The day my husband demanded a divorce, I gave him one condition: "Sleep with me for thirty nights." He was discarding me for his first love, and I vanished from his life forever, carrying his unborn heir in my womb. Flights, hotels, identity records... I wiped them all clean without a trace. A year later, at a shopping mall. I was picking out clothes for my daughter when a hand suddenly gripped my wrist with brutal force. "The kids' section? You have a child?" he demanded, his voice chillingly cold. Beside him, his fiancée stood in stunned silence, visibly terrified by the look on his face. "Who is the father?" he growled, his eyes darkening with dangerous intent. "I am going to kill him." ** "I'm getting married again," Daven said. "And I won’t repeat myself, nor will I be asking for your permission." He set his coffee cup down abruptly, ending breakfast, he hadn't even touched. Althea stood frozen near the long dining table topped with white marble. Her fingers, still holding the spatula, began to tremble. But she kept her expression composed. She bowed her head slightly, letting Daven’s words sink in—though they felt like a slow-acting poison, quietly destroying her from the inside out. "With Vanessa?" Her voice was barely more than a whisper. Daven didn’t look at her. He simply took a shallow breath before replying coldly, “Yes. Who else?” Her husband, Daven Callister, had never loved her. His heart belonged entirely to Vanessa Blake. In truth, their marriage had always been nothing more than an obstacle to his love story. But what could Althea do when the woman who arranged the marriage had been so kind to her? Evelyn Callister—Daven’s grandmother. Althea hadn’t wanted this marriage either. All she had wanted was a proper funeral for her mother. Everything that followed, she had accepted as fate. She had surrendered, despite the grief that still haunted her from losing her mother. But Evelyn had refused to let it end there. She demanded that her beloved grandson, Daven—the man responsible for Althea’s mother’s death—marry her as a form of atonement. Eve saw Althea as a lonely girl with no one else in the world. Daven had only agreed because he was cornered by his grandmother’s wishes. He had no choice but to comply. But now, with Evelyn Callister gone—taken by illness two weeks ago—Daven finally saw a chance to escape a marriage he’d never wanted. There was no reason to stay. Not anymore. A faint, almost invisible smile appeared on Althea’s lips—not from joy, but from bitter resignation. She turned off the stove and gently set the spatula down. Once again, she closed her eyes tightly, trying to contain the storm raging inside her chest. “I won’t stand in your way,” she said at last. Her voice was soft—so soft it barely reached across the wide room. “We both know I never had a place in your heart.” Daven remained silent. He didn’t deny it. He didn’t correct her either. But there was the slightest flicker of disturbance in his gaze as Althea walked slowly toward him. For a moment, he thought she might cry, beg, or show just enough sorrow to make him feel guilty. But she didn’t. Althea stood tall. Her hands clenched lightly at the sides of her simple dress. Her long black hair flowed freely down her back, a quiet contrast to the calm strength in her posture. Her warm, light brown eyes now stared at him—blank, unreadable. At the man who had always been a stranger beneath the same roof. Althea was beautiful, in her quiet way. But that beauty had never stirred anything in Daven. To him, Althea was nothing more than a disruption—an outsider forced into his life. And now that he had the chance to remove her, Daven intended to do exactly that. “Give me one month of your time,” Althea said calmly. “Just one month ... Let me be your wife for real.” Daven narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?” “I’ll leave, just like you want. After you say your wedding vows to the woman you love.” The words stung as they left Althea’s lips, each syllable carving pain deep into her chest. “You can divorce me, and I promise—I’ll disappear from your life for good. But before that, allow me to know what it feels like to be a wife. Not just some stranger living under your roof.” Silence fell. Then a dismissive laugh escaped Daven’s lips. He even wiped the corner of his eye, amused at how absurd her request sounded. What on earth was she thinking? One month? The idea was laughable. Daven took a step toward her, closing the distance. His eyes scanned her face, as if trying to decipher a hidden agenda. Maybe his mother had been all along—maybe Althea was just after the wealth tied to his name. Who didn’t know Daven Callister? CEO of Callister Enterprise, one of the most influential young businessmen in Migathan City. People competed just to get close to him, especially women who thirsted for his attention. But Daven only loved one woman—and it wasn’t his