Chapter 11
Althea quietly joins Daven for breakfast, carefully attending to him despite her own doubts. Their interaction is tender yet restrained; she adjusts his tie and asks if she can bring him lunch later, to which he responds curtly but allows it. As Daven leaves, he notices a subtle change in himself—a faint smile—something rare and unexpected in their usually cold relationship.
Later, Althea faces harsh criticism from Kate, her mother-in-law, and Daven’s sisters, Felicia and Kalina. They mock her for trying to gain Daven’s affection and belittle her presence in the family. Despite their cruelty, Althea remains composed and dignified, refusing to be shaken by their insults.
Althea calmly asserts that she has never sought Daven’s love or aimed to replace anyone in his heart. Instead, she intends to fulfill her role as his wife with integrity, even if their time together is limited. She confronts their disdain with quiet strength, highlighting their own lack of decency and respect.
Her poised response leaves Kate and the others momentarily speechless. Althea then gracefully departs to prepare lunch for Daven, maintaining her dignity and resolve amid the family’s hostility.
Chapter 11
“Will you be home late tonight?” The question slipped from Althea’s lips, soft but tinged with a hint of vulnerability.
Despite the swirl of her own doubts gnawing at her confidence, Althea had joined Daven for breakfast that morning. She kept her words to a minimum, focusing instead on quietly ensuring he ate enough. The kitchen was filled with the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee and toasted bread, the sunlight streaming in through the windows casting a warm glow over the table. Afterward, she accompanied him to the car, where his driver waited patiently, the engine humming softly in the quiet driveway.
“Why do you ask?” Daven glanced at her briefly, catching the gentle smile playing on her lips. He didn’t interrupt her as she slipped into the role of the attentive wife, smoothing his tie with a practiced hand as if it were second nature.
“Your tie’s a little crooked, Dav,” she said softly, her fingers brushing lightly against his chest as she adjusted the fabric. Her warm brown eyes met his for a fleeting moment—steady, kind, and unexpectedly sincere. That look caught him off guard, stirring something faint and unfamiliar inside him.
“Thanks,” Daven replied quickly, averting his gaze. “And yes, I’ll be home late tonight p>
Althea nodded, as if she had anticipated his answer. “Would it be okay if I stopped by during lunch?” she asked tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper.
Daven frowned slightly. “For what p>
“To bring you lunch,” she offered, hesitating for a moment. “Only if you don’t mind, of course p>
“Do whatever you want,” he said abruptly, then climbed into the car. The vehicle pulled away, leaving Althea standing there with a smile that slowly grew wider, her heart fluttering with a mix of hope and disbelief.
From inside the car, Daven caught a glimpse of her waving, cheerful and bright, her smile unwavering. To him, it seemed almost absurd. Yet, even as the car disappeared down the driveway, Althea remained rooted in place, watching him leave.
“Ridiculous,” he muttered under his breath.
But what he didn’t realize was the faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips—so subtle that even his driver stole curious glances through the rearview mirror, wondering if they had truly just seen Daven smile. In all the years Althea had lived in that house, Daven had never once acknowledged her presence like this. Every servant, every member of the staff, knew that cold truth.
And yet, today… something had shifted. Even if only a little.
What was happening between them?
“Well, well.” Kate’s sarcastic applause echoed sharply through the hallway, her face lit up with mock delight. “That was quite the award-winning performance, my dear daughter-in-law p>
Althea turned slowly to face her, maintaining a composed and steady expression. “Is there something you need, Mother p>
Her calm, unruffled tone seemed only to fuel Kate’s anger. “Don’t get too proud just because you stood next to Daven this morning. Do you really think that means anything?” she snapped, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. “He only pities you. You don’t mean a thing to him p>
Felicia nudged Kalina with a smirk, whispering loud enough for Althea to hear, “If I were her, I’d be hiding in my room—not prancing around the kitchen, hoping my husband would fall in love over toast p>
Kalina nodded in agreement with a cruel grin. “Honestly, Althea, you’re like a love-starved beggar. It’s pathetic p>
For a long moment, Althea said nothing. She looked at each woman calmly, her gaze steady and unshaken. Then, with a soft sigh and a faint but unwavering smile, she spoke.
“It seems there’s been a misunderstanding p>
“Oh really?” Kate’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“I have never asked Daven to love me,” Althea said firmly, her voice quiet but resolute. “Nor have I ever dreamed of stealing anyone’s place in his heart. But I will continue to fulfill my duties as his wife… even if our time together is nearly over p>
“Did you hear that?” Felicia sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. “Still playing the wise and noble one p>
“No,” Althea replied, her smile calm and serene. “I simply know my limits p>
Kalina scoffed, “Yet you still have no shame p>
This time, Althea stepped forward, her voice soft but her eyes sharp and clear, cutting through the tension like a knife.
“To me, lacking shame is living off a family’s name while showing no basic decency or respect for others.” She stopped directly in front of Kate, her gaze unwavering. “I know exactly who I am. I wasn’t born into wealth, but I hold my head high—even when others try to trample me p>
Kate’s eyes widened in shock. Felicia fell silent, and Kalina bit her lip, clearly stunned.
“If you, Mother, or my lovely sisters-in-law have nothing more to say,” Althea added smoothly, turning with grace, “I’ll be preparing lunch for my husband p>
This chapter delicately unravels the fragile threads of Althea and Daven’s relationship, revealing subtle shifts beneath their surface interactions. Althea’s quiet hope and tender gestures contrast sharply with the cold distance Daven maintains, yet even his brief, almost imperceptible smile hints at the possibility of change. The tension between longing and restraint underscores the emotional complexity of their connection, highlighting themes of vulnerability, resilience, and the tentative steps toward understanding.
Meanwhile, Althea’s confrontation with Kate and her sisters-in-law exposes the harsh judgments she faces, yet she meets their cruelty with a composed dignity that redefines her strength. Her refusal to seek love or approval, instead choosing to honor her role with quiet resolve, speaks to her inner fortitude. The chapter closes with a sense of poised determination, as Althea embraces her identity and duties, standing firm against the shadows cast by both her past and those around her.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile and complex dynamics within Daven’s household, where unspoken tensions simmer just beneath the surface. Althea’s quiet strength and newfound resolve will be tested as she navigates the biting remarks and veiled hostility from Kate, Felicia, and Kalina. Their disdain is palpable, but Althea’s calm defiance hints at a growing inner power that could shift the balance in unexpected ways.
Meanwhile, Daven’s subtle change, marked by that rare, almost imperceptible smile, raises questions about what might be stirring in his heart and mind. Will his walls begin to crumble, or will the weight of past grievances and misunderstandings keep them apart? The delicate dance between hope and skepticism will keep readers on edge, eager to see whether Althea’s efforts to bridge the gap between them will bear fruit—or if new obstacles will emerge to challenge her quiet determination.
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.