The Clueless Housewife Who Ruined a Genius Chapter 1

My husband was the literary world's most celebrated genius.

Then one evening, he confessed to me. "Stella, my inspiration has run dry. I found someone online, an 'inspiration provider.' Ten thousand a month."

"But it's just work. You are the only one I love."

later, I learned the truth.

He and that provider, the one he had promised never to meet in person, already had a seven-year-old son.

"Chloe, you must hide the child well. Don't let anyone find out."

"After the new book launch, I'll figure out a way to get Stella out of the picture, and give you and the child a proper place."

"Don't worry, she's just a clueless housewife."

I smirked, silently closing the message-sharing app on my phone.

A way out? I'll help you find one.

How kind of me.

Suddenly, the lock turned.

Julian strode in as if he owned the place, an adult and a child trailing behind him.

"What is this?"

I sneered.

My own voice sounded eerily calm.

He turned awkwardly, a guilty smile on his lips.

"Stella, you're home! Perfect, let me introduce you."

"This is Chloe Hayes, the inspiration provider I mentioned. And this is her son, Leo."

Leo? How fitting.

"Didn't you promise you'd never meet in person?"

I cut him off with a cold laugh.

Julian's expression tightened. He hadn't expected me to be this direct.

Chloe's eyes welled up instantly. She stepped forward, a picture of wounded innocence.

"Stella, please don't blame Julian. This is all my fault. If my presence upsets you, I'll leave right now."

She turned as if to go.

"Don't be ridiculous."

Julian quickly moved to block her path.

He turned back to me, his face etched with impatience.

"Enough, Stella, stop making a scene."

"I had no choice. This is all for my work."

"Can't you see it? Chloe's insights are brilliant. She's a single mother, raising a child alone. That mix of strength and fragility she carries...it's exactly what my writing needs. Having her here is purely to facilitate the creative process."

"A single mom? Sounds like a woman with a story."

"So?" I met his gaze, a dismissive curl to my lip.

Julian frowned, annoyed.

"For now, Chloe and the boy will stay here. I've had the guest room prepared. Everything else can wait until after the new book launches."

His tone sharpened abruptly.

"And enough with the interrogation. Everything I do is for the work. There's nothing personal in it."

I almost laughed.

If I hadn't been ready, I might have believed every solemn word.

Three months ago, Julian did mention his writer's block.

He was, after all, the most celebrated literary genius of his time.

Nearly every book he wrote became a sensation.

But that night, he was smoking uncharacteristically.

"Stella, I don't think I can write anymore."

"Every word feels like a stone lodged in my mind...impossible to move.."

My heart sank.

At our wedding ten years ago, he had declared to everyone.

"Meeting Stella was the beginning of all my inspiration."

But now, his eyes were as lost as a child's.

"Stella, I'm truly desperate. The pressure is crushing. The publisher has called three times. Readers ask about the new book every day on social media. The entire world is waiting."

"So I hired someone online-ten thousand a month. She shares life details and emotional stories through messages, just to spark something in me."

He suddenly looked up, a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

"It's a fair trade. She needs the money. I need the inspiration."

My breath hitched.

"You won't meet her in person?"

"Of course not!"

He grabbed my hands at once, his voice certain.

"It's strictly professional. Stella, don't read into this. You'll always be my wife. The only one I love."

And yet now, he was secretly planning how to remove me from his life.

I sank slowly back into the couch and turned on the newest film.

Julian, you didn't really think I was just some useless housewife, did you?