His Secret Mistress Lived Under My Roof

Three years ago, Vincent Weiss saved my life. The accident left him with severe separation anxiety disorder, and from that day on, he had to be with his female buddy at all times.

When I was hospitalized and called him, he said his female buddy was on a business trip and he couldn't leave her side.

On the day of our wedding, I called him. He said his female buddy was sick and he couldn't leave her side.

Even the day I went into labor and hemorrhaged, when I called him, his voice cracked with panic, thick with emotion, yet he still said his female buddy had gone back to her hometown and he couldn't leave her side.

Then, on the day I was discharged, I passed by a VIP room. Inside, a man was kneading a woman's legs with practiced ease.

A few of his buddies stood around, laughing and teasing

Our boy Vincent, now that's true love. Staged a car accident three years ago so Gay Henson would think he developed separation anxiety saving her.

That way you two could be together every second of every day.

The man smiled and nodded, his tone casual

Gay can't stand being away from me. This was the only way to settle things once and for all, so I could focus on Eudora and the baby she's carrying.

The next second, my phone rang.

Babe, my separation anxiety's been getting worse lately. I won't be able to come home for a while. Be good and wait for me, okay?

I lifted my gaze and looked at the man.

Vincent Weiss, you never have to come home again.

For the first time, I didn't reply to Vincent's message right away.

I just stood there, head bowed, staring at the chat window in silence, my eyes turning red.

It had been so long.

Our message history was pathetically sparse.

Honey, today's our seventh wedding anniversary. Remember to come home early!

Eat without me. Eudora's working late tonight. I need to stay with her.

Honey, I'm at the hospital on an IV drip. Can you come keep me company?

Eudora needs surgery. I have to be with her.

Every single reply he'd ever sent circled back to the same person: his best female buddy, Eudora Gilbert.

Every time I needed Vincent most, he repeated the same refrain about his condition, over and over.

Reminding me, always reminding me, that only by staying at Eudora's side could his disorder remain stable.

And every time, the guilt would swallow me whole.

If it weren't for me, Vincent would never have gotten sick.

If it weren't for me, his life and career wouldn't be so constrained.

Time passed.

I'd grown used to it.

But now the naked truth had been ripped open right in front of me, without warning, without mercy.

Vincent Weiss had been lying to me all along.

I stumbled out of the hospital in a daze. A taxi honked

You getting in or not?

My phone buzzed.

Another message from Vincent.

You didn't forget, did you? Today's a really important day. I've invited some friends over tonight, so make sure you dress up nice.

I stood frozen.

A calendar reminder popped up on my phone. Today was my birthday.

Vincent remembered.

Something trembled deep in my chest.

The taxi honked again

Are you getting in or what?

Yes.

Maybe I'd heard wrong back there? Maybe it was all a misunderstanding?

Clinging to that last sliver of hope, I got in the car and went home.

I'd barely finished my makeup and changed when the front door swung open.

It was Vincent and Eudora.

Eudora slipped off her coat with the ease of someone who'd done it a thousand times, held it out to Vincent, and said without a shred of hesitation

Hang this up for me.

The next second, she let out a soft cry of pain, clutching her knee, her face twisted in agony.

I watched as Vincent rushed to her side, panic written all over his face, scooping her into his arms and lowering her gently onto the couch.

Then he turned to me and tossed out an order

Go get the first-aid kit for me.

When I stayed silent and didn't move, the man seemed to realize something was off.

His brow furrowed, and when he spoke again, irritation had already crept into his voice

Are you overthinking things again?

Eudora's just my buddy. We're purely friends, nothing more.

Besides, if it weren't for saving you back then, I never would've developed separation anxiety disorder. I wouldn't need her around me every second of every day.

Do you have any idea how unbearable that feels?

The same script. Word for word. I'd heard it thousands of times.

If this had been before, I would already be fetching that kit, guilt written all over my face.

When I still said nothing, the man grew visibly anxious. He shot me a displeased glare, then stood and went to get the kit himself.

That left just me and Eudora.

She sprawled across the couch like she owned it, her tone laced with provocation when she spoke

Why are you staring at me like that?

Vincent has separation anxiety. He can't be away from me. What am I supposed to do about it?

I'm a victim here too, you know.

She let the words hang.

Then she smiled and winked at me, the challenge in her eyes bare and unhidden.

The doorbell rang. I went to answer it.

Hello, this is the cake and the food Mr. Weiss ordered. Please check and confirm.

