The Unwanted Wife

Chapter 5

CASSANDRA:

"You, b***h! Come back here!"

I heard her screaming and throwing a fit out of pure frustration, but I didn't even bother to look back. I went straight to my house and took out my painting supplies, which I had hidden inside a suitcase.

No one in my family knows that I am a well-known painter. I work under a pen name to keep my true identity hidden from the public.

People love my paintings. Everyone is curious about me, and they keep waiting for me to finally reveal my face to the world--but I chose to stay hidden. With the way I look, I’m sure my supporters would turn their backs on me and stop appreciating my art if they knew the truth. This is the only thing I have that I can truly be proud of. Being known as the 'Painter Queen'. But if I ever showed myself and everyone found out that the artist behind those masterpieces they admire is just a fat, ugly, nerdy girl? They would surely abandon me and mock my work.

I smiled as I ran my hand gently over my white canvas, then set it up in the corner facing the window. Now that Cole wasn’t at the villa, I was free to paint whatever I wanted. I had already finished all the chores in the main house, and there was nothing left for me to do, so I decided to spend my time painting instead.

I sat down and began to work. As I drew, my mind drifted back to the happy days when mom was still with me. Those were the only moments that truly inspired me and lifted my mood. Ever since she passed away, nothing good had ever really happened in my life.

****

I lost track of time while painting. It was already past one in the afternoon when I finally finished. The artwork showed a beautiful young woman with a lovely figure, sitting on a crescent moon. She had her head bowed, her eyes fixed on her open palm, which glowed brightly because it held a single star. From a distance, she looked just like a fairy resting upon the moon.

I smiled and caressed the surface of my painting. The theme reflected exactly what my life was like. Alone, shining light for others, yet never truly seen or noticed. All my life, I had been a good daughter to my father, but he never once appreciated me. No matter what I did, he never really saw me--as if I meant absolutely nothing to him.

And now, it was Cole’s turn. The husband I loved so dearly and served with all my heart? He couldn’t even bear to look at me, or be kind to me. If only he could just respect me as a person--even if not as his wife--that would have been enough to make me happy. But no. He is the person I love most in this world, and yet. . . yet I am the person he hates the most.

I carefully packed away my painting tools and hid them on top of my cabinet. I would send the finished piece to Zayne later, once I had created a few more works. Zayne was my personal assistant when it came to my art. He managed my studio and handled all my paintings. He was also the only person who knew my true identity. I trusted him completely because, just like me, he had been bullied before--back when he was still overweight. But not anymore. He had grown into a handsome and dashing young man now. More importantly, he was reliable and someone I could truly trust.

"Cassy! Come out here! Where is my lunch, you b***h? I’m going to tell Cole about this!" Althea shouted furiously while banging hard on my door.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. She really knew nothing about household chores. She didn’t even know how to brew her own coffee. No wonder she was starving--I hadn’t cooked her lunch earlier. Tsk.

I washed my hands and changed my clothes first, since my hands and dress were stained with paint. The moment I opened the door, she immediately tried to slap me, but I caught her hand right in mid-air.

"You, b***h! You are not a princess to lie around in bed all day! Go cook something and clean the house now!" she yelled at me.

I shoved her hand away roughly. She stumbled backward and nearly fell because of how strong my grip was. If I didn’t keep reminding myself that Cole would only hate me even more if I fought back. . . I would have already torn this woman apart!

"Stop acting like you’re the queen here, Althea. Just because Cole loves you doesn’t change the fact that I am still his legal wife. No matter how much makeup you wear or how pretty your clothes are--you can never erase the truth that you are nothing but a mistress!" I mocked her, watching her face turn red and her eyes widen in shock!

"You—"

I swatted her hand away when she tried to point a finger at me. I smirked and raised an eyebrow at her.

"What? Did I say something wrong? It’s the truth, isn’t it? Cole may love you--but you are still just a mistress. A pathetic mistress indeed." I teased her, then turned my back and left her standing there.

As I stepped inside the main house, my jaws dropped in shocked! It was an absolute mess! It looked as if a storm had swept through every corner--from the living room, all the way to the stairs and the kitchen, trash and clutter were scattered everywhere.

