Chapter 26: The Legal Wife VS. The Mistress
Julia's breath caught in her throat as she stared at the woman. Did she know her? How could she? But then again, everyone knew Victor. Maybe she overheard her name when he introduced her earlier.
The woman before her was stunning. Sexy in a way that turned heads. Her skin glowed, pristine and flawless. It was obvious she came from rich family, parading her privilege. That intense gaze swept over Julia, as if weighing her worth. It felt like a cold judgment seeped into her very soul.
An unsettling tension crackled between them, and Julia's instincts screamed that this woman meant trouble.
"Are you talking to me…?" Julia's voice trembled slightly, a mix of confusion and concern.
The woman arched an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Yes, you. Is there anyone else here besides us?" Her tone was sharp, leaving her feeling small and foolish.
"D-Do you need something from me?" Julia's voice wavered, fierce determination struggling against the sense of intimidation the woman cast, making her think of Victor.
The woman set her designer purse down with a practiced grace. She gazed at herself in the mirror, taking out a striking red lipstick. With careful precision, she reapplied it, making every motion hypnotic for Julia, who found herself entranced.
"You don't have anything I need, Julia. Everything you possess, I possess more," she declared, her eyes locked on her reflection, dismissing Julia with a flick of her wrist.
Frustration bubbled inside Julia, yet she fought it down, striving to remain calm. She couldn't figure out why this woman was here.
"Alright. Since you're so sure you have it all, why are you looking at me like I've done something shocking?" Julia shot back, her voice reflecting her unraveling composure.
The woman's eyes narrowed dangerously, glinting with irritation. She tucked the high-end lipstick away and fixed Julia with a scrutinizing stare. "And what makes you think that? Your ambitions are awfully high. Why would I waste my time on you?"
Julia shrugged, feigning indifference. "I don't know either. You were the first one to approach me. I don't even know you. If you think I'm wasting your time, I'll just leave," she said, her feet already moving toward the door when the woman's grip caught her arm.
Tension surged, mingling with an icy chill that filled the space. Julia felt the sharpness of the woman's nails digging into her skin.
"You're not walking away until I say you can!" the woman shouted sharply, her voice echoing in the spacious restroom.
Julia frowned and pulled her arm away from the woman's grip. "Why are you shouting at me? I don't even know you, Miss. And I don't owe you anything. I'll do whatever I want. You didn't buy me to control what I should and shouldn't do," she replied irritably.
"You're quite brave," the woman said, a smirk on her lips. "Victor didn't mention you'd stand up for yourself. All he said was that you were a stupid woman. A martyr," she added, her voice dripping with disdain.
Julia's heart raced, her breath catching. Did Victor really say that to this woman? Who was she to him? Her mind scrambled for answers.
"Victor? How does he fit into this?" Julia blurted out, her confusion evident in her furrowed brows and shaky voice.
The woman leaned back against the sink casually, a grin creeping across her face. "Maybe it's time you knew the truth. So you don't look like a fool," she said, her laughter ringing with mockery.
Irritation welled up inside Julia. It felt like the woman was hinting at something she didn't understand. "Just tell me directly. What's your issue with me?" she demanded, fire in her eyes.
The woman's expression shifted, her smile fading as she stood tall. "My problem? You! Your very existence drives me mad. I can't accept that someone like you is married to Victor," she said, her voice sharp as a knife.
Julia sensed where the conversation was heading, yet she longed to hear it aloud. A storm of emotions swirled inside her, and she trembled with unsettled feelings.
"W-What do you mean...?" she stammered, her heart pounding in her chest.
"Can't you see? You really are stupid. I'm Iris Hale, Victor's girlfriend," she declared, pride shining in her eyes like a trophy.
Julia had suspected this moment might come, but hearing it from Iris's lips knocked the breath from her lungs. Victor really had a mistress! He was playing her for a fool, showing her no respect at all!
Every part of her shook with conflicting emotions. She had witnessed scenes like this on TV, in movies, and in books. But never did she think it would happen to her.
Her thoughts evaporated, leaving a void. She knew Victor saw her as worthless. His love had slipped away, but she never imagined he would cheat on her. He even had a mistress!
