My husband loves animals. He often brings stray cats and dogs home.
I’ve always supported him.
Until one night, he brought a young woman home.
This is Sera Hayes, a college student Ive taken in. Shes an orphan, homeless. Shell be living with us from now on.
I strongly objected.
Dempsey actually said:
Have you no empathy?! Sera is so helpless, can’t you just treat her like a lost kitten you took in?
I work in a highly confidential field. Just three days after our wedding, I had to separate from my husband for three months.
When my assignment was over, I excitedly returned home, only to find a beautiful young woman there.
She was wearing an apron, cooking soup in the kitchen. Hearing the door open, she fluttered over like a butterfly.
But when she saw me, the smile vanished from her face, replaced by immediate hostility.
Who are you, and how do you have keys to *my* house?
Her question left me stunned.
This was *my* house, no mistake.
Im the lady of this house. Who are *you*, and why are you in my home?
The girls face instantly changed.
Dempsey said you wouldnt be back for three months. Why are you two days early?
She clearly wasn’t happy to see me.
So who exactly are you?
Im the lady of this house too!
Her words made me laugh in disbelief. Did Dempsey have two wives now?
Just as I was about to call Dempsey to demand an explanation, he walked in.
Eleanor, darling, youre back early?
You didnt tell me you were coming back sooner. I would have sent a car to pick you up.
No need. I have my own car.
That custom-built vehicle of yours is way overdue for an upgrade. As my wife, how can you drive something so unremarkable?
That car isn’t something you can buy with just money, and anyway, this isn’t about the car right now.
I glanced at the girl beside him.
Start explaining.
Dempsey chuckled.
Oh, you mean Sera. I forgot to introduce you. This is Sera Hayes; she’s now part of our family.
My mind went blank.
So, may I ask, in what capacity is she becoming part of our family?
Sera is a student Ive taken in. Her parents both passed away, and shes homeless. I felt sorry for her, so I brought her home.
Dempsey, I have no problem with you rescuing stray cats and dogs. But this is a grown woman, and she’s an adult. What right do you have to just take her in?
The right of being a billionaire. I have the money to support her, and I’m willing to do it.
His words completely shattered my understanding of decency.
So, what youre saying is, shell be living with us, as a couple, from now on? Is that it?
Yes.
Dempsey grabbed my arm.
Eleanor, Sera is gentle, kind, and she cooks well. She can take care of us.
Its just one more young woman in the house, no different from having an extra cat or dog. Just think of her as another pet, and treat her like one.
His words made me laugh, a bitter laugh.
You can have cats, dogs, birds, fish, even snakes, spiders, lizardsI wouldnt care!
But you bring a young woman in her early twenties into our home, and you expect me to be a fool?
Dempsey, were newlyweds. You took advantage of my absence for work to openly bring your mistress into our house, calling her a little girl!
I come from an educated, respectable family, and I have a higher education myself. Do you honestly think Ill believe your nonsense?
Sera put on her most pitiful act, tugging at Dempseys sleeve with a heartbroken expression.
I knew Eleanor wouldn’t tolerate me. Maybe I should just go. Even though the university doesn’t allow dorm living anymore, its fine. I can just tough it out at the bus station.
Dempsey gently patted Seras hand.
Dont worry, you stay right here. No one can make you leave.
Oh, and Eleanor, Ive moved your things to the west guest room. Sera will be staying in the master bedroom.
I froze, doubting my own ears.
Sera is taking the master bedroom, and Im in the west guest room? What about you?
If I want to sleep with you, Ill come find you.
I found it utterly ridiculous.
Dempsey, you really think youre a king? Am I your servant, assigned to some side room, waiting for you to decide you want me?!
Who do you think you are? Even if you were a king, Im your queen! Why should I tolerate this insult?
Sera tugged at Dempseys sleeve again, timidly saying,
Perhaps the master bedroom should still be for Eleanor. I’d be happy with just any place to sleep.
