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Novel Catalog
Chapter_16
A Scene to Watch
I stood frozen in place, my hand hovering over the bathroom door handle as the unmistakable sound of footsteps drew closer. Just as I was about to leave, I heard a man’s voice, low and hushed, “Hey there, beautiful. I finally caught you. I’ve been missing you like crazy!”
I froze. The voice belonged to Johnson. My stomach dropped, and I quickly withdrew my hand, trying to make sense of what I had just heard. I never imagined Johnson—of all people—would be so bold, let alone unfaithful. He had a beautiful wife, and yet here he was, speaking to another woman in such a way. It felt like a slap to the face.
“There’s no need to say you missed me,” a woman’s voice responded bitterly. “Why were you so friendly to her earlier? You never act like that with me. You always say I’m important, but your words are empty, just like your promises.”
I felt a cold shiver creep down my spine. This wasn’t just an innocent conversation—this was something else entirely.
“You’re the one who’s always seducing others,” Johnson’s voice cut through the tension.
The silence that followed was interrupted by the unmistakable sound of rustling, and then Johnson’s voice again, more daring this time, “Good girl. Let me kiss you. I—”
My face flushed crimson. My heart ached. The man I had respected, who had once been my employee, was now caught in a compromising situation. It was so much worse than I had imagined.
I clenched my phone tighter, feeling a sharp pang of betrayal deep within me. I couldn’t just walk away from this—this was too important. My emotions were in turmoil as the sounds continued from the other side of the stall.
Then, Johnson spoke again, his voice dripping with possessiveness. “Don’t even think about him. He’s not your type, no matter how handsome he is. He has too many girls anyway. Just focus on me.”
My heart sank. I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. He knew about Matthew’s affairs. He had called me “Madam” earlier with such polite respect, but now it felt like a cruel joke. Had he been laughing at me all along, knowing full well what was happening behind the scenes?
I tightened my grip around my phone, the pain cutting deeper. The sounds outside the bathroom made my stomach turn. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, but I knew it was something I couldn’t ignore.
I quickly pulled out my phone, recording everything, knowing that it would come in handy someday. I needed the evidence, even if it made my skin crawl. I didn’t know what I would do with it, but I couldn’t just let this moment pass.
When I returned to the private room, my heart was racing. I tried to steady my breath, but the weight of what I had just overheard hung heavily on me. I walked in, trying my best to appear calm, but Ava’s laughter as she sat on Matthew’s lap didn’t reach me. Melanie’s hair cascaded down his neck as she leaned into him, her laughter light and carefree. I couldn’t stand it. I had grown accustomed to Melanie’s flirtations with Matthew, but it didn’t make it any easier to watch. Their bond, unbreakable and effortless, felt like a dagger in my chest.
Matthew noticed me walking in, his gaze shifting from his sister to me. He let go of Melanie’s hand and asked casually, “What took you so long? The food’s getting cold.”
Melanie glanced at me with a mock smile, “Chloe, can’t you sit down without disappearing for a minute? My brother can’t enjoy his meal in peace with you running off all the time.”
I ignored her and focused solely on Matthew. The words slipped out before I could stop them. “Some people are just beyond saving.”
Matthew looked at me, confused but attentive. He asked, “What’s that supposed to mean? Why are you saying things like that? What happened?”
His questions came fast, but I just smiled bitterly, feeling a sense of detachment. I had already hit a nerve. I kept my eyes on him, letting the words hang between us like a silent accusation.
“The world is cruel,” I said softly, letting the weight of it settle in the air. “Men these days seem to prefer flings. Maybe I’m just too old-fashioned to understand it.”
Matthew’s gaze faltered. His head lowered for a brief moment, and then he lifted his eyes to meet mine with a forced smile. “Honey, you’ve become more sensitive lately. What’s going on? What do you mean by flings?”
Melanie muttered disdainfully from the side, “Why are you talking in riddles?”
I didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, I locked eyes with Matthew and leaned in slightly, keeping my voice steady. “Don’t tell me you don’t know what I’m talking about. It’s not about being sensitive, or emotions, or whatever else. Some men can’t control their desires, no matter how much they have. They always want more.”
I shot him a look that I hoped conveyed everything—the pain, the frustration, the doubt.
Matthew didn’t flinch. His face remained calm, but I could sense the anxiety beneath the surface, despite his attempts to mask it. He tried to cover up his discomfort by quickly picking up a piece of asparagus, offering it to me with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Try this,” he said, trying to ease the tension. “Stop overthinking things. I’m not interested in any of that. I have everything I need right here, with you and Ava. Trust me.”
I almost scoffed. His words, though kind, couldn’t mask the cracks in our relationship. The pain was still too fresh, and nothing could erase the seeds of doubt that had already been planted in my heart.
But before I could respond, Melanie leaned forward, her lips pursed as she glared at me. Her expression shifted—she was ready to retaliate. I braced myself for whatever she would say next.