Before I could even get another word out, Scarlett cut me off with a smirk. “Or what? You think you actually matter?"
She crossed her arms, tilting her head mockingly. "Watch your tone when you talk to Joshua. He’s the head of this family now, the richest man in Avindor. If anything, you should be bowing down. He’s your sky, your earth, your everything."
Jeanette scoffed. "Exactly. We may not have rings on our fingers, but our kids are his just the same. Meanwhile, you…" she gave me a long, judgmental once-over, "a wife who can’t even give him children, have the nerve to act like you’re better than us?"
She let out a fake-sympathetic sigh. "No wonder Joshua turned to us. This is on you. Instead of demanding answers, maybe try some self-reflection for once."
Willa rolled her eyes. "She’s right, Joshua. Don’t let her guilt-trip you. A man like you is supposed to have multiple women. You’re the richest man in Avindor, you can’t let her walk all over you."
She glanced around the mansion, then added, "Besides, what’s the point of all that money if you’re not gonna have more kids? You planning to just leave your fortune to some random strangers?"
At first, Joshua looked uncomfortable, but as they spoke, his expression shifted. His frown faded and his stance straightened, confidence settling over him like armor.
"I just want to give a home to the women who love me," he said finally, like it was the most reasonable thing in the world. "Is that really so wrong?"
I stared at him, my stomach twisting.
"They gave me children," he continued, his voice steady. "They’ve spent years living in a cramped little house, never once complaining. And you? You’ve been here, living in comfort, reaping the benefits of my success. So don’t act like a victim."
It was the first time Joshua had ever spoken to me like this and for a moment, I couldn’t process it.
I swallowed hard. "Do you even hear yourself? What exactly are you saying? What do you want?"
Joshua exhaled, his tone softening slightly, like he actually thought he was being kind. "Don’t misunderstand me," he said. "I’m not some heartless man who abandons his wife for his mistresses."
I almost laughed.
He went on, completely serious. "I’ve thought this through. These six children are my flesh and blood, I can’t just leave them out in the cold. So, from now on, you’ll be their legal mother. You’ll adopt them and raise them properly."
For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. When the six kids heard Joshua’s announcement, they all reluctantly mumbled, “Mom.”
Joshua, looking pretty proud of himself, nodded. "See? They’re already warming up to you."
Then he went on like it was no big deal, “But, of course, the kids can’t just be ripped away from their biological mothers. So, let me lay it out for you. The three of them are moving in. But they’ll respect you, I promise.”
My eyes widened in disbelief, but he wasn’t done. “And I’ll still make sure to come to your room on the first and fifteenth of every month. No matter who I love most, you’ll always be my wife.”
At that moment, I couldn’t help but feel like I had somehow stepped into a historical drama. Like I was the queen in some ancient palace and Joshua was the emperor who only had to show up to my chambers twice a month.
At first, I thought he was kidding. But as I stood there staring at him, it hit me: he was dead serious. He was actually planning to move in his mistresses and kids and turn our house into his own little harem.
I didn’t know whether to cry or laugh, so I did both, mostly because I didn’t know what else to do.
But the weird part, the others; Jeanette, Willa and Scarlett, actually looked relieved. Like they were finally off the hook or something.
Jeanette and Willa exchanged a look, then nudged Scarlett. The three of them walked up to me, glasses in hand.
"Since we’re family now," Jeanette said, flashing me a grin, “How about some water?”
I swear, my scalp tingled and my mind felt like a blur of racing thoughts. How was I supposed to explain that this wasn’t the dynasty life anymore? That people didn’t do this anymore?
