Her housekeeper, Grace, smiled from the doorway. “Madam, who wouldn’t like this?” Amelia laughed softly. “Daniel might.” “You’ve been married to him for three years. You should know.” Amelia’s smile slowly faded. That was the problem. After three years of marriage, she still didn’t know what Daniel wanted from her. She knew his favorite food. She knew how he liked his shirts ironed. She knew which coffee he preferred. She knew he hated being disturbed during meetings. She knew he liked his steak medium rare and couldn’t stand too much pepper. She knew the brand of perfume he secretly liked on her. But she didn’t know the last time he had looked at her and truly seen her. She didn’t know the last time he had held her simply because he wanted to. She didn’t know why his hugs had gradually become shorter. Why his kisses had disappeared. Why he had started coming home later and later. Why he sometimes lay beside her at night with his back turned toward her. Yet Amelia had never stopped trying. Today was their third wedding anniversary. And she wanted to believe that maybe this time would be different. She looked down at the expensive watch inside the black gift box. Daniel had once mentioned wanting it. He probably didn’t even remember. But Amelia did. She had remembered everything about him. That was what wives did, wasn’t it? They remembered. They sacrificed. They waited. They forgave. They loved. Even when they weren’t loved properly in return. “I saved for weeks to buy that watch,” Amelia said softly. Grace’s smile disappeared. “You didn’t have to.” “I wanted to.” She carefully closed the box. “I want him to know that I still care.” Grace hesitated. “Madam…” “Yes?” “Maybe you should let him come home today. You can celebrate together.” Amelia shook her head. “No. I want to surprise him.” She smiled again, but this time there was something almost childlike about it. “Imagine his face when I walk into his office.” Grace smiled. “I hope he appreciates you.” Amelia looked at herself in the mirror. “So do I.” She didn’t know those would be the last hopeful words she would say about her marriage. ⸻ By noon, Amelia had everything ready. She had personally prepared Daniel’s favorite meal. She had ordered his favorite cake. She had bought his favorite wine. She had wrapped the expensive watch herself. And before leaving the house, she changed into the cream-colored dress Daniel had once complimented. She stood in front of the mirror one final time. Her hair fell softly around her shoulders. She touched her wedding ring. Three years. She remembered the day Daniel had placed it on her finger. I promise I’ll always protect you. She had believed him. She had believed every word. Amelia smiled through the sudden ache in her chest. “Happy anniversary, Mrs. Blackwood.” She picked up the flowers. “Today, your husband is going to surprise you too.” She laughed at herself. She didn’t know how wrong she was. ⸻ Blackwood Holdings was busier than usual. Employees hurried through the massive lobby while Amelia walked toward the reception desk carrying the flowers and gift. Several employees smiled when they saw her. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Blackwood.” “Good afternoon.” “Happy anniversary, ma’am.” Amelia smiled. “Thank you.” One young employee looked at the flowers. “Mr. Blackwood is lucky.” Amelia’s smile widened. “I hope he thinks so.” She stepped into the elevator. As the doors closed, she looked at her reflection. Her heart was beating fast. Not because she was nervous about seeing her husband. Because somewhere deep inside, she was still hoping. Hoping he would look at her the way he used to. Hoping he would put his work aside. Hoping he would remember their wedding day. Hoping he would finally say the words she had been waiting years to hear. I love you, Amelia. The elevator stopped. She stepped out. Daniel’s secretary wasn’t at her desk. Vanessa. Amelia frowned. That was unusual. Vanessa was almost always there. Maybe she was in the restroom. Amelia walked toward Daniel’s office. The door was slightly open. She smiled. Perfect. He hadn’t noticed her. She could surprise him. She adjusted the flowers in her hands. Then she heard laughter. A woman’s laughter. Amelia stopped. Her smile disappeared. She heard Daniel’s voice. Low. Soft. A voice she hadn’t heard him use with her in a very long time. Her