Chapter 4: The Woman Beside Him

The following morning, the Ivory Mansion was already busy because of Doris’s birthday party later that evening.

Servants moved around carrying flower decorations and expensive gift boxes.

Kelsey was already in the kitchen, her hands submerged in cold water as she scrubbed the marble counter for the third time that morning. The tiles were already spotless, but Doris Holloway had said they weren’t “presentable enough for a proper household.”

So she cleaned again.

Behind her, the sound of heels clicked sharply against the floor.

“Are you still not done?” Doris’s voice cut through the quiet like a blade.

Kelsey stiffened but didn’t turn immediately. She wiped her hands slowly on her apron before facing her mother-in-law.

“I’m almost done,” she said softly.

Doris looked her up and down with open disdain, her eyes pausing briefly on Kelsey’s slightly trembling hands.

“Almost is not done,” she replied coldly. “A useless woman like you should at least be good at keeping a house clean. Or is that too difficult as well?”

Kelsey lowered her gaze.

She had learned long ago that arguing only made things worse.

“No, mum. I will finish it properly.”

From the dining area, Wanda Josh appeared with a light, almost playful smile. She was dressed beautifully even though it was still early morning.

“Mum,” Wanda called softly. “I’ve been thinking about the dress I wanted to wear tonight.”

Doris immediately softened.

“What about it?”

Wanda sighed lightly.

“I suddenly feel like it doesn’t suit me anymore,” she said helplessly. “I want to go to the boutique and get another one.”

“That’s fine,” Doris replied immediately. “Take the card and buy whatever you want.”

Wanda’s face brightened with happiness and she quickly hugged Doris.

“Thank you, mum,” she said sweetly before her eyes landed on Kelsey.

Then, as though she had just remembered something, she said gently,

“Kelsey should come with me too.”

Kelsey looked up in surprise.

Wanda continued softly, “I don’t think Kelsey has a suitable dress for tonight’s party.”

The kitchen suddenly became quiet.

Then laughter was heard, and Kelsey didn’t need to look up to know who it was.

“She doesn’t need a dress,” Venus scoffed while looking Kelsey up and down. “No matter what she wears, she will still embarrass us.”

Kelsey’s chest tightened painfully.

She had actually been happy when Wanda suggested getting her a dress too because she truly didn’t have a suitable outfit for the party.

“She should honestly stay upstairs during the party,” Doris muttered coldly. “Important guests are coming tonight.”

Wanda immediately shook her head.

“Don’t say that, mum,” she said softly before walking toward Kelsey. “Kelsey is still Ramon’s wife.”

The words sounded nice, but somehow they only made Kelsey feel worse.

Venus rolled her eyes.

“Only on paper.”

“Venus,” Wanda called gently before looking back at Doris.

“I’ll help her choose something simple and decent,” Wanda offered kindly. “At least she won’t stand out too much tonight.”

A slight frown appeared on Kelsey’s face.

She didn’t like what Wanda said. It wasn’t like she wanted to stand out. But she didn’t voice it out.

She knew better than to.

“Go get ready. We’ll leave soon,” Wanda said to her.

**

About an hour later, the car stopped in front of one of the most luxurious boutiques in the city.

The moment Kelsey and Wanda entered, the workers immediately greeted Wanda warmly.

“Miss Josh, welcome back.”

“We already prepared the new arrivals for you.”

Kelsey quietly followed behind her. No one paid attention to her.

Wanda smiled softly while checking through the dresses.

“What do you think about this one?” she asked Kelsey while holding up a beautiful diamond-colored gown against herself.

“It’s pretty,” Kelsey replied quietly.

Wanda smiled happily. “I think Ramon might like it too.”

Kelsey’s heart squeezed painfully, but she said nothing.

“Oh… I should stop saying things like that,” Wanda said innocently before continuing to look through the dresses.

For almost an hour, Wanda continued trying different outfits.

Not once did she ask Kelsey to try anything.

Finally, one of the workers glanced awkwardly toward Kelsey.

“Miss… would you also like to check for a dress?”

