Chapter 5
In this chapter, Althea quietly fulfills her role as Daven’s wife, despite his cold and dismissive attitude toward her. She carefully chooses a tie for him, hoping to maintain some connection during the last month of their arrangement, even though she knows their paths will soon diverge. Her efforts are met with irritation from Daven, but she remains composed and hopeful for a fleeting moment of closeness.
The tension escalates when Vanessa and Kate Callister arrive early, their presence immediately hostile toward Althea. Kate openly insults and physically strikes Althea, declaring her an unwelcome outsider who should be grateful to remain in the household. Despite the humiliation and pain, Althea endures the confrontation silently, seeking strength from the memory of her late mother and Evelyn Callister, who had once gifted her elegant dresses.
Later, dressed in a shimmering gown, Althea prepares for an important evening with Daven. Although he initially seems indifferent, there is a subtle shift in his demeanor as he notices her appearance. During the car ride, a brief and tense exchange occurs when Althea tries to bridge the emotional distance by adjusting his tie, only to be met with a cold warning that she must remain beside him publicly as his wife.
The chapter ends with Althea reluctantly agreeing to Daven’s demands, yet internally questioning his motives. Despite the outward compliance, a deep uncertainty and emotional conflict linger as she wonders why Daven insists on this facade, especially with Vanessa soon to become his bride.
Chapter 5
“I believe this tie complements you best,” Althea said softly, selecting one from Daven’s vast assortment. She was well aware that he merely tolerated her presence, but she pushed aside the sting of embarrassment. What she had planned needed to succeed—at least until their agreement came to an end.
After all, they would never cross paths again. She might as well allow herself to live in a fleeting dream—a romantic illusion where her beloved husband existed solely for her. And when that dream dissolved, she would return to her harsh reality: a woman destined to walk her path alone.
Althea carried out her part with quiet dignity, never demanding anything in return. As long as Daven didn’t reject her outright, she took it as a form of acceptance—even if it was begrudging. Yet every gesture she made, every word she uttered, left impressions that Daven could no longer dismiss.
He raised a brow, a hint of irritation in his gaze. “I can dress myself p>
“I know,” Althea replied with a gentle smile. “But today, please let me choose something for you p>
She carefully placed a suit and matching tie on the couch.
“Do whatever you want,” Daven muttered without sparing her a glance. “You’re wasting your time on something utterly pointless p>
Althea turned to face him, unshaken. Not hurt. Not offended. The faint smile remained on her lips.
“Perhaps. But bear with me for this last month p>
“Daven, darling p>
A sharp, shrill voice pierced the quiet, halting Althea mid-step.
Daven, too, hastily slipped into his blazer, as if someone was already waiting for him.
“Is that… Miss Vanessa?” Althea asked quietly.
“I don’t know why she’s here so early,” Daven muttered, stepping out of the bedroom. Althea followed closely behind, doing her best to maintain her composure.
In the living room, Vanessa and Kate Callister were engrossed in animated conversation. Their faces brightened even more when Daven appeared. But—
“What are you doing here?” Kate sneered, her eyes narrowing as she glared at the woman trailing behind Daven.
Althea chose to smile softly. “I was just seeing my husband off to work p>
Vanessa laughed loudly, and Kate joined in, their mirth dripping with mockery.
“Oh my God! Did you hear that, Vanessa?” Kate said between chuckles.
“What a shameless woman,” Vanessa scoffed, folding her arms defiantly.
“That’s enough,” Daven interrupted sharply, unwilling to start the day with drama. “What brings you here this early, darling p>
Vanessa quickly wiped the annoyance from her face and clung to Daven with a practiced sweetness, ignoring Althea’s soft, wistful, resigned gaze. Because this was how it was meant to be. Vanessa belonged with Daven. Althea was just an outsider in a house that had never truly been hers.
“I want you to take me to the studio, sweetheart,” Vanessa purred, her voice dripping with false affection.
Daven looked mildly irritated but said nothing. There was little he could do but comply. “Fine. Let’s go p>
Althea watched the scene unfold, steeling herself. This wasn’t the first time—and it wouldn’t be the last—that she had to endure Daven and Vanessa flaunting their closeness in front of her.
She should have become numb to the pain by now.
Yet, the ache inside her chest remained sharp.
“Drive safely, Daven,” she whispered quietly.
Her words caught his attention. He paused briefly and turned his head.
Althea offered him a faint smile. Her warm brown eyes met his, filled with a gentle sincerity.
“Have a good day,” she added softly.
Vanessa swiftly grabbed Daven’s hand, pulling him toward the door. Her expression tightened with barely concealed anger. If it weren’t for her scheduled appointment at the studio, she would have spent the rest of the day making sure Althea understood her place.
Damn it. This was all Daven’s fault for giving that woman too much freedom!
The moment they left, Althea exhaled a long, shaky breath. The burning ache in her chest didn’t lessen. She needed to steady herself. But just as she turned to leave the living room, a sharp slap landed hard on her cheek.
The sting was deep and searing.
“Know your place, Althea!” Kate screamed, eyes blazing with fury. “You’re a parasite in my son’s life. You disgust me, you disgraceful woman p>
Althea touched her burning cheek, stunned into silence.
“Are you blind? Didn’t you see how affectionate they are? They’re perfect for each other, Althea. And you?” Kate jabbed a finger into Althea’s face. “You’re nothing but a pathetic outsider, living off my mother’s pity. You should be grateful we even let you stay here p>
Althea’s gaze dropped, trembling.