I stared at the cake in front of me, then turned to look at Vincent. My voice came out soft

You remembered that today is my birth

Today is the third anniversary of Eudora's dog passing. Go set up the food and the cake.

We invited friends over. They'll be here any minute.

We had spoken at the same time, and his impatient voice swallowed the rest of mine.

I stood frozen.

The cake in my hands felt like it weighed a thousand pounds

What did you say?

Vincent glanced at me with surprise, his tone already edged with impatience

What's wrong with you today?

You're so slow. I said today is the third anniversary of Eudora's dog. It's an important day. Don't tell me you forgot?

A sudden, crushing ache seized my chest, my throat locking tight, every emotion I had jammed somewhere between my heart and my mouth with nowhere to go.

Even blinking stung.

The doorbell rang again.

Vincent and Eudora's friends had arrived.

Over a dozen people poured through the door in a noisy wave, shoving gift bags into Vincent's and Eudora's hands.

Presents for you guys!

Didn't you two just do a couples' photoshoot? These frames are perfect. You can put the photos up all over the house.

And mine! I had these wine glasses shipped from overseas. They'll be perfect for your cozy nights in!

Look at mine, look at mine! I saw this matching pajama set and just knew it was meant for you two!

Eudora set the gifts aside, leaned into Vincent's arms, and teased with an easy laugh

You guys are too sweet. You didn't have to bring anything. Just showing up is enough!

Her tone was familiar, effortless. She spoke exactly like the woman of this house.

And the most pathetic part?

Not a single person found it strange. They all treated it as perfectly natural.

Even I, after all these years, seemed to have gotten used to Eudora's presence in this home.

An image flashed through my mind: the pair of matching toothbrushes arranged side by side in the bathroom, and my single toothbrush sitting off to the side, alone.

The pair of matching slippers by the front door, and my lone slipper set apart from them.

A dozen sets of matching couple's pajamas hung in the closet, and then my single set in plain black.

Matching couple's bowls in the kitchen, and then my one bowl sitting by itself.

There were even a dozen sets of matching his-and-hers underwear in the dresser.

Vincent's explanation for all of it was always the same

Eudora got a bundle deal. We're just buddies. Don't overthink it.

And he'd always tack on one more line

If it weren't for your condition, I wouldn't even want her living under the same roof.

For three years, the three of us shared this house. Every time Vincent and Eudora were in the same room, they acted like they could barely stand each other.

Come on, everyone, why are you still standing? Sit down, sit down!

Eudora rose with a smile, walked straight to the head of the table, and began playing hostess.

Just like that.

Every seat around the table filled up. Every single one. None of them for me.

Vincent sat down beside Eudora as if it were the most natural thing in the world, then looked up and met my eyes.

His gaze landed on my expressionless face, and for a split second, something flickered across his. Like he'd only just realized.

He pointed to the space next to him, his tone offhand

Aren't you on a diet lately? Just eat standing up over here.

Every pair of eyes in the room turned to me. Some curious, some amused, some just there for the show.

I met Vincent's gaze, clenched my fists until my nails bit into my palms, and spoke word by word

Vincent. Today is my birthday.

The room went quiet.

A flash of panic crossed his face. He opened his mouth to say something.

But then.

Eudora's choked sob cut through the silence

Blackie, it's been three years since you left, and I still miss you so much.

In an instant.

Vincent's expression shifted. He turned and scrambled to comfort the woman beside him.

As if I had ceased to exist entirely.

I didn't know how long I stood there. Long enough for snow to start drifting past the window. Long enough for every house on the street to light up. Long enough for Eudora to be smiling again.

Long enough for Vincent to walk over and start cutting the cake.

Finally.

Eudora took the first slice from his hands, stood, and walked toward me.

She smiled

Gay, happy birthday.

I looked down at the slice in front of me. I didn't reach for it.

Just like that.

We stood in silence, facing each other, for nearly ten minutes.

Finally.

After Eudora let out a soft whimper about her arm getting tired, Vincent's brow creased and he spoke

Gay, that's enough. Don't push it.

An accusation.

Eat the cake.

Eudora already wished you happy birthday. She even gave you the first slice. What more do you want?

Can you just be reasonable for once?

The cake Vincent had personally ordered. Eudora's favorite. Strawberry.

Strawberry cake. One bite and I'd go into severe allergic shock.

And he told me.

Eat the cake.

My heartbeat seemed to slow in that moment. When I lifted my eyes to Vincent again, whatever light had once been in them was gone.

I said nothing. I just turned to walk toward the study.

