My Husband Kept A Mistress As My Stand-In

Archer froze for a beat, his grip going slack, knuckles bone-white. A humorless laugh slipped out, a thin mask over whatever was trying to surface. "Maddie, you're something else." Then he punched the gas. The rest of the drive passed in dead silence.

Back at the house, Archer made a beeline for the shower. Maddie, purse in hand with the marriage certificate inside, started upstairs—but the phone behind her shrilled. She hesitated, then picked it up.

The screen showed just the letter "B." Maddie squinted. Every instinct screamed at her. Bailee. She swiped to answer.

A voice sickly sweet oozed through the line. "Darling, I miss you."

"Why so quiet, honey?"

Maddie found it almost funny, her tone dripping sarcasm. "Miss Wagner, your timing is impeccable. Archer's in the shower. Let me grab him for you."

Dead air. "Why is it you?" Bailee's voice wobbled.

Maddie kept climbing the stairs. A moment later, Archer came hurrying out in a robe, water still clinging to his chest. He looked rattled, stopping short when he saw Maddie. His eyes dropped to her hand. "Maddie..."

"Miss Wagner wants a word," Maddie said, arching a brow, and handed him the phone.

Guilt flickered over Archer's face. He took the phone and started to retreat upstairs. Maddie's voice stopped him cold from behind. "Need to hide to take a call?"

Archer froze mid-step, turning to face her. "No. I just didn't want to bother you."

"I'm not bothered. Put it on speaker. Let's hear why Miss Wagner is calling so late, acting all sweet on you."

Maddie leaned against the banister, arms crossed, watching him with a flicker of amusement.

Archer paused. "She must've dialed the wrong number."

His voice into the phone was clipped, detached. "Bailee, watch your number next time. Don't create misunderstandings."

He hung up and looked back at Maddie, a hint of apprehension in his eyes. "Maddie, it was a mistake. Don't read into it. She's married now too. There's nothing between us."

Maddie said nothing and brushed past him. After her shower, she lay in bed, hyperaware of Archer beside her, tucking the blanket around her. He picked up his phone and started replying to messages. The glow irritated Maddie's eyes as she squinted.

She caught a glimpse of his messaging app—an account under a different name. Bailee was saved as "Baby."

Bailee had messaged: [Archer, why was your phone with her? I was so scared.]

Archer typed back: [Sweetheart, don't call this number again. Have Jordan reach out if needed.]

Jordan was one of Archer's personal assistants. Under the covers, Maddie's hands clenched.

Jordan had once worked for Maddie's family. After her family business collapsed, Jordan's father had begged for him to keep his job. When Archer was eager to make amends, Maddie had helped bring Jordan into Archer's company. She'd thought Jordan was trustworthy—only to find he'd been helping Archer and Bailee keep their secrets.

Nausea churned in her gut. Archer's latest message stung: [She's asleep now. I'll come see you. Wear that Victorian-style dress I like.]

The message pierced Maddie's heart. She squeezed her eyes shut. Archer glanced over and gently touched Maddie's cheek, checking that she was asleep. Then he grabbed his jacket and left.

The second the door clicked shut, Maddie bolted up and rushed to the bathroom, retching into the toilet. After she'd emptied her stomach, she sat on the cold tiles, trying to steady her breathing—until her phone rang again.

Wearily, she picked up. It was her attorney.

"Ms. Mills, Archer's assets have been evaluated. Through litigation, you can claim five properties, two plots of land, and fifty million dollars in assets."

Maddie tightened her grip on the phone, her voice hoarse. "With my shares, that's it?"

"Yes, Ms. Mills," the attorney confirmed. "Archer has invested most of his funds into the company. To get more, you'll need evidence of other wrongdoings for compensation."

Maddie's mind jumped to Archer's marriage certificate with Bailee. Possible bigamy, fraud, and the money she had put into his business—her attorney would need evidence of each. She needed solid proof to make Archer pay heavily and to see him brought down.

Her thoughts turned to a particular property, her pulse quickening with urgency. When her mother learned Maddie was reconciling with Archer, she'd bought a riverside villa for their wedding home, putting both names on the deed. After her mother passed, Maddie avoided the place; the memories were too painful.

Archer wouldn't get a single brick from that house.

"Is the riverside villa at the estate one of the five properties listed?" she asked.

The lawyer hesitated. "No, it's jointly owned. Even without a divorce, it belongs to both of you. To claim it fully, either have him sign it over in the divorce or transfer it willingly."

Unlikely. Archer wouldn't agree without a fight, and explaining it risked everything.

"What's the alternative if neither works?" Maddie asked, frowning.

The lawyer paused. "You could sell it with Archer’s written consent, but the sale and proceeds must be fully disclosed in any property settlement. We cannot hide assets from the court."

Maddie's eyes lit up—this could work. Her mind instantly went to her best friend, Arely Carlson.

Arely was a powerhouse in the IT world. Though Maddie had been tangled up in cutting ties with Archer, she hadn't shared this ordeal with her friend yet.

After ending the call, she reached out to Arely. Arely, back from a business trip, was relaxing and trying to beat jet lag. Maddie's story left her simmering with anger.

"Archer, that unfaithful jerk! You gave him a second chance, and he blew it! Forget him. With friends like us, you'll be fine. What do you need me to do?"