Before Kelsey could answer—

Wanda smiled apologetically.

“Kelsey likes simple things,” she explained softly. “And honestly, flashy dresses don’t really suit her personality.”

The saleswoman immediately nodded.

Wanda suddenly turned toward Kelsey again.

“Actually, Kelsey,” she said calmly, “there’s something I wanted to tell you.”

Kelsey looked at her quietly.

Wanda hesitated for a moment before sighing lightly.

“You shouldn’t misunderstand what you see tonight at the party.”

Kelsey frowned in confusion.

Wanda lowered her eyes shyly.

“A lot of people in the business world already know me beside Ramon,” she explained softly. “So naturally, some guests may think I’m the woman of the house.”

Kelsey’s fingers clenched tightly.

She had always known that. But hearing Wanda say it directly still hurt.

Wanda quickly looked up again.

“But don’t worry,” she added gently. “I would never try to steal your place.”

Those words hurt Kelsey more than open insults. Because both of them already knew the truth. She never truly had a place in the Holloway family.

Wanda slowly continued while touching one of the dresses.

“You know… if your marriage with Ramon wasn’t arranged back then…”

She paused briefly before smiling bitterly. “Things might have turned out differently.”

Kelsey’s breathing became heavier.

She understood exactly what Wanda meant.

If she had not suddenly appeared in Ramon’s life through the arranged marriage, Wanda would have been his wife.

One of the workers suddenly walked over carrying another gown and showed it to Wanda.

“This one would suit you perfectly. You really look like Mrs. Holloway.”

Kelsey’s body stiffened instantly.

The worker immediately realized her mistake and looked embarrassed.

“Oh… sorry.”

But Wanda only laughed softly.

“It’s okay,” she said shyly. Then she turned toward Kelsey. “Don’t mind them.”

Kelsey lowered her eyes. But the pain inside her chest became unbearable.

Soon, Wanda finally chose a stunning gown before the staff carefully packed it.

“You didn’t choose anything,” she said to Kelsey again.

Kelsey forced a small smile. “I’m fine.”

Wanda stared at her for a few seconds before sighing softly.

“You really should learn how to dress up more,” she said gently. “Maybe then Ramon would notice you.”

The words landed heavily inside Kelsey’s chest.

Because Wanda said them so naturally, as if reminding her of something obvious.

Ramon had never looked at her the way he looked at Wanda.

**

When they returned to the mansion, Doris immediately asked about the shopping.

Wanda sighed softly before speaking. “Kelsey didn’t like anything there.”

Venus scoffed loudly.

“Or maybe nothing suits her,” she said as though Kelsey was shapeless and no outfit looked good on her.

Wanda quickly shook her head.

“No, it’s not that,” she defended gently. “Kelsey just likes simple things.”

Then she smiled apologetically toward Kelsey.

“So we only bought mine,” she added softly.

Doris nodded without caring much.

“That’s fine. She already embarrasses us enough naturally.”

Everyone laughed lightly except Kelsey.

She stood there silently while feeling like a stranger inside her own home again.

Not wanting to stay any longer, she quietly went to her room to rest before the party started.

The moment she laid on the bed, exhaustion took over and she didn’t even realize when she fell asleep.

**

After a long while, Kelsey slowly stirred awake and opened her eyes.

She laid still for a moment, staring quietly at the ceiling.

Faint sounds of music drifted into the room, reminding her that the party had already started downstairs.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm the tight knot in her chest.

She definitely would not join the party.

Not when she didn’t even have a proper dress to wear.

Kelsey slowly climbed down from the bed and walked toward the bathroom before returning a few minutes later.

But suddenly— Her steps stopped.

There was a box on the table.

Kelsey frowned slightly.

“What’s that?” she whispered softly to herself.

Slowly, she walked toward it.

Her heart started pounding nervously as she opened the box carefully and her eyes widened in shock.

Inside was a simple but beautiful gown and a pair of matching shoes rested neatly beside it.

Kelsey stared at them in disbelief before slowly picking up the small card inside the box.

Her fingers trembled slightly as she read the words written on it.

“Dress up and join the party.”