“Don’t you ever dream of becoming part of this family p>
“Mom,” Althea whispered, her cheek still throbbing with pain, yet she refused to turn away from the decision she had already made. “Please help me find the strength to carry on p>
She stared at her reflection in the tall mirror. The gown she wore had been a gift from Evelyn Callister—a kind, warm-hearted woman who had been so close to her. Evelyn’s passing had left a profound emptiness in Althea’s heart. Just like the time she lost her own mother, who had taken her last breath after a fatal head injury in that accident, Althea had been unable to stop crying.
Evelyn had quietly purchased several elegant dresses for her, hoping that maybe one day Althea would attend a formal event alongside Daven. Sadly, that day had never arrived.
Until tonight.
The gown was a pale gold, shimmering softly under the light, draping over her figure with an elegant, understated design. The neckline was bare, adorned only by a delicate pearl necklace—her mother’s final keepsake.
Althea’s hair was styled into a low chignon, neat yet soft, gently framing her face. Her makeup was subtle, just enough to highlight the calm in her eyes and the gentle curve of her lips. She no longer looked like a woman from a modest background. Tonight, Althea Grayson appeared every bit the noblewoman from a timeless story.
“This is what Daven asked of me… part of my role as his wife, isn’t it? At the very least… let this evening pass without incident,” she murmured to herself, summoning every ounce of courage.
When she opened her bedroom door and stepped into the main hall, Daven was already there, standing and checking his phone, as if his world was far too busy to notice anything else.
But he froze at the soft sound of heels clicking against the floor. His eyes lifted, and his expression shifted ever so slightly. He didn’t speak, but his gaze lingered on her. His hand lowered, the phone forgotten, and a faint crease appeared between his brows.
Althea approached, a small smile still playing on her lips. “Have you… been waiting long p>
“No,” Daven replied curtly.
“Is… is this dress too much?” she asked, nerves fluttering beneath his intense stare—he had never looked at her quite like this before. “If it is, I can change into something else p>
“There’s no need,” he said quietly. “Let’s go. The car’s waiting p>
During the ride, Daven remained mostly silent. But unlike usual, he didn’t distance himself. He sat calmly beside her, and for the first time, didn’t recoil when Althea instinctively reached out to adjust his tie.
Her hand paused as her fingers brushed his collar. Their eyes met—just for a fleeting moment—but it was enough to make Daven inhale sharply and turn his face toward the window.
“Ah, I’m sorry,” Althea said quickly, pulling her hand away to give him space.
Daven still said nothing.
“I won’t stand too close to you tonight,” she said eventually, her voice steady but careful. “Since you’ll soon be marrying Vanessa, I think it’s only right for me to know my place p>
Daven turned slowly, his gaze sharp and piercing. “What’s that supposed to mean p>
“I’ll just stay slightly behind you,” she explained softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips as she tried to sound reasonable. “Maybe to your right, a little farther back. Enough for you to know I’m there… but not in the way. I don’t want to cause any misunderstandings p>
Daven closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again, his voice low and cold. “If you dare step away from me or pretend you’re not my wife in front of them,” he said quietly, threateningly, “you’ll regret it p>
Althea froze. She stared at him, uncertain of what she had just heard. “Daven, I only p>
“There’s no ‘only,’” he snapped, narrowing his eyes. “Tonight, you’ll stand beside me. As my wife. As you should p>
A heavy silence settled between them.
Althea lowered her gaze, letting a few strands of hair fall to shield her face.
“…All right,” she whispered at last. “If that’s what you want p>
But deep inside, one question echoed relentlessly in her heart.
Why? Why is Daven doing this?
The chapter closes on a poignant note, capturing the delicate tension between Althea and Daven as they navigate the fragile space of their strained relationship. Althea’s quiet resilience shines through her pain and uncertainty, revealing a woman who clings to hope and dignity despite the coldness she faces. Her willingness to remain by Daven’s side, even under the weight of his harsh words and the looming presence of Vanessa, speaks to her enduring strength and the complexity of love entangled with obligation and loss.
Daven’s contradictory behavior—his sharp commands paired with moments of unexpected attention—underscores the unresolved emotions simmering beneath the surface. The chapter leaves readers suspended in this bittersweet limbo, where appearances must be maintained even as hearts remain distant. It is a tender exploration of identity, acceptance, and the silent battles waged within relationships shadowed by the past and uncertain futures.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the fragile and tense dynamic between Althea and Daven, as they navigate the complex emotions that bind them together despite the looming separation. Althea’s quiet determination and Daven’s cold commands set the stage for a night filled with unspoken truths and simmering tension. Readers will be drawn into the delicate dance of appearances and hidden feelings, where every glance and gesture carries weight far beyond what is said.
As the evening unfolds, the presence of Vanessa and the ever-watchful Kate Callister will likely cast long shadows, threatening to unravel the fragile peace Althea strives to maintain. The emotional undercurrents running through the household hint at conflicts that could challenge Althea’s resolve, forcing her to confront not only external hostility but also the painful realities of her place in Daven’s life. This chapter will explore the boundaries of dignity, love, and pride, leaving readers eager to discover whether Althea can find strength in the face of rejection or if the night will bring unexpected revelations 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.