The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 46

The Empty Bed

At the opposite end of the corridor, in the master bedroom that had just become hers, Clarissa Sterling stood before the large mirror with a practiced confident smile.

Maroon lingerie–delicate lace that barely covered anything, with strategically placed details–hugged her body perfectly. She turned slightly, checking every angle, making sure everything was perfect.

Hair tied low with loose waves that looked effortlessly sexy. Natural makeup but with bold red lips. Perfume–the same one she wore five years ago, the one Daniel used to say he liked–sprayed at pulse points.

Everything calculated. Everything planned.

Tonight was her first night living in the mansion as part of the household. Her first night sleeping in the room that used to be exclusively Daniel’s.

And Clarissa would not waste this opportunity.

She had waited too long for this. Five years outside, watching from afar, regretting her impulsive decision to leave when Junior was born. Five years of losing the position that should have been hers from the start.

But now she was back.

And tonight, she would reclaim Daniel. Completely.

The sound of a car engine outside made Clarissa’s smile widen.

Daniel was home.

She glanced at the clock on the bedside table. Eleven fifteen.

Earlier than usual–Daniel usually came home at midnight or even later when there were big projects. But tonight he came home earlier.

Perhaps because he knew Clarissa was waiting.

Clarissa sat on the edge of the bed with a carefully arranged posture–back straight, legs crossed at a flattering angle, one hand casually resting behind.

A pose that looked natural but was actually the result of practicing in front of the mirror.

She waited.

Hearing the sound of the mansion’s main door opening and closing from a distance. Faint sounds—maybe Daniel talking to staff still awake.

Then footsteps.

Clarisa adjusted her position slightly, making sure her lingerie looked good from the best angle.

H smile widened.

But the footsteps didn’t approach the master bedroom.

Clarissa frowned slightly, listening more carefully.

Footsteps climbing the stairs–that must be Daniel, his footsteps were familiar–but then… moving away. In the opposite direction from the master bedroom.

+30 Bonus

Clarissa stood, walked to the door and opened it slightly, peeking out.

The corridor was empty

No Daniel.

She closed the door again, staring at the clock.

Ileven twenty

Maybe Daniel went to his study first. Or to Junior’s room to check on the boy before bed.

Yes That must be it

Larissa returned to sit on the bed, maintaining her pose, waiting.

ve minutes passed.

Ten minutes.

Fifteen

Clarissa began to feel her posture stiffening. Her smile that was wide earlier dropped to something more forced.

Where was Daniel?

Half an hour passed.

Clarissa couldn’t maintain the pose anymore. She stood, pacing a bit in front of the mirror, checking her appearance once more.

Still perfect. Lingerie still sitting perfectly. Makeup still flawless.

But Daniel didn’t come.

orty five minutes.

atste stared at the door with mounting frustration.

Daniel not know she was here? Did he not expect Clarissa would be waiting?

Was he deliberately avoiding her?

Impossible

gadgaret hav at and everything. Had told Daniel that Clarissa was moving into the master bedroom. Daniel ared He didn’t protest

why wat he coming?

& Fun bour Class wanted, and Dandel didn’t appear

elated at her reflection in the clirur lungerie that was sexy but now felt ridiculous, a pose that was dugove but for whom it no one was wachung

from the chal gut put it on tying it somewhat roughly– then

walked to the door.

+30 Bonus

Opening it and stepping out.

The corridor was quiet. Lights dimmed for nighttime.

And–Clarissa noticed with sudden shock–there was no security in front of Alina’s bedroom door.

Usually Mr. Harris or one of the other security guards stood watch there all night. But tonight the corridor in front of Alina’s room was completely empty.

Strange.

But Clarissa didn’t have time to think about that now.

She walked quickly–but carefully not to make noise–toward Daniel’s study on the first floor.

The door was open. The room dark. Empty.

Clarissa frowned deeper.

She went upstairs again, walked to Junior’s room.

Opening the door slowly, peeking inside.

Junior was sleeping in his bed–small, vulnerable, with a robot doll clutched tight. Alone.

No Daniel.

Clarissa closed the door slowly, standing in the corridor with mounting confusion and frustration.

Where was Daniel?

He wasn’t in the study. Not in Junior’s room. Not in the master bedroom.

Where else-

Footsteps at the end of the corridor made Clarissa turn.

Mr. Harris–head of security–walked from the direction of the stairs with a clipboard in hand, clearly just finished his night rounds.

He stopped when he saw Clarissa, surprise clear on his face seeing her still awake and he quickly averted his gaze from the lingerie barely covered by the robe.

“Mrs. Sterling,” he greeted professionally but awkwardly. “Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Mr. Harris,” Clarissa stepped closer, voice dropping to something more urgent. “Have you seen Daniel—I mean, Mr. Blackwood–tonight? He came home but I can’t find him,”

Mr. Harris looked at her with a slightly uncomfortable expression.

