New Year’s Eve, two in the morning, I rushed home through the snow. The moment I pulled back the covers, a strong scent of perfume hit me in the face. This wasn’t my perfume. Then I felt something sticky on the bed, and beside the pillow lay a long strand of blonde hair. I stared at my sleeping husband, Warren. He suddenly jerked awake, stammering: “You… how did you get back early?” I forced down my nausea and didn’t lose my temper. Instead, I sent a message to that college girl I’d been supporting for four years, who was currently sleeping in the guest room: [Are you asleep? I prepared a New Year’s gift for you—fifty thousand in cash] My phone vibrated. Mia’s message popped up immediately. [Thank you! I just woke up, Happy New Year!] Just woke up? Two minutes ago, I clearly heard sounds of someone getting dressed and coughing from the guest room next door. For fifty thousand dollars, she wouldn’t even bother pretending. I left the bedroom. Warren sprang up instantly, reaching out to grab me: “Honey, where are you going this late?” His palm was covered in cold sweat. The feeling reminded me of the bed sheets I’d just touched. “To give Mia her gift.” I avoided his hand and grabbed a stack of cash from the nightstand. “It’s New Year’s. Of course I should give a gift.” Warren’s face turned pale, his eyes darting toward the door: “You could give it to her tomorrow… she must be sleeping…” “She’s awake. She just replied to my message.” I ignored his attempt to stop me and pulled open the door. Walking through the hallway, I found the guest room door slightly ajar. I pushed it open. A wave of cheap perfume hit me, mixed with the smell of bodily fluids after sex. Mia was wearing a silk nightgown I’d bought last year, sitting cross-legged on the bed. Seeing me come in, there was no shame on her face. Instead, a trace of a smile appeared: “Hey, why are you back so late?” The sheets were rumpled, there was an indentation on the pillow, and a half-full glass of water sat on the nightstand. I walked to the bedside, looking at this girl we’d been supporting for four years. Her face was indeed young, with an innocence that hadn’t been beaten down by society yet. “Take it.” I raised my hand and threw the fifty thousand dollars right at her face. Bills flew through the air, landing on her hair, her shoulders, falling into her low-cut neckline. Mia froze. The next second, she crawled on the bed, picking up the money piece by piece and clutching it to her chest, her face all smiles: “Thank you so much. You’re so good to me.” As she bent down, her neckline slipped, revealing a small red mark on her chest. I forced down the urge to tear these two apart. “You’re welcome. After all, some money isn’t easy to earn—you have to trade your body for it.” Mia’s movements paused. She looked up, her eyes venomous but quickly switching to innocent: “What are you talking about? I’m using knowledge to change my destiny.” “Is that so?” I glanced at the bed sheets. “I think what you’re learning isn’t knowledge—it’s positions.” With that, I turned and left without looking at her expression. Back in the master bedroom, Warren stood by the window. He’d already rolled up the electric blanket into a ball. “Honey, this blanket’s a bit old. I just saw some dirty stuff on it. Let’s get a new one tomorrow.” “Dirty stuff? It is pretty filthy.” I walked to the bed and yanked down the sheets, duvet cover, and pillow cores in one motion. “Throw it all away. I don’t like things other people have touched. Disgusting.” Warren didn’t dare argue. He carried the pile of bedding out of the room. Watching his back, I pulled out my phone and opened an app. It was for the miniature cameras I’d installed earlier to observe the cleaning lady’s work. They happened to cover the blind spots in the living room and hallway. On the screen, two people were tangled together, rolling from the living room into the master bedroom. I expressionlessly saved the video.
