The Unwanted Wife

Chapter 8

CASSANDRA:

The next morning, just as expected, Cole and Althea attended the Gala party held at Harris Hotel. Althea wore a stunning elegant white dress that sparkled brightly, decorated all over with diamonds. She and Cole looked absolutely perfect together--so much so that they truly looked like a couple getting married. Cole even hired famous makeup artists and hairstylists just to make sure Althea looked her best. He didn’t care if he spent millions in just one night, as long as it was for his mistress.

"It’s so quiet and peaceful here in the villa now that that witch is gone," Ange said, making me smile softly.

"You're so naughty . . . if she ever hears you calling her a witch? You’ll be in big trouble, Ange. She will definitely run straight to Cole, put on that pitiful act of hers, and play the poor, abused victim," I replied, shaking my head while laughing lightly.

"Sir Cole is such a smart man. That’s why I really don’t understand how he can be so blind and easily manipulated by that woman. All it takes is one sad look or a few tears from Althea, and she has Sir Cole wrapped perfectly around her little finger. She isn’t even beautiful enough to make him blind to her true colors. It’s honestly amazing how easily she twists him around like that, ma'am," she said with a mix of frustration and confusion.

It was just the two of us left here at the villa, relaxing in our quarters now that Cole and Althea had left for the event. Cole’s parents couldn’t attend the Gala, so originally, they expected Cole and me to be there to represent the family and their company. That was exactly why Cole felt confident enough to take Althea instead--he knew his parents wouldn’t be there to see it. Besides, I never had any interest in parties like that anyway. People would only laugh at me and constantly remind me that I simply didn’t belong in their high-class world.

"He’s just too blind because of how much he loves Althea. I honestly don’t know if I should laugh or pity him. Because the woman he thinks is so pure, innocent, and kind--her true nature is actually the complete opposite. Let’s just wait until he sees her real colors for himself. Because if we try to tell him or warn him ahead of time? He won’t believe us anyway," I answered, my voice heavy with exhaustion.

She nodded, completely agreeing with what I said. I laid down on my bed, my eyes already feeling heavy with sleep. It was already past nine in the evening.

"You’re absolutely right, ma'am. It won’t be long before that Althea’s foul attitude starts showing itself. One day, Sir Cole will surely regret ever loving and valuing another woman over you," she replied, lying down on her own bed as well.

I closed my eyes and tried to let sleep take over. I was tired of fighting for my place in Cole’s heart. Sometimes, I didn’t even know why I was still staying here in his house. Maybe it was because there was still a small part of me that held on to hope. Hoping that someday, somehow, things would change between Cole and me, and he would finally see me.

*****

The next morning, Ange and I woke up early. We were the only two helpers here at the villa, so I couldn’t just sleep in or wake up whenever I wanted.

"Ma'am, I’ll take care of preparing breakfast, okay?" Ange said as we stepped out of our quarters.

"No, Ange. Let me handle that. You take care of the garden instead. You know I really struggle and have a hard time cleaning outside," I answered, smiling at her, and she nodded in understanding.

"Alright then, ma'am. I’ll take charge of cleaning the outdoors," she agreed.

As I stepped inside the villa, I went straight to the kitchen. Ange and I cleaned the entire place every single day just to keep it spotless. Even though Althea deliberately made messes everywhere just to make our lives harder, Ange and I never complained.

What was the point anyway? Cole would never take our side even if we did report her. I was already exhausted from having to defend myself every time Althea schemed and did things just to make me look like the bad person.

While I was cooking breakfast, I heard footsteps approaching from behind me. I didn’t even bother turning around. Just from her presence and the scent of her perfume--I knew exactly who it was.

"You know what, Cassy? Cole and I had such an amazing time at the Gala last night. Oh my gosh, the guests weren't just famous billionaires--there were so many celebrities, beauty queens, and top models there too. I met so many famous people, and everyone kept complimenting Cole and me, saying how perfect we looked together," she bragged, sounding giddy and proud.

