WTF! My Fiancé's Mistress Turned My Prize Horse into My Little Pony Right Before Kentucky Derby?！ - Chapter 81: Chapter 81

I moved into a company dorm temporarily.
Old-school apartment building, four girls to a unit.
Not bad, but paper-thin walls.
I could hear the girls next door gossiping after dinner—clear as day.
"So she really got kicked out? Like, the actual Mrs. Caldwell?"
"Why else would she be wearing long sleeves in this heat? Probably hiding bruises."
"She probably sold herself into a rich family and got burned. That's how it always ends."
I shoved in my earbuds and kept writing copy for the next video launch.
Next morning, I went to the assisted living home in Eastside.
"Melanie, your mom's been doing so much better!" the director beamed.
"She can recognize your photo now!"
I followed her to my mom's room.
But the moment I walked in, the smile vanished.
Jessica was there.
My mom was gnawing on a cookie with messy hands while Jessica filmed her.
"The hell are you doing?"
Jessica looked up casually.
"Relax. Just visiting my godmother."
She wiped her hands with a wet nap, still smiling.
"Jeez, where's your boy toy? Didn't tag along today?"
I checked Mom over. No injuries. No distress.
Then I shot Jessica a cold glare.
My so-called god-sister.
Her mom and mine were once a girl group, but things ended badly.
Hers crashed and burned. Mine got sick.
Instead of bonding, we became enemies.
And since Ryan got in the picture, Jessica hated me more than ever.
"Lauren's back in town, huh? Heard you two are doing a livestream. What is it? Amateur strip show?"
"Ryan not backing you anymore? Must suck to fall so far."
I was exhausted.
Didn't have the energy to bicker.
After I made sure my mom was okay, I dragged Jessica into the hallway.
"Stay away from my mom. I mean it."
She rolled her eyes and stepped closer, drowning me in that cloying jasmine perfume.
The same one I smelled on Ryan last night.
"You're seriously still hanging onto him? He can't stand you. You're like a piece of gum on his shoe."
"I already asked for a divorce," I cut her off.
Her smile faltered.
"He said no," I added coldly.
"So if you really want him, go ahead. Set me free."
"Liar!" she snapped.
"This is you and that old witch teaming up again, isn't it? Forcing him!"
She meant Ryan's mom—the one who never liked her and split them up in the first place.
"Try walking a mile in my shoes. Being stuck between that man and his mother? Good luck, sweetheart."
I scoffed. "Hope you enjoy it. Playing the secret mistress gets real old, real fast."
I told the nurse I hired that Jessica wasn't allowed near my mom again.
Behind me, Jessica lost it.
She grabbed my arm.
"You're just like your mom—low-class trash!"
"And don't you dare go on livestream tomorrow. You'll humiliate yourself."
In the struggle, the burn on my arm became exposed.
She stared, then laughed.
"Wow, so you really got fried? And he still didn't come running? Pathetic."
"How the hell are you supposed to compete with me, Melanie?"
I didn't even flinch.
"You forget how to talk like a normal person? Me going live or not is none of your damn business."
"I'm going to Lauren's company event tomorrow," she sneered.
"I don't want to see your sorry face there."
Sick of her, I shoved her aside and got in a cab to meet Lauren.
She sipped her coffee and smiled when I told her about the divorce.
"About damn time. Welcome back to the elite single woman's club."
"Whatever you need, hit me up. I've got contacts, you know."
I stood up and hugged her hard, then sank into her arms for a minute.
She was the only one I didn't have to pretend for.
Around 7 p.m., Lauren got called into a meeting, so I left her office.
Thunder cracked. Then the rain came down hard.
I stood under an awning, trying to catch a ride for over half an hour.
And of course—freaking of course—he showed up.
Ryan's sleek black car pulled up, Jessica flying out of the passenger seat in stilettos and wrapping herself around him.
The storefront lights flickered on behind them, casting a glow like they were in a damn rom-com.
My body still hurt.
But what stung more was the sight of them, perfect and dry while I stood there soaked and shaking.
Ryan made a U-turn and pulled up in front of me.
Didn't get out.
Just barked through the open window, "Get in the car."
I didn't move. Took a step back.
"You blocked me? Melanie, you've got guts now?"
I ignored his anger—and Jessica's smug little smirk in the front seat.
"Careful," I said sweetly. "You'll get a parking ticket."
That hit a nerve. He scoffed.
"I can afford a damn ticket. Get in. You look like shit."
He laughed darkly.
"Trying to see if I'll feel sorry for you?"
Jessica leaned over, opened the window.
"Melanie, don't be mad at Ryan. I asked him to come get you. You two need to talk."
She sounded sweet—
But her manicured nails dug right into my burn.
The pain made me shove her away, splashing cold rainwater all over her face.
Ryan jumped out, shielding her like a hero.
Then glared at me.
"That's enough! What the hell's wrong with you?"
I laughed bitterly.
"Me? I'm the problem? Look in the damn mirror."
"Keep your precious Jessica."
"Just stop dragging her out like some prize show dog every time you wanna guilt-trip me."
I rubbed my aching arm and glared right back.
"Jessica, next time you touch my burn on purpose, I'll see you in court."
"I don't care how many followers you have."
My ride showed up.
I got in without a word.
As the door slammed shut, I heard Ryan yell through gritted teeth—
"Melanie, you're doing just fine without me, huh? Let's see how long that lasts."
The horn cut him off.
So did I.
In the rearview mirror, I saw him gently wiping Jessica's tears.
I told myself it didn't matter.
I kept repeating it.
The more they acted like soulmates,
The more leverage I had when the divorce went through.
I was gonna make sure I walked away with every damn penny I was owed!