Four
1272 Words
"Rich supermodel Jessica Matthew is currently dating billionaire and the city’s most eligible bachelor, Theo Wellington," one of my colleagues read aloud, her voice filled with excitement. The rest of the group squealed in delight, thoroughly engrossed in the celebrity gossip.
I let out a scoff, rolling my eyes as I gulped down a glass of water, trying to calm the simmering anger in me. Ever since yesterday’s little spectacle between Theo and Jessica, every entertainment channel and gossip site wouldn’t stop talking about them. Worse, my colleagues couldn’t either.
The hospital had become a circus. People swarmed in, most faking illnesses just to get a chance to see the “golden couple,” hoping they might show up again. It was chaos.
"Wait, look at this comment!" one of the nurses called out, drawing everyone’s attention. They all huddled around her as she read aloud, “I can’t believe the mysterious wealthy man behind Jessica turned out to be Mr. Theo, the richest man in Los Angeles.”
“Neither can we all!” they chorused, giggling like schoolgirls.
“Jessica is so lucky. Any woman would kill to marry someone as powerful and influential as Theo Wellington,” said Dr. Kate, her voice full of admiration.
I rolled my eyes again, disgusted. They had no idea. He wasn’t as perfect as he seemed.
Of course, no one knew about us, our marriage was a secret. Theo hated the idea of being tied to me so much that he kept it hidden from the world. I wasn’t his wife in the eyes of the public. On paper, sure, but in every other way, I didn’t exist.
“I think Theo might be the lucky one,” someone countered, this time it was Dr. Harper. “Jessica is beautiful, rich, and famous. They fit so well together, aesthetically. Honestly, I don’t think Theo can do better than a woman like that. He’s the lucky one.” Some people nodded in agreement.
“It’s said they were soulmates and first lovers abroad but were forced to break up because of family reasons,” Dr. Kate added eagerly. “Jessica has spent the last few years working hard overseas to earn recognition from Theo’s family so they could reunite as soon as possible.”
Jessica. So, she was his first love, the woman he had wanted to marry before fate handed him me. The woman his family whispered about during my marriage, though I had never met her or even known her name until now.
“They are really a match made in heaven,” Dr. Kate squealed with excitement, and I had had enough.
I opened my mouth to tell them to stop with their ridiculous gossip and find something productive to do, but I froze when my phone rang.
My heart sank as I glanced at the caller ID. It was Theo. My throat tightened as I hesitated, wondering what this was about. Had I done something wrong?
Swallowing hard, I answered the call. His voice came through cold and serious.
“Grandpa found out about us.”
The words made mg heart drop. I paused, not knowing how to respond.
“He wants us to have dinner at the mansion tonight. Be there,” Theo said before abruptly hanging up.
“Got it…” I barely managed to get the words out before the line disconnected. My hands trembled as I rubbed them together, my heart racing. What was going to happen? What did he mean by found out about us?
The day dragged on, and by 7 PM, I was done with work and heading to the mansion. I sat in my car for a moment, sighing as I checked my phone. Another message from Theo. A reminder about the dinner.
Letting out another breath, I drove off, my heart thumping wildly the entire way. I had never liked that house. Not because of Grandpa. he was always kind to me, but because of others who lived there…
Speak of the devil. The first thing I heard as I pulled into the wide courtyard of the massive Wellington mansion was their voices.
“I have never felt comfortable since your brother married her. Three years and still no child. She doesn’t even talk much, always busy with her patients. Who knows what kind of viruses she might bring home!”
Rebecca, my mother-in-law. Her words were loud and sharp, as if she didn’t care whether or not I heard them.
I followed the sound of Rebecca's voice, moving closer to hear more of her cutting words.
“At the beginning, the old man insisted your brother marry her, but I disagreed,” she said. “She’s just a doctor. I never understood what was so special about her. Once your brother divorces her and marries Jessica, I will finally feel at ease.”
“Exactly! A wife who smells like disinfectant all day? No man would like that,” Mara, Theo’s sister, chimed in, her voice filled with mockery. “If Jessica becomes my sister-in-law, a lot of people will envy me!”
My heart broke all over again. After everything I had done for this family, this was how they felt about me. I had spent years in this marriage, giving everything I had to them, hoping they would at least see my worth.
I thought of the time Mara had a serious skiing accident. I had taken care of her day and night without a single complaint, even going out of my way to bring in the best orthopedic specialist for her treatment.
As for Rebecca, I had always been respectful and attentive, no matter how dismissive or cruel she was to me. Yet none of it mattered. No matter how much effort I put in, their hatred for me never wavered.
I took a deep breath, hiding my pain with a practiced fake smile, the one i had perfected over the years to survive in this household.
“Hello, Mother. Hello, Mara,” I greeted, stepping forward. Their scowls turned toward me immediately, but I held my ground.
Mara wrinkled her nose in disgust and said, “I was wondering why I smelled disinfectant from so far away. Of course, it’s you.”
Her words hurt, but I kept my composure. I smiled politely, refusing to stoop to her level. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it? How have you been? Good, I hope?”
She rolled her eyes in response, her disinterest plain.
Rebecca, on the other hand, glared at me with open hatred, her mouth opening to deliver another cruel remark. Before she could speak, the butler’s voice interrupted, saving me from another round of insults.
“Sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Wellington has arrived.”
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway made us all turn. A sleek Maserati came to a stop, its red surface shining under the lights.
The first to step out was Theo. He was dressed in a tailored suit that fit him perfectly, every detail screamed wealth and power. His black hair was neatly slicked back, and his tall presence made him impossible to ignore.
For a moment, his sharp eyes locked onto mine. Time seemed to freeze as we stared at each other. But just as quickly, he broke the connection, turning his attention elsewhere.
He walked to the other side of the car, opening the door with. Stretching out his hand, he helped the next person step out.
And when I saw who it was, my breath caught in my throat.
It was her.
Jessica.
- Writer
