The Unacknowledged Wife

Chapter 3 Family Dinner

Nina stood nervously beside her mother-in-law, Rose, as the car carrying Prita's family pulled into the driveway. She could see Prita's parents, Gene Monroe and Candice Reed, Prita's older sister Audrey Monroe and brother Alex Monroe, along with a few other relatives.

They were greeted at the door by Joe's family, and immediate pleasantries were exchanged. Nina wanted to hide, but when Prita's mother, Candice, spotted her and looked surprised, greeting her warmly, she had to force a smile.

"Nina? What a surprise! How are you, dear? How have you been?" Candice asked lovingly, hugging her. It had been a long time since she had seen her daughter's best friend.

"I'm well, thank you," Nina replied, touched that Prita's family still remembered her, even though they didn't know Nina's true role within the Joseph family.

"What brings you here?" Candice repeated her question.

Out of the corner of her eye, Nina saw Ben's expression stiffen slightly. She realized he would be put in an awkward position if she admitted to being Joe's sister-in-law.

"Joe and Prita are a match I helped bring together. Joe was my senior and a good friend from university. As their mutual friend, I had to be present for this important occasion," Nina answered cheerfully, as if nothing was amiss.

"Oh! So you're the one who introduced them!" Gene said happily.

The topic was diverted, and everyone moved into the house. Nina walked at the very back, her steps slow. A warm embrace made Nina turn to see Prita, who had linked arms with her tightly and was smiling.

Nina smiled back. Somehow, the awkwardness she had felt about meeting Prita dissipated because of her friend's sincere warmth.

"Have you met Ben yet? How did he react?" Prita whispered, seeing the tall figure of Ben walking ahead with Joe. After all, Prita knew about Nina's secret marriage.

"Just today, for the first time, and only because of this dinner," Nina whispered back.

The two women quickly stepped aside before entering the dining room.

"After all this time, only today?!" Prita asked incredulously.

"Today. His girlfriend, Delia, is also joining us," Nina answered calmly, making Prita's eyes grow wide.

Prita was about to ask more but was interrupted as the parents called for her to meet Henry.

Everyone had gathered around the dining table. Only Nina remained slightly apart, pausing to see the last available seat. Seeing the two empty seats beside Ben, Nina took a step back. She didn't want to sit next to him and spoil his mood.

"Nina, come here! We're about to start," Rose called from the dining room, noticing Nina hadn't joined them yet.

"Come sit, Nina!" Joe said, gesturing for her to take the seat beside Ben.

Nina hesitantly walked towards him. Suddenly, Ben stood up and pulled out the chair for her. Nina quickly thanked him and sat down somewhat stiffly.

Throughout the dinner, Nina kept her head down, enjoying the food while listening to the conversations. There was no interaction between her and Ben until he stood up and announced another guest would be joining.

Ben soon returned with a woman in a red dress. The beautiful woman, who looked about Ben's age, greeted everyone warmly. Nina looked at her with admiration.

The woman's name was Delia. She was Ben's girlfriend of three years, whom he had started dating while abroad. Delia was also a family friend and a director at the Joseph family company.

Delia gracefully stepped forward to introduce herself to Henry.

"Grandfather, this is Delia," Ben introduced. Henry seemed to want to say something until a sentence escaped his lips.

"Your wife?" Henry asked abruptly.

Hearing his words, Delia's face flushed with pleased embarrassment, as if receiving a blessing from the famously stern old man.

"Not my wife yet, Grandfather, but hopefully soon," Ben replied, looking pleased himself. No one noticed Henry's subsequent reaction as he shook his head slightly.

Only Nina understood. She immediately moved to his side, trying to distract him by asking about the food just as Ben pulled out a chair for Delia.

"Would you like some dessert, Henry?" Nina asked quickly, before the old man could speak again.

Henry shook his head, looking sharply at Nina.

"That is Ben's other woman?" he asked, pointing a trembling hand towards Delia. Nina just nodded, smiling, and immediately busied herself with her plate.

Nina felt extremely grateful that everyone was engrossed in lively conversation and no one had paid attention to his words.

"Hello, I don't think we've met?" Delia said from behind Ben, greeting Nina who had returned to her seat.

Nina almost choked. She saw Ben look at her meaningfully.

"Hello. I'm Nina," she replied pleasantly. "I'm a good friend of Joe and Prita's. I'm the one who introduced them."

Nina quickly explained her position before Delia could inquire further.

"Oh, I see," Delia replied, seeming to accept the explanation. Nina smiled and went back to her meal.

Ben seemed particularly lively and happy with Delia by his side. His attitude made Nina seize the first opportunity to slip away after dinner. Taking advantage of everyone chatting in the living room, Nina quietly retrieved her suitcase, intending to leave and find a hotel.

Before that, she gave instructions to Rehman and Irene about Henry's care, as only Nina had always known best how to look after him. She then hesitantly entered the living room to say goodbye.

"Hey, where are you going, Nina?" Joe asked in surprise, seeing her ready to leave.

"To a hotel. I should leave now so I don't arrive too late," Nina answered, trying to sound lighthearted.

Joe immediately stood up, pulling Prita along to follow her. Rose remained silent, seeming to understand Nina's awkwardness due to Delia's presence.

"What are you doing? Why stay at a hotel? There's a room here! Ben doesn't even live here anymore. You have every right to be here!" Joe said in a hushed but frustrated voice, holding onto Nina's hand.

"Shh, quiet, Joe! I don't want Delia to hear. Let it go. We both know my place here. I feel out of place!" Nina whispered anxiously.

"You could come stay with me," Prita offered sympathetically.

"No, it's fine. My ride is here. I'll let you know where I'm staying. Please go back inside. If Henry asks for me, make an excuse. I'll come back tomorrow morning," Nina said. She then wheeled her suitcase towards the waiting taxi.

"Nina..." Joe called out, a bad taste in his mouth.

Nina didn't look back, quickly getting into the taxi and leaving the Joseph estate.

On the way to find a hotel, Nina let out a sigh of relief. She was genuinely unburdened, no longer having to force herself to be comfortable in an environment that made her feel so ill at ease.

Soon, Nina found a small hotel that fit her budget. She went straight to her room, throwing herself on the bed to dispel her weariness while staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Patience, Nina. Soon it will all be over, and you'll have a new life," she whispered to herself.

A sense of lightness washed over her because she had reconciled with Prita and had received Ben's promise of impending freedom. Her thoughts were interrupted as Joe sent a message asking which hotel she was in. Nina lazily replied to prevent him from worrying.