Prescription for Mistress Trouble

I had been in a relationship with Zachary Dawson for seven years and engaged for three when, out of the blue, Ruby White, the daughter of his mentor, moved into our home.

Sitting casually on the bed that Zachary and I shared, Ruby lounged with an air of nonchalance, her voice playful and teasing. "Zachary, the dental god, sure has a nice bed," she remarked with a smirk. "I can only imagine what it would be like to spend the night with him in this bed."

I captured the scene on my phone and sent the video to our family group chat with a brief message: Looks like Zachary might have a new girlfriend

Zachary rushed home, wrapping his arms protectively around a tearful Ruby. He pointed at me, his voice seething with anger. "My mentor's dying wish was for me to take care of Ruby! If you can't accept that, then move out!"

Honestly, my brows furrowed deeper than the wrinkles on the bedsheets Ruby had sat on.

Fine.

I didn't need the bed, and honestly, I didn't need a fiancé anymore.

*

I had a rare day off, but early in the morning, I was jolted awake by the incessant ringing of the doorbell. Barely awake, I shuffled to the door in my slippers. I didn't even have time to get changed.

As I opened the door, I found a young woman standing there. She gave me a dismissive once-over before pushing past me with her suitcase in tow.

I had never seen this woman before and certainly didn't know her. Instinctively, I stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Ugh," she rolled her eyes, visibly annoyed. "Move out of the way. It was Zachary, I mean, Deputy Director Dawson, who told me to move in."

Zachary? Move in?

My mind went blank.

Seven years of dating, three years of engagement—ten years in total—and now he was letting a stranger move into our home without even consulting me? Worse yet, it was our marital home.

Seeing my silence, the woman gave me a shove. "You must be Zachary's maid. You should know your place. Now hurry up and help me with these suitcases. And be careful—you won't be able to afford it if you break anything."

My frown deepened, and I asked her slowly, "Didn't Zachary tell you he has a fiancée?"

She scoffed. "Whether he told me or not, what's it got to do with you?

"He's been with that woman, Dr. Gray, was it? Ten years and he still hasn't married her. It's obvious he doesn't love her!

"My advice? Know your place. A washed-up woman like his fiancée stands no chance against me, Ruby White. You should reconsider where to place your loyalties."

Ruby White?

I let out a cold laugh. That name sounded familiar.

She was the daughter of Zachary's university mentor.

She cast me a sidelong glance before dragging her suitcases into the house, leaving dirty streaks across my once-spotless floors.

I