Iris seized the opportunity, her voice oozing with sarcasm. "Are you shocked? Don't be surprised Victor fell for me. In every way, I'm better than you. I don't understand why he's putting up to someone like you..." she said, her eyes raking over Julia once more.
A fiery intensity surged in Julia's eyes, threatening to spill over. Tears burned at the corners, but she fought to hold them back. Her knees quivered, threatening to buckle beneath her, but she steeled herself, knowing this mistress would revel in her downfall.
There was an emptiness inside her, a hollowed-out shell. Victor had siphoned off her spirit. Pride was the last fragment she clung to, and she wouldn't let it slip away.
Julia tilted her chin high, trying to catch any tears that dared to fall. "You know, I'm impressed," she started, her voice steady despite the storm inside.
Iris raised an eyebrow, her smile widening. "It's obvious you're rich. Educated. You have a good career…" she said, as if celebrating her own accomplishments while scrutinizing Julia.
"But I didn't expect a classy woman like you would sink so low. If you know your worth, you wouldn't settle for being a mistress. Go ahead, say what you want, insult me as much as you like. But no matter what you say, you're still a mistress," Julia replied with steel in her voice.
The smile on Iris's face vanished, replaced by a dangerous glare. "How dare you say that!" she shouted, her hand moving faster than Julia could react, striking her cheek with a sharp sting.
Julia couldn't react in time, the slap landing with shocking force. Yet, instead of pain, she felt a cold numbness wash over her. Too bad; she was well-acquainted with hurt from Victor. This slap would not break her. She regained her composure and swiftly returned the blow to Iris's cheek.
Iris didn't see it coming, her eyes widening as Julia's hand connected. Julia ensured her slap was even harder than the one she just received, fueling her anger.
Iris almost lost her balance against the wall, her flawless hair now a messy cascade around her face. Eyes wide with disbelief, she touched her aching cheek. "How dare you slap your dirty hands on my face!" she yelled at Julia, still trying to regain her composure.
"You know, I'm very impressed now, to people like you. You're the mistress, yet you're so bold. Who really has dirtier hands, you or me? Maybe you should look in the mirror. Too bad you're rich, but you can't buy my husband. Because he's married to me," Julia taunted, a fierce spark in her eyes.
She allowed Victor to trample on her dignity because she knew she had been tainted. But not this woman.
Victor had no right to seek someone else! If he couldn't accept her, he should have just file for a divorce papers. She could have accepted that, no matter how painful it would be. But this was different. They wanted to obliterate her. She was the one who endured the deepest hurt, yet here she was, still suffering under their control.
Iris smoothed her wrinkled gown, hair wild around her face. "And what pride do you have? Your marriage is just a piece of paper!" The words hit deep, cutting true. But Julia refused to let Iris bask in her satisfaction.
"Maybe you're right. But shouldn't you be the one embarrassed? An educated, classy woman, yet just a mistress. He may love you, but I'm the one he faces in public. You knew him, right? He loves himself more than anything. And if you jeopardize his image, he'll chase after anyone," she said, a smile curling on her lips once more.
Julia watched as Iris flinched at her bluntness. "That's not true! You're just saying that because you're a loser! Victor will always choose me. He loves me!"
She shrugged, feigning indifference. "He loves you, sure. But he loves himself first and foremost. Who knows, maybe someday you'll find yourself in my shoes. What will you do if another woman steals Victor away from you? At least I already accepted that. No matter how many girlfriends he has, as long as I don't sign any divorce papers, Victor will always be MINE. What do you have? You're just a lowly MISTRESS." She emphasized the last word, wanting Iris to truly feel its weight.
Iris's fury bubbled over, her face flushing a furious red as she pointed her finger. "You wicked woman!" It looked like Iris was about to strike, but Julia saw it coming. Instead of a hit to her cheek, Iris slapped her own face, surprised by Julia's swift counter.
"Once was enough for your shameless hand to touch my face. It won't happen again. I'll say this only once: leave me alone. Because if you don't, Victor will see what kind of woman he has replaced me with! Bear that in your fucking mind," Julia said darkly before leaving her in the restroom.
As soon as she stepped out, she felt like she had lost her breath, and her tears began to flow freely.
What everyone said was true; her husband had a mistress! What would she do now?