His Housewife Had Secret Identities novel Chapter 42

"So that's why you kept turning down Elmer White all through high school. I always wondered what the reason was, but now I get it—it was because of Jonathan."

Niamh's chest tightened at the mention of Elmer White.

The bedroom fell silent for a moment. Lana tapped her own forehead in mock reproach.

"Sorry, sorry, my bad. Let's talk about something else… What about Julian? He's easy on the eyes too. Okay, maybe not Jonathan-level, but definitely some fresh eye candy."

"Are you suggesting a married woman seduce a college kid?" Niamh snorted, half amused, half exasperated.

"Why not? Your husband's a married man and that hasn't stopped him. He's out there every day, hanging all over that bitch—totally shameless."

Whenever Jonathan's name came up, Lana never had anything good to say.

Niamh picked up her phone to check the time and absentmindedly scrolled through her feed.

Jonathan almost never posted, but tonight, surprisingly, he had. There was a photo, too—a bedroom she didn't recognize, with a big double bed right in the center. The decor was unfamiliar.

But it was the comment underneath, from Preston Winslow, that caught her eye.

Preston Winslow: Ditched me for drinks, huh? Turns out you'd rather spend the night with your darling. Bros before hoes, my ass.

"What's your sorry excuse for a husband done now?" Lana asked, instantly suspicious as soon as she saw Niamh's face.

"It's nothing. He just posted a picture from Marina's place."

Lana's eyes widened. "Is he trying to rub it in your face? Unbelievable!"

"Maybe." Niamh sighed and, in a few sentences, told Lana about the awkward, miserable encounter with Jonathan in the hotel room.

"I was the one who told him to go to Marina's, so posting that picture is probably just his way of getting back at me… I guess?"

Her voice trailed off, growing unsure. Was Jonathan really so petty as to post for her benefit? Did he actually care that much about what she thought?

"Are those hickeys?" Genevieve whispered to Melanie, eyes gleaming with gossip. "Look at Marina, all bashful and radiant. Her boyfriend must be amazing in bed."

"He's not just great in bed—he's loaded, too. I heard all those designer labels she wears are gifts from him."

"Oh, God. I want a boyfriend like that."

Genevieve and Melanie could barely hide their envy.

Beside them, Niamh's hand froze around her pen. The creative spark she'd felt earlier evaporated in an instant.

For the new product line, Monica had demanded ten designs from each team member. In the end, Marina had three designs chosen. Everyone else had one.

Niamh had none.

As soon as the lunch break started, she knocked on Monica's office door.