The next morning, firecrackers sounded outside the window. Warren got up unusually early. The dining table was set with pizza and roast chicken. “Honey, eat while it’s hot.” Warren was wearing an apron. “You worked hard last night. Just rest at home today.” Mia sat across from him, wearing a turtleneck sweater that covered her neck. Seeing me come out, she got up and ladled a bowl of soup, placing it in front of me: “Try this soup. Warren went specially to a restaurant to buy it.” I didn’t touch the utensils, looking at Warren instead: “Rest? You’re supposed to come with me to my parents’ place today. Did you forget?” Warren’s smile stiffened. Then he clutched his stomach: “Oh no, honey, I was fine until you mentioned it, but now my stomach’s cramping.” “I probably caught a chill waiting up for you until midnight last night.” What a performance! If I hadn’t seen the video of him naked and tangled with Mia, I might have believed him. “That’s right.” Mia immediately chimed in. “Warren’s health has never been good. It’s snowing so hard outside—what if it gets worse?” “Why don’t… you go by yourself? I’ll stay home and take care of him.” What a harmonious duet. So this is what they were waiting for. “Fine.” I picked up the car keys. “Since your stomach hurts, stay home and rest. Remember to take your medicine. Don’t die at home—that would be unlucky.” Warren breathed a sigh of relief: “Drive carefully, honey. Come back early.” I walked out. The moment I closed the security door, I heard Mia’s laughter from inside: “Finally she’s gone, that old hag…” I got in the car but didn’t start the engine. Instead, I pulled out my phone and connected to the surveillance feed. On the screen, the second I left, Warren pulled Mia into his arms: “Baby, you scared me. I thought she’d discovered something.” Mia pushed him, then leaned into his embrace: “So what if she discovers it? You already said once we get the money, we’ll run away together.” Warren chuckled, his hand sliding under her clothes: “Just be patient a little longer. The equity transfer agreement for her company can be signed next month.” “When that happens, this whole family will be ours.” Mia pushed Warren away and walked into the master bedroom. A few minutes later, she came out. She was wearing my brand-new haute couture cashmere coat that I’d just brought home, along with my diamond necklace. She spun in front of the hallway mirror: “Warren, do I look good in this?” “This coat is wasted on that old woman. Only I’m worthy of wearing it.” Warren hugged her from behind: “Beautiful, so beautiful! All of this will be yours soon—even this house.” Mia stroked the coat’s collar: “Of course. Oh, that fifty thousand she gave me—can I use it to buy a bag?” “Buy it! Whatever you want!” The two started unbuttoning each other in front of the mirror. I turned off the surveillance and took a deep breath. I hadn’t even cut the tags off that coat yet. I started the car and floored the gas pedal. But I didn’t go to the cemetery. Instead, I circled the neighborhood and parked back downstairs. Since you two are so eager, I’ll grant your wish. Five minutes later, I stood at my front door and took out my keys. I turned the lock directly. The soft “click” echoed through the living room. The door opened. In the living room, two tangled figures sprang apart instantly. Mia was wearing my coat, the buttons half undone, with her sweater pushed up underneath. Warren’s belt was unbuckled, his pants hanging on his hips. Seeing me, both their faces went deathly pale. Warren nearly fell to his knees, stuttering: “H-honey? How… how did you come back?” I ignored him, staring at my coat on Mia’s body, and strode over. I backhanded her across the face. “Take it off.” Mia was stunned, covering her face without reacting. I physically tore it off her. “You think you’re worthy of wearing my clothes?” I looked into her eyes. “Look at yourself. You really think putting on phoenix feathers makes you a divine bird?”
I’d stripped Mia down to just her turtleneck sweater. She huddled in the corner of the couch, crying. “I… I didn’t mean to… Warren said the coat looked nice and told me to try it on…” Warren finally snapped out of it and rushed over to push me away, standing in front of Mia: “Claire! What’s wrong with you?” “It’s just a coat! Mia is a student you’re supporting—she’s like our daughter!” “Daughter?” I pointed at the two disheveled people. “What kind of father rolls around on the couch with his so-called daughter?” “Warren, did you leave your brain in the bedsheets, or do you think I’m blind?” Warren’s face turned red: “We… we were just playing around. You’re thinking dirty thoughts—your mind is filthy!” Just then, the doorbell rang. “Warren! Open up! We came to visit you!” Hearing the voices, Mia’s eyes lit up. She immediately wiped away her tears, fixed her hair and clothes, and rushed over to open the door. “Happy New Year, everyone!” Mia took the local specialties from various aunts and relatives, her face full of smiles. If you ignored her swollen face, you’d really think she was the lady of the house. “Oh my, this must be Mia! What a pretty girl!” “This girl is so thoughtful, up early doing housework. Not like some people who travel for work on New Year’s and don’t care about family at all.” Aunt Grace pursed her lips, her eyes cutting toward me. These relatives had always looked down on me because I didn’t give them money and hadn’t had children. Mia poured tea for everyone and arranged strawberries in the most prominent spot: “Everyone, please try these. These are organic strawberries that Claire specially bought—over a hundred dollars per pound.” “Usually Claire won’t even let me eat them, but today you all get to enjoy them.” Aunt Grace ate while talking: “Of course—she’s a CEO. How could she care about us poor relatives?” “Only Mia is kind-hearted. Warren, you need to think clearly about some things. You should marry someone who cares about family, not someone who only has eyes for money.” Warren smiled apologetically, but his eyes kept drifting to Mia. I leaned against the cabinet, watching this farce. “Aunt Grace is right.” I suddenly spoke, a fake smile on my face. “Mia really is capable. Since she loves doing housework so much, tonight’s dinner is all hers to prepare.” Mia’s smile froze. “Also.” I pointed at the bathroom. “The toilet’s a bit clogged. The cleaning lady is on vacation. Since Mia is so thoughtful, why don’t you scrub it while you’re at it?” Mia looked to Warren for help. Warren was about to speak when I cut him off: “What? Does it hurt your feelings? Didn’t you say she’s like our daughter? Shouldn’t a daughter help out around the house?” In front of the relatives, Warren could only grit his teeth: “Mia, then… help Claire out.” Mia went into the kitchen with red-rimmed eyes. Watching her cough from the cooking fumes, I felt slightly better. I sat on the couch cracking sunflower seeds, listening to Aunt Grace and the others criticize me. Until a bratty kid suddenly pulled something out of Mia’s bag. “Mommy! Look how pretty this is!” It was a limited edition lipstick I’d lost last month. The living room went silent. Aunt Grace looked embarrassed: “This… maybe Mia accidentally took it by mistake…” “Accidentally?” I took the lipstick and looked at Mia, who had just brought out a dish. “This lipstick hasn’t even been opened. What, my things grew legs and walked into your bag?” Mia’s face turned pale, the plate trembling in her hands. Warren immediately jumped in: “I gave it to Mia. I saw you didn’t use that shade much, so I gave it to her.” Mia’s tears came on command: “You gave it to me… don’t you remember?” Magnificent. I tossed the lipstick back into her knockoff bag and wiped my hands. “Fine. Since I gave it to you, I’ll see it through.” Under the table, I sent a message to my lawyer: [Is the agreement ready? I need it tonight.]
