The Mistress Who Outgrew the Man

In the second month of my relationship with my best friend Sophie Vaughn's older brother, Elias Vaughn, Thanksgiving arrives.

Sophie leans in, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Elias is bringing his girlfriend home for the holiday. Let's see what all the fuss is about."

I take my time getting ready, heart fluttering with hope. Just maybe, I'll finally be formally introduced as his girlfriend.

But the moment I step inside, I see him with another elegant, beautiful woman, smiling as he introduces her to his parents.

"This is my girlfriend," he says.

He then inadvertently looks over at me, stiffening for a moment, clearly caught off guard.

But just as quickly, he recovers and turns to the woman beside him.

"That woman over there is my sister's friend and a part-time student. You could say she's a maid in our household."

A maid?

As it turns out, I'm nothing more than someone for him to kiss and sleep with. I was never someone worthy of standing by his side publicly.

I turn away and board the train back to Ashcroft University, choosing my future over another night in his bedroom.

On Thanksgiving morning, my boyfriend left out a set of lingerie for me to wear that night, telling me to wait for him. Before I could respond, he rushed off, saying something important had come up.

Just then, my best friend, Sophie Vaughn, said that her brother, Elias Vaughn was finally bringing his girlfriend home. She invited me to join them for dinner.

Seeing the excitement in her eyes, I found myself nervously agreeing.

She didn't know that the mysterious lady Elias was bringing home was actually me.

I thought Elias was planning a surprise for me, that he would formally introduce me to his family on this special day.

I carefully dressed up and took the report I had just finished writing for Elias. Then, I followed Sophie home.

Just as we reached the front door, she gasped and pulled me aside to hide.

"Evie! Elias really brought someone home!"

My smile stiffened. Following Sophie's pointing finger, I saw Elias—who had been entwined with me that morning—hugging and kissing another lady.

The lips that had kissed me were now kissing someone else.

I was frozen, staring blankly at the sight before me.

My hand clenched the bag in my arms, the folders inside pressing sharply against me, as if to mock me. The pain was a cruel reminder that I had been nothing but a clown this whole time.

I instinctively turned to run, but Sophie held me back.

As she pulled me forward, I locked eyes with Elias, who had just finished his kiss.

Our eyes met, and I found guilt in his gaze.

But soon, he looked at us coldly.

"Soph, it's Thanksgiving. Why do you keep bringing random people home?"

The man who whispered words of love to me just the night before now looked at me like a stranger.

Sophie spoke up for me, but Elias' expression stayed icy.

From the look in his eyes, I knew he truly wanted me gone.

My hand tightened involuntarily as I turned to leave.

Then, Elias' new girlfriend spoke up cheerfully.

"Elias, it's Thanksgiving after all. Don't let her spend it alone."

Elias looked at her gently and nodded. "Fine, then let her stay."

His words stabbed me like a knife.

So even staying here required Elias' new girlfriend's permission.

Sophie laughed. "Wow, Elias. You actually listen to your girlfriend, huh? Hurry up and introduce us!"

Elias gently stroked the lady's head and said, "This is Bella Monroe, my girlfriend."

Then, he hugged Bella and regarded us. He said, "This is my sister, Sophie Vaughn, and this one…"

When he introduced me, his voice faltered.

Their gazes both landed on me. I clenched my fists tightly to stop myself from crying.

Elias' cold voice slowly said, "She's my sister's friend and a student working at my house. She's basically our maid."

My heart completely froze.

So after six months together, I was just a maid to him.

I was someone he could kiss and sleep with, but never publicly show.

I swallowed the bitterness, straightened my back, and forced a smile.

"Ms. Monroe and Mr. Vaughn make a great couple. I won't disturb you anymore."

I pushed Sophie's hand away and turned to leave.

As I stepped forward, I realized that my whole body was shaking.

Suddenly, I remembered how Elias had given me a set of lingerie that morning. He had told me to wait for him after handling an important task.

But that all-important task? It was introducing his girlfriend to his family.

All this time, I was just a maid he could use, even while he had a girlfriend. I was a mere nerd who could do his homework whenever he pleased.