chapter 3 — You wanted this marriage, now you're stuck in it

Chapter 3 — You wanted this marriage, now you're stuck in it

Kate stood at the counter, carefully plating the food.

Her movements were slow, deliberate—like if she rushed, everything inside her would spill over. The scent of the meal filled the kitchen, but i memories pressed against her chest, heavy and painful.

Ellie came back a few days ago.

She still remembered that night clearly.

Ellie standing at the door, eyes red, voice trembling. Apologizing. Crying. Saying she had made the biggest mistake of her life. Mason had stood there, frozen, while Kate watched from the staircase, her heart pounding as if it already knew what was coming.

Since that day, Mason had changed.

The warmth he had begun to show Kate—those small, fragile signs of humanity—vanished. Every day, without fail, he reminded her of her place.

Because of you, I lost my real love.

Because of your scheming, Ellie left.

Because of you, my life is ruined.

Each word broke her.

And yet… she still hoped.

Ellie was almost always at the house now. Always finding reasons to stay. Always reminding Mason that her family was still angry at her, that she had nowhere else to go. Kate watched it happen, helpless, as Ellie slowly took a space Kate had never truly owned.

Kate picked up the last plate and walked into the dining area.

She stopped short.

Ellie was in Mason’s arms.

Not casually. Not politely.

She was crying, soft, oblivious fake broken sobs—as she clutched his shirt. “I never should have left you,” Ellie whispered. “I ruined everything. I ruined us.”

Kate felt something crack inside her.

Mason didn’t push her away.

For a moment, Kate wondered , truly wondered if she was even needed in this house anymore. If her presence served any purpose beyond convenience.

Then a small scream cut through the room.

“Elena!”

Their daughter stumbled as she ran across the room, her foot catching on the edge of the rug.

Mason reacted instantly.

He pushed Ellie aside a bit harshly without hesitation and rushed forward, catching Elena before she could fall.

“I’ve got you,” he said, lifting her easily into his arms.

Elena giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Kate exhaled shakily.

Elena looked just like her father—same dark eyes, same stubborn chin, same thick lashes that made people stop and stare. Sometimes, when Mason smiled at her, it felt like looking at a mirror softened by innocence, or a picture of what he looked like as a kid if he was female.

Ellie noticed it too. she notices how mason would choose Elena over her any day, any time, he didn't need to say it, she could feel it the unconditional love he had for his blood, his younger self.

The way her eyes darkened, just for a second—before she hid it with a smile.

Kate stepped forward. “Dinner is ready.”

Mason nodded distractedly. “Add another plate.”

Kate froze. “Another… plate?”

“For Ellie,” he said plainly.

Shock washed over her. “She’s staying for dinner?”

Ellie smirked faintly.

Kate couldn’t stop herself. “Doesn’t she have a house? Why is she always here?”

Mason’s gaze hardened. “This is my house, Kate. You just found a way into it.”

The words landed like a slap.

Kate smiled slowly—bitterly. “So after three years of marriage, you’re choosing a woman who left you for a random man?”

Elena’s face crumpled.

She burst into tears.

Mason moved instantly, scooping her up, murmuring comfort as if nothing else mattered. Ellie’s jaw tightened. Her irritation was obvious now—she hated how much attention Elena commanded.

Kate closed her eyes, forcing herself to calm down.

“Fine,” she said quietly.

She called for the help and asked them to add another plate.

Ellie scoffed. “She should do it herself,” she said. “After all, she was just a maid before you married her.”

Kate turned to Mason.

“That’s enough,” he said to Ellie dismissively. “It’s not necessary.”

Ellie crossed her arms. “So you’re choosing a maid over me?”

“I’m not discussing this in front of my child, you can see how upset it's making her” Mason snapped.

Ellie sat down angrily.

Kate shot her a sharp look before turning back to Mason. “About the party l planner again about Elena’s fourth birthday,” she said. “She suggested ”

Mason was feeding Elena, smiling at her like nothing else existed.Ellie watched them in silence.

The smile on her face never reached her eyes. They followed Mason’s every movement, every gentle word, every laugh he gave Elena so freely. Something dark flickered there—resentment quickly buried beneath practiced composure. She wasn’t jealous of Kate.

She was jealous of the child.

Kate hesitated, then said softly, “I’ll need some money to finalize things. I tried accessing your account, but the bank said”

“I told them,” Mason interrupted.

Ellie added casually, “He told them not to let you touch his money.”

Mason frowned. “I’ll handle it myself.”

Kate shook her head. “You’re already busy. If you don’t want me using your bank, I can take money from the safe.”

Ellie’s eyes lit up.

“So that’s it,” she said sharply. “You just want the password so you can steal and run. I can see it clearly—he’ll never love you and you know that.”

Mason’s expression darkened. “I’m not giving you the safe password,” he said coldly. “You wanted this marriage. Now you’re stuck in it.”

Kate felt numb.Kate stared at Mason, waiting—for denial, for defense, for anything, feeling dumb and stupid for even expecting him to defend her.

It never came. His silence spoke louder than Ellie’s accusation. In that moment, Kate realized how easily Ellie’s words settled into his mind, how quickly he believed the worst of her. It hurt more than the insult itself

No matter was Ellie said somehow she was always right and she was always wrong in the eyes of mason. Was she really just a maid to him?, did she just waste her time all these years?, couldn't he ever see her as the mother of his child?.

Mason stood, kissed Elena’s forehead, then turned to Ellie. “Let’s go out. I’ve lost my appetite.”

Ellie smirked at kate and followed him up, Kate's eyes followed him and Ellie as they strolled out of the dining room.

He didn’t look at Kate.

Not once.

Kate stood there, surrounded by untouched food, realizing something terrifying:

She wasn’t his wife.

She wasn’t his partner.

She was just… there.

.