Chapter 13
Althea reflects on the chaotic and superficial lifestyle surrounding her, feeling out of place in a world of endless social events and frivolous spending. Despite this, she prepares herself and heads to the executive floor to see Daven Callister during her lunch break, hoping she’s not too late. Although the receptionist is initially reluctant, Althea manages to reach Mr. Arven, who is surprised but still recognizes her as Daven’s wife, a fact kept private due to their intimate and secret wedding.
When Althea finally encounters Daven, she finds him not alone but with Vanessa, a woman whose carefree smile quickly turns to irritation upon seeing Althea. Vanessa immediately acts possessively, clutching Daven and showing clear hostility toward Althea. Despite this, Althea tries to maintain her composure and offers Daven a lunch she prepared herself, a gesture filled with care and emotion.
Vanessa’s reaction is harsh and cruel; she lashes out by slapping the lunch bag from Althea’s hands, causing the contents to spill messily on the floor. Her anger and venom make it clear she sees Althea as an intruder and herself as the rightful partner. Althea is hurt but refuses to back down, confronting Vanessa with quiet strength and reclaiming her position as Daven’s wife.
In a bold move, Althea removes Vanessa’s arm from Daven and asserts her role firmly, telling Vanessa she is merely the mistress and should remember her place. Without waiting for a response, Althea takes Daven’s hand and leaves, determined to make her presence and status known, regardless of the consequences.
Chapter 13
But then again, when had they ever truly been home? It always seemed like their lives were a constant whirlwind of shopping sprees, attending meaningless social gatherings, and throwing money around as if it were worthless.
Althea glanced at her wristwatch, whispering to herself, “I hope I’m not too late.” She still had nearly thirty minutes before her lunch break, so she steadied her breath and stepped inside with quiet assurance. Although the receptionist gave her a bit of a hard time, Althea eventually navigated her way to the executive floor, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the main office.
“I’m terribly sorry to bother you, Mr. Arven,” she said with polite formality as she finally arrived.
“Not at all,” Arven replied, clearly caught off guard. “I’m just surprised to see you, Mrs. Althea.” The receptionist had called ahead, mentioning a woman claiming to be Daven Callister’s wife was requesting to see him. No one in the office had ever introduced Althea as Daven’s wife before.
Their wedding had been an intimate affair, with only a handful of attendees—a private ceremony deliberately kept out of the public eye, with not a single post shared on social media.
Thankfully, Arven still recognized her.
“This way, please,” Arven said, motioning her toward the waiting lounge—a quiet, plush area where Daven’s clients typically gathered before meetings. “You can wait here for a moment. I’ll bring you something to drink p>
Althea hesitated. “I’d really like to see Daven now, if that’s possible p>
Arven stumbled, unsure how to respond. “Uh… well, that’s p>
Althea offered a gentle smile, as though easing his discomfort. “I understand. I’m sure he’s very busy, isn’t he? At least p>
Before she could finish, the CEO’s office door swung open.
And there he was—the very man Althea had come to find. But he wasn’t alone.
Vanessa’s bright, carefree smile instantly froze when she spotted Althea standing there. Her eyes narrowed sharply, disbelief and irritation flashing across her face. Why was this woman here? Was she trying to see Daven? Did she have no shame at all?
Without thinking, Vanessa wrapped her arm possessively around Daven’s, clutching him like a trophy.
“You actually showed up?” Daven asked, clearly taken aback by Althea’s sudden appearance. How had he failed to anticipate just how stubborn she could be?
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” Althea said softly, offering a faint, composed smile. “As I mentioned this morning…” She held out a paper bag—the lunch she had carefully prepared, something she’d poured her heart into. “This is for you p>
Just as Daven reached to take it—
“He doesn’t want your pathetic lunch, Bitch!” Vanessa snapped, her face twisting with fury. She had kept quiet long enough. Why couldn’t Althea understand her place? Did she really think she could just waltz in here?
In a sudden burst of anger, Vanessa slapped the paper bag from Althea’s hands, sending it crashing to the floor.
The contents spilled everywhere, splattering across the polished floor in a messy, humiliating display.
“Get out!” Vanessa hissed, her eyes blazing with rage.
Althea’s gaze dropped to the ruined meal, her heart aching at the sight. She hadn’t expected this level of cruelty—not so raw and vicious. “You’ve gone too far,” she murmured, voice trembling with quiet hurt.
“Too far?” Vanessa scoffed, her tone rising with venom. “You still don’t get it, do you p>
“I think you’re the one who doesn’t understand, Vanessa.” Althea took a deliberate step forward, locking eyes with her rival. The faint smile had vanished. She stood tall, no longer shrinking back. When she was close enough, she reached out and tore Vanessa’s arm away from Daven’s.
Vanessa gasped, stunned by the boldness of the move.
“My place,” Althea said, her voice low but resolute, edged with steel, “is as Daven Callister’s wife. And you,” she added, pointing firmly at Vanessa, “are just his shameless mistress. So I suggest you remember your place p>
Without another word, Althea took Daven’s hand and pulled him away.
She didn’t care if he got angry later. Just this once—just this single moment—she needed the world to hear her say it.
In this chapter, the emotional tension between Althea, Daven, and Vanessa reaches a boiling point, revealing the raw vulnerability and fierce determination beneath Althea’s composed exterior. Her quiet strength shines through as she confronts not only Vanessa’s cruelty but also the painful reality of her fractured relationship with Daven. The spilled lunch symbolizes the messy, tangled emotions and the harsh battles fought behind closed doors, reminding us that love and loyalty are often tested in the most unexpected and painful ways.
Ultimately, Althea’s bold assertion of her place in Daven’s life marks a turning point in her emotional journey. Though the path ahead remains uncertain and fraught with challenges, her courage to stand up for herself and claim her truth speaks to the resilience of the human heart. This moment of confrontation is not just about possession or rivalry, but about reclaiming dignity and demanding respect in the face of betrayal and doubt.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions and fragile alliances that have been laid bare in this confrontation. Althea’s bold assertion of her place in Daven’s life is bound to stir a storm, not only between her and Vanessa but also within Daven himself. Readers can anticipate a complex exploration of loyalty, pride, and the unspoken tensions simmering beneath the surface of their relationships.
As the characters grapple with the fallout of this public clash, new cracks may appear in their carefully constructed facades. Will Daven choose to stand with Althea, or will his hesitation widen the divide? The emotional stakes are high, and the next chapter is sure to reveal how far each character is willing to go to protect their own version of the truth. Expect moments of vulnerability, unexpected revelations, and the simmering threat of consequences that could change everything.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.