The dinner table was covered with food. Mia was exhausted, her makeup smudged, her hair greasy. She forced herself to sit next to Warren and put a piece of pizza on my plate: “Try my cooking.” The sauce looked blackish. I didn’t touch it, just swirled my wine glass. Suddenly, Mia covered her mouth and rushed into the bathroom with a “gag.” Retching sounds came from inside. Aunt Grace’s eyes lit up: “Oh my! That sound… could she be pregnant?” Warren’s chopsticks shook. He gulped down some liquor, his face darkening. Mia came out supporting herself against the wall, her eyes red. “Warren… I…” “It’s okay, I’m here!” Warren pulled Mia onto his lap. “Claire, since we’re already talking about this, I won’t hide it anymore.” “Mia is pregnant. It’s my child.” Aunt Grace glanced at me. “Claire, don’t blame Warren.” “You’ve been married four years and your belly still hasn’t moved.” Aunt Susan chimed in: “Exactly! What man doesn’t want a child?” “Mia is young with a healthy body. Since she’s pregnant, it’s heaven’s will.” “As a wife, you should be magnanimous and let her have the child.” Warren raised his voice: “Mia doesn’t need a title. As long as the child can be born and recognized by the family.” “You’ll still be the lady of the house. The child will even call you Mom.” “You want me to raise a mistress’s child?” I lifted my wine glass and swirled it. “Warren, has your brain short-circuited? You can actually dream this up?” Warren slammed the table. “Claire! Don’t be ungrateful!” “If I hadn’t taken care of you these past years, could you have focused on your career?” “Now I just want a child, and you want to kill us all? You’re so vicious.” Mia huddled in his arms crying: “Claire, I don’t want anything. I just want to repay Warren for his kindness…” “If you really can’t accept me, I’ll leave right now, even if I end up on the streets…” “Leave? Where to?” Aunt Grace stood up and blocked the door. “You’re carrying our family’s child. Who dares let you leave!” “Repayment, huh?” I put down my wine glass. The glass made a crisp sound hitting the table. “Since everyone is so righteous, I have a video of Mia’s repayment here.” “Let’s watch it while we eat. It’ll liven up the evening.” I picked up the remote and pressed the cast button. On the TV screen, Warren and Mia were naked and tangled on the couch. Mia’s voice came through: “Warren, your poor relatives are so annoying, especially that Aunt Grace.” “She wanted me to date her son? She should look in a mirror.” Warren laughed between heavy breaths: “Bear with it, baby. They’re just a bunch of old leeches.” “Once Claire dies and we get the money…” “The first thing I’ll do is cut ties with these poor bastards so they stop clinging to us.” On screen, Mia’s finger traced circles on Warren’s chest: “So… that accident insurance, did you buy it?” “The brake pads on her car—you tampered with them and it really can’t be detected?” Warren’s voice echoed through the living room: “Don’t worry, I’ve arranged everything.” “As long as something happens to her, that’s tens of millions in compensation, plus this house and the company shares…” “Then we’ll take the money and go abroad. Who cares if these poor relatives live or die?” Only the laughter of the two people on screen echoed through the room. Aunt Grace trembled all over, pointing at Warren: “You… what did you say? You want to cut ties? And you want to… murder someone?” Mia had lost all color in her face, collapsing limply to the floor. Warren stared at the screen, his lips trembling, unable to speak. I took a sip of red wine. “This is the New Year’s gift Miss Mia prepared for you all. How about it? Surprised?”
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