I didn’t bother acknowledging her or even glancing her way. She pulled out a chair and sat down, and I could feel her eyes burning into me.

"If Cole had brought you to the party last night instead? People would have had a field day laughing at him, for sure. They probably would have even mistaken you for. . . Cole’s pet pig or something," she mocked, followed by a loud, cruel laugh.

I clenched my fists tight and took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. I had to hold myself back before I lunged at her and dragged her face right across the floor! If only she wasn’t pregnant. . . I would have broken every single bone in her body by now.

I turned to look at her and smiled, then stood up straight. I stayed right where I was, in front of the stove. She walked closer, and I could clearly see she had another wicked plan brewing in her mind. I remained calm and composed as I watched her step toward me, reach up, and take an empty glass from the cabinet shelf.

"Not a single person suspected a thing last night that I wasn't his wife, Cassy. I mean, how could they? Cole was so clingy and protective of me the whole time. He was even proud to announce to all his friends that I’m pregnant and that we’re going to have a child together. Everyone congratulated him, and not one of them remembered. . . that there’s an ugly, fat pig of a woman out there whom he was forced to marry," she mocked me again with a cruel smirk playing on her lips.

"Are you done? Because I don’t have time to chit-chat with you, Althea," I asked her directly, smirking back and shrugging my shoulders unbothered.

She lifted the glass high up. My eyes followed her hand. Then--she simply let go. It fell straight to the floor and shattered into pieces! My eyes widened in shock at what she had just done!

"You--"

"Oops. . . I didn't mean to do that, Cassy," she said, feigning innocence, while my eyes narrowed sharply at her.

"So what now? What are you planning, hmm? You're going me to push me onto these shards to hurt me and satisfied you? Is that it?" I asked sarcastically, showing her clearly that I wasn't afraid of her games.

She pouted and shook her head slowly. "Nope. Why would I hurt you? Wouldn't it be so much better. . . if it looked like you hurt me, Cassy? Cole is being extra careful with me right now because of my pregnancy. Imagine how mad he would be with you. . . if I lost this baby because you hurt me, hmm?" she said with a wicked grin, making me swallow hard in fear and disbelief.

"Y-you’ve lost your mind, Althea. I’m not competing with you for Cole’s attention. He is entirely yours already. But don't you dare put his child’s life in danger just to satisfy your own selfish interests!" I answered firmly, but she just laughed and smiled even wider.

"But I want to, Cassy. I want Cole. . . to divorce you completely so that the two of us can finally get married properly," she said, glancing quickly toward the doorway--just as Cole’s figure appeared. "Perfect timing."

I swallowed hard and took a step back to distance myself from her. But she stepped forward too, immediately grabbed my hand, and deliberately threw herself backward, acting as if I had pushed her--right exactly as Cole walked into the kitchen!

I froze completely as she fell hard onto the floor, landing right where the sharp glass shards from earlier were scattered everywhere.

"Urgh! My baby! Cassy, you didn't have to drag my baby into this! I promise I won't go with Cole next time anymore!" she screamed, fake-crying and putting on her pitiful act perfectly.

Panicked, Cole rushed over. He was horrified to see Althea sitting on the floor surrounded by broken glass, her body already bleeding from the cuts!

"What the fvck do you think you're doing?!" he shouted furiously at me, quickly scooping her up into his arms while she sobbed and groaned loudly.

"Cole, please don't be mad at her. It was my fault. I only approached her to apologize because I was the one who went with you to the party last night. I didn't realize she was still so angry. . . and she really didn't mean to push me. But our baby. . . please, Cole. Save our child," Althea dramatized, clinging tightly to him while he carried her away.

"You-- I deal with you later, Cassy. You better pray nothing bad happens to my wife and my child. Because if something goes wrong? I might actually kill you," Cole threatened me fiercely, before rushing out of the kitchen carrying the crying, scheming Althea.