"Why do you keep saying I'm making a scene? Isn't it kind of tradition—back in the day, if a husband messed around, the other woman would at least show some respect to the wife? I even brought her two chickens to take care of her health. I'd say that's more than generous for a first wife," I said, calm and controlled, not yelling or whining, but every word landed like a knife, cutting through their pride.
Jasper's face grew darker, sweat beading cold across his forehead.
The guests' whispers swirled, fueling his shame even more.
Someone muttered aloud, "So the twins are illegitimate, then?"
Bianca broke into tears, clutching the children, looking every inch the helpless victim. "Jasper, I don't want to make things difficult for you. The children and I shouldn't have existed in the first place. I'll take them and leave."
She intentionally directed her tear-filled eyes at me, appearing as if I had bullied her past her limit.
"I'm not looking to start a fight, but I can stay out of your way. You can have Jasper. I ask that you stop smearing me and not drag my kids into this."
With that, she turned as if to leave, playing her retreat-to-advance game.
And sure enough, Jasper fell for it. Panic flashed across his face as he hurriedly pulled her and the babies into his arms.
The picture they made looked like a happy family of four.
He glanced at me, eyes conflicted, then raised his voice.
"If you have a problem, take it on me, Katie. Don't bully Bianca. We've been separated for a long time, the divorce is already in process!"
"You just want more money. I can give you more. Just apologize to Bianca," Jasper insisted.
I never expected to see Jasper display this kind of face. To protect Bianca's reputation, he actually had the nerve to shift the blame back onto me.
So I went along, replying, "Fine. I can apologize. Tell me, how much will one apology cost me? If you're willing to pay up, I'll apologize until you're broke."
Jasper's frown deepened. He clearly hadn't expected me to flip his little script like that.
Bianca couldn't keep her mouth shut when the second sum of money came in.
She put on that pitiful, wounded act and whined, "Jasper, I don't want her apology. She wouldn't mean it anyway. Just make things clear with her today. Save us the trouble of her stalking us and spreading lies. I don't want my children influenced by someone like her."