Dempsey pulled Sera into his arms.
I make the rules in this house, and I promised Id give you the best.
Then he looked at me.
Since things have come to this, lets just be direct.
I love Sera, and I intend to keep her by my side! In name, you are my wife, but in reality, Sera and you are equals.
In public, Ill make sure you maintain your status. Youll still be my wife, the future matriarch of Thorne Industries. But in this house, Sera is my true love. I expect you to know your place.
I felt a wave of dizziness from anger. Just then, Dempseys mother arrived.
Full of grievances, I turned to her.
Mom, do you know what Dempsey has done?! He
Before I could finish, Vivian raised a hand, signaling me to stop.
Eleanor, you should understand. Given our familys standing, its impossible for Dempsey to have only one woman. Besides, your work is so demanding, youre often away for months. Its a good thing to have another woman in the house to help care for Dempsey.
So, Mom, you knew about this all along, and you approve?
Yes.
Vivian took my hand.
Eleanor, darling, were the wealthiest family in the city. Its completely normal for Dempsey to have several women. The fact that hes only brought one home is already showing you a great deal of respect.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
Mom, if I had known your family was like this, I never would have agreed to date Dempsey. Why didn’t you make this clear *before* we got married?!
Now that Im married into this family, you say these things? Thats incredibly disrespectful! And by what right do you assume I would accept such a twisted arrangement?!
The next second, Dempsey shoved me hard.
What are you yelling about?! You’re lucky to even be married into the Thorne family! I don’t know what my father saw in you, forcing me to marry you.
Ignoring all the heiresses from powerful corporations, he chose *you*, some girl from a modest background. What help could you possibly be to me?
So, Dempsey despised me from the bottom of his heart.
I know the Thorne family is wealthy, but my dignity, Eleanor Vances dignity, is not something you can trample on!
Whoever wants to be your wife can be, because I cant. Were getting a divorce!
Divorce is not an option. Weve only been married three months; a divorce would ruin Thorne Industries reputation.
Sera ran to the kitchen, poured a bowl of soup, and brought it to me.
Eleanor, please dont be angry. Try the soup I made, its delicious.
I dont want it.
I merely pushed it gently, and Sera shrieked, letting the soup bowl fly from her hands.
She stumbled back several steps and plopped onto the floor.
Eleanor, I was just trying to be nice. Why did you push me?
Before I could react, a stinging slap landed squarely on my face.
Eleanor Vance! Youre pushing your luck!
Dempsey helped Sera up.
Apologize to Sera, right now!
I barely touched her; she faked it! Why should I apologize to her?!
Dempseys gaze was icy. He nudged Sera forward.
Hit her back.
Sera flinched.
Is that really appropriate? Even though Eleanor pushed me, she is still your legal wife. Besides, I even if she were to hit me, I should just take it.
In public, shes my wife. But in this house, you are my beloved. Dont demean yourself. If I didnt need someone with an unblemished background to be my wife in name, she wouldnt even be allowed through my door.
He wrapped an arm around Seras waist and kissed her directly.
From now on, you make the rules in this house.
He slowly shifted his gaze back to me.
Hit her back!
Sera straightened her posture, walking proudly towards me, her eyes filled with the smugness and arrogance of someone with powerful backing.
My anger flared.
Assaulting a federal researcher comes with serious consequences!
I dont care what you are!
She raised her hand and viciously slapped me twice.
You deserved that, for being so defiant!
As I was being hit, Dempseys mother sat on the sofa watching TV as if nothing was happening.
I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, then suddenly smiled.
If you treat me like this, does your father know?
If your father hadnt come to my familys door with gifts three times, practically begging my dad for our marriage and repeatedly promising hed treat me well, you wouldnt even have been allowed to meet me!
Dempseys eyes widened.
So what? Youre married into my family now, and youll abide by our rules!
Here, Im the one in charge!
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