13

[Last night wasn’t a mistake for me. If you ever want to talk, text me princess!!!—Knox.]

Kendra scoffed softly in the quiet of her office, the sound barely disturbing the air.

After everything with Richard, the truth had finally crystallized inside her that she deserved better.

She deserved to be loved and chosen without having to fight for it, without shrinking herself or begging for affection that was never freely given.

How had she ever loved a man like him? He had never shown her real affection, he never gave her the affection that wrapped around her heart and made her feel safe.

He was always nonchalant, distant, cold even when she was right there offering everything, understanding him and accepting the fact that he's like that and never judged him.

He never gave her emotional care, just half-hearted apologies and he was really manipulative to the core. Even when she was sick, he'd act like it was a normal pain and leave maids to take care of her.

She had been so blinded. She missed every sign that he was cheating with someone, he could've chosen someone else not her best friend.

Freya was her only true close friend. Kendra had other acquaintances, but she had kept them at arm’s length.

She had always been the boring one, the reliable one who simply wanted to be chosen. And Freya had been there, always available, always smiling, always ready with a listening ear.

Kendra walked to her desk and sank into the chair.

Tears slipped down her cheeks, warmly. It hurt remembering how deeply she had loved a man who saw her as nothing.

He had never respected her. Never loved her emotionally. Yet she had given him everything—her time, her connections, her quiet sacrifices—just to feel wanted by him.

“Mother was right, never force a man to choose you.” She muttered to herself bitterly.

She had built Richard up, gotten him to where he was. And despite how poorly he treated her, she had stayed, hoping he would change.

Kendra wiped her tears and sniffed. Her gaze drifted over the files on her desk.

“If I keep drowning in the past, how will I be strong?” She could allow herself to be weak later, not this time.

The door bell rang and she picked up a remote on her desk to open the door. It was pushed open by Elena who stepped inside, Kendra stared at her blankly.

“I'm really sorry for disturbing you ma'am…”

“What's going on?” she asked, cutting her off.

“I wanted to invite you to have lunch, I didn’t want to go alone and I don't know if you'd be interested.” Elena said, biting her lips.

Kendra sighed. “We can eat here, I don't feel like going anywhere at the moment.”

“It's fine, I'll buy everything and bring it here, do you…”

“Anything you want to eat, let's eat together, Elena.” She said and Elena bowed a little before leaving quickly.

Kendra smiled a little, her stomach made a growl, she didn’t even realize she's hungry. She didn’t eat anything even after the long night with Knox.

***

The Thompson family mansion glowed warmly under the evening lights. Richard’s sleek black car pulled into the private parking area and halted.

He turned off the engine, stepped out, and walked to the other side to open the passenger door for Freya.

Freya stepped out in her emerald green dress, blonde hair cascading beautifully. A blush colored her cheeks.

“Thanks, baby,” she said, smiling up at him.

They shared a lingering kiss before Richard took her hand and gently pulled her close before closing the car door.

Freya couldn’t stop smiling. This was the day she had waited for, walking into his family home openly as his girlfriend, she's always jealous anytime she helps Kendra get dressed to have dinner with the Thompson family. Well, it's her time now, she won't just have dinner with them, but also get everything she wants.

They entered the mansion hand in hand, the grand dining room was beautifully prepared. Evelyn sat at the head of the table. Victor was beside her. Sofia lounged in her seat.

And at the far end sat Grace, Richard’s grandmother in her elegant in her pearl necklace and deep burgundy dress, her sharp eyes missing nothing.

"The audacity of this snitch after having an affair with someone's husband." Grace murmured.

Richard cleared his throat as they approached.

“Good evening my beautiful family.” he greeted warmly.

"Welcome son," Victor was the only one that replied.

“Everyone, I’d like you to meet Freya. Properly this time.” Richard was so eager to introduce her.

Evelyn set down her water glass. “Sit down first. We’ll talk over dinner.”

They all settled in. Servants began serving the chilled asparagus soup with truffle oil.

"Who's this Freya you brought here?" Grace questioned.

"Mother, let's...

"We watched him divorce the only woman who could ever love him and you all did nothing!" Grace cut Victor off angrily.

"Grandma, Kendra doesn't love me, she only thinks about herself!" Richard retorted.