wife. It was someone else entirely—Vanessa Blake, a rising supermodel whose name was lighting up the fashion world. “You’re serious?” he asked, his voice cold, laced with disbelief. “This isn’t some cheap soap opera, Althea.” She gave a small nod. “I’m not asking for your love. Who am I to ask for something like that?” she said with a bitter laugh. “All I’m asking is to be treated properly—as your wife. Have dinner with me. Exchange a few words with me every day. Show me a little affection, even if it’s fake.” She swallowed hard, her hands clenched into fists to keep herself steady. “After that, I’ll Walk away quietly. You’ll be free to marry anyone you want.” Daven squinted, unsure whether to laugh harder or feel irritated. Yet beneath his disbelief, something in her words struck a nerve. A simple request—so painfully simple, it piqued his curiosity. What is Althea's real purpose? “Why not ask for something more reasonable?” Althea fell silent. Looking away from Daven was difficult when those midnight-dark eyes were fixed on hers, commanding her not to break eye contact—not until he’d heard everything she had to say. “If it’s money you want, just say it. I’ll give it to you.” “No,” she said firmly, without hesitation. Her resolve had already been sealed. There was no turning back now. “You really don’t know how to give up, do you?” Daven sneered. “I already have, Daven,” Althea replied softly. “But I just want one memory to keep for the rest of my life. Before I walk away from you for good.” Neither of them spoke after that. This time, Daven’s gaze wasn’t as sharp. He looked at the woman before him with an unreadable expression. Was it confusion? Annoyance? Or... curiosity? “I’m not promising to be nice,” he finally said. “I never expected you to change,” Althea answered, her calmness more shattering than tears ever could be. And with that, an unspoken agreement was formed. One month. Thirty days for Althea to live as the wife of Daven Callister. A reality that should have existed a year ago—ever since their wedding day. But to Daven, she’d always been nothing more than an intruder. Now, before everything ended, Althea could at least be grateful—Daven hadn’t rejected her request. “Only one month, Althea,” Daven warned. “After that, you disappear from my sight.” “I understand exactly what I’m asking for, Daven. You don’t have to worry.” He scoffed, the corner of his lips curling with disdain. “And if you expect more than what I’m willing to give, I won’t hesitate to throw you out.” Althea nodded obediently. “Don’t you dare break your promise, Althea.” His gaze turned sharp again, piercing. “If you do, don’t blame me for destroying your life.” *** “Are you out of your mind?” Catherine Callister—more commonly known as Kate—snapped, her shrill voice shattering the silence of the back garden. Her perfectly manicured fingers dug into Althea’s shoulder with enough force to make the slender woman stumble slightly. The lightweight plastic watering can Althea had been using to water the white roses fell from her hand and shattered upon hitting the sharp-edged stone tiles. Althea didn’t flinch. She merely winced at the harsh grip, then quickly composed herself. With calm eyes, she met her mother-in-law’s gaze, her hands folded neatly in front of her. The pale blue house dress she wore fluttered gently in the spring breeze, lending her an even more delicate air—but her gaze remained steady, unshaken. “How dare you make such a shameless request?” Kate continued, her voice seething with rage. Her eyes blazed. “You’re well aware my son is about to marry Vanessa, aren’t you? Of course you know that—and yet you still have the audacity to beg for Daven’s attention?” Althea gave a faint smile, about to speak—but Kate cut her off sharply, clearly unwilling to hear a single word in return. “You look like some pathetic little love-starved beggar.” Once more, Althea offered a small, wistful smile. It was the kind of smile that whispered warmth in the middle of a storm. “I’m not asking for Daven’s love, Mrs. Callister,” she replied, her voice soft yet laced with a steely kind of courtesy. “All I asked for was time. Thirty days of his time.” “And what do you think you can accomplish in thirty days, huh?” Kate stepped forward, the heel of her designer shoe crunching over the broken watering can with a sharp, splintering sound. “You think you can make Daven fall in love with you? That’s never going to happen. Burn that into your pathetic little mind, Althea. Daven loves Vanessa. He always has and always will. You’re nothing but an obstacle to their happiness.” Althea exhaled slowly, bowing her head for a moment as she fought to steady the storm churning inside her. Then she looked straight into her mother-in-law’s eyes. Her gaze was still calm—but this time, it carried an unmistakable strength. “I never wanted to get in anyone’s way,” she said quietly. “But I’m not something