“Amelia…” he began. “Claire is going to be my second wife.”

Second wife? I thought he was joking.

“Good one, Jack,” I laughed. “You got me. Where’s the hidden camera?”

But his expression didn’t change. He was serious. Dead serious.

“You’re joking,” I said. “This isn’t true, right?”

My gaze shifted from him to Claire, who stared back at me like I was the one being unreasonable.

“No,” Jack replied. “Listen, Amelia, this is going to sound unconventional, but it’s practical. Claire is a hardworking woman. She can help with the cooking, cleaning, and other household tasks. This way, everything runs smoothly. And it’s better than sneaking around and having a mistress, right? At least I’m being honest.”

I stared at him, trying to process his words.

He was trying to fit another woman into our lives as if it was no big deal. And he wanted me to appreciate his honesty? Seriously Jack?

Meanwhile, Claire stood behind him, trying to avoid my gaze. I could tell that she wanted to be anywhere but there.

As I stood there, Jack kept rambling about how this was the “best solution” for everyone. That’s when a wicked idea popped into my head.

I folded my arms and waited for him to finish. When he finally stopped talking, I smiled sweetly.

“Alright,” I said. “You can have a second wife. But I’ll set one rule.”

His face lit up. “Of course! Anything! What’s the rule?”

“She can’t approach my second husband,” I announced. “Deal?”

Jack stared at me like I’d just said the most unusual thing he’d ever heard.

“S-second husband?” he stammered. “Wh-what does that mean?”

“Well, if you’re allowed to have a second spouse, why shouldn’t I? Think about it, Jack. Two incomes. Someone to take me out when you’re busy or don’t feel like it. A man who actually buys me flowers. It’s only fair, right?”

“That’s… that’s not how it works!” he spluttered. “You’re being ridiculous, Amelia!”

“Oh, I’m the ridiculous one?” I shot back, raising an eyebrow. “You walk in here with a stranger and expect me to welcome her with open arms, but the idea of me having the same freedom is absurd? Interesting logic, Jack.”

Claire stood frozen, her gaze darting between us like she’d accidentally wandered into the wrong room. If she was nervous before, she now looked like she was seconds away from bolting out the door.

Jack’s face turned red as he tried to justify his idea.

“This is different,” he said. “A man having two wives… it’s acceptable in some cultures. But a woman having two husbands? No one has ever heard of that.”

I snorted. “Oh, so now you’re an expert on culture? Funny, I don’t remember you suddenly adopting any other traditions. Why only THIS SPECIFIC tradition, huh?”

“Amelia, be serious,” he said, his voice rising. “You can’t have a second husband. That’s not how things work!”

“Well, Jack, if you want to live in a ‘traditional’ way, then I guess I’ll embrace some traditions of my own,” I said with a shrug. “But let me be clear. You can’t have a second wife unless I get a second husband. That’s my rule. Take it or leave it.”

He stared at me with eyes wide open. I knew he wanted to scream at me, but even he knew he was the one being unreasonable.

Then, without another word, he turned to Claire. “Go home. We’ll figure this out later.”

Claire didn’t argue. She grabbed her purse and practically ran out the door without even saying goodbye to the man she thought would marry her.

That night, Jack tried everything to convince me I was being unreasonable. “You don’t mean this,” he said, pacing the living room. “You’re just trying to prove a point. Let’s talk about this like adults.”

“We are talking,” I said coolly. “I’ve made my position clear. If you want Claire, I want another husband. Fair’s fair, Jack.”

By morning, his tune had changed. He entered the kitchen with his gaze lowered.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said sheepishly. “Maybe this whole second-wife thing wasn’t such a great idea.”

“Maybe?” I replied, arching an eyebrow.

“Fine. It was a terrible idea. Let’s just forget this ever happened, okay?”

Forget this ever happened? Haha! Nice try, Jack.

“It’s too late to forget everything,” I told him. “Last night, I’d set up a dating app profile, and I’ve already received dozens of messages from men who seem way more interested in being my second husband than I ever expected.”

“What do you mean?” he asked in a trembling voice.

“I’m done, Jack. It’s over,” I said.

The next day, I packed my bags and moved to a friend’s house.

Jack kept calling me, but I didn’t respond. He even sent texts, begging me for forgiveness.

Soon, I filed for divorce, and from what I’ve heard, even Claire stopped answering Jack’s calls.

Guess he should’ve thought twice before pitching such a “practical” solution.