heart gave an uncomfortable squeeze. She pushed the door open. And her world ended. ⸻ Daniel was not alone. His shirt was partially unbuttoned. His secretary, Vanessa, was in his arms. Amelia froze. The bouquet trembled in her hands. For several seconds, nobody moved. Daniel looked at her. Vanessa looked at her. And Amelia stared at the two people who had just destroyed the life she thought she knew. Her fingers slowly loosened. The bouquet fell. The roses scattered across the expensive carpet. The gift box slipped from her other hand. It landed beside the flowers. A tiny c***k appeared across the glass of the watch inside. Amelia barely noticed. Her eyes were fixed on her husband. “Daniel…” Her voice was barely audible. Daniel quickly straightened. But there was no panic in his face. No guilt. No shame. Nothing. Vanessa moved behind him. Amelia stared at her. The woman she had trusted. The woman she had greeted every time she visited the office. The woman she had even complimented for being a hardworking secretary. “You…” Amelia couldn’t finish. Vanessa lowered her eyes. “Mrs. Blackwood…” “Don’t call me that.” Amelia’s voice broke. Vanessa went silent. Amelia looked at Daniel. “Tell me this isn’t what it looks like.” Daniel said nothing. “Daniel, please.” Still nothing. A tear slipped down Amelia’s cheek. “Tell me.” Daniel sighed. Then he looked at her as though she were an inconvenience. “What are you doing here?” Amelia blinked. “What?” “What are you doing in my office?” She stared at him. “I came to surprise you.” Her voice shook. “It’s our anniversary.” She pointed at the flowers lying on the floor. “I brought you roses.” Then the gift. “I bought you something.” Then the food. “I prepared your favorite meal.” Her voice cracked. “I wanted us to have dinner together.” Daniel looked at the scattered roses. His expression remained cold. Amelia waited. She waited for him to walk toward her. She waited for him to say sorry. She waited for him to explain. Instead, he said, “You should have knocked.” Amelia stared at him. Her lips parted. For a moment, she couldn’t believe what she had heard. “I should have…” She laughed once. It was a broken, disbelieving sound. “I should have knocked?” “Yes.” “You were sleeping with your secretary!” “Watch your language.” “My language?” Amelia stepped forward. “You’re cheating on me!” “Keep your voice down.” “Why? Are you embarrassed?” Daniel’s jaw tightened. “You’re making a scene.” “A scene?” Amelia pointed at Vanessa. “This woman is your secretary!” Daniel said nothing. “Look at me!” He did. Amelia wished he hadn’t. There was nothing in his eyes. Not love. Not guilt. Not even regret. Just irritation. “How long?” she whispered. Daniel looked away. “How long have you been sleeping with her?” “That’s none of your business.” Amelia felt as though someone had punched the air out of her lungs. “I’m your wife.” “Exactly.” He said it with such coldness that she almost didn’t recognize him. “Then act like one.” Amelia stared at him. “What does that even mean?” “It means stop embarrassing yourself.” Her tears came faster. “I embarrassed myself?” She pointed to herself. “I came here carrying flowers for you.” Her voice broke. “I spent all morning cooking for you.” She picked up the cracked gift box. “I saved money to buy you this.” Her hands shook. “And you were here with her.” She looked at Vanessa. “On our anniversary.” Vanessa’s eyes filled with tears. But Amelia noticed something. A tiny smile. It disappeared quickly. But Amelia had seen it. “You’re enjoying this.” Vanessa immediately shook her head. “No, ma’am.” “Don’t lie to me.” Daniel stepped between them. “Enough.” Amelia looked at him. “Are you defending her?” “I’m telling you to stop.” “Then tell her to leave!” “No.” Amelia froze. “No?” Daniel looked at Vanessa. “You don’t have to go anywhere.” That was it. That was the moment something inside Amelia broke completely. Not when she saw them. Not when he admitted the affair. Not even when he told her he loved Vanessa. It was that simple sentence. You don’t have to go anywhere. He was protecting her. While Amelia stood there as his wife. The woman who had spent three years protecting him. Amelia wiped her tears. “Do you love her?” Daniel looked directly into her eyes. “Yes.” The word landed like a bullet. Amelia’s lips trembled. “How long?” “Almost a year.” A year. Amelia’s