Mom's Nurse, His Mistress, My Revenge - Chapter 1: Chapter 1

My husband, Noel Seyfert, abandoned my paralyzed mother at home to go on a trip with Brianna Bridgers—his childhood friend and Mom's nurse. Mom had begged her son-in-law for help, but he just turned his back on her.
When I returned from my business trip, I discovered Mom was gone. A heart attack had taken her while she was completely alone. Grief and rage tore through me as I called Noel.
But he didn't even sound remorseful—just irritated. "I was only gone for a few days with Rian! Are you serious right now? Your mom's been bedridden for two years and didn't die! But the second we're not home, suddenly she's dead?!"
That was the last straw. I wanted a divorce. And suddenly, he was sorry.
The day after Mom's funeral, Noel came back—with Brianna in tow.
I went to Mom's room to pack her things, but the moment I opened the door, I heard a sharp gasp and the frantic rustling of someone scrambling to their feet.
There stood my husband, frozen in the middle of the living room. Behind him, the couch was littered with scattered lingerie and half-unpacked luggage.
Brianna fumbled to cover herself, her face burning red. "N-Nellie, I—I had a sore shoulder, so I asked Noel to massage it. Don't… don't get the wrong idea, okay?"
Her words sounded innocent, but the way she casually tucked her hair behind her ear revealed something glinting on her wrist.
I couldn't be mistaken. It was Mom's wristwatch—the one she never took off.
The image of Mom's desperate face flashed in my mind. Fury exploded in my chest as I lunged forward, seizing Brianna's wrist and screaming, "This is Mom's watch! Why are you wearing it? What did you do to her?!"
She shrieked and clung to Noel like a frightened child. "Noel, help me!"
"Cornelia! What the hell is wrong with you?! Let her go!" Noel roared, grabbing my arm and yanking me back.
But I refused to release her.
Suddenly, he seized a fistful of my hair and wrenched me away, shoving me so hard I crashed into the table. "You're insane! Get the hell out!"
My head struck the corner, blurring my vision. I reached out blindly, catching Brianna's leg, but she kicked me away, sobbing, "I'm sorry, Nellie! I shouldn't have gone on that trip with Noel! Please, don't scare me like this!"
"Cornelia! Cut the crap!" Noel snarled. "I only took Rian because I promised her! She's been looking after your mom for years—she deserved a break! Don't act like you're the victim here. If you pull this again, you can take your mom out of my house!"
Blood trickled down my face, mixing with my tears, but I refused to back down. Trembling, I tried to push myself up, whispering, "Give it back… That's Mom's watch… Give it to me…"
"You're not listening!" Noel ripped the watch off Brianna's wrist and held it high, his eyes blazing. "Apologize to Rian, or I'll smash this damn thing to pieces!"
"Noel, don't," Brianna pleaded, clinging to his arm—but her eyes gleamed with something vicious. Then, in a pitiful whisper, she added, "Nellie didn't mean it. She just misunderstood. I don't mind, as long as you two aren't fighting."
"Rian, you're too good," Noel muttered, pulling her close. "That's why she keeps treating you like this. You slaved away caring for her mom, and she attacks you over a stupid watch? No—this time, she's going to learn."
He glared down at me, disgust twisting his face. "Last chance, Cordelia. Say you're sorry, or this watch is gone."
My chest tightened, my ears ringing like I was underwater. Humiliated and shattered, I forced the words out: "B-Brianna… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. Please… forgive me."