Betrayal Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 7 Uninhibited Intimacy

In the spacious living room, Aidan sat on the couch playing with Alex in his arms, and Cathy was leaning casually against him.

The scene looked just like it did years ago when we first had Jane. It was a picture of a happy family, husband, wife, and child, all cozy and harmonious.

The bowl slipped from my hands, shattering on the floor.

All three of them turned to look at me. Cathy quickly got up and rushed over. "Mrs. Davis, why did you come downstairs? I was just about to get the bowl. Stay still, or you might step on the shards!"

Her reaction was so natural as if the intimate scene I had witnessed was just a normal family moment, with nothing out of place.

I was left speechless. Had our home always been this harmonious?

Aidan also stood up with Alex and hurried towards me. "Nina, don't move! Cathy, what are you waiting for? Clean this up now!"

He looked genuinely worried, ordering Cathy sternly. His eyes fixed on the broken bowl on the floor as if he was truly afraid that I might get hurt.

Had I imagined what I saw? Or had they already been close for a long time?

Cathy ran to get a broom and quickly swept up the shards, apologizing repeatedly, looking very humble.

I stood there, feeling like I had turned to stone, trying to process what I had just seen.

When Cathy finished cleaning up, Aidan put his arm around me. Only then did I snap out of it, looking at him blankly.

The urgency and reliance I had felt for him moments ago melted away, replaced by a single burning question. Didn't they owe me an explanation?

While I was still in a daze, Aidan held me, handing Alex over to Cathy. Alex immediately reached for her, nuzzling into her neck.

I pushed Aidan away and snatched Alex from Cathy's arms, fuming internally. He was my child, not their plaything!

Cathy froze for a moment, looking embarrassed. "Mrs. Davis, I..."

Her expression was one of innocence.

I wanted to slap her, but looking at my child, I held back, telling myself to stay calm.

"Get the food ready!" I said coldly to Cathy. She nodded and hurried to the kitchen.

Then, I turned to Aidan, trying to sound casual. "Are you going to the exhibition this afternoon? I thought you wouldn't be back until the evening."

Seemingly unaffected, Aidan didn't pay much attention to Cathy or even glance at her. While hugging my shoulder, he pulled me to the couch.

Had he not noticed Cathy's closeness? Or did he mistake her for me in a moment of confusion?

Ignoring my scrutinizing gaze, Aidan answered calmly, "Yes, I am. I just came by to pick up some samples and wanted to check on you and have a quick meal. This little guy caught me as soon as I walked in!"

He spoke so naturally and didn't mention anything as if nothing had happened.

Was I being overly sensitive, or had such "intimacy" become commonplace while I was out of it?

Alex squirmed in my arms, reaching for Aidan and calling out, "Mama!"

Aidan took him. "Let me handle him. He's getting heavy."

My heart sank. Alex's "Mama" was meant for Cathy.

He was no longer close to me. Since his birth, I had been too sick to care for him properly because I was always asleep and absent-minded when awake. So, Cathy had been taking care of Alex all the time.

After I fell ill, Jane was sent to a boarding school, only coming home on weekends. Leonard was with his grandmother. Only Alex stayed with us.

As I blankly watched Aidan with Alex, a chilling realization struck me. Had Cathy been tampering with my medication from the beginning? What was her plan? Was she after my husband and even my children?

This woman was horrifying. Her deeds were unimaginable.

No way. I couldn't allow her to stay and continue harming my family. I needed to get rid of her before she caused more damage.

Resolute, I looked at Aidan, who was doting on Alex. The love between them was evident.

Guilt tugged at me as I looked at them. How could such a caring husband be conspiring with a maid?

But Cathy's intentions were clear, and I had to deal with this before it escalated.

With a plan forming in my mind, I decided to test Aidan. "Honey..."