My Husband’s Mistress Visited Our Home

Aries Wilson set down his coffee cup, casting a sidelong glance at Lainey Fisher with a faint smile that never quite reached his eyes.

"What's up? Want some coffee too?" he asked, his gaze shifting from the mug to meet hers.

Lainey shook her head. "No, thanks."

Aries stood and moved to sit beside her. "What are you doing?" she asked, startled as he closed in, nearly sliding off the single chair before he caught her.

"Easy. I'm not gonna do anything to you," Aries said with a smile that sent an icy shiver straight down her spine. "Besides, you're my wife. Even if I did, it wouldn't be exactly out of line, now would it?"

Lainey gently nudged him away. "I'd like to go upstairs now."

"Alright, let's go," Aries murmured, wrapping an arm around her waist as they left the dining room.

"I can walk on my own," Lainey said softly, lifting her gaze to his.

Aries paid no attention, turning to Uncle Langston instead. "Uncle Langston, you can head back now," he instructed, watching as the older man halted mid-step. "Yes, sir," Uncle Langston replied.

Aries guided Lainey down the long hallway, stopping at the elevator. Once inside, he let her go, and she stepped back, avoiding him. The silence settled between them like a thick fog, heavy and suffocating.

When the elevator chimed at the top floor, Lainey shot Aries a quick look before stepping out first.

He followed at a distance, veering off into his study and shutting the door just as Lainey's lips parted to speak. Left with no choice, she retreated to the bedroom.

Aries sank into his desk chair, his laptop just booting up when his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—"When are you coming back? I'll pick you up." A small smirk tugged at his lips as he dialed the number.

"Miss me already?" he said, his tone light. "Can't come back just yet. Gotta wrap up things at the branch office, then I'll be home."

"Oh, okay. It's so late already—aren't you resting yet?" The voice on the other end was soft and soothing.

Aries's face softened into a rare, genuine smile. "You take care of yourself too. I'll be back soon." After hanging up, he threw himself into work, not stopping until dawn streaked the sky.

As Aries stepped out of the study, he found Lainey emerging from the bedroom, her hair slightly tousled and her expression bleary with sleep. She froze at the sight of him. "Oh—um, morning."

"Why are you up so early?" Aries asked. His own face showed signs of weariness, but his voice remained cool and detached.

"Just getting some water," Lainey replied, holding up her glass.

Aries gave a curt nod. "If you're bored staying here, let me know. I can have someone take you out."

Lainey shook her head. "No, it's fine. I'm staying in." Even if she went out, the last thing she wanted was one of his people tagging along, stripping away any shred of freedom.

After a brief, unreadable look at her, Aries headed for the bedroom.

Is he heading out again? Lainey checked the time—just seven o'clock. She poured herself some water, took a sip, and returned to find Aries already sprawled on the bed, fast asleep.

What is his deal? Lainey frowned, stepping closer.

Abruptly, Aries's eyes snapped open. "Wake me at nine." He flipped over and instantly shut his eyes again.

After a moment's hesitation, Lainey mumbled an agreement, then curled up on the sofa, cradling her water glass, lost in thought. Eventually, she grabbed a throw cushion, hugging it as she lay down.

Aries opened his eyes, checking his watch—nearly nine. He glanced over at Lainey, who had dozed off, the light fabric of her pink silk nightdress riding up dangerously close to revealing too much.

He rose carefully, and Lainey jerked awake. "What time is it?" she asked groggily, sitting up and realizing she was still in her nightdress. She yanked the hem down, clutching a cushion to her chest.

"Relax, nothing's showing," Aries assured, already heading to the bathroom. The sound of running water followed soon after.

Lainey scrambled to the wardrobe, tugging on a light jacket.

Aries emerged freshly dressed in a crisp suit, snatching his phone off the sofa. "Uncle Langston, I'm heading out. Come to my room."

Uncle Langston soon appeared at the door. Aries opened it. "Hand me the car keys. I'm going alone today."

"But sir…" Uncle Langston hesitated.

