The Unwanted Wife

Chapter 4

CASSANDRA:

I forced a bitter smile and wiped away my tears. Even though I was used to always being painted as the villain in the eyes of the people I loved, it still broke my heart knowing they never trusted or believed me. It was as if I were such a terrible person that they couldn't even give me the benefit of the doubt. Dad and Cole. . . they were the only people I loved most in this world, yet here I was--unable to earn even a little bit of their love or trust.

I knew I stood no chance against Althea’s acting skills and her talent for manipulating everyone around us. Even so, I couldn't help but feel frustrated. Why were dad and Cole so blind? Why couldn't they see that she was just putting on an act, and that her only goal was to make me look bad?

"If only you were still here, Mommy. I wouldn't be treated this way if you were just by my side," I whispered, wiping my cheeks.

I tried my best to push those thoughts away. It was only my first day here at Cole’s villa, yet already the little hope I had of getting close to my husband was shattered into pieces. But if I gave up now, I would lose Cole forever. I had to be strong. I had to stay and take care of him, serve him well. Maybe, just maybe, if I was patient enough, his heart would soften and he would finally see me.

"Let's go back to reality, Cassy. You are not a queen here," I told myself.

I grabbed the broom and dustpan from the side and started sweeping the mess scattered around the yard.

******

I spent almost an hour sweeping the yard because of how huge it was and how much mess there was. I had only finished cleaning the front part, yet I was already panting and sweating profusely. It was so exhausting, but I had no choice. There was no one else to clean the place except me. It was impossible to expect Althea to help me clean the villa.

"C’mon, Cassy. The pool area is waiting for you," I told myself, reminding myself of all the tasks I still needed to finish.

I took a deep breath, wiped the sweat off my face, and headed to the back of the villa where the pool was located. As expected, it was also messy because of the storm last night. My lower back was already throbbing in pain from all the bending and sweeping, but there was no one to help me except myself. If only I weren't this big, moving around wouldn't be this hard.

"Would Cole like me if I were as thin and curvy as Althea?" I wondered while cleaning.

I shook my head and let out a dry laugh at my own thoughts. "No way. Eating is my comfort. Besides, being thin wouldn't suit me anyway."

I pushed those thoughts away and just continued working. Ever since I was a child, I had always been chubby. That was why I was always bullied at school. Things got even worse when Althea and her mother moved into our house. My life became so much harder living under the same roof with them because even my own father never believed me. He always took his mistress’s daughter’s side.

I grew up getting used to being bullied and judged because of how I looked. I had nowhere else to go if I left home. First, my mother was gone. Second, my other relatives lived far from the city and I barely knew them. Third, I had no friends to turn to for help. I also knew it would be hard for me to find a job because of my appearance and size. Cole was supposed to be my only hope for a better life. . .but now, even he belonged to Althea. If it weren't for his parents' promise, Cole would never have even looked at me, let alone married me.

****

It was already past nine when I finally finished cleaning the entire yard. I was drenched in sweat and panting heavily from exhaustion. Just then, Cole walked out of the house, so I went to greet him. He was wearing his suit, ready to go to work.

"Hi, Cole, uhm. . . are you leaving for work now?" I asked, forcing a smile even though he was frowning and looking at me with furrowed brows.

"Isn't it obvious?" he replied sarcastically, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. "Go take a shower and change clothes first before you step inside our house. I don't want you spreading germs to my girlfriend, Cassy."

I swallowed hard, unable to speak or move from where I stood. It felt like my heart was being squeezed tightly in my chest because of his words.

He glanced at his wristwatch before speaking again. "Althea is resting. Don't you dare disturb her sleep, Cassy. And one more thing--never hurt her again if you don't want me to hurt you," he threatened.

"Hurt her? When did I ever hurt that woman, huh? She’s always the one who--"

"Enough. I don't need to hear anything from you, Cassy. Nothing but lies ever come out of your mouth. Cook lunch for Althea later. Make sure it's clean and delicious if you know what's good for you. Do you understand?" he said, his eyes and voice full of warning.

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, speechless. It pained me so much to see how fiercely he defended and protected Althea, his mistress.

"Do you understand me, Cassy?" he repeated.

"Y-yes," I stuttered.

"Good that you know your place," he said, then turned and left me.

I smiled bitterly and watched him walk towards the garage and get into his car. I didn't move until he was completely gone. Just as he ordered, I went back to my quarters to take a shower and change first before returning to the main house--to their house. The house that was supposed to be ours. . . supposed to be mine.

As soon as I entered the house, I went straight to the kitchen and started cleaning again. The table was messy since they had just finished eating. I didn't know if they did it on purpose just to annoy me, especially since I had only cleaned it earlier this morning.

I silently washed the dishes and tidied up the place. Once everything was clean, I sat on one of the chairs to have a snack. I was exhausted and starving after all the hard work I had done. It felt like all my energy had been drained from cleaning all morning.

While I was eating a sandwich and some pasta, I heard footsteps approaching from behind. I didn't bother turning around. I already knew who it was. We were the only ones here since Cole had already left for work.

"Who told you that you could eat here, you fat pig? You have your own place to eat, don't you?" she said in her annoying, high-and-mighty tone.

I rolled my eyes and continued eating. She walked over and stood right in front of me. Just as I was about to take a spoonful of pasta when she stopped my hand, making me look up at her.

"What's your problem? Do you think I'm going to eat all the food here? I'm hungry, so I'm eating here. Cole never said I wasn't allowed to eat here, so you have no right to stop me," I replied, raising an eyebrow at her smirking face.

"When I say you can't, you can't, Cassy. Everything here is mine--including Cole. So don't you dare touch anything in this house because everything belongs to me. Do you understand?" she spoke as if she were the queen of this place.

Since it was just the two of us, she didn't need to act like an innocent angel anymore. Her true colors always came out when we were alone.

"Yours? Are you sure? What right does a mistress have against a legal wife, hmm? Do you want me. . .to report you to Mrs. Harris? As far as I remember, my mother-in-law hates you because your mom was a homewrecker, and now look at you--you're just like her. You and your mother are exactly the same," I mocked, watching her face turn pale and her eyes widen in shock.

"How dare you!" she shrieked and raised her hand to slap me, but I caught her wrist firmly.

She winced, unable to pull her hand back because of how tight I was holding it.

"You were going to slap me? You have some nerve, Althea! You are just a mistress, so stop acting like you are above me! In reality, you are nothing but mud under my shoes. Filthy and lowly. You have no dignity, no shame, and you are completely worthless compared to me. Cole may love you, but that doesn't change the fact that you are still just his mistress!" I shouted as I forcefully pushed her hand away!

"I will tell Cole what you did, you beast!" she screamed angrily.

I let out a dry laugh and stood up. "Go ahead, Althea. Go run and tell. . .my husband. Oops," I said, covering my mouth playfully. "Sorry, did I just remind you. . . that I am still the legal wife, and you are nothing but a mistress, Althea the whore."

"You b***h--"

"b***h? Me? If I am a b***h, then what do you call yourself, hmm?"