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868words
After high school, she got pregnant and skipped college — her life spiraled downward almost immediately.
James always spoke of her with a heavy tinge of pity, and when things got especially rough, he would offer extra help.
That’s probably why Chloe twisted it into something more, I thought desperately. Maybe that misplaced kindness was the root of this sick misunderstanding.
"James Carter and I are legally married!" I insisted, my voice tight with frustration. "We skipped the big wedding ceremony, but plenty of people in this town know it’s true."
An older teacher spoke up, her tone hesitant but supporting. "I can vouch for that. James did bring celebratory chocolates around the district office when they filed the papers."
Chloe cut her off with a harsh, disbelieving laugh. "Chocolates? Did he ever actually say he married Sarah? Or was it just 'I got married'? Be specific!"
Mrs. Greeley faltered, color rising in her cheeks. "...Well, no. He didn't mention Sarah by name."
A cold knot tightened in my stomach.
My father, a high-ranking official in the district office, had worried about perceptions. He'd pushed hard for discretion—worried that if James, newly promoted, married the boss's daughter too publicly, it would look like nepotism. So no announcements in the local paper.
James agreed; he didn't want anyone to think that his success rested on my family's connections.
We became ghosts of spouses: legally bound, but privately labeled, avoiding "husband" and "wife" in public spheres.
Now, trapped in this nightmare, that silence screamed louder than any betrayal. How could I prove a marriage deliberately hidden?
My heart plunged, leaving a hollow ache.
Yet Chloe continued:
“Charge 3: Threatening the wife, scheming to get pregnant and take her place.”
"My dad told me everything!" Chloe spat the words like venom, her eyes burning into mine. "You threatened to divorce my mom! When he refused you, you said you'd ruin him—accuse him of workplace harassment! And you had a plan, didn't you? Get knocked up, trap him for good. Trash like you deserves to be exposed!"
“You hear me? You’ll never have a child as long as I’m here!”
The sheer, staggering absurdity of the accusation hit me like a physical blow. Here I stood, the lawfully wedded wife, being branded the homewrecker — while James had a secret daughter who must have been born almost immediately after he married me, considering Chloe’s age.
A timeline clicking horribly into place. Ice seemed to crystallize in my veins. I froze, chilled to the bone by the depth of his deception.
A male colleague pushed forward slightly, his voice tense but reasonable.
"Hold on a minute. Many of us have seen James and Sarah together at district conferences and events. Just last week during that torrential downpour, wasn't it James who pulled up right out front to collect her? If there was something illicit going on, would they be that open? That... domestic?"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"He's got a point! Mistresses hide. They don't get paraded around district functions."
"I thought James's wife was his junior from college? Sarah studied Teaching at State U, didn't she?"
"God, what if this is all some colossal mistake? Accusing the actual wife? That's insane!"
Chloe sensed the shift, the wary expressions turning towards her. She lunged forward, a cornered animal, shouting:
"She knew! She targeted my mom because she was vulnerable! Playing happy families with my dad in public!"
"My mom had an acceptance letter of the college!" Chloe's voice cracked with furious tears. "She gave up college to have me!"
"Exactly!" a shrill voice cut in – one of Chloe's friends. "Like my aunt! Stuck back in the country, slaving away, while her husband swanned around the city with his fancy other woman! Everyone thought she was the wife! My poor aunt was invisible!"
"A parasite!" another supporter yelled, jabbing a finger towards me. "Feeding off a man whose real wife wasn't around!"
"Trying to steal a whole life!"
"Daring enough to wreck a family but too cowardly to wear the mistress label! Pretending to be the wife? Absolute filth!"
The colleague who defended me looked sick, his supportive stance crumbling.
Even the officials observing, previously neutral, now gazed at me with open, undisguised scorn. Their expressions held judgment, not confusion.
"I never would have guessed Sarah seemed so... professional," a younger administrator murmured under their breath, loud enough to carry.
"...Disgraceful. Utterly shameless. What example does this set for the students?" an older one hissed.
The room swam. The whispers felt like stones pelting me.
I saw with brutal clarity: without clearing this, the "Mistress Sarah" label would be branded onto my reputation forever.
I squared my shoulders, forcing my voice steady:
"You say James Carter is your father. Fine. Tell me --" I paused, letting the silence stretch taut. "Is your mother Melissa Evans?"
Chloe bared her teeth in a triumphant, almost feral grin. "What's the matter? Finally ready to admit who you really are?"
“Excellent,” I said, the word crisp. “Then call both of them here. Let's settle this once and for all. See who’s the real mistress!”