"Surprised, b***h. Do you like my little gift for you?" Althea said with a smirk, appearing right behind me.

I clenched my fists and squeezed my eyes shut. I had left this house clean and clear earlier when I went back to my place. She had deliberately messed everything up just to make my life miserable. And if Cole came home and saw the house in this state? I would be the one who ended up looking like the bad person again!

"What is your problem, huh!?" I shouted at her in anger, but she just laughed.

I turned to face her, and she was grinning from ear to ear, clearly delighted to see me mad of what she did.

"What? I didn't do anything," she replied innocently, crossing her arms over her chest. "This is your punishment for refusing to cook my lunch earlier. Now, go to the kitchen and make me something--unless you want me to call Cole and tell him, Cassy. Let’s see. . . if Cole won’t break you all over again when he comes home and I play the poor, helpless victim for him."

I shook my head, my fists clenched trembling with rage. If only killing wasn't a sin or a crime. . . I would have killed this woman already! Ever since she stepped into my life, I have never known a moment of peace. Even when I try my best to avoid her? She always finds ways to provoke me, to make me lose my temper, and to paint me as the villain in everyone’s eyes!

"What? Cat got your tongue, Cassy? Can’t think of anything to say now?" she teased further when I remained silent.

Without a word, I turned my back on her and headed toward the kitchen. I had no choice but to obey her. If I refused to cook her lunch? She would call Cole, complain, and make up another story just to ruin my reputation. And knowing Cole. . . I knew exactly what would happen next. He would believe every word Althea said, and I would just end up heartbroken seeing how fiercely he defended her while crushing me completely.

I started preparing her meal. While cooking, I decided to clean the kitchen at the same time. I couldn't stand staying in a messy place for too long. It felt suffocating, like I couldn't breathe properly. I honestly didn't know how Althea could even tolerate living in such filth. Then again, it wasn't surprising--she knew absolutely nothing about cleanliness or household work. She didn't even know how to wash her own underwear, for goodness' sake.

*****

After I finished cooking and cleaning the kitchen, I stepped out and started tidying up the living room. Meanwhile, she sat there on the single sofa, grinning smugly with her legs crossed like she was the lady of the house.

"Should we also get you a uniform for servant, Cassy? You really look the part of a servant in this house. What do you think? I’m so kind to you, aren’t I?" she said with a mocking smile.

I didn’t bother to answer her and just kept clearing up the mess. She stood up and walked closer to me.

"Too bad though--maids actually get paid. But you. . . we don’t need to pay you at all, do we? After all, you keep saying Cole is your husband. So naturally, you serve him for free," she teased further, dripping with sarcasm.

I turned to face her and looked her straight in the eye. "It’s good that you finally remember. . . that I am Cole’s wife. Yet here you are, still forcing your way into my husband’s life. It’s almost like you’ve run out of other men in the world, so you have to cling to mine. Don’t try to fool me, Althea. I know exactly why you refuse to let Cole go. It’s not because you love him. . . it’s because of his money. Cole is an only child, and his family is extremely wealthy. You want to be the one to inherit everything, that’s why you won’t let him slip away. Am I right, or am I right?" I fired back, watching her swallow hard and turn pale.

"W-what?" she stammered, clearly not expecting me to say that.

I smirked and took a step forward, which made her step back nervously. "What’s wrong, Althea? Did I say something wrong? If Cole had no fortune or inheritance left, you wouldn’t stay by his side for even a second, would you? You’d rush to leave him immediately just to find another rich man who can give you every luxury you crave. Come to think of it, you really don’t know anything about real life. You have no talents, no skills, no job. Your only weapon to get close to men like Cole is your body. That is the only thing you have, Althea. Because even when it comes to dignity. . . you have none at all."

Her hands clenched into tight fists, and her eyes narrowed, burning with pure rage.

"You monster—"

"Monster? Now I’m the monster between the two of us? Why don’t you look in a mirror and see who the real monster is here?" I mocked back. She looked ready to lunge at me, but I simply stepped aside and continued tidying up the mess.

"You will pay for this, Cassy! I swear, I will make sure every single day you spend here in this villa feels like you are living in hell!" she yelled but I ignored her and let her say what she wants.