Behind me, a heavy thud.

Eudora dropped to one knee, clutching her left kneecap, her face twisted in pain.

Vincent, my left knee, the one I bumped earlier, it's hurting again

She hadn't even finished her sentence before a brutal force seized me from behind.

By the time I registered what was happening, I'd been wrenched off my feet. Both knees slammed into the floor.

I was kneeling in front of Eudora.

The sharp sting hit my mouth just as I heard Vincent speak, his voice laced with cold

Gay, you've crossed the line.

Today is an important day for Eudora. You shouldn't have done that.

Apologize to her.

Oh, it's fine, really! Today's Gay's birthday too. Gay, just eat the birthday cake, and we'll put this whole thing behind us.

After all, I truly hope youhappy birthday.

Eudora leaned into Vincent's arms and blinked at me, the malice in her eyes barely contained.

I said nothing.

Vincent lost patience first. He stepped forward, picked up the slice of cake, and crouched down in front of me.

Then he forced it into my mouth.

I heard him say

Eudora already swallowed her pride and gave you a way out. You shouldn't throw her kindness back in her face.

You've eaten the cake. It's done.

I tried to open my mouth, tried to speak, but the strawberry cake smeared across my lips and tongue made it impossible to get a word out.

My breathing grew heavier. Heavier. Then I started to wheeze.

Asthma attack.

My medicine

My inhaler

The asthma medication was in a drawer just a few feet away. Vincent had put it there himself.

Back then, after I'd accidentally eaten strawberries and gone into an attack, he'd held me with bloodshot eyes, promising over and over that he would take care of me.

He was the one who stocked that medicine. He'd said

I won't let you get hurt again. But keeping these on hand is the only way I'll have peace of mind.

And now.

I watched Eudora walk over, pull the box of medicine from the drawer, and hurl it into the air. Her voice was bright with excitement as she called out

It's been forever since we played hot potato! Who's in?

Everyone looked at Vincent. I heard him say

Sure.

Vincent caught the medicine midair, then tossed it casually to someone else.

A box of medicine that could save my life.

Thrown back and forth between them like a toy.

On one side, me, collapsed on the floor, face flushed red, unable to breathe. On the other, all of them, laughing.

Eventually the box landed back in Eudora's hands. She shook it lazily and snapped her fingers at Vincent

Same rules as always.

Pick a woman here and dump that bucket of water on her.

The only women present were Eudora and me.

Vincent picked up the bucket, walked over, and poured it on me without a second of hesitation.

An entire bucket of ice water.

As the bone-deep cold hit, I heard Vincent lower his head and explain to me, a rare thing for him

Eudora's constitution is delicate. She can't handle the cold.

But I could.

I opened my mouth to say something, but the next second my vision went black.

When I opened my eyes again.

I was met with Vincent's face, filled with a fury I had never seen before.

The slap landed before I could register it, and then his hand closed around my throat, his voice low and vicious

Gay, how dare you?

How can you be this vile? Just because you couldn't carry a child to term, you tried to kill Eudora's baby?

Gay, are you even human?

Before I could process what was happening.

Eudora pushed open the hospital room door and walked in, her face pale and weak. She rushed forward and pulled Vincent back.

Then she choked out

Vincent, don't do anything rash. Yes, Gay was the one who set the dishes on the table, but we don't have proof that she drugged the food to make me miscarry.

Gay, she's not that kind of person.

Besides, we'll have another baby someday

As if suddenly realizing what she'd said, the woman clapped a hand over her own mouth.

When she looked up at Vincent, her voice was already thick with guilt

Vincent, I didn't mean to

He pulled Eudora into his arms, his face full of tender concern, then turned to me with a cutting glare

The child between me and Eudora was an accident.

But you? You couldn't even hold on to our baby, and now you're here scheming against someone else's?

Gay, what is wrong with you? How can you be this disgusting?

His words hit like a slap. I stared at the man in front of me, unable to move.

In that moment.

Vincent was so unrecognizable it frightened me.

But he hadn't always been this way.

The first time the pregnancy test came back positive, everyone was congratulating us. He was the only one who couldn't stop crying.

He kept saying how hard pregnancy would be, how there was nothing he could do to bear it for me.

He said that more than the baby's arrival, he just wanted me to be safe and well for the rest of my life.

He said he was selfish. He said he only loved me.

Tears slid down my cheeks.

I tilted my head back, closed my eyes, and heard my own voice come out steady and final

Vincent. Let's get a divorce.