Claudia Stark Brian NovelWhen Sleep Talking Exposed My Husband's Affair

My good baby boy. Daddy will buy you and Mommy a new house.
It was three in the morning when those words slipped from my husbands lips. We always used protection. Then whose baby was he dreaming about? I shot awake, my heart pounding.
I shook him hard. What did you just say?
He stirred, eyes still shut and muttered, Just a nightmare. A client was hounding me for money.
Then he rolled over, drifting back into sleep.
I didnt push. Instead, I reached for my phone in the dark and quietly opened his banking app. Dated three months agothere was a wire transfer of $50,000, labeled as down payment. The recipient was Vanessa OHara.
I searched her name on Google and found her social media. The very first thing on her feed was an ultrasound photo.
[Our little angel is three months now. Daddy says once youre born, well move into a big house.]
The timestamp was the day after Brian transferred the money. My chest clenched, but I snapped a screenshot and sent it straight to my father.
[Dad, the perfect son-in-law you picked not only cheated, hes knocked up some woman. Im going to make sure he leaves with nothing.]

His reply came almost instantly:
[That bastard! Dont worry, sweetheart. Ill get the best lawyer on this right away. How dare he betray our family? Ill make him regret ever being born.]
Feeling sick to my stomach, I scrolled deeper into Vanessas feed.
One month ago: [We just locked down our new apartment today! The place is gorgeous. Thank you, hubby, for giving me and our baby such a warm home.]
Attached was a photo of her at a real estate office, glowing in a fitted maternity dress, her arm looped through Brians. He was holding her by the waist, gazing at her with tenderness Id never once seen directed at me.
Two months ago: [Hubby says he loves me and our baby more than anything. Tonights steak was divine!]
The photo was taken at a high-end restaurant, Kobe beef plated elegantly on the table. I remembered that night. I had suggested celebrating my promotion at that very restaurant, but Brian frowned and said it was too expensive. He insisted we just order takeout at home instead.
Three months ago: [Two red lines! Baby, you came at the perfect time. Daddy and Mommy are ready to welcome you!]
The picture showed their hands intertwined over her stomach.
Every post cut me like a blade.
I cried silently into my pillow, tears soaking through the fabric. Beside me, Brian slept like a baby, smiling faintlyprobably dreaming of a good time with his happy little family again. I stared at that lying face and any love I had left curdled into pure hatred.
Brian Roger, you think you can hide this from me? I, Claudia Stark, am not a woman to be trifled with.
I slipped out of bed, padded to the study and opened my laptop.?As the heiress of Stark Industries, I had more than enough resources to destroy him. But first,?I needed to find out exactly who Vanessa OHara was. A private investigator gave me the details within hours.
Vanessa OHara, 23. Fresh graduate from a third-rate university. Currently a receptionist at Brians company. Parents were blue-collar workers. In shortan ambitious nobody, desperate to climb her way up by seducing other womens husbands.
The more I read, the worse it became. Shed joined Brians company six months after our wedding. Which meant shed had her eyes on a married man from the start.
What a conniving little tramp.
***
The next morning, Brian woke me gently, the same as always.
Breakfast is ready, he said, kissing my forehead. Ive got an important client meeting today, might be home late.
I forced a smile. Okay. Do your best at work.
A flicker of suspicion crossed his eyesmaybe he hadnt expected me to not put up a fight.
And, uh, I might be busy the next few days too. Dont overthink, okay?
Got it, I said sweetly, while laughing bitterly inside. Busy playing family man at prenatal appointments, more like.


As soon as Brian left, I drove straight to his office. As one of their partners, I had every excuse to be there. The moment I stepped into the lobby, I saw her. Sitting at the reception desk.
Vanessa OHara looked even fresher in personlong hair, bright eyes, innocence painted all over her face. The type of girl no one would ever suspect of seducing a married man.
Good morning. Who are you here to see? she asked with a sweet smile.
Im here for Brian, I said, casually studying her. The loose blouse couldnt hide her small but noticeable baby bump.
Mr. Roger is in a meeting. And you are?
Claudia Roger. I let the name linger in the air.?
Instantly, her face drained of color. Of course she knew me Im Brians lawful wife.
Very well, M-Mrs. Roger. Please wait, Ill notify him right away. She snatched up the phone.
I heard her whisper nervously, Mr. Roger, your wife is here.
Moments later, Brian stepped out of his office. He walked toward me with a strange, forced smile.
Honey, what are you doing here? he asked, his eyes darting toward Vanessa.
Just wanted to see your office and maybe grab lunch together. I slid my hand into his arm casually.
Great, lets go upstairs. He was all too eager to get me out of there.
In the elevator, I feigned casual curiosity. That front desk girls cute. How old is she?
No idea. Just an intern. I dont really notice those things, he replied a little too quickly.
Right. I nodded, mentally laughing in his face.
Over lunch, I asked if he was stressed at work, if he felt run down.?
He ate the food Id packed for him and gave me a grateful smile. Youre so thoughtful, honey. Having you as my wife is the best thing in my life.
If only I could stab him with the fork in my hand.
Oh, by the way, I added lightly, a friend recommended a great new housing development. Maybe we should check it out?
Brian froze mid-bite. Why? Is there something wrong with our place?
Its fine, but its too small. Im worried it wont be enough once we have kids, I said pointedly.
His jaw tightened, the tension written all over his face. Lets not rush into kids. Besides, were tight on budget right now.
Funny how budget wasnt an issue when he bought his mistress a house.
Youre right, lets not rush anything, I said smoothly, hiding my disgust. His rot was showing more clearly now.
I stood up with the excuse of going to the restroom. On my way back, I deliberately passed the front desk. Vanessa was chatting with a couple of coworkers.
The babys healthy. The doctor said Im due at the end of the year, she said beaming.
Youre so lucky, one of them gushed. Your boyfriends amazingbuying you a place, treating you like a princess.
He promised to marry me once the babys born, Vanessa added, her face glowing.
Marry her? He hadnt even divorced me yet and he was already planning a wedding with his mistress?