to be discarded either. I’ve been Daven’s wife for nearly a year, even if no one has ever acknowledged it. I just want to end this marriage... peacefully.” Kate scoffed sharply; her face flushed with fury. “End your marriage peacefully? You really have lost your mind, Althea.” Her words didn’t shake Althea—though her heart ached with every syllable. From the very beginning, she had never been welcomed into this home. The only person who had shown her any kindness was Eve, the warm-hearted older woman who treated her like family. How could Althea not love her? Eve had become like a mother to her—a comforting figure who filled the void left by the one she had lost. Eve had become the grandmother she never had, the only light that gave her strength to keep enduring her cursed life inside the Callister household. Because everyone else? They treated Althea with nothing but contempt. Mockery. Loathing. As if she were some scheming intruders who had come to ruin everything. As if she were a cunning woman with hidden intentions. But not once—not even once—had Althea ever thought to use her circumstances to her advantage. If she could have one wish, she would choose a quiet life with her late mother over any of this. She had never wanted to live in this grand, glittering house. Not if it came at the cost of her dignity. “You’ve already made a mess of everything, Althea. And now? Now you’re making it worse?” Kate’s voice cracked with rage. “Vanessa’s been preparing everything—her dream wedding, the family gathering, every important guest. And now, because of some ‘final request’ from a nameless, orphaned girl, it’s all been postponed!” Althea lowered her head, biting her lower lip to keep her pain from spilling out. When she finally spoke, her voice was clear. “Yes, I’m nothing more than a girl with nothing—no wealth, no power, no name. But I still have my dignity, Mrs. Callister. And all I want is to hold on to that.” Althea’s words were met with a scornful scoff from Kate. The older woman looked at her daughter-in-law with disbelief, clearly unable to comprehend the way her mind worked. “You can keep your dignity, Althea. But at the very least, you should know your place in this house.” “I’m fully aware of that, Mrs. Callister,” Althea replied calmly. Kate opened her mouth to retort again, but the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted her. Daven appeared from behind the glass doors of the house, his suit still perfectly in place. The weariness from a long day’s work was evident on his face. He glanced briefly between the two women before speaking in a flat tone, “Is there a problem?” Kate turned to him, letting out a dramatic sigh. “Of course, there’s a problem. Your precious wife is trying to sabotage your wedding with Vanessa. She made an absurd request, and you—” she pointed a manicured finger at him, “—you agreed to it? I honestly don’t understand what you were thinking, Dave!” Daven didn’t answer right away. His eyes were fixed on Althea. She didn’t say a word, but he knew she wouldn’t deny it. She wasn’t like the rest of the people in this house, hiding their motives behind masks. “She only asked for my time, Mother. Just one month,” Daven said at last. “And I agreed. I’ve already spoken to Vanessa and explained everything. She’s willing to give me that time. Our love has already stood the test of time, Mother. It’s been a year since I married this woman, and Vanessa still waited for me. She didn’t mind giving me thirty more days.” Kate could hardly believe what she was hearing. She buried her face in her hands in sheer frustration. But there was nothing more she could do. She had no choice but to go along with whatever her son had decided. “Just make sure this shameless woman is out of the Callister family’s life when the month is over, Daven. I don’t want my beloved daughter-in-law waiting any longer.” “Yes,” Daven replied curtly. Althea, who had been standing quietly between them, spoke again. “I know exactly where I stand. And I will leave once my time is up. But for now... I just want to spend what’s left in peace. That’s all I ask.” Kate hissed under her breath, then turned away sharply. “I will never see you as part of this family,” she spat before disappearing down the hallway, her footsteps sharp and swift—like every word she had just hurled. Althea let out a long breath once the woman’s figure vanished from sight. Her hands trembled slightly, but she hid them beneath the folds of her dress. Only one figure remained, still standing there, watching her with that same cold stare—like she was nothing more than a discarded object. “I didn’t realize my wife was so stubborn,” Daven mocked. “Do you want to be my wife that badly?” He let out a scoffing chuckle, laced with disdain. “Do you regret agreeing to my request?” Althea asked softly, her gaze gentle but clouded with pain and disappointment. Daven held her gaze for a