Chapter 1

“Tessa, where are you hurrying off to? Don’t you think you should rest a bit before going back home? You just finished working double shifts and you look like you might pass out.” Dr. Anya complained when she saw Tessa changing out of her scrubs like she was being timed.

When she had changed, she closed her eyes and massaged her temples for a few seconds; she was beyond exhausted, but she shook her head, “I have a lot to do.” She rushed out of the hospital and brushed through the grocery store to buy lobster.

She had to make lobster bisque for Helena Whitmore’s high society gathering tonight and she was already a minute behind.

Which meant she was late.

As soon as she arrived at the Whitmore mansion, she went straight into the kitchen.

“Where is that wife of yours? Doesn’t she know what today is?” Helena Whitmore, Tessa’s mother-in-law nagged in a low voice to Mark Whitmore as she maintained a smile while facing and nodding to the other socialites.

Mark Whitmore, Tessa’s husband scanned the room, “I’ll go get her.” He was about to step out when Tessa entered the room carrying a tray of lobster bisque.

As Tessa walked into the room, a sudden wave of dizziness washed over her, she staggered back and was going to regain her balance when Vanessa Ross, Mark’s Ex-wife set her leg.

She tripped, spilling the whole tray content to the floor.

The loud sound attracted everyone’s attention as they stared at her, trying to figure out what had happened.

Helena’s face burned red as she glared at her, “What nonsense is this? Is this how you serve guests?” her voice was stern as she scolded her without mercy.

“I… I am sorry. I was just tired and lost my footing for a second.” she apologized nervously as she hurriedly picked up the food content from the floor with her bare hands.

Helena’s face scrunched up in disgust, “Tired? What else do you do asides spend my son’s money? You pretend to be busy as a trauma nurse in the hospital to avoid house chores and now you have ruined the meal!”

“It’s bad enough that you cannot carry a child in your womb, but now it is a tray and you still can’t carry it in your hands.” She mocked with disdain.

Tessa’s hand picking the food from the floor paused. Her eyes glistened with tears.

She was barren, yes.

She was spending Mark’s money?

How come she didn’t know of this?

Not only did she take on double shifts to the point of exhaustion to be able to get more salary and cover house expenses because Mark keeps claiming there were no profits from the group, she works overtime and pays for things they take for granted.

She had just finished attending to ten trauma patients and had rushed over not minding that her head ached like it would fall off at anytime just to make the lobster bisque like she was asked to do.

Why was nothing she did ever enough just because she was barren? It has been six years and nothing ever seems to satisfy her.

Seeing her meekness, Helena’s words turned more vile. “If you were pregnant, then I would have understood the tiredness, but it’s six years now and you can’t even do this one thing every woman should be able to do. Now cooking also seems to be something too difficult for you to do.”

“Of what use are you to my son? He has already been so kind hearted to let you stay after your inability to give him children, you should be grateful and stop causing trouble.”

Tears flowed down Tessa’s cheeks as she felt even worse. Her heart was in pain it made her chest feel stuffy but she tried her best to hold her emotions in so as not to annoy Helena even more.

She looked at Mark, desperately hoping that he would defend her or at least say something.

Mark Whitmore was her husband; the man she had married and helped raise a multi-billion dollar company willingly not minding that he was already a divorcee with two children.

She loved him and that was all that mattered. She didn’t believe he would leave her undefended.

Mark frowned lightly as he stared at her feeling repulsed by her appearance; the oil had stained her dress all over and she looked haggard.

He was embarrassed, “Since you said you are tired, just clean it up quickly and leave already. You can make something else and send it through one of the other maids, don’t disturb the guests.”

Tessa stared at him; lost for a few seconds then she cleared her throat nervously and sniffled hard, she cleaned it up and finally stood up with the tray. She wiped her right hand clean and dipped it into her pocket, fishing out a hairpin and a limited action figure.

She forced a smile as she approached her step-children. “I saw these while I was grocery shopping. They were the only ones available and I made sure to buy it before someone else got it, these are the ones you wanted, right?”

Mark’s children, who were Tessa’s stepchildren were standing beside Mark. They clamped their noses close with their fingers as they made irritated noises with their mouths.

“This is starting to stink badly already. Dad, please let her leave already she is embarrassing me in front of my friends.” Grayson Whitmore, the fourteen years old son and youngest child complained as he eyed her.

“Just keep them in our room and we will check them out later.” He narrowed his eyes, “Make sure they are the originals and not fakes.”

Cassie Whitmore, the sixteen years old daughter avoided her gaze like she didn’t have any relationship with her.

Her heart fell as she watched the two children she had taken care of with much dedication treat her with contempt. She even stood in a long queue in between her shifts just to make sure she got them before they were sold out.

Helena snapped. “Get going already. Haven’t you embarrassed us enough?”

In all of this, Venessa Ross remained silent. Her lips curved up with a provocative smile as she stared at Tessa with conceit.

Tessa folded the things in her hand and still forced a smile. They were kids and it was hard for them to open up to her. They will certainly come around soon.

She consoled herself as she let out a heavy breath.