The Devil’s Convenient Wife

Chapter 11

ZARA’S POV

It had been a long day for me and here I was, trying to end the day with dinner at my step-dad’s house. I had been trying to avoid the place but now I was going willingly to sort things out. As I walked into the mansion, I saw familiar faces and all I did for pleasantries was ‘hello’. When I got to the main living room, the butler, Andy, was there to welcome me.

“How long has it been since I last saw you, miss? Two months? Three?” he asked.

I smiled softly, “I am sorry. I know I should visit more.”

“You should,” he affirmed. “You are just in time for dinner. Victor and Nadia are already in the dining room. Please join them.”

I sighed. Even though I convinced myself that it would all be fine earlier, I still dreaded having dinner with my step-dad who only wanted to exploit me and my step-sister who slept with my ex-boyfriend. Still, I walked to the dining room, telling myself it would all be fine if I thought of them to be half human, half animal.

Both of them were eating in a civilized manner when I got there so maybe they weren’t half animal afterall. Maybe they were a hybrid of human and monster then.

Nadia’s face went pale the moment she saw me. She even dropped her fork nervously. As for Victor, he didn’t seem a bit surprised. I sat down confidently, facing Nadia directly. She kept her eyes on her plate while I enjoyed her anxiety. It seemed as if she still had some conscience left in her.

“You should have informed me if you were coming over for dinner,” Victor said as he cut through the steak before him. He picked it up with a fork and chewed loudly.

I smiled uneasily, “I had to come since some things have to be said.”

“Is it about the terms I told Cael about?” he asked, his eyes still on the steak.

“Yes, I will accept your terms,” I told him firmly.

“Oh really?” he asked, finally raising his head. “I thought it would take more time to convince you.”

“But I also have terms,” I interrupted. “You can choose other household staff but I will pick my own butler.”

“Right,” he nodded. “Who do you have in mind? Is it Kate?”

I clenched my fists the moment I heard that. He gave me a quick wink and then chuckled, obviously enjoying the moment.

“Do you have someone following me around?” I asked, my voice low. If he gave me a ridiculous response, my tone would obviously flare up.

“I don’t,” he answered. “But I do have someone in the villa where Kate works. The person gave me a call and said you came to see her.”

I scoffed, “You must be excited that you have people everywhere. Is that why you want to pick household staff for me too? You want to have your people watch my every move?”

Victor dropped his fork and knife, giving me full attention.

“That’s a bit harsh. The people who will be your household staff won’t necessarily be all my spies. You’d be dumb to believe none of them are, of course,” he said calmly. “But you shouldn’t make me out to be someone that invasive. For instance, I wouldn’t hide secret cameras in your bedroom to see what you and your husband are up to at night.”

I banged my fists on the table angrily and stood up.

“I didn’t think about that before,” I began to say. “I wouldn’t be a bit shocked if you did that though. If you are capable of having such thoughts, you are more than capable of executing them.”

He sighed, “Sit down.”

“Why should I?” I asked furiously.

“You will either sit down or leave my house,” he replied firmly.

“Err…” Nadia’s soft voice came through. She stood up slowly, “I am done with dinner. I’ll be in my room.”

“Sit down too, Nadia,” Victor ordered. Nadia sat down first and I went next. Even though I hated it, we had to speak about this. As soon as we were both seated, Victor continued to speak, “I will look over your disrespect and allow you to pick your own butler. I should let you get what you want at times.”

I stood up and turned to leave.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” he asked, picking up his fork once again.

I turned slowly and closed my eyes before muttering, “Thank you.”

“That’s much better,” he replied, giggling. “I still think you should stay for dinner but since you obviously will not, Nadia will see you to the garage.”

“Ah, but I’m not finished with dinner,” Nadia muttered. She picked up her fork and knife with shaky hands. I scoffed at her pretence.

“Earlier, you said you were finished,” I pointed out. “Surely, you don’t have the face to see me off after what you did. I’m glad you are embarrassed about it though. Just sit there and stuff yourself with steak!”

I walked away as fast as I could. By the time I got to the garage, I was trying to catch my breath. I stood outside the car, trying to calm myself. I had barely done that when I watched Nadia begin to approach. She stopped walking when she was a few metres away from me.

“What is it?” I asked, staring at her blank face.

“I don’t regret what I did,” she said calmly. “It isn’t my fault that Marcus loved me more than he loved you.”

“Oh really?” I asked, wondering where she had gotten my audacity from.

“You have a husband now. You should just wish that we live happily forever,” she said casually.

“I thought you felt guilty earlier. Now you’re showing me such a different side of you,” I muttered. “You know what, Nadia? I feel like pulling out your hair.”