"Today, you'll be accompanying my wife. Wherever she wants to go, you'll make sure she gets there," Aries instructed, his gaze flicking to Lainey, who stood off to the side.

Reluctantly, Uncle Langston passed him the keys. Aries took them, then turned back to Lainey, pulling her into a firm embrace and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Be good. Wait for me," he said, before striding out.

Lainey blinked, already missing the warmth of his presence.

Uncle Langston nodded to her. "Madam, if you need anything at all, just let me know. I'll be right outside." With that, he slipped out, gently closing the door behind him.

Lainey surveyed the vast, empty room and felt her spirits deflate. How many more days would they be stuck in America?

She chose not to go out, spending the day sprawled in the room watching mindless TV shows and flipping through magazines. It was late afternoon when Aries returned. "Lainey didn't go out?" he asked Uncle Langston, who was still stationed by the door.

"No, sir. Madam didn't leave today, except for lunch at the restaurant," Uncle Langston reported dutifully.

"Alright. Have dinner sent up to the room," Aries commanded before entering.

Lainey was lying on the sofa, absorbed in a sheet of music, a faint smile playing on her lips as her fingers absentmindedly tapped the edge of the couch.

"You seem in a good mood," Aries remarked, tossing his suit jacket onto a chair.

Lainey sat up, smoothing her dress and running a hand through her hair. "You're back."

Aries nodded, loosening his tie as he headed into the bedroom.

"I smiled because I saw you, so why do you look so serious?" Lainey muttered under her breath, sinking back onto the sofa.

When Aries reappeared in a white robe, he wandered into the living room. "Is there something you want to say to me?" he asked, intrigued by her sudden bright demeanor.

Lainey sat at her vanity, staring at her reflection—tired, pale, with dark circles under her eyes. Was it worth it, sacrificing so much for him, only to end up with this washed-out complexion?

She touched her face, already imagining Mya Aguilar's inevitable questions about her exhausted appearance. She remained still, sinking into numbness, until her stomach growled in protest.

Lainey sighed, feeling the dull ache twist in her belly. She wandered to the kitchen and found the spiced honey cake she had painstakingly made for him still sitting warm on the counter. Tears slid down her cheeks as she slumped against the cabinet, releasing her pent-up frustration in silent sobs.

Suddenly, a wet nose nudged her foot. Lainey looked down to find Snowball, the family dog, resting beside her. She scooped him up, cradling him against her chest. "At least you're loyal, Snowball," she whispered. The dog nestled into her, offering the comfort she so desperately needed.

Lainey settled onto the sofa with Snowball, sunlight streaming through the floral curtains and casting a gentle glow over them.

Meanwhile, Aries sat in his office, his head cradled in his hands as a throbbing headache pounded through him. The fever he thought he'd shaken had come roaring back, and only one strong cup of coffee after another eased the relentless hammering in his temples.

AlBraydenna Barnes entered his office. "Aries, you okay?" she asked, noticing his hand pressed against his forehead.

Aries looked up. "I'm fine."

"You sure? You look seriously pale," AlBraydenna noted, reaching out to touch his forehead. The heat beneath her fingertips made her flinch. "Aries, you're burning up."

"It's nothing," he dismissed with a wave of his hand.

But AlBraydenna wasn't buying it. "No way. This is bad. Let me get you some medicine."

Aries stopped her. "No need. I'll be fine after a bit of rest."

"But you…" AlBraydenna's worry etched her face. In her memory, Aries had always been the picture of health, rarely ever falling ill.

"No buts," Aries replied with a weary smile. "Go get ready. We'll head out soon."

AlBraydenna nodded reluctantly. "If you feel really awful, we can leave early."

He had to put in an appearance at the event, at least. Their company was aiming to secure the Lin project, and this was an opportunity he couldn't afford to miss.

"Okay, I'll listen to you," Aries agreed, though he couldn't shake the inexplicable pull drawing him there, urging him to go.

Assured by his nod, AlBraydenna went to handle the necessary arrangements.

