Chapter 16: Stepmother
Outside the door, the two were still locked in an embrace, kissing passionately for quite some time before Parson, breathless, finally pushed open the door and hurried inside. The sound of footsteps quickly faded into the distance. He didn’t even have time to check if the necklace was still in the box—his only concern was rushing to his lover’s place, as if delaying even a second would mean missing out on something of immense importance.
If Daphne Finney hadn’t come home early today, she might never have discovered that her brother-in-law had been keeping his mistress in their home.
The thought made Daphne’s hands clench into tight fists, her knuckles turning white from the pressure. Her eyes shimmered with tears of anger and resentment, and she gritted her teeth so hard that they ached.
She felt indignant on her sister’s behalf. Her sister worked tirelessly, like a spinning top, from dawn to dusk without a moment’s rest.
At five or six in the morning, before the sky brightened, she would quietly get out of bed, afraid of waking the family. She tiptoed into the kitchen to prepare breakfast for everyone.
Even after putting the kids to bed at night, she would often force herself to stay awake, using the last of her energy to iron Parson’s clothes. The rising steam from the iron seemed to whisper tales of her exhaustion.
Every meal and dish had to be made fresh. She insisted on getting the best ingredients to ensure her family always ate well.
At first, Daphne couldn’t understand why her sister put herself through so much. But now, she finally saw the truth—Parson meticulously planned this.
He didn’t want her sister to have any free time. He wanted her daily schedule packed to the brim, making sure that at this exact time, she would be out at the market buying groceries, far away from home.
And he knew Daphne’s work hours well too. Typically, at this time, she would be at the sculpture studio, busy with her work, unlikely to come home early. That was why he dared to kiss his mistress at the doorstep, without a care for his wife or family.
Daphne was so furious that she wanted to storm into his lover’s place, take pictures of them in bed, and expose him to her sister, forcing her to see his true colors. But she couldn’t do that—at least, not yet.
If she acted rashly now, it would only push her sister into an even more painful and humiliating situation. Her sister loved this family. She loved Parson and the kids. If she were suddenly forced to face such a brutal reality, she might not be able to handle it.
For Parson, divorcing her sister would mean nothing more than getting rid of an “old wife.” His career was thriving right now—he mingled with the wealthy and influential, frequented high-end venues, and basked in success.
But wasn’t her sister the reason behind all of this?
For years, she had supported him from behind the scenes, managing the household and raising the children, allowing him to focus on his work without any worries.
And if they divorced now, there was no way her sister would win custody of the kids. She didn’t have a formal job. In this harsh reality, without financial stability, she had no say.
The more Daphne thought about it, the angrier she became. No wonder Parson had been so insistent back then that her sister stay home instead of working—pretending to be considerate, saying he didn’t want her to be too exhausted. But in reality, he just wanted to ensure she never gained independence and remained under his control.
After Parson left, Daphne removed the necklace again and stuffed it under the box of condoms in his bedside drawer, trying to restore everything to its original state. Then, she texted her sister, briefly explaining that she had found someone and would be going on a trip for a while, so she shouldn’t worry.
After sending the message, she dragged her suitcase behind her, her steps heavy as if each one landed on her heart, causing unbearable pain.
“Darling, what surprise do you have for me?”
Across the city, in a different apartment, Judy lay on the bed, clad in an ultra-short nurse’s dress that barely covered anything.
Her black stockings tightly wrapped around her long legs, exuding an air of seduction. She lounged on the bed like an enchanting serpent, her golden hair cascading over the pillows. With lips painted a deep red, she smirked and blew a kiss toward the man who had just stepped through the door.
Parson was immediately entranced by the sight before him, feeling as though his soul had left his body.
His eyes burned with lust. He impatiently yanked at his tie, his trembling fingers fumbling to unfasten his belt. The metal buckle clattered loudly as he let it fall to the floor, and he lunged toward the woman on the bed, like a starving beast that had finally spotted its prey.
Judy, watching Parson’s desperation, felt a surge of satisfaction. She elegantly extended her leg, tracing a slow, teasing arc through the air before lightly pressing her toes against his collarbone. She dragged them up his neck, circled his ear, and then down to his chest, her touch featherlight and provocative.
Parson’s throat felt parched, and his entire body heated up with desire. He hurriedly fished a blue pill from his pocket, tossing it into his mouth. His pupils dilated with longing, and his gaze turned hazy and feverish.
Seeing how impatient he was, Judy became even more playful. She twisted her body with a dancer’s grace, dodging his grasp at the last moment. Parson, caught off guard, nearly fell to the floor.
She then turned her back toward him, arching her body seductively as she cast him a playful wink. “Parson, you promised to marry me,” she cooed. “You know, I’m fifteen years younger than you. If you don’t fulfill your promise, I might find someone else.”
She paused deliberately, her eyes flickering with cunning amusement.
“Or… are you saying you don’t believe I truly love you? That’s why you won’t marry me?”
“No, Judy! I believe you! I know you love me for who I am. If you were just after my money, you would’ve already asked me to buy you a house or a car.”
Parson gasped, his gaze never leaving her body.
“Of course, Parson. I love you for you,” Judy assured him, brushing her fingers through her long, silky hair. Her eyes gleamed with confidence and greed.
“Besides, marrying me would only bring you benefits, no downsides. Didn’t you say it yourself? You’re already sick of that old hag at home.”
“So why are you hesitating? And as for the kids—don’t worry, I’ll treat them as if they were my own.”
Judy’s voice dripped with sweetness as she stroked her hair, her expression unreadable.
Parson hesitated momentarily before asking, “Judy, you don’t mind being their stepmother?”