The Dinner

Chapter Two –

The Dinner

I arrived at Golden Crown Hotel with my heart beating so fast it felt like it wanted to jump out of my chest. I kept telling myself this was a chance. Maybe if I showed up, Mama Grace and the rest of the family would see that I still cared. Maybe they would accept me.

I walked into the bright, glittering hall. The smell of food, the soft music, the clinking of glasses—it was all so grand, so much more than I had imagined. For a second, I felt out of place in my simple dress, but I forced myself to stand tall.

Then my eyes moved to the table.

Four chairs. That was what I had expected. One for Mama Grace, one for my sister-in-law, one for Daniel, and one for me.

But there were five chairs.

My heart skipped. Why five? I blinked quickly, pretending not to notice. Maybe it was just an extra seat. Maybe I was overthinking.

I walked forward and bent slightly. “Good evening, Mama. Good evening, Lena,” I greeted softly, trying to sound respectful.

Mama Grace only nodded coldly. Lena, my sister-in-law, leaned back in her chair with a smirk.

“So, you shamelessly came,” Lena said, her voice loud enough for everyone around to hear.

Heat rose to my cheeks.i wanted to say, they called me to come, I wanted to melt into the ground, but I forced a small smile. “It’s Daniel’s birthday. Of course I would come.”

She chuckled and whispered something into her mother’s ear. They both looked at me with the same expression, mockery.

I sat down slowly, my hands tight on my small purse, my body stiff. I told myself to ignore them, to endure it just a little longer.

Then, the doors opened.

I turned my head, expecting to see Daniel walk in. And yes, it was him. My husband. Tall, handsome, with that same serious face he always carried.

But my smile froze when I saw the woman beside him.

He was holding her hand.

I blinked once, twice. My vision blurred for a moment, and I felt my stomach twist. I knew that face. I had seen her pictures on his phone before. Each time I asked, Daniel told me she was just “an old friend.” He laughed it off, saying I was being insecure.

But now… now she was here. Beside him. Holding his hand.

I quickly bowed my head, burying my face. My chest ached as if someone had pushed a knife into it.

Lena jumped to her feet instantly, her voice bright. “Sister!” she cried as she ran to hug the woman. “I am so happy you came.”

The woman smiled and hugged her back. My heart sank deeper. So, this was Lena’s plan? She had brought her here.

Even Daniel looked shocked. His eyes widened, and I could tell he had not expected this. Which meant… it was not his idea. It was Lena’s and that woman’s.

But it didn’t matter. The picture was clear to everyone. My husband was walking in with another woman, hand in hand, while I sat there like a fool.

People in the hall started whispering. I could hear the low voices, feel their stares burning into me.

Lena’s eyes darted back to me, and she smirked. “Elena, do you see now? You are always disgracing our family. Look at you—sitting there like a stranger. Why don’t you just leave my brother alone? Let him be happy with a real woman.”

Tears filled my eyes. I tried to blink them away, but they spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them. I wanted to speak, to defend myself, but no words came. My voice was trapped in my throat.

The woman sat gracefully in the empty chair—the fifth chair. The chair I had ignored. Now I understood why it was there. It was for her.

I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to hold myself together. But Lena wasn’t done.

“You should have stayed home,” she spat. “Instead of coming here to embarrass us. Everyone knows you cannot give my brother a child. What kind of wife are you? Always following him around like a shadow. Always disgracing us!”

Her words pierced my ears, sharper than knives. My vision blurred again as more tears ran down my face. I could hardly breathe.

Then I felt a sudden grip on my arm. Strong, rough.

Daniel.

He had come to my side, his face dark, his jaw tight. Without saying a word, he dragged me up from my seat, his hand biting into my skin.

“Daniel—” I gasped, my voice breaking. But he didn’t care. His grip only tightened.

He pulled me roughly away from the table, away from the whispers and the stares, dragging me toward the corner of the hall.

My heart pounded wildly. His face was stormy, unreadable. And in that moment, I didn’t know what hurt more—the humiliation from his family, or the fact that even he couldn’t handle me with care.