[3]

It would be a lie to say Althea wasn’t hurt. It would be hypocritical to say she wasn’t sad or disappointed. But... what could she possibly do to stop any of this? Even the man she had once thought she could rely on turned out to be the very first to break her heart.

Althea wasn’t blind. She could clearly see how Daven made no effort to hide his relationship with his lover. And yet, in front of his grandmother, Daven wore the perfect mask of a loving, attentive husband.

“God,” she whispered, eyes shut tight as the night deepened around her. Tomorrow was another day she had to face. “Please, have mercy on me. Just a little kindness, Lord. Please... grant me this one thing.”

When Althea had told him what she wanted, she never imagined Daven would agree.

That was why she couldn't afford to waste this—perhaps her only—chance.

A child.

Althea wanted a child. A companion in the years to come. Someone she could love without conditions. Someone who would call her “Mama”—even if that was the only warm word she would ever hear in her life.

And she knew... this might be her one and only opportunity.

She had no one left in the world. She wouldn’t ask for anything from Daven. In fact, she had already planned to disappear—to live quietly somewhere far away with her child. Somewhere Daven would never come. Because by then, he would surely be busy living his perfect life with the woman he truly loved.

That was her wish. No matter how many people might call it foolish or insane, she still hoped. She hoped, with all her heart, that God would be kind. That her wish would be granted.

That was why, that morning, Althea stood in front of the tall mirror in her private room. Her small fingers adjusted the soft fringe of her newly trimmed bangs. A little hesitant, but she smiled at her own reflection. Her face had been gently made up—not overly glamorous, but just enough to highlight a beauty she rarely revealed.

Today, she wanted to look beautiful.

Althea wore a simple nude-colored dress that delicately embraced her graceful figure. She smiled softly as her hand brushed the fabric. This morning, she planned to make Daven a special breakfast.

“I’m ready,” she whispered to herself. “If only Daven would hug me in the kitchen—” Ugh!

A flush of warmth rushed to her cheeks. A flurry of romantic novels she had once read flashed through her mind—vivid with their dreamy tales of husband and wife, wrapped in affection, making love in every corner of the house, passion igniting wherever they touched.

“How naive can you be, Althea?” she scoffed at herself. “Daven would never do such a thing.”

But… wasn’t hope often found nestled above the impossible? Sadly, that fragile hope shattered the moment the doorbell rang downstairs—followed by the unmistakable sound of heels and a sharp, mocking laugh.

“Who could that be?” Althea slowly descended the stairs. The subtle smile she had practiced in front of the mirror began to fade, replaced by a calm yet guarded expression.

In the living room, a woman sat with absolute ease. She wore a striking maroon jumpsuit and gleaming high heels.

Vanessa Blake.

Arrogant. Beautiful. And fully aware of the power of her presence. Her face was exactly as it appeared on television screens and countless advertisements. In truth, Althea had to admit—Vanessa looked like a goddess who descended to Earth.

Unfortunately... her smile and manners were said otherwise. Especially when directed at Althea.

“Oh?” Vanessa turned, her gaze sweeping over Althea from head to toe. Her smirk tilted upward with disdain. “So, you do know how to dress up, after all.”

Althea remained poised. “Is there something I can help you with, Miss Vanessa?”

“Oh, straight to the point, are we?” Vanessa rose to her feet, lightly patting the designer bag on her lap. “Aren’t you going to offer me anything? A drink, maybe?” She swept her long hair over one shoulder with practiced ease. “I’d think you’d have the decency to know your place. In this house, you’re the one most suited to serving guests. Your face certainly fits the part, Althea.”

Althea chose to smile.

“I’m not here for small talk,” Vanessa sneered. “I just dropped by. I wanted to see for myself what my fiancé is doing with a woman who doesn’t know her place. I thought you were bluffing when you asked Daven for time, but now I see—you’ve really lost your mind.”

“I’m still capable of thinking rationally, Miss Vanessa.”

Vanessa let out a delighted, mocking laugh. “Rational? Dressed like this? Hoping to seduce Daven?” She stepped forward, eyes blazing. “You’re nothing but a cheap woman!”

Before Vanessa could grab at her dress, Althea moved first. Her hand shot out, clutching Vanessa’s wrist in a firm grip—just enough to make her stop.

“I don’t care if you think I’m cheap, Miss Vanessa. But as of now, I am still Daven Callister’s wife.”

Her gaze didn’t waver. Neither did her grip.

“Watch your boundaries, you bitch!” Vanessa snarled. But then she laughed—quietly at first, the sound sharp and brittle like shattered glass. “Oh, sweetheart… that title—‘Daven Callister’s wife’—only exists on paper. Everyone knows that.”

“And everyone also knows your wedding hasn’t happened yet,” Althea replied softly but clearly. “So until that day comes, I am still his wife. And I will carry out that role properly, Miss Vanessa.”

Vanessa narrowed her eyes. “You really think you can touch him? That you can make him sleep with you? You are truly pathetic.”

“I’m not expecting anything,” Althea said, lifting her chin ever so slightly. “You don’t have to feel threatened by all this, do you? After all, hasn’t it already been decided who the real winner is?” She released her grip and stepped back. She didn’t want to touch the woman Daven loved any longer than necessary.

If it weren’t for the sheer strength of her resolve, Althea might have been in tears already just from facing Vanessa this morning.

Vanessa rubbed the wrist Althea had held. That damn woman! How dare she? She would not let this slide. Althea would pay for it—every bit.

“You know, Althea, I’ve always wondered…” Vanessa said slowly, her words slicing like daggers, “why Daven ever agreed to marry you. You’re nobody. No prestigious background, no powerful connections, not even a name worth mentioning.”

