The Unwelcome Guest

Selena stood in the grand living room the next evening, wearing an elegant emerald green dress that the stylist had chosen for her. Tonight was her first official appearance as Mrs. Kingland — a private dinner with three of Matthew’s important business associates. 

She felt like an imposter. 

Matthew had barely spoken two words to her since she moved in. He had spent the entire day in his home office, and now he was standing near the fireplace, looking devastating in a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, checking his watch impatiently. 

The doorbell rang. 

Margaret opened the door, and a wave of expensive perfume filled the room. Selena’s stomach dropped. 

Victoria walked in like she owned the mansion — tall, stunning, with long silky black hair and a tight red dress that left little to the imagination. She was holding a bottle of vintage wine like it was a casual gift. 

“Matt, darling!” Victoria’s voice was sweet and intimate as she walked straight to Matthew. “I heard you had a small dinner tonight, so I thought I’d stop by and surprise you.” 

Matthew’s expression changed the moment he saw her. The cold mask softened slightly. “Victoria. You should have called first.” 

“But where’s the fun in that?” She laughed and leaned in, kissing him on both cheeks, her hand lingering on his chest a second too long. “Besides, I missed you. Paris was so boring without you.” 

Selena stood a few feet away, feeling invisible. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides as she watched the easy familiarity between them. 

Victoria finally turned her sharp gaze toward Selena. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. 

“And this must be the new wife,” she said, looking Selena up and down. “Selena, right? How sweet. You really are… different.” 

The insult was wrapped in honey, but Selena felt every word like a slap. 

Matthew didn’t correct Victoria. He didn’t even introduce Selena properly. He simply gestured toward the dining room. 

“Let’s go. The guests will be here soon.” 

During dinner, Victoria dominated the conversation. She kept touching Matthew’s arm while talking about their shared business deals in Europe, laughing at inside jokes Selena couldn’t understand. The business associates kept glancing between Victoria and Selena, clearly confused about who the actual wife was. 

Selena sat quietly, smiling when expected, playing the part of the graceful wife even as her heart burned with humiliation. 

At one point, Victoria leaned close to Matthew and whispered something in his ear. He smirked — actually smirked — before nodding. 

Selena couldn’t take it anymore. 

“Excuse me,” she said softly, standing up. “I need to check on something.” 

She escaped to the hallway, leaning against the wall as she tried to steady her breathing. It's either she's angry or uneasy. 

This was only day two, and she was already suffocating. 

Footsteps approached. She looked up to see Matthew walking toward her, his face hard. 

“What are you doing?” he asked coldly. “The guests are still here.” 

Selena looked him straight in the eyes, her voice shaking with emotion. 

“Is she always going to be around like this? In *our* home?” 

Matthew stepped closer, towering over her. His voice was low and dangerous. 

“Victoria is a friend and business partner. She was in my life long before you. Don’t start making demands, Selena. You are here for one reason only — to fulfill the contract. Nothing else.” 

He turned to leave, then paused. 

“And smile when you come back. You’re embarrassing me.” 

As he walked away, Selena stared at his retreating back, something dark and painful twisting in her chest. 

For the first time, she realized just how cruel her husband could be. And how little she meant to him. 

The elegant dining room felt more like a battlefield than a dinner table. 

After dinner, as the guests were leaving, Victoria turned to Matthew with a sweet smile. 

“Matt, it’s already so late and I can’t seem to find a taxi nearby. Would it be okay if I stayed in one of the guest rooms tonight?”

Matthew glanced at Selena for half a second before answering. 

“Of course.” 

Victoria turned to Selena with raised eyebrows, as if daring her.

Selena forced a warm smile, even though her stomach was twisting. 

“You’re welcome to stay anytime, Victoria,” she said softly, her voice steady. “This is Matthew’s house after all.” 

Victoria’s smile widened. “How gracious. Thank you, darling.” 

As Margaret showed Victoria to the guest room on the west wing, Selena excused herself and went up to her own room in the east wing. 

She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, letting out a long breath. 

None of my business, she told herself firmly. They can do whatever they want. This is just a contract. One year. That’s all. 

But her mind kept flashing unwanted images — Matthew and Victoria alone in this huge mansion, laughing, touching, maybe even more. She shook her head hard, trying to push the thoughts away. 

She wasn’t supposed to care. She wouldn’t care.