knees weakened. A year. She remembered every night he came home late. Every business trip. Every time he told her he was tired. Every time she waited for him with dinner. Every time she fell asleep alone. She had been worried about his work. He had been with Vanessa. She had prayed for their marriage. He had been building another relationship. A year. She laughed through her tears. “I feel so stupid.” Daniel shrugged. “I never asked you to wait for me.” Amelia stared at him. “You never asked me to wait?” “No.” “I am your wife!” “And?” She went silent. The cruelty of that single word was worse than a slap. “And?” she repeated. Daniel sighed. “This marriage has run its course.” Amelia stared at him. “What are you saying?” “I want a divorce.” She felt her heart stop. “Today?” “As soon as possible.” Amelia shook her head. “No.” Daniel frowned. “No?” “You don’t get to do this.” “Do what?” “Destroy three years of my life and then dismiss me like I’m nothing.” “You’ll be compensated.” She stared at him. “Compensated?” “Yes.” “How much?” “Five million.” Amelia laughed. Five million. He was putting a price on three years of her life. “Keep your money.” Daniel’s expression hardened. “Don’t be dramatic.” “Dramatic?” Amelia stepped closer. “You cheated on me.” “I told you the truth.” “You humiliated me.” “I didn’t ask you to come here.” “You made me look like a fool!” “You’re behaving like one now.” Amelia froze. Her face crumpled. Daniel looked away. “Just leave.” “No.” “Amelia.” “No!” She screamed. “I am not leaving until you tell me why!” Daniel’s patience snapped. He grabbed her arm. “Get out.” “Let me go!” She pulled away. “Daniel!” He shoved her. Amelia stumbled backward. Her head struck the sharp edge of the table. Pain exploded through her skull. She collapsed to the floor. For a moment, everything went silent. Amelia slowly lifted her head. Her vision blurred. She looked at Daniel. Surely now. Surely he would come to her. Surely he would realize he had gone too far. She waited. Daniel didn’t move. He simply looked at her. Coldly. Then he picked up his phone. “Security.” Amelia stared at him in disbelief. “Daniel…” Two guards entered. Daniel pointed toward her. “Take her out.” Amelia’s lips trembled. “You’re really doing this?” He didn’t answer. The guards approached. “Please…” One grabbed her arm. Amelia resisted. “Don’t touch me!” She looked at Daniel. “I am your wife!” Daniel turned away. That hurt more than the fall. More than the betrayal. More than anything. He couldn’t even look at her. The guards dragged her toward the door. Her eyes remained fixed on him. “Daniel!” Nothing. “Please!” Nothing. The office door closed. Amelia was pushed into the hallway. Employees stared. Whispers followed her. She walked through the lobby with tears streaming down her face. The woman who had entered the building smiling was gone. Outside, the afternoon sun was shining brightly. Cars passed. People laughed. The world continued as if nothing had happened. Amelia stood on the pavement, trembling. She looked down. There was blood on her fingers from the wound on her head. She wiped it away. Then she looked back at Blackwood Holdings. At the building that represented everything Daniel had. Power. Money. Success. An empire. And suddenly, Amelia remembered something. Something Daniel had once told her during their first year of marriage. Without me, you have nothing. She had believed him. Not anymore. Amelia slowly removed her wedding ring. She stared at it. Three years of promises. Three years of sacrifices. Three years of believing she had a husband. Then she closed her fingers around the ring. “No more.” Her voice was quiet. But there was something different in it now. She wasn’t begging. She wasn’t crying. She wasn’t asking Daniel to choose her. She had finally chosen herself. “You wanted her.” Amelia looked up at the towering building. “Fine.” A tear slid down her cheek. She wiped it away. “But you should have been careful what you wished for.” Her expression hardened. “Because the woman you just threw away is going to become the woman you wish you had never betrayed.” She turned around and walked away. Daniel thought he had just gotten rid of his unwanted wife. He had no idea. He had just created his greatest enemy. And Amelia Blackwood was done being the woman who forgave everything. This time… She wanted revenge.