Chapter 3The Fake Mother - in - law Is My Husband's Real Mistress

Even though I was heavily pregnant, I used to do most of the housework to try to please my "mother-in-law." Looking back now, I can't believe how foolish I was.

I started walking towards Rachel's bedroom, using the excuse of gathering dirty laundry.

Rachel panicked when she saw me heading for her room. She quickly stood up to stop me, exchanging a look with Jack. He rushed over to block my path.

"You're pregnant - you shouldn't be doing chores," he said with fake concern. "Mom can wash her own clothes."

I could imagine what Rachel's room looked like, full of evidence of their intimacy.

But I didn't push the issue. I told them I was going for a walk in the village, but my real purpose was to ask the older villagers about Jack's background.

The elders seemed reluctant to talk at first. I noticed one old woman had an unemployed son who spent all day playing video games.

So I offered to set her son up with a former classmate of mine. The old woman's wariness melted away, and she dug out an old notebook with Jack's mother's phone number.

I gave the woman my high school friend Emma's number. I'd already asked Emma to play along with my plan. Emma had become a successful lawyer after handling some major cases.

When the old woman heard my "classmate" was a lawyer, she was overjoyed.

That's how I got in touch with Jack's real parents. At first, his mother couldn't believe I was really Jack's wife, pregnant with his child. I had to explain several times.

Jack's mother let out a long sigh on the other end of the line. "Oh, my dear girl. I've failed you... Jack's father passed away when he was young. I didn't raise him right..."

She went on to tell me that Jack was very stubborn and insisted on marrying a woman 20 years his senior named Rachel.

Rachel was too old to have children, so she couldn't fulfill their wish for grandchildren. It caused a huge rift in the family.

Then one day, Jack called saying he wanted to bring her to the city to retire. She was thrilled at first, thinking her son had come to his senses and would find a nice girl his own age.

But Jack revealed his plan to trick a young woman into having his baby in the village. In the end, her desire for a grandchild won out over her conscience. She agreed to go along with it, renting an apartment in the city while Jack carried out his scheme.

Learning the full story, I was even more disgusted by Jack's utterly despicable behavior.

After talking to Jack's mother, my hatred for him and Rachel grew even stronger.

Those two would face karmic justice, one way or another!

I told my friend Emma, the hotshot lawyer, that my husband Jack was actually trying to trick me into having his baby through a sham marriage. Emma was furious on my behalf. As my best friend, she vowed to do everything in her power to help me.

She advised me to gather evidence that Jack had committed bigamy, saying she could likely get him sentenced to two years in prison. With a criminal record, he'd have trouble finding work anywhere.

I asked Emma to organize a high school reunion, saying I'd bring Jack along.

At the reunion, Emma discreetly handed me a listening device.

According to our plan, the others got Jack very drunk. He could barely stand by the end of the night. With help from my classmates, we managed to get him home.

Rachel went to make hangover soup. I seized the chance to sneak into her bedroom and plant the tiny listening device behind the headboard. It was so small you'd never notice it unless you knew where to look.

Late that night, the man beside me reeked of alcohol. I wanted nothing more than to strangle him in his sleep.

Every time I thought of how this couple planned to use my unborn child as a pawn in their sick game, I nearly lost control. Only the swell of my pregnant belly pulled me back from the edge of doing something rash.

To make me believe their lies, Jack and Rachel even planted crops in the village.

Early the next morning, the two of them headed out, laughing and chatting.

They claimed to be weeding the fields. In reality, they were just desperate for some alone time.

I grabbed a chair and some water, intending to make the lovebirds supremely uncomfortable.

I knew that the sweeter I acted towards Jack, the more it would drive Rachel insane until she couldn't take it anymore.

I called out to Jack as he was working in the field. Running over, I clung to his arm and said: "Honey, you must be so tired after last night's reunion. I felt bad that I couldn't drink to keep up with your old classmates since I'm pregnant."

Rachel was watching us embrace from nearby.

