When His Family Made His Mistress Their Priority

The evening of Saoirse's birthday party arrived.

Orion and I had talked about letting his old friend Zoe stay in our newly renovated home. He said she'd been mistreated by her husband and had nowhere to go. As he explained, sympathy was written all over his face, and he held a bottle of lavender oil, ready to give her a massage.

I was furious and confronted him on the spot.

He frowned at my reaction, reprimanding, "Shouldn't you, as a woman, support another? Can't you see how much she's suffering? Doesn't it tug at your heartstrings?"

Charlie's voice chimed in from the kitchen, along with her mother's, turning the situation into a family intervention.

"As a woman, you should be generous, but also know your boundaries. Don't be so small-minded."

A few days later, I showed the three of them the door, decisively.

---

Orion ransacked the house, slamming drawers and pointing fingers as he went.

"Zoe and I have known each other since we were kids. Now that she's in trouble, how can we not help? Why are you being so selfish?"

I was taken aback, my voice quivering as I replied, "That house just got renovated. I haven’t even spent a night there myself, and now you want her to live there for a year? Seriously?"

His old flame was obviously a priority.

Frustration deepened in Orion's eyes, his voice growing ominously loud.

"Freya! Can you stop being so melodramatic?"

He took a deep breath and continued, "Why are you so jealous? There's nothing between us anymore. The only reason I'm doing this is because she's pregnant and being abused. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even consider it."

Zoe had been Orion's childhood sweetheart and also went to college with me. Back then, they were the couple everyone envied—professing love under the stars or exchanging notes in the library. But distance got in the way, and they eventually broke up.

I had always admired Orion, believing that a man so devoted would surely be loyal if we were together. I pursued him wholeheartedly, and soon enough, he became my husband.

Before we married, I asked what he’d do if his childhood sweetheart ever wanted him back.

He stroked my cheek and laughed, "Of course, I'd choose my darling wife."

But now, he was fiercely defending his childhood love.

I gripped the edge of the table, taking a deep breath. "Why does it have to be our place? Can't she find an apartment? Wouldn't a studio work?"

Orion's voice erupted, filled with frustration, his eyes glaring.

"How can you be so heartless? She's pregnant, how could she stay in some rented place? What if something happens? Will you take responsibility?"

His words hit me like a cold wave.

What's so bad about renting? Is the outside world so dangerous?

Before our wedding, Orion and his mother had rented without trouble. Why was it different for Zoe?

I rubbed my temples, my voice now softer.

"Orion, have you thought this through? Is it absolutely necessary for her to stay in our home?"

He must have noticed the change in my expression because his tone softened slightly, trying to explain again.

"It's not that I want her there. She's injured and pregnant. Even a little negligence might cause complications. If she's at our place, nearby, I can have peace of mind."

Seeing my silence, he hesitated before adding,

"Mom's going over to help her. Why don't you come too? Maybe you can offer some support?"