The CEO Who Never Wanted His Plus-Size Wife

The Uninvited Guest

Alina’s POV

The sound of Lucien’s car tires crunching on the gravel drive echoed through the house, and I stood in my room gripping the photograph so hard my knuckles turned white, but I shoved the picture deep into the back of my heavy culinary textbook because I had to get it out of sight before anyone walked in. I heard a sharp, rhythmic knocking at my door, so I quickly pushed the book onto the top shelf and tried to smooth my dress while taking a long, shaky breath.

"Come in," I said, my voice sounding steadier than I felt.

Victoria Ashford stepped into the room without waiting for an invitation, her posture perfectly straight and her expression showing exactly how much she disliked being anywhere near me.

"I trust you have settled in, though I doubt you are accustomed to living in a home of this scale," she said, letting her eyes scan my room with a look of pure boredom. "I am here to tell you that Celeste is going to be staying in the guest wing indefinitely, because she is an old family friend and she has kindly offered to assist me with the household management, so you will not be interfering with her duties."

"She is an ex-fiancée, Victoria, so isn't it a bit strange to have her living here while I am his legal wife?" I asked, looking her straight in the eye because I was tired of being treated like I didn't exist.

"Lucien needs people around him who actually understand his social obligations, not someone who just appeared out of nowhere to sign a contract," Victoria replied, not even blinking at my question. "Celeste knows how this estate runs, and she knows how to handle the staff and the events, so you would do well to stay out of her way and let her handle the real work."

"If she is just here to help with the house, then I have no problem with that, as long as she stays out of my personal space," I said, my voice remaining calm even though my stomach felt like it was tied in knots.

Victoria laughed, and it was a dry, brittle sound. "You think you have a say in who stays in this house, but you need to remember that you are only here as a temporary arrangement, so do not get too comfortable and do not think that you are actually the mistress of this estate."

"I never asked to be the mistress, and I never asked to be here in the first place, so I am just doing what the contract requires," I replied, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Just make sure you remember that," Victoria said, turning toward the door, "because Celeste will be joining us for breakfast tomorrow morning, and I expect you to be there on time, so do not make me wait while you try to find something suitable to wear."

She left the room as quickly as she had arrived, and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, so I walked over to the shelf and touched the spine of my textbook to make sure the photo was still hidden. I walked downstairs to the kitchen because I couldn't stand the thought of sitting alone in that room for another hour, but as soon as I turned the corner, I saw Celeste standing by the kitchen island holding a glass of wine.

"Oh, the new wife is awake," Celeste said, swirling the red liquid in her glass while she looked at me with a smirk. "I was just telling the staff how much this place needs a bit of real style, and I imagine you must be finding it difficult to adjust to a home that doesn't have a kitchen table you can eat at all day."

"If you have something to say to me, you can say it to my face instead of acting like you are the one running this house," I said, walking toward the refrigerator to find a bottle of water.

"I don't need to act, because everyone already knows that Lucien only married you because of some old business deal, and he will be back with me before the end of the year," Celeste said, taking a slow sip of her wine. "I have been in his life for a long time, so I know exactly what he likes, and I know exactly how to make him happy, which is something you will never be able to do."

"You are welcome to believe whatever makes you feel better, but he is my husband, and I am the one living in this room, not you," I said, feeling my pulse quicken but keeping my tone completely flat.

"For now," Celeste corrected, her smile getting wider. "But don't get too attached to your jewelry or your title, because you are a mistake that the Ashford family is going to correct as soon as they get the chance."

I didn't answer her because I knew she was trying to get a reaction out of me, so I grabbed my water and started walking back toward the stairs, but she laughed again.

"You really are as quiet as they said," she called out, "but don't mistake that for people thinking you are smart, because everyone is just waiting for you to make a mistake so they can show you exactly where you belong."

I went back to my room and locked the door behind me, and I leaned my back against the wood while the sound of her laughter drifted up from the hallway, so I sat on the edge of the bed and wondered how much longer I could stay in this house without losing my mind.