moment, then shook his head. “No. But I still think it’s ridiculous.” “That’s fine,” Althea said, forcing a smile that barely reached her eyes. “What matters is... I won’t regret it.” For a moment, the only sound between them was the breeze. Daven turned his face away, though his eyes lingered on her cheeks, flushed under the afternoon sun—or perhaps from holding back tears she refused to shed. Without another word, he turned and began to walk away. But just before he vanished through the doorway, his voice called out behind him. “If you’re this insistent... does that mean you’re ready to share my bed tonight, Althea? Isn’t that what you wanted— to become my wife in every sense of the word?” Althea blinked, stunned. She was the one who had made that request, after all—asking to truly be his wife. Which meant... he had the right to touch her. Anytime. For the next thirty days. Her fists clenched tightly at her sides. “Yes,” she answered, her voice firm. She couldn’t back down now, could she? Even if the thought alone made her body tremble with fear. But Daven’s response was as cold as ever. “Too bad... I’m not interested.” “But you already made a promise, Daven,” Althea said, her voice steady, stripped of shame. She had nothing left to lose—especially not her pride. Daven laughed, but there was no warmth in it. “You’re really clinging to that, huh?” He took a step forward, eyes never leaving hers. “Tell me, Althea. Do you want to be my wife that badly?” She took a step back, instinctively. “It’s not like that—” “Oh? Then what is it?” he snapped. “You begged for this. You practically signed yourself up to be mine—for a month.” His voice was low, dangerously calm. He reached out, fingers brushing her chin—not tenderly, but not cruelly either. Just enough to force her gaze upward. “Tomorrow night,” he said, gaze locked on hers, “I’ll come home not as the man you married on paper—but as the husband you insisted, I become.” Althea’s breath hitched. Her hands curled into fists beside her dress, but she didn’t look away. “I hope you’re ready,” Daven added, pulling back just slightly. “Because I won’t stop to ask if you’ve changed your mind.” ... The sky was already dark when Daven Callister unlocked the door, the familiar click echoing through the silence of the grand house—quiet, yet resounding. His black shoes clicked against the marble floor of the foyer, and the dark grey suit he wore looked slightly rumpled. A faint trace of an elegant woman’s perfume lingered on his collar—a remnant of the secret dinner he had just shared with Vanessa. He sighed, loosening his tie with a lazy tug before stepping further inside. The lights in the main room were still on, casting a warm glow that stood in stark contrast to the cold air outside. “Welcome home, Daven.” His steps halted. Althea stood at the entrance to the dining room, dressed in a simple beige house dress. Her hair was pinned up neatly, with a few soft strands framing her face. She smiled—wide and sincere—her warm brown eyes looking at her husband as if nothing was wrong. For a moment, Daven just looked back at her. Normally, he would have ignored that greeting. But tonight, he couldn’t brush Althea off so easily. “I made dinner,” she said. “I heard the weather’s been chilly today, so I thought you’d like some beef soup and warm bread.” Her words made Daven glance at the dining table. Dinner was set with care: a bowl of steaming soup, homemade bread, and a small plate of salad arranged delicately. A single lit candle stood at the center, casting a soft glow and shadows on the wall. Daven exhaled quietly. “I already ate.” Althea nodded. “That’s okay. But it’d be a shame to let it go cold and to waste. You could try a little.” Her tone was light, not insistent. But for some reason, Daven pulled out a chair and sat down without complaint. Maybe it was fatigue. Maybe it was the hopeful look in Althea’s eyes. Or maybe it was because of the promise he’d made—to treat Althea as his real wife, just for a month. And dinner with his wife counted, didn’t it? Althea took the seat across from him, her hands busy pouring water into a glass. “Go ahead,” she said gently. She didn’t touch her own food, just watched him with a calm gaze. “How was your day?” she asked softly. “Did the morning meeting go well?” Daven picked up the spoon, slowly tasted the soup, and swallowed without replying. Althea offered a faint smile. She understood. Daven wasn’t the kind of man who opened up easily, especially not to someone he considered a wife only because of circumstance. “I heard about the Korean textile merger that’s planning to expand into Mighatan. Aren’t they considered a competitor to Callister Enterprise?” Daven’s head lifted slightly. “Not a direct competitor,” he muttered. “But they do have ties to the raw material markets we’ve been targeting.” Althea nodded thoughtfully. “I thought you’d approach it with an alliance strategy