The Unwanted Wife

Chapter 3

CASSANDRA:

I woke up very early. I remembered that there were only the three of us here at the villa. Cole, Althea, and me. It hurt to accept that even though I was the legal wife, I was treated like nothing more than a servant. But I had no other choice. This was the only way I could stay married to Cole.

If I argued with them, Cole would surely divorce me and kick me out of this villa for good. I would lose him forever. And then Althea would stay by his side, and it would be easy for them to marry and live together as a real couple.

“C’mon, Cassy. This is the life you chose. Are you really going to give up now that you and Cole are finally married?” I whispered to myself.

I took a deep breath and forced myself to get up. It was always a struggle for me to stand up because of my weight. Even though I was used to it, my body felt heavy, and moving around or bending down was still difficult.

I went to the bathroom and did my morning routine. After I was done, I stepped out of my quarters. I looked around, and my heart sank. The whole place was a mess because of the strong wind and heavy rain last night. Fallen leaves were scattered everywhere, and some items were blown all over the yard.

“You can do this, Cassy,” I said, letting out a long breath.

I proceeded to the main house where Cole and Althea were staying. I knocked politely before opening the door. I scanned the interior. It was indeed much bigger and more beautiful than the place I was living in, but I tried not to mind it. What mattered most was that I was married to Cole. I was his legal wife, while Althea would always be just his mistress. That was the only advantage I had over her. The house was still quiet since it was very early. They were probably still asleep in their room. I headed straight to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

While preparing breakfast, I made myself some coffee. I was sure they wouldn't want to eat with me anyway, so I made sure to eat first. I was actually quite skilled at household chores. I learned early on how to take care of things ever since dad brought his mistress and her daughter into our home. Everything changed after that. Althea became the princess of the house, and I was forced to obey every command from her and her mother.

Even if I tried to complain to dad, it was useless. Althea just had to act sweet and clingy, and his anger would vanish immediately, leaving me unheard. I was used to the unfair treatment. Dad favored, cared for, and loved Althea much more than me--his own legitimate daughter. It wouldn't surprise me if he truly didn't love me or see me as his child at all, because I could feel his indifference every single day.

After setting the table, I cleaned up the kitchen. It was already six o'clock in the morning. I ate quickly before Cole and Althea woke up. It was better this way. I didn't want to see how Cole would take care on her and treat her like a queen. It was too painful to watch.

Once the kitchen was tidy, I went to the living room to clean up. I shook my head as I picked up their scattered clothes lying on the floor. I'm not that stupid. I knew exactly what had happened here last night.

As I gathered their clothes, I didn't realize tears were already falling from my eyes. I knew Cole didn't love me, but why did it still hurt so much? It felt like my heart was being torn apart knowing that another woman was the one making my husband happy.

"No, Cassy. Don't be dramatic. You have no right to complain or feel hurt," I reminded myself sternly.

I wiped my tears and forced myself to continue cleaning. There was still so much to do outside, and there was no one else to do it but me. We didn't have any maids here, so I had to handle everything. Meanwhile, Cole's mistress lived like royalty inside the villa that was supposed to be a gift for us--for his real wife.

******

I was almost done cleaning the living room when Althea came down the stairs. Her hair was messy, and she was yawning as if she were a queen descending from her throne, while I stood there looking like nothing more than her servant waiting for orders. She was wearing a white silky strapless short dress that showed off her chest and legs. Meanwhile, I was dressed in loose pajamas and a blouse. Short clothes didn't suit me anyway because of my size.

She smirked the moment our eyes met. As usual, her true colors and attitude came out when we were alone. She was exactly like this back home. She acted like a sweet, innocent angel in front of dad and other people, but when it was just the two of us, she showed her real self--a devil who was good at manipulating others and playing the victim so she would always be pitied.

"How does it feel being his wife, Cassy? You really thought you could have Cole all to yourself in this house, right?" she said, grinning arrogantly.

She stepped closer and patted my shoulder, her eyes filled with mockery as if I were someone so lowly.

"Sorry to disappoint you, sister. Even if you are Cole’s legal wife, I am still the one who owns his heart. Besides. . . he would never have married you if it weren't for the agreement between your wretched mother and his. Cole will never, ever treat you as a real wife, Cassy," she sneered, looking me up and down with disgust. "I mean, seriously--what man would even look at an ugly, fat pig like you? Cole isn't crazy enough to want you."

I clenched my fists tightly and chose to stay silent. She smirked and flipped her hair confidently.

"Why can't you answer? Is it because everything I said is true? That you don't really belong here in this villa, and especially not in Cole's heart?" she continued to provoke me.

Just then, Cole started coming down the stairs. In a swift move, Althea suddenly grabbed my hand and started screaming.

"Cassy, I'm sorry! I'll just leave--Ahh!"

She deliberately fell to the floor, acting as if I had pushed her! I rolled my eyes in disbelief. I had seen this act so many times before.

Cole rushed down immediately and hurriedly helped Althea up. She cried and buried herself in his chest, pretending to be terrified.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Cassy?! Why did you hurt her?!" Cole shouted at me angrily.

"Cole, don't be mad at her. She has every right to confront me and kick me out, anyway," Althea said, acting so generous and pitiful.

Cole’s jaw tightened, and his eyes narrowed at me. I was so tired of defending myself. Back then, it was like this in front of my father. Now, it was happening in front of my husband. It was exhausting trying to prove my innocence when they never believed me anyway and always took Althea's side.

"No, Althea. She has no right to mistreat you in my house, let alone drive you away," Cole said firmly, holding her tightly in his arms.

I swallowed hard, feeling the pain, but I remained calm. The more I defended myself, the worse it got. I would never win. Althea was just too good at acting and manipulating everyone around us.

"Apologize, Cassy," he ordered authoritatively.

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Me? Apologize to your mistress?" I pointed at her and shook my head. "No way, Cole. I won't say sorry because I didn't do anything wrong. You should be telling her to watch her mouth."

"I am not a mistress!" Althea screamed, making me smirk even more.

"Oh, you're not? Then what are you, hmm? Admit it or not, you and your mother are just the same--homewreckers. Like mother, like daughter, right?" I retorted.

She started crying harder and shook Cole's arm, begging for sympathy.

"Cole, I'd rather leave than be called names like that by her--"

"No, babe. You stay here," Cole cut her off, then turned his gaze back at me with anger. "You have no right to insult the woman I love, Cassy. Remember this--you are only my wife on paper, but I will never treat you as my wife. Insult Althea one more time, and you'll regret it," he threatened sharply.

I just shook my head and let out a dry, sarcastic laugh. I turned my back on them instead of wasting more energy arguing. I was used to this. I was so used to them always favoring Althea. Before, it was my father. Now, it was my own husband, Cole. Even though I was the legitimate daughter and the legal wife, I was still no match for that illegitimate mistress, Althea.