Chapter 1 The Unwanted Wife
857 Words
Chloe's POV
The Harrison mansion with its elegant architecture was admired by everyone within and outside the Harlow city metropolis, most people see the mansion as a symbol of success and wealth, but to Chloe Crawford, it's a prison.
At the age of twenty-four, Chloe was very gorgeous and attractive in nature and this made the sadness in her eyes hidden. She had been married to Dominic Harrison for five years.
Five years of loneliness and trying to gain love that was never shown. For years she kept convincing herself and hoping that things would get better someday.
A knock on her bedroom door brought her back to reality but before she could respond to the knock, Olivia Harrison walked into her bedroom. Her expensive designer handbag hung on her arm while her heels clicked against the floor.
"You're still here."
Chloe frowned immediately.
"Good morning Olivia." She greeted me.
"Don't start behaving with me, mom wants breakfast available within twenty minutes."
"The chefs can prepare that." Chloe said.
Olivia busted into an uncontrollable lighter.
"The chefs are busy right now."
"What have you ever contributed to this family?"
Chloe was silent because she was already used to Olivia's humiliation.
Despite Chloe's sacrifices and loyalty, she was never appreciated.
"Get up from that bed and be fast about it."
Olivia said as she headed towards the door but instantly stopped.
"Don't let me remind you where you came from."
She left and shot Chloe's room door.
Those words pierced through Chloe's heart and she felt the pains of being reminded of her background.
Chloe's late father had worked as the Harrison family driver, while her late mother was the Harrison family head chef. Her parents lost their precious lives to a fatal accident many years ago when she was little, so the Harrison family took her in. Many had thought that she was lucky to have been taken by the wealthy Harrison family but they never knew that the Harrison family admired by many has been treating Chloe like a prisoner with daily humiliation.
Gently Chloe stood up from the bed and headed downstairs. The kitchen staff were relieved when they saw her coming towards the kitchen.
"Good morning, Mrs. Harrison."
Chloe responded with a smile.
"Good morning everyone."
The Harrison's staff respects and treats Chloe with so much love unlike the Harrison family.
One of the chefs offered to handle the breakfast but Chloe insisted on preparing it herself. The staff knew that Grace Harrison must have instructed her to do it.
Breakfast was served after an hour.
Grace sat at the head of the expensive marble dining table, beside her sat her mannerless daughter, Olivia.
Dominic Chloe's husband sat at his usual spot, but showed no concern or attention towards his wife when she entered.
Chloe gently dropped the dishes on the dining table.
Grace frowned.
"This isn't how I like it prepared."
Chloe was quiet.
"I carefully followed the recipe."
"So you're trying to say I'm lying?"
Grace said with a frown look.
She instructed Chloe to apologize. At first there was silence then Chloe bent her head.
"I'm sorry."
Olivia said something that wasn't audible but Chloe knew that she was directly referring to her.
Dominic paid no attention to them, instead he was busy chatting with someone on his phone.
As they were eating, they started a business conversation but Chloe remained quiet because her opinion has never been regarded.
Suddenly Grace spoke about Vincent Harrison returning in the coming week.
Vincent Harrison, Dominic's younger brother, has been away from the family for years after leaving for law school in another country, he rarely visits since he left for law school. Unlike Grace, Dominic, and Olivia, Vincent had always treated Chloe nicely back then. Others see Chloe as an outsider, but to Vincent she's always part of the Harrison family.
"His welcome dinner must be outstanding."
Said Grace.
Olivia nodded in agreement.
Dominic added.
"We'll invite the Prescott family."
Grace and Olivia appropriately smiled.
The Prescott family is among the wealthiest families in Harlow city. Their daughter, Sarah Prescott, was Vincent's fiancee. The engagement was arranged years ago.
After the breakfast, Dominic stood up and left for a business meeting without looking and speaking to his wife or at least saying goodbye to her, instead he just walked away. Chloe was already used to his nonchalant attitude. In a five year marriage with her husband, she was always treated like a stranger by Dominic.
Gradually everyone left the dining table except Chloe.
Most often, Chloe wondered if her late parents would be disappointed in her.
Would they want her to continue enduring this life?
Would they tell her to leave?
Or would they remind her that she owed everything to the Harrison family?
But the answers never came.
Chloe quickly wiped away tears forming in her eyes as the housekeeper approached to clear the dining table.
Secrets were waiting to be exposed.
Betrayals were waiting to be uncovered.
And before long, the Harrison family would discover that the woman they treated as worthless was the very person capable of saving their empire.
- Writer
