Chapter 1 Chapter 1 " Babe , can you give me access to our AC ? I'm freezing . " I curled up against my husband , wrapped in a blanket . " No need . Guest mode's enough for you . " His tone was as cold as our living room . " If you feel cold , it's all in your head . Seventy - five is the most logical temperature . " " Then why can Melody change it whenever she wants ? " He looked up from his laptop , annoyed : " She's my assistant . She's here constantly handling critical work . Of course she needs system access . " Right on cue , our smart speaker announced : " Master Melody approaching . Auto - opening door . Adjusting to Master Melody's preferred 78 degrees . " Master ? So in MY house , I was the guest and SHE was the master . " You know what ? You're absolutely right . Guest mode is perfect for me . " I stood up calmly : " Because guests don't have to pay the mortgage , handle the utilities , or give a damn when the house burns down . Thanks for the reminder , honey . My lawyer's going to love this . " " Jax , tomorrow's our anniversary . Could you maybe bump up my access to the home system ? At least let me control the AC temp ? " He didn't even look up from the data streaming across his laptop screen . " The system's already optimized for peak comfort . Seventy - five degrees is scientifically proven to be ideal for human physiology . " " But I'm cold . " " That's psychological . " He frowned . " Iris , don't get all emotional about this . The smart climate control saves us thirty percent on utilities . It's the most logical choice . " I took a deep breath . " Then why does Melody have admin access ? She can adjust whatever she wants . " At the mention of Melody , he finally looked up , but his eyes were full of irritation . 10:18 Hell Yeah , Forget the Other Woman , My Smart House Was Cheating On Me ! 0.0 % Chapter 1 " She's constantly here handling urgent work files . She needs access to the office and equipment . You don't understand the tech side - if I gave you full privileges , you might mess with the settings and crash the whole system . " Right on cue , the smart speaker in the living room chimed to life . " Melody Rivera approaching . Activate welcome mode ? " My stomach dropped . " She's coming over ? It's ten PM . " Jaxon stood up , completely unfazed . " Probably an issue with tomorrow's presentation materials . She said we needed to go over everything in person . " The electronic lock clicked open automatically , and Melody walked in . Sharp business attire , hair cascading over her shoulders . A leather portfolio in hand , her face painted with just the right amount of concern . " Jax , I'm so sorry to barge in this late . " She glanced at me with an apologetic smile . " Hey , Iris ! Sorry - tomorrow's pitch is make - or - break . " " No worries . " Jaxon was already heading toward his office . " Let's talk in there . " Melody followed , and as she passed me , she said casually : " Ugh , it's freezing out there . Thank god it's cozy in here . " Then , speaking to the air : " Alexa , set the office temperature to seventy - eight . " " Of course , Ms. Rivera . Temperature adjusted . " The system responded instantly . Meanwhile , when I'd tried to adjust the temp earlier , I got : " Insufficient privileges . Contact administrator . " Watching them disappear into the office , I stood in the living room feeling like a stranger in my own home . Familiar because I'd handpicked every piece of furniture . Foreign because apparently , I had less control here than an outsider . My phone buzzed - the hospital . " Mrs. Sterling , your mother's had a heart attack . It's critical - please come immediately ! " My legs gave out . I grabbed my purse and rushed to the door . " Alexa , unlock the front door ! " " Sorry , your departure request requires administrator approval . Current time is , which exceeds safe departure 10:18 Hell Yeah . Forget the Other Woman My Smart House Was Cheating On Me ! 2.3 % Chapter 1 hours . " I was about to lose it . I burst into the office . " Jax , my mom's dying - I need to get to the hospital ! " He frowned . " It's too late . Not safe out there . Let the hospital handle it tonight , you can go in the morning . " " The doctor said it's critical ! " " They have professional medical staff . You being there won't change anything . " He checked his watch . " Statistically , late - night travel has 60 % higher accident rates . This is about your safety . " Melody chimed in softly : " Jax is right , Iris . Safety first . Want me to have the system transfer money for medical expenses ? " She pulled out her phone and spoke to the air : " Alexa , transfer fifty thousand from the household account to Metro General Hospital . " " Transfer complete , Ms. Rivera . " I stared in disbelief . She could access our joint account at will , but I couldn't even unlock my own door ... " Money's not the issue , " Jaxon told me . " Your mom will be fine . You need to calm down and stop being so emotional . " " I need to see my mother ! " I was practically screaming . " Iris ! " He'd never been this harsh with me . " Can you please just be rational for once ? " Just then , Melody's phone rang . She glanced at it and went pale . " Jaz , we have a problem ! The database crashed - all of tomorrow's presentation data is corrupted ! " " What ? " Jaxon shot up . " How is that possible ? " " I don't know ... " Melody's eyes instantly filled with tears , her voice cracking . " If we can't present tomorrow , the company loses a hundred million dollar contract ! " " Don't panic . We're going to the office right now . " Jaxon grabbed his coat and headed for the door . I couldn't believe what I was seeing . " Didn't you just say it was dangerous to go out at night ? " 10:18 Hell Yeah , Forget the Other Woman , My Smart House Was Cheating On Me ! 4.5 % Chapter 1 He stopped , his voice ice - cold . " This is a hundred - million - dollar deal . It has to be handled . Business and emotions are different - when work fails , hundreds of employees lose their livelihoods . " " And my mom's life doesn't matter ? " " I told you , the hospital will handle it . " Finally , he snapped impatiently , " Melody , disable Iris's departure restrictions for tonight . " Melody tapped her phone . " Done . " The door finally unlocked , but Jaxon and Melody were already gone . I stood alone in the doorway , watching their car disappear into the night .