My Husband’s Mistress Visited Our Home

In the lavish presidential suite of New York City's esteemed Kelly Hotel, Lainey Fisher looked stunning in her sleeveless crimson evening gown, standing by the floor-to-ceiling window. She cracked it open, hoping the brisk breeze would clear her foggy mind. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life—she'd finally admitted that much to herself—but she felt far from content. Her fingers fiddled with the heart-shaped pendant dangling at her throat, her thoughts drifting to him. Why hadn't she heard from him in a whole year?

A bitter smile tugged at her lips. She was another man's wife now. Was there even a point in pining for him anymore? She reached to take off the necklace, but then her eyes landed on the lineup of fruit wines on the table. She sank into the sofa and downed a glass in one go, savoring the sweet lick followed by a sharp bite. It was her first real taste of alcohol, and she finally got its intoxicating pull.

They always said booze helped you escape, and God, she craved that—to drown in a place where his absence and her marriage were nothing but illusions. Glass after glass vanished. Her cheeks flushed hot, and she melted deeper into the sofa.

Lainey lost all sense of time until the door swung open. Aries Wilson strode in, his tall frame throwing a shadow across the room. He tossed his white tux aside and approached just as she stirred, her eyes fluttering open.

"You... you..." she slurred, struggling to make sense of his presence.

Aries smirked. So his bride had chosen to drink alone rather than wait for him. "Looks like you couldn't wait to tumble into my arms," he teased.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, but her drink-heavy limbs refused to cooperate.

"You're drunk, wife," Aries said, gently steadying her.

"No, I'm not," she protested, her voice dissolving into giggles as she weakly pushed against him.

"Oh, really?" he challenged. "Do you even know who I am right now?"

Lainey blinked up at him. "You? Got no clue. So, who are you? And why are you in my room?"

Aries chuckled, scooping her up effortlessly. "This is our room, our honeymoon suite," he reminded her, carrying her into the bedroom where the deep burgundy tones made everything feel impossibly intimate.

Lainey just mumbled as she snuggled into the plush bed, "So sleepy..."

As he watched her, Aries thought back to her nerves at the ceremony—her clammy hands, the way she'd almost pulled back from their kiss. He hadn't expected to see this side of her. Maybe she was just scared, or maybe something else was weighing on her mind.

Leaving her to rest, he poured himself a whiskey and stood by the window, sinking into his own thoughts.

"Mmm... Willis." Lainey's soft murmur caught his ear, snapping him back. His drink forgotten, he returned to her side.

He gently cupped her chin. "Lainey Fisher!"

Her eyes fluttered open and she winced. "It hurts," she whispered.

"Now do you remember who I am?" Aries's deep voice cut through her fog, his gaze locked on hers.

She flinched and pushed his hand away. "I remember," she said, scooting to the edge of the bed.

His laughter filled the room. "Good. Remember this—I'm your husband, now and forever," he declared, leaning in to kiss her, his hands starting to roam.

"No! Don't touch me!" Lainey cried out, her voice cracking.

Aries paused, taking in her vulnerability. "You want me to stop?" he whispered, his lips just inches from her ear.

"You're shameless!" she spat, shocked that even now, when they were legally bound, he'd act like this.

"Curious what that means?" he asked, his fingers finding the hidden zipper of her dress.

But as she resisted, Aries paused when his fingers brushed the necklace she wore—a simple little thing, nothing like the extravagant diamonds he'd given her. "You're wearing this trinket instead of mine? Does it really mean that much to you?" He let it drop to the floor, dismissive.

"My necklace!" she cried, reaching for it, but he pulled her back.

"You're married to me now. Some things are no longer necessary," he said, holding her still.

"But the baby..." Her voice barely rose above a whisper, the confession slipping out before she could stop it.

Aries froze. His grip loosened as he met her eyes, and something flickered there. "What did you say?" The room went dead silent.

Lainey pulled back, guarding her secret. "Nothing," she murmured, tears welling in her eyes.

Aries sighed and let her go completely. "Just rest. It's late," he said, turning away and leaving the room in a thick, shadowed silence.

Wrapped in darkness, Lainey lay awake, turning over the delicate balance of her truth. Did she dare speak it, or was silence the only refuge she had in this gilded prison?