If those words had come from Kate Callister, her mother-in-law, Althea might’ve been able to accept them. But coming from Vanessa—an outsider who, unfortunately, was valued like family within the Callister circle—they stung worse than ever. She could say anything to Althea, and no one would ever stop her.

Althea said nothing, standing there with forced calm. She knew Vanessa was fishing—looking for any crack in her armor to strike. And God, how hard she had to fight not to let the tears fall.

“I used to think Daven married you out of pity. But now, I think… maybe he’s finally realized just how greedy you really are. You act quiet, pretend to be all innocent—but behind that fake purity, you’re sly, aren’t you?”

"That’s enough, Miss Vanessa," Althea said quietly. "If you came here just to insult me, I won’t entertain it. I have no intention of humiliating anyone."

"Humiliate?" Vanessa scoffed with a mocking laugh. "Sweetheart, you’ve already humiliated yourself just by dressing like that. What were you thinking? Would that Daven see you and suddenly fall in love? That he’d leave me for you?"

"I never expected that," Althea replied calmly, her voice steady. "I’m simply fulfilling my role, because that’s the only thing I can do right now."

"Fulfilling your role?" Vanessa sneered. "You sound like a grieving widow. It’s tragic, really. But even more pitiful since your husband is very much alive… and in love with someone else."

Althea bit her lower lip slowly. She lowered her head, inhaling deeply. She would not cry. Not in front of Vanessa. But before she could say a word, footsteps echoed from the upper floor.

Daven.

He had just emerged from his room, wearing a gray shirt and tailored pants. His appearance was relaxed, but the sharpness in his eyes immediately caught the scene unfolding at the bottom of the stairs—Vanessa standing far too close to Althea, whose face looked pale as if she was holding something back.

Before he could speak, another voice cut through the tension.

"What’s going on here? Why all the noise so early in the morning?"

Kate Callister’s sharp tone filled the room as she descended the stairs, flanked by her two daughters—Karina and Felicia—both of whom looked at Althea with the same disdain etched on their mother’s face.

Vanessa wasted no time stepping into her self-appointed role. "Aunt Kate… I just came to express my concern. Look at her—Althea dressed like this just to get Daven’s attention. I’m worried… she may be forgetting her place."

"Oh, for heaven’s sake," Kate eyed Althea from head to toe. "What are you thinking, wearing something like that, Althea? Where’s your sense of decency?"

"I haven’t done anything inappropriate by wearing this. I’m used to dressing like this at home," Althea responded softly, still trying to remain polite.

Karina let out a mocking giggle.

"Goodness, you’ve only lived in this house for a year and already you’re acting like you own the place?"

And it wasn’t just Siena. Felicia chimed in as well.

"This woman is getting bolder by the day!" she snapped, shoving Althea’s shoulder hard enough to make her stumble, nearly falling. "Wake up, Althea! You don’t belong here! You’re completely out of line!"

"Enough!"

Daven’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding, making everyone turn toward him.

"Daven, you’re not planning to defend her, are you?" Karina asked, shocked.

He sighed, clearly exhausted. "I’m not defending anyone. I just want this morning to go on without any of your theatrics. I already have enough on my plate with work."

Vanessa pouted, lips forming a sulky curve. "I’ll take that as a defense for her, darling."

Daven exhaled softly. "That could never happen."

He stepped closer to Vanessa, gently brushing her flowing hair back with his hand, completely ignoring the sadness clouding Althea’s gaze just a few feet away.

Did Daven care?

Not at all.

"I’m asking all of you to end this argument. I need peace and quiet." Daven’s tone was flat, devoid of emotion, but firm enough to silence everyone in the room.

Kate scoffed in irritation. "Oh, for heaven’s sake, fine. I’ll have breakfast elsewhere."

She turned on her heel and walked away without waiting for a response, followed closely by Karina and Felicia—both still shooting scornful looks at Althea as they passed. Vanessa remained where she was, glaring at Althea with thinly veiled rage before finally storming off, her footsteps brisk with irritation.

Once the four of them disappeared from the living room, silence fell.

Daven rubbed his face slowly, looking completely exhausted. "Whatever is going on between you all, don’t make it my problem this morning."

Althea, who had been standing calmly despite the turmoil tearing through her heart, finally found the courage to look up at her husband. Her voice was soft, but steady.

"Then, please allow me to prepare your breakfast. It’ll only take five minutes. You haven’t eaten yet, have you?"

Daven didn’t respond immediately. He stared at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he gave a brief nod. "Fine. Just don’t waste my time."

Althea gave a slight nod and quietly turned toward the kitchen. Five minutes later, she returned carrying a tray with neatly arranged toast, a sunny-side-up egg, and a steaming cup of coffee—even the napkin had been folded to perfection.

Daven was already seated at the dining table, scrolling through documents on his tablet.

"Here," Althea said, setting the tray down in front of him. "I know it’s simple, but... I hope it helps you start your day right."

Daven glanced at the food for a second, then began to eat without saying much.

Althea pulled out a chair and sat across from him, folding her hands on her lap. Her lips parted, hesitant at first, but then she spoke up again.

"You haven’t forgotten your promise, have you?" she asked gently. "I just wanted to remind you."

Daven set down his fork and knife, meeting her gaze with a neutral expression. "No."

Althea gave a small nod. "Then I’ll do my part as your wife—as I should. I’ll prepare your breakfast, make sure you don’t forget any important documents for work," she said with a faint smile, "and everything else a married couple might normally do."

Daven sighed and briefly massaged his temples. "I don’t want any unnecessary drama. You know the limits, Althea. Don’t make me regret agreeing to this."

"I won’t make you regret it," Althea replied, steadying herself. Her brown eyes locked onto his without hesitation. "Just one thing this morning... I only want to ask for one thing."

Daven returned her gaze, disinterested. "What is it?"

"Could you give me... a morning kiss?"