My husband, Herman, was the captain of an ocean freighter. Ten months out of every year, he was somewhere adrift on the sea.
I had always trusted him completely—except for one small, private habit no one ever noticed.
Every time his ship docked for resupply, I’d invite Alice, the first mate’s wife, out for a couple of drinks.
She wasn’t the kind of woman who could keep things to herself. A few glasses in, and the secrets came pouring out.
Alice leaned close to me, her breath warm and wine-tinged, a smile playing on her lips.
“Your husband is a hopeless romantic. Last month, when the ship put in at Marseille, he tracked down a jeweler and had a whole set commissioned—diamond ocean waves. Necklace, bracelet, earrings, the works. Even paid extra to have it shipped back on the supply vessel. I swear, I’m jealous.”
“Really?” I said quietly. “I haven’t received anything.”
Alice gasped.
“Herman said he was bringing them home for his wife. How could you not have gotten them?”
That night, when I got home, I hired a private investigator. What I got back was a photograph of a mafia gathering—and Herman was in it.
On his hand was a ring. The kind of ring only a Don wears.
Then I opened the voyage ledger in my drawer. Beside the jewelry entry on the manifest, the delivery address wasn’t our home.
The sea has its storms, and its calms, and no end. It was time for me to go ashore.
As long as there were no more lies, it didn’t matter where I docked.
The Housewife’s Counterstrike Chapter 09 Two years later. The Atlantic Shipping Regulatory Bureau held a grand celebratory gala in New York. As the largest rights holder and highest-ranking overseer of the Voyager line, I walked gracefully up onto the main stage in a floor-length couture gown of deep black. Before an audience of political and
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The Housewife’s Counterstrike Chapter 08 “She was the one who came to me.” I didn’t even lift my eyelids. “She was crying so hard she could barely breathe! She said you were using a recording to blackmail her, trying to push her over the edge!” Herman roared, his eyes full of pity and fury—for her.
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The Housewife’s Counterstrike Chapter 07 “I know you hold the highest audit authority on that line.” Herman’s voice carried a terror I had never heard from him before. “Selena, I’m begging you—withdraw the complaint.” “This is already destroying my reputation inside the family! A lot of the capos are turning against me. Just withdraw it.
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The Housewife’s Counterstrike Chapter 06 A grave voice replied from the other end of the line: *Received, Selena. Under your highest-level authorization, we will initiate full investigation procedures within three hours and suspend all Vance-family vessel privileges on the Voyager line.* Herman lost it. He lunged at my phone, his voice cracking into something almost
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The Housewife’s Counterstrike Chapter 05 It wasn’t my handwriting at all. The strokes were clumsy, obvious forgery. And beside the signature was a very particular red seal—my personal chop. That chop was locked inside the safe in my study. Herman had broken open the safe and stolen it. Maria’s face changed. She rushed at me
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The Housewife’s Counterstrike Chapter 04 The following evening, the shipping consortium held a homecoming banquet for Herman at a hotel by the port. First thing in the morning, Maria was on the phone. “You have to be there tonight!” “If you don’t come, everyone will say the Donna of the Vance family can’t hold her
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The Housewife’s Counterstrike Chapter 03 Herman’s ship docked five days later. In the past, the run-up to his return had been the busiest time of my year. I’d change the bed to the satin sheets he liked, stuff the fridge with the aged beef he preferred, lay out hangover remedies in advance. Not this time.
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The Housewife’s Counterstrike Chapter 02 Clara hadn’t expected me to be so blunt. Her face darkened at once. She unclasped the necklace and threw it onto the coffee table. “If you want it, take it.” “You think seizing a set of jewelry will change anything? When he’s out at sea, I’m the one he thinks
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The Housewife’s Counterstrike Chapter 01 My husband, Herman, was the captain of an ocean freighter. Ten months out of every year, he was somewhere adrift on the sea. I had always trusted him completely—except for one small, private habit no one ever noticed. Every time his ship docked for resupply, I’d invite Alice, the first
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