A Bittersweet Reality

Just as Gwen was about to step inside her old home, she stopped dead in her tracks. Through the window, she caught sight of Hans laughing uproariously with Sienna at the dining table. 

'Hans is laughing like that? He looks so genuinely happy.' Gwen thought, a heavy lump forming in her throat. 'In all the time he’s been with me, he has never laughed so freely.'

She watched as the two moved into the living room, settling onto the threadbare couch. Sienna gently began massaging Hans’s aching shoulders.

"Sweetheart, if you keep treating me like this, I’m going to work twice as hard to bring home a fortune for you," Hans murmured tenderly. "Thank you for being such a patient, loving wife."

Sienna offered a soft smile. "I don't mind enduring a tough life with you, Hans. Just promise me one thing—never cheat on me."

"How could I ever cheat on you? You have no idea how deeply I love you, Sienna!" Hans turned around and pressed a soft, affectionate kiss on the crown of her head.

A sudden, sharp pang of jealousy sliced through Gwen's heart as she witnessed their intimacy. No matter how much she loathed poverty, she still loved Hans. He was handsome, unfailingly gentle, patient, and devoted. 

Seeing another woman wrapped in his tender gaze was unbearable. A dark cloud hung over Gwen as she slunk away from the house, her steps heavy and uncertain. The thought of Sienna sharing a bed with her husband sent a cold shiver down her spine.

A sharp car horn startled her out of her thoughts. 

"Sienna! What on earth are you doing out on the street dressed in that tight, short skirt? You're embarrassing me!" Jeff leaned out of his luxury car window, his eyes blazing with fury.

Gwen realized she had already walked all the way back to Sienna's estate. 

"Where have you been?" Jeff hissed under his breath, darting quick glances around the neighborhood to make sure no locals were watching.

"Where have 'you' been?" Gwen shot back, glaring right back at him. "Why are you complaining about my clothes? You spent the night with your mistress and I don't say a word!"

"Oh, so you've found your voice now, have you?" Jeff growled sharply. "I give you stacks of cash and you still dare to talk back to me? Get inside!" He practically bared his teeth in disgust at the sight of her thigh-high pencil skirt.

"Why do you care so much if I wear a short skirt?" Gwen demanded.

"Because of what people will think!" Jeff snapped in a low, dangerous whisper. "My mother just returned from her pilgrimage to Mecca. We are supposed to be the picture-perfect, respectable couple in front of the neighbors. You looking like a dignified, expensive wife elevates my status! Don't wander around looking like cheap trash. Get inside. Now!"

Gwen scoffed, turning her head away. So Jeff only demanded perfection from Sienna to protect his own high-society reputation, not out of love. 

The contrast hit her like a physical blow. She recalled the warm, quiet moment between Hans and Sienna in that cramped, rundown house. Sienna was being genuinely loved, while Jeff's reputation as a handsome, wealthy, and devoted husband was nothing more than a hollow facade.

Gwen walked back inside, but before she could reach her room, Susan and Trina immediately cornered Jeff to air out their grievances.

"Jeff, you need to put your wife in her place!" Trina whined loudly. "She acted like a defiant monster today! She didn't do a single chore and had the nerve to talk back to Mom!"

"She's right, Jeff," Susan added, maintaining her poise yet spewing venom. "You can't just focus on making money; you need to discipline your wife. And she had the audacity to step outside in a short skirt today. Tell her not to bring shame on this family with such tacky outfits!"

"Alright, Mom. I'll handle her," Jeff muttered curtly before heading straight up to the master bedroom.

Inside, Gwen had already changed into one of Sienna's modest loungewear dresses.

"Why didn't you cook today? And why were you out shopping all day?" Jeff asked, his tone dropping back to his usual detached coldness.

"I was bored, so I went out and spent your money," Gwen replied carelessly. "If we have so much money, why are you making a fuss about me doing housework? Just hire a maid!"

"We can't do that, Sienna. No outsiders are allowed to know what goes on inside this house. Besides, wouldn't you rather have the maid's salary as extra pocket money for yourself?" Jeff unbuttoned his shirt as he stepped into the walk-in closet.

A few moments later, he emerged bare-chested, throwing himself onto the plush mattress and closing his eyes. 

"I'm exhausted. Come massage my back," Jeff ordered.

Gwen glared at him in utter disbelief. He had spent the entire night away—undoubtedly sleeping with that woman named Ivy—and now he came home demanding a massage from his wife? The nerve of this man!

Yet, as her eyes scanned his exposed torso, her breath caught slightly. She had to admit, Jeff was breathtakingly handsome. He possessed a broad, sculpted chest, a chiseled jawline, a sharp nose, and full, sensual lips. Gwen swallowed hard, a strange pulse quickening in her chest.

Jeff opened one eye. "What are you staring at? Stunned by how handsome I am?"

"Ugh, please!" Gwen snapped.

Jeff frowned. Usually, Sienna would blush, drop her head meekly, and obey his every command without a word of protest. 

"Just get over here and massage me!" Jeff rolled onto his stomach, turning his back to her.

Gwen's mind drifted back to Hans. Whenever she used to throw her wild tantrums, Hans would gently rub her feet and back, trying to soothe her anger with soft words and endless patience. 

'Are Hans and Sienna sleeping together right now?' Jealousy flared wildly inside Gwen's chest at the thought of Hans sharing a bed with another woman. 

'No, nothing will happen,' she reassured herself frantically. 'Hans is too shy to touch me. He doesn't even dare to ask.'

"Hurry up!" Jeff barked again.

Gwen begrudgingly leaned over, poking his back with her index fingers with absolute minimal effort.

"Hey! Don't you want your allowance? Do it right!" Jeff snapped, glancing over his shoulder.

At the mention of money, Gwen’s energy instantly reignited. She dug her hands into his sore muscles, working out the tension properly until Jeff’s breathing evened out and he fell fast asleep.

'So what if this house is full of awful people?' Gwen thought, hardening her heart as she stared at the luxurious bedroom.

'The only thing that matters is that I have endless cash, gourmet food, and absolute freedom every single day! I can buy whatever I want without begging for credit at Mrs. Hannah's shop. I get to sleep on a cloud-like mattress in an air-conditioned room!'

Gwen swallowed her lingering doubts and doubled down on her choice.