Mistress Commission: 'Design Our Rings!' But Darling I'm Still His WIFE novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

As a jewelry designer–I never thought I’d craft my husband’s wedding rings AGAIN.

On our wedding anniversary. I got an order to design a ring for my hubby, Julian Blackwood.

Seeing his name pop up, I smiled to myself. Classic Julian–always with the surprise moves.

But the next second, this delicate, pretty young thing walked into my office, her eyes all soft and flirty as she shyly handed me a sketch.

My hubby’s handwriting.

“Ms. Sterling? I booked an appointment online.”

“I need a pair of custom rings. My boyfriend’s divorce wraps up end of the month. Hoping we can get them done before then.”

1 loosened my clenched fist and gestured for her to go on.

“My boyfriend’s name is Julian Blackwood. I want his name engraved inside the band.”

“Bellflowers are his favorite–eternal love and all that. I want that on the ring.”

Staring at those painfully familiar details on the sketch, I let out a cold laugh.

What a joke.

Had to learn my own husband’s so–called “favorites” straight from his mistress’s mouth.

Rings are supposed to symbolize perfect, unbreakable love.

But here’s the thing, Julian Blackwood–your designer, your soon–to–be EX–wife?

I’d rather watch you lose everything! Every friend! Every money! Every shred of dignity!

And ROT IN HELL!

I set down the sketch and looked up, studying the girl across from me.

Soft, gentle demeanor. Not bold and striking like me–more understated.

Young. Still had that naive, sheltered look about her.

Seemed like a decent person. Clearly raised with some sense of right and wrong.

When she mentioned the delivery timeline, her voice wavered just a bit. Her eyes darted away.

She knew what she was doing was wrong.

Maybe sensing my gaze, she rushed to explain.

“Ms. Sterling, please don’t misunderstand.”

“My boyfriend’s situation is… complicated. His ex–wife’s in prison for financial crimes. He didn’t want to kick her while she was down, so he’s been putting off the divorce.”

She said it with such sincerity, every word dripping with admiration and pity for that man.

Prison?

What a convenient story.

Chapter 1

Too had the one she’s slandering is sitting right in front of her

I nodded slightly, a cold smile tugging at my lips.

“Ms. Bennett, right? Mind telling me your love story?”

She blinked, clearly confused.

Of course rich guys go for the young, easy–to–control type.

1 tapped the sketch on the table.

“Just these few elements? The ring would turn out way too basic.”

“If you share some meaningful moments between you two, I can work those in.”

Chloe finally caught on, her face lighting up with a shy smile.

And then she started gushing.

I listened like some kind of masochist, my professional smile barely hanging on.

“Tomorrow marks two full years together. I first met him at the police station–something happened to his family, and he was there filing a report. He was too teffried then. I happened to be there and said a few comforting words.”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her ears flushing pink.

“We ran into each other a couple more times after that. Felt like fate. A week later, I confessed, and he said yes.”

Every sweet little memory felt like a poisoned needle stabbing straight into my chest.

“Tomorrow’s your anniversary?”

“Wait–how did you know that?”

Her eyes went wide, shock written all over her face.

I lowered my gaze, hiding the pain.

How could I not know?!

Two years ago, the day after our wedding anniversary, I was kidnapped on my way to the airport.

Around the time they were “meeting,” I was probably locked up in some abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town.

Julian made too many enemies. They even came after me.

I nearly died. And I lost the baby I was carrying.

But now my suffering became the backdrop for their love story.

My knuckles went white from clenching my fists. I looked up at her.

“Ms. Bennett, it’s very touching. But at that time, his wife wasn’t in prison yet, right?”

“Well…”

Her smile froze for a second. Then she scrambled to defend herself.

“No, not yet. But they were already done by then. Just hadn’t filed the paperwork.”

“Ms. Sterling, you get it, right? In love, the one who isn’t loved is the real mistress.”

Chapter 1

I forced the corners of my mouth up, my voice flat.

“Of course.

Chose to be a home wrecke, huh?

Apparently taking that as approval, she kept going, even more excited now.

Oh, and he loves kids. But his wife can’t get pregnant.”

“Can you believe how selfish some women are? Can’t be a mom herself, but still clings to him, robbing him of his chance to be a dad. Thank God I was there to help him finally get what he always wanted…”

As she spoke, her hand drifted down to rest on her stomach.

My eyes followed.

“You’re pregnant?”

I heard myself ask.

She smiled, all shy and glowing.

“Ms. Sterling, you noticed?”

“Two months along. Please keep it between us, okay? I want to wait until after his divorce to announce it. I don’t want my baby labeled a bastard the

second it’s born.”

“Sure.”

I agreed easily. But my eyes went ice–cold.

Julian and I? Childhood friends. Arranged marriage since we were kids.

Also childhood enemies.

But right when our families were starting to think we’d never work out and were about to call off the engagement?

We somehow… clicked.

So we stumbled into marriage, half–confused, half–willing.

Everyone worried we’d crash and burn.

But after the wedding, Julian changed.

Devoted. Loyal. Put me first in everything.

Even our mutual friends teased him–said he turned into a total wife guy the second he got married.

After I lost the baby and found out I could never have kids again, Julian held me and whispered:

“Amelia, we don’t need kids. Just the two of us. We’ll grow old together.”

It sounded so sweet. I didn’t think twice.

After all, Julian was the only son in the Blackwood family.

But the very next day? He got a vasectomy.

I thought I was lucky enough to find my soulmate.

Never thought the whole thing was a lie from the start.

Chapter 1

Julian didn’t not want kids.

He just didn’t want them with me.

I forced a smile, using every ounce of strength I had left.

“Got it, Ms. Bennett. I understand your vision. The rings will be ready by the agreed date.”

Chloe smiled and nodded.

“Thank you so much, Ms. Sterling. Oh, one more tiny thing.”

“Everything I told you today? Please don’t let it get out. My boyfriend’s already decided on the divorce, but if word gets out early, it’ll just cause unnecessary drama.”

“From what he’s told me, his ex–wife is kind of a bitch…”

I nodded in understanding.

“Don’t worry.”

I watched her figure disappear down the hallway. Then I pulled out my phone and called my best friend, Sophia Rossi.

She’s a seasoned divorce attorney. Also my mother’s company’s legal advisor.

“Julian’s cheating. Dig up every move he’s made over the past two years.”

“And tell my mom–any project Julian’s involved in? Pull the funding. All of it.”

I hung up and gently traced the wedding band on my ring finger.

Julian Blackwood.

You chose betrayal.

So everything you built on my back? I’ll shred it to pieces!

Chapter 2