“Mr. Blackwood went upstairs about half an hour ago, Ma’am.”

“Where? I already checked his study, Junior’s room

11

“Sir is probably in Mrs. Alina’s room,” Mr. Harris interrupted with a carefully neutral tone.

Clarissa froze. “What?”

リーダ

+30 Bonus

“Sir said he would sleep there,” Mr. Harris continued, clearly uncomfortable with this conversation but still

professional. “While Mrs. Sterling stays in the master bedroom. So I dismissed the security who usually guards Mrs. Alina’s door because Sir is already inside.”

Those words hit Clarissa like a physical blow.

Daniel… sleeping in Alina’s room?

Her face paled. Her hand gripping the robe clenched until her knuckles turned white.

“Since when?” she asked in a voice barely steady.

“Sir went in around eleven thirty, Ma’am. Hasn’t come out since.”

Half an hour ago.

Half an hour, while Clarissa waited in the master bedroom with ridiculous lingerie, Daniel was already in Alina’s

room.

Sleeping with his wife.

The wife who was supposed to mean nothing. The contract wife who was supposed to be just a formality.

But Daniel chose to sleep with her.

For the first time–Clarissa knew from Margaret that they had never slept together before, never consummated the marriage–Daniel chose to sleep in Alina’s room.

And it happened right when Clarissa moved into the mansion.

“Mrs. Sterling?” Mr. Harris looked at her with growing concern. “Are you alright, Ma’am?”

Clarissa didn’t answer.

Couldn’t answer.

Shock and anger and humiliation mixed into something overwhelming.

She turned without a word and walked almost ran–back to the master bedroom.

Mr. Harris watched her leave with an uncomfortable expression, clearly wanting to say something but not knowing what.

Then he shook his head slowly and continued his rounds.

***

Clarissa closed the master bedroom door hard–too hard, a sound that echoed in the corridor–but she didn’t care.

She stood in the middle of this spacious and luxurious room symbol that she was back in the position rightfully hers.

But now it felt like mockery.

Like a gilded cage but still a cage.

a room she thought would be her triumph, a

Her eyes fell on the large bed still perfectly made the bed she expected to share with Daniel tonight.

An empty bed.

+30 Bonus

Because Daniel chose to sleep with Alina.

“NO!”

A frustrated scream came out without her realizing.

Clarissa grabbed the flower vase on the table–an expensive arrangement that Margaret specially ordered to welcome her- and threw it at the wall.

CRASH!

Shattered glass and flowers scattered on the marble floor.

But that wasn’t enough.

Not enough to outlet the anger boiling in her chest.

She grabbed a photo frame–a photo of Daniel and Junior displayed on the side table- and slammed it to the floor.

CRASH!

Glass shattered. Frame cracked.

The table lamp. Another vase. A jewelry box.

Everything thrown, slammed, destroyed with uncontrolled fury.

“WHY?!” she screamed at the empty room, her voice raw with anger and something resembling desperation. ” WHY DID HE CHOOSE HER?!”

Her breath came quickly, irregularly.

Makeup that was perfect earlier was now smudged with tears of frustration she didn’t realize were flowing.

The sexy lingerie now felt like a cruel joke.

Clarissa stared at the destruction around her–broken glass, trampled flowers, overturned furniture.

And felt something in her chest turn cold. Calculated.

Anger transformed into something more dangerous.

Determination.

She would not lose.

Not to Alina Hayes.

Alina who was plain, boring, who had nothing except five years raising a child who wasn’t hers.

Clarissa had history with Daniel. Had Junior–biologically. Had beauty, charm, connections that Alina didn’t have.

She would not lose.

But clearly, the strategy had to change.

Clearly, Daniel still had… something for Alina. Whether it was guilt, pity, or God forbid, actual feelings.

And that had to be destroyed.

+30 Bonus

Alina had to be eliminated. Completely. Permanently.

It wasn’t enough just to take Junior. Not enough just to move into the mansion.

Alina had to be gone.

And Clarissa would make sure that happened.

By whatever means necessary.

She walked to the mirror–staring at her disheveled reflection, smudged makeup, robe slightly open showing lingerie no one saw.

Then smiled.

A cold smile. Calculated. Dangerous.

“You think you won, Alina,” she whispered at the reflection as if it could hear. “You think Daniel chose you.”

She took a tissue, began wiping off makeup with deliberate movements.

“But this is just the beginning. And I will make sure-” she stared into her own eyes in the mirror with almost manic intensity, “-you will wish you never met Daniel Blackwood.”

In the room across the corridor, unaware of the brewing storm, Daniel slept with Alina in his embrace.

For the first time.

And perhaps if Clarissa had her way for the last time.

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