Later, Lainey carefully groomed herself, touching up her makeup just enough to mask the pallor. Seeing her reflection smile back gave her enough courage to face the evening.

She gathered her things, not forgetting the gift she'd prepared, resting on the coffee table.

Snowball sensed her leaving and trotted at her heels, giving her a pleading look. "Be a good boy, Joel. I have to go out for a bit, so I can't take you today," she consoled, giving his head a soft pat before slipping out of the apartment.

Lainey hailed a cab to the Lin family villa, where preparations for the upcoming event were in full swing. Though nearly everything was set, the staff still obsessively rechecked every detail to ensure nothing went amiss.

Mya Aguilar stood anxiously at the entrance. "Where's Lainey? She still isn't here," she fretted.

"Honey," a warm voice called from behind her.

"Grandpa, why aren't you resting inside?" Mya turned to see her grandfather and immediately went to his side.

"You're waiting for Lainey, aren't you?" Gabriel Wilson asked with a gentle smile.

Mya nodded. "Yes, Grandpa. You know how she hates these events. I'm worried she'll bail."

"Why would she? She promised you she'd come, didn't she?" Gabriel remarked, his eyes crinkled with fondness for his granddaughter.

"Grandpa, aren't you worried you won't get to see her today?" Mya teased as they settled back into the living room.

Gabriel nodded. "It's true, I've missed her."

"I'll call her to check if she's on her way," Mya decided, pulling out her phone just as the housekeeper arrived. "Miss Aguilar, Miss Fisher is here."

Lainey followed the housekeeper into the hall. "Mya, I'm here."

"Finally! I was just about to call you," Mya exclaimed, pulling her inside.

"Hello, Grandpa," Lainey greeted Gabriel with a warm smile.

Gabriel gestured beside him. "Come, sit."

Lainey and Mya sat on either side of Gabriel. "Lainey, it feels like ages since you visited me," Gabriel said, his voice full of affection.

"Sorry about that, Grandpa. I'll make more time to visit you," Lainey promised. She genuinely wanted to, but her schedule had been swamped with studying and work.

Gabriel patted her hand gently. "I didn't mean it that way. I've just missed having you around."

"Grandpa, you're so biased," Mya teased, feigning irritation. "You always favor Lainey over me."

"You're jealous of Lainey?" Gabriel chuckled. "She doesn't visit nearly as often as you do, you know."

Mya relented. "Alright, I get it. You love us both the same."

As they laughed together, a middle-aged couple descended the stairs. "What's all this laughing about? We could hear you all the way upstairs."

Time seemed to freeze as Aries held Lainey in his arms. After a long, charged moment, he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom.

Lainey lay on the soft bed, pinned by the intensity in Aries's gaze. Before she could protest, his strong body covered hers.

"No, please—we can't," Lainey insisted, the doctor's warning echoing in her mind. In her condition, she was supposed to be resting, not exerting herself.

"Why not? Give me a reason," Aries demanded, catching the firm refusal in her eyes for the first time. Was she hiding something?

"I'm not feeling well," Lainey whispered, unable to force herself to reveal the pregnancy.

Aries's fingers brushed her cheek, sending shivers cascading down her spine. "Because I didn't come back? Is that why you're upset?" His voice was silky, a dangerous temptation.

"No," Lainey shook her head, knowing she was utterly defenseless against him. One look from him and she had no strength left to resist.

"Or maybe it's that time of the month?" His hand slid lower, and before he could go further, Lainey grasped his wrist.

"Yes," she lied, but her eyes betrayed her discomfort.

"I'll check," Aries said, a smirk curling his lips. He knew she was lying.

Lainey froze. Check?

"I'm giving you a chance, Lainey. Whatever you want to say, say it now. Any request, any condition—I'll do my best to make it happen."

Did he think she was playing hard to get? Lainey wasn't that cunning.

"Do you really think I'm asking something of you?" Lainey's smile was tinged with bitterness. In their relationship, there had never been any real emotion—only transactions.