The next day , while I was at the hospital with Mom , Melody called . " Hey Iris , sorry to bother you . The home system detected an anomaly - someone tried to force their way past the security protocols . Was that you ? " I frowned . " I just wanted to turn on the AC . " " Oh , you should've just asked me ! " Her voice carried a hint of smugness . " Forcing the system triggers security alerts . Jax takes home network security very seriously . " " It's my house ! " " I know , but rules are rules . " " Oh , and Jax wanted me to tell you - don't wait up for dinner tonight . We're pulling an all - nighter prepping for next week's project presentation . " After she hung up , I saw her Instagram story . [ Some people think the world revolves around them , not realizing what really matters is creating value 1 The photo showed her work badge : " Executive Assistant . " Mom caught my mood . " That woman again ? " I nodded . Then said quietly : " Mom , I've decided to get a divorce . " Mom was stunned . " Sweetheart , what did you say ? " " I'm divorcing Jaxon . " I squeezed her hand . " I've been thinking about this for a long time . It's not impulsive . " " But ... honey , you need to think this through . " Mom looked at me with concern . " Divorce isn't trivial . You'd be on your own ... " " Mom , I have thought it through . " I stared in her eyes . " Living like a prisoner in my own home , needing permission to adjust the thermostat - that's not marriage , it's humiliation . " " But Jaxon , aside from being overly logical , hasn't been terrible to you ... " " Not terrible ? " I laughed bitterly . omen MuSmart House Was Cheating On Me ! 27.3 % Chapter 4 " Mom , when you were dying , he said it was too dangerous for me to leave the house . But one phone call from Melody about database issues , and he immediately rushed out in a storm . In his mind , your life and mine are both less important than his work . " Mom fell silent . " Sweetie . I'm just worried ... " " I know what you're worried about . " " But Mom , I'm his wife , not some Sterling family accessory . " Mom didn't say anything more , but the look in her eyes held even more heartache for me . That evening at home , I found evidence someone had been there . Two glasses on the coffee table , throw pillows rearranged , a faint lingering perfume in the air . Not mine . I checked the door logs - Melody had entered at 3 PM , left at 6 PM . Reason listed : " Retrieving work files . " But Jaxon's office was upstairs . Why would she spend three hours in the living room ? I called Jaxon . " Melody was at the house today ? " " Yeah , getting files . " His tone was casual . " Why ? " " She was there for three hours . " " Probably waiting for documents to print . " He suddenly got annoyed . " Iris , don't be paranoid . Melody was there for work . " " She used my coffee mug ! " " It's just a mug. Are you really going to be that petty ? " I took a deep breath . " Jazon , if Melody said she needed to move into our house for work convenience , would you agree ? " He was quiet for a moment . " What kind of crazy talk is that ? " " Answer me . " " Of course not . " He continued : " You're my wife . This is our home . " " But the person controlling this home is her , not me , " " That's just temporary system access issues ! " He finally lost it . " Iris ! Can you please act like an adult ? Stop whining like some bitter housewife ! " Chapter 4 " Bitter housewife ? " I laughed coldly . " Yeah , I guess I am - a bitter housewife who needs permission to turn on lights in her own home . " I hung up and texted my best friend , Lora . [ Free to talk ? Need advice about divorce proceedings . ] Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!