Jack played along, gently pushing me away. "Don't worry about it. What kind of husband would I be if I couldn't handle a few drinks on your behalf? Your classmates would've laughed at me."

I used the edge of my shirt to wipe the sweat from his brow, gazing at him with feigned adoration.

Rachel couldn't stand it anymore. She fake-coughed loudly to interrupt.

Of course, I hadn't forgotten about Rachel.

I turned to her and said: "Oh my, I got so caught up wiping my husband's sweat that I forgot you were here, Mom! Here, let me help you too."

Rachel quickly waved me off: "No need, dear. That shirt is for your husband only. I couldn't accept such treatment."

But shouldn't a good daughter-in-law know better?

So I pressed on: "Don't be silly, Mom. If it weren't for you raising such a wonderful son all on your own, how could I have found such an amazing husband? I only have one husband, but I only have one mother-in-law too."

Rachel clearly hadn't expected sweet, obedient Claire to be so persistent. She gritted her teeth and let me wipe away her sweat.

"Here Mom, have some water. I put it in the fridge earlier so it would be nice and cool."

Rachel had no excuse to refuse, so she took the cup and drank.

As she sipped the water, I sighed dramatically: "You know, at the reunion last night, my old best friend told me the most awful thing. Her husband, who seemed so honest and reliable, has actually been cheating on her behind her back."

"She broke down crying as she told me. Her makeup was a mess by the end. The poor thing was absolutely devastated."

When I finished speaking, Rachel froze with the cup halfway to her mouth. Jack's eyes darted around nervously, looking very guilty.

Jack tried to sound calm as he asked: "Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

Rachel chimed in: "Yes, did that good-for-nothing Jack do something to hurt you? If he did, you tell me right now. I'll teach him a lesson myself!"

I deliberately didn't answer their questions.

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

After about 15 seconds of awkward silence, I burst out laughing. "Oh, you should see your faces! You both looked so scared. I really had you going there!"

"Mom, do you think I have talent as an actress? Maybe some big media company will discover me and you'll be a celebrity's mother-in-law!"

I stuck my tongue out playfully, the picture of youthful innocence.

Seeing me act so carefree, Jack and Rachel seemed to relax, figuring I must have been joking around.

Then I waddled over to Jack with my big belly, demanding a hug. Nothing about my behavior seemed out of the ordinary.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rachel clench her fists, seething with barely contained rage. But there was nothing she could do.

I wanted Rachel to keep bottling up her anger until she finally exploded.

I announced I was going to the market in town to buy groceries.

Jack and Rachel exchanged a look.

"Claire, let me go with you!" Jack quickly offered. "You're so pregnant - I don't want you going alone."

I smiled and declined. "I know the market well. I'll be fine, don't worry. I know my own body, silly. I love you, honey!"

I gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

It made me want to scrub my mouth with soap.

Rachel's face turned green with envy. "Yes, go on then. Hurry up and go," she snapped.

Seeing Rachel's anger, Jack had no choice but to let me leave alone. "Alright, just be careful," he said.

"I will, honey. See you soon!" I called as I turned to go.

As soon as I was out of sight, I wiped my lips with my sleeve. How revolting.

The two of them didn't suspect a thing.

I used to do all the dirty work and chores around the house. I thought Jack worked so hard and his poor old mother deserved a break after raising him alone.

Ha! How stupid I'd been.

When I got to town, I did actually buy groceries. But more importantly, I wanted to hear what those two dogs would say about me once I was gone.

That's where Emma's listening device came in handy.

They went back inside the house.

First I heard Rachel's voice:

"Jack, do you know how much it kills me to see that little bitch Claire hanging all over you? I can't take it anymore. From now on, you better find a way to avoid her when she tries to get close to you!"

"Baby, you know I'm just playing a part. It's all to get that child she's carrying, remember?" Jack soothed her.

Calling that old woman "baby" - disgusting!

But Rachel wouldn't let up: "For the baby, for the baby. That's always your excuse. So what if she's pregnant? It's not that special. I just can't stand it for one more second."