I Raised His Dead Mistress's Twins - Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Mira's scream pierced the air, her entire body trembling as she faced Theo's icy glare.
"Theo, please—let me explain!" she begged, voice cracking.
His expression turned glacial, the air between them thick with tension. "Explain? What's left to say, Mira? All this time—it was you. You were the one betraying me from the start."
Betrayal seared through his chest like a branding iron. Before she could react, he fisted his hand in her hair, wrenching her head back.
"How could you?" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "How dare you?"
"You lied to me for nine years. You made Zara the villain when you were the monster all along."
The slap came fast—once, twice—striking so hard she didn't even raise a hand to defend herself.
"I was wrong, Theo! I had reasons!" Mira gasped, scrambling to her knees. "I was terrified she'd steal you away!"
She clutched at his pant leg, desperate. "You know she's their real daughter. I had nothing—just you! What choice did I have?"
Theo looked down at her, disgust twisting his features. "Afraid she'd take me? Don't play dumb. I know exactly how you treated her." He flung a phone at her feet, videos already playing. "You call that just 'being pushed aside'?"
Mira's breath hitched as the evidence played out before her. "I—I messed up! But I'll make it right!" Her voice turned frantic. "I'll give you another baby, okay? Just give me one more chance!"
A hollow laugh escaped him. "You really think I'd ever touch you again? You're poison."
Sobs wracked her body. "Theo, I'm begging you! I loved you too much—I couldn't lose you!"
He kicked her away without hesitation. "You don't love anyone. You're obsessed with control. Since you can't function without manipulating men, go find another one to ruin."
By morning, the videos of Mira's abuse—from school hallways to their own home—had gone viral. Overnight, her reputation crumbled. The Bellamy family disowned her publicly, leaving her drowning in debt with no safety net.
Desperate, she turned to the only option left: the nightlife scene. Rumor had it some aging businessman took her in briefly—until his wife hunted her down. Stripped of money and dignity, Mira ended up a permanent fixture in the club scene, serving drinks to men who'd never look at her twice.
As for the twins? Theo dropped them at an orphanage and made it clear they were no longer his concern.
The news reached me just as I returned from my art exhibition. Jasper emerged from the kitchen, apron dusted with flour, balancing four dishes and a steaming bowl of soup. "Congrats on the exhibit," he said, setting the food down. "This is just the beginning."
I grinned, slipping my arms around his waist from behind. "Thank you. None of this would've happened without you."
Jasper stiffened, ears burning crimson. "Eat before it gets cold," he muttered.
I studied his flustered expression before pulling a small box from behind my back. "Got you something. Want to see?"
He rolled his eyes but snatched the package anyway. When the lid flipped open, his face matched his ears—the handmade ceramic ring glinting inside.
A few days ago, he'd asked about it. I'd told him it was for confessing to someone special.
"You—" His voice cracked. "When did you figure it out?"
I laughed, brushing my thumb over his knuckles. "Honestly? Was I supposed to miss the way you look at me?"