A welcome party

"Mom"

Anusha's heartbreaking sob makes Mrs. Nicole dwell on the situation. Her peaceful afternoon seems to have faced some troubles which she is not going to accept easily.

" Sweetie!!. What happened!? Why are you crying?"

And, of course, she won't let things go when her favourite girl whom she always wanted to have as Daughter-in-law is crying. She asks, standing up from the couch.

" | shouldn't have come back. Mom. I hate when people hate me." She weeps until her cheeks get reddened. Anyone will fall for her facial expressions which look so genuine.

"What happened? Calm down. My child!!" Mrs. Nicole hugs her, helping her to sit down on the couch.

" Gwen hates me. Not only that she call me a homewrecker, but also she called me a wh@re. Mom I loved Derek first. Derek loves me too. She is the one who is a homewrecker! Wahh!!!"

" How dare she!!" A roar shakes the wall from Mrs. Nicole. She can't believe that Gwen dared to hurt her soon-to-be Daughter-in-law.

"I should just leave. Mom, I feel like I am doing adultery. I shouldn't have come. I should have stayed away from him. He is now a married man. I became a mistress who is having an affair with a married man! I am a disgusting woman! I deserve it!"

"Don't cry. I think I should teach her a lesson. She got a big heart to talk like this." Mrs. Nicole grunts.

"I am so upset now. I wish I could meet my mother if they didn't leave for a business trip abroad" She hugs Mrs. Nicole whose eyes glisten as she hears about Anusha's mother. She is a fan of that actress but she doesn't come here from England.

"Don't worry. It's detrimental to your health. I'll have a conversation with her," she assures.

Gwen has drifted into a peaceful slumber on the chair when her mother-in-law abruptly enters the room. The older woman notices Gwen sleeping and clenches her teeth in frustration.

"Sleeping like royalty, are we? How dare you mistreat my soon-to-be daughter-in-law!" Her mother-in-law's voice pierces the room.

With sudden fury, she seizes a bucket of icy water from the bathroom and douses Gwen, startling her awake. Trembling, Gwen registers her mother-in-law's bloodshot eyes fixated on her.

"Who granted you the right to label my soon-to-be daughter-in-law an adulterer? Have you lost your senses?" Her words are filled with accusations.

And Two stinging slaps follow forcefully on Gwen's face, causing her jaw to ache intensely as sharp pain courses through her.

"I'll inform my son about this. Do you believe you can act with impunity? I will not hesitate to take drastic action if you raise your voice," her mother-in-law threatens, her tone seething with anger.

As her mother-in-law storms out, her departure resembles a snake recoiling after being trodden upon.

Gwen remains silent, unable to utter a word. She feels drained, a hollow numbness enveloping her.

By evening, Gwen lay in bed, her body battling a fever induced by the shock of the cold water drenching her earlier. While trying to warm herself, she turns around but her tired eyes catch sight of a figure glaring at her intensely.

Derek Nicole, with a look of fury, etches on his face, wastes no time in confronting her.

"Did you label Anusha as a homewrecker?" His voice is sharp and accusatory.

In response, Gwen replies calmly, "I did."

"You know you're overstepping your boundaries," Derek Nicole warns.

"I did, And I know." Gwen reiterates, unfazed. "So what?" Her words are resolute, carrying an air of finality.

"Nevermind. I've already submitted the divorce application. We'll be divorcing soon," He speaks rubbing his forehead.

" Can't Wait!" she added coolly, her anticipation palpable.

With that declaration, Gwen pulls the blanket tightly around herself. Her fever soared, and her body weakened by the tumultuous events.

Next morning...

The feverish temperature is yet to leave as she walks downstairs after a nap. Her body is still weak and battling with the fever which causes her lightheadedness.

But her eyebrows narrow, glancing at the grocery bags all over the kitchen floor. Servants are walking here and there with hurried steps.

" What's going on?" She can't help but inquire.

" Oh! You are here, Madam! Elder Madam is throwing a welcome party this evening for Young Master. Can you help us, please? It's too much work!"

Gwen nods silently, walking inside the kitchen. After coming here, those three years, she has been working like a slave but she had no complaints. Working keeps her soul alive, wishing, she would find her soulmate, her husband returning home and to her.

However, now she wants to work to keep her mind and heart occupied. By this, she can forget about everything that happened yesterday. It still feels like she is having a nightmare and she hates it.

" Are you okay? Ma'am! Your face is red. Do you have Fever?"

One of the servants notices her cheeks getting reddened. But she gives a silent nod as a negative answer.

A hopeless sigh escapes from the servants. They're not blind. They can see everything and they know what happened to her.

The time seems to have passed little, Gwen completed preparing the ingredients for BBQ and other foods. However, her attention goes to the servants who keep whispering while staring at something or someone.

To see what exactly is happening outside, she glances outside.

Her expressive eyes watch the people who return home with numerous shopping bags, her heart skips a beat as she finds her beloved husband taking care of exhausted Anusha who is resting her head on his shoulder. They returned after shopping.

Her eyes avert away from them, not being able to see them together. She has accepted her fate and she doesn't want to be bothered by them anymore.

But her eyes go to the screen of her phone. The unregistered number creates a frown on her forehead.

As she opens the message, she sighs, reading, " Don't Come To The Party. I don't want anyone to know that you are my wife!"

At evening...

The loud sound and people's chattering keep the Garden warm. People from different places, Derek's friends, everyone is having a party.

Thankfully, the room is soundproof, so using this advantage, Gwen closes the windows and door before heading inside her bedroom.

She won't have to worry about their dinner anymore. It's better to sleep for a while.

However, pouring water into her plans, her mother-in-law knocks on the door, shouting..." Gwen! Come Out! You little bitch!"

Her body flinches on its own. Every time she calls her Bitch she has to face something bad. The worst one was locking her in the storage room for the entire day.

" Mom?" she opens the door, frightened...

" Don't you have common sense? We have lots of people to serve. What are you doing here? Go and help to Grill the meat for Guests!"

Gwen's jaw clenches as she feels disappointed in herself because she has her hopes up. She has to suffer and it's not deniable.

" And, Don't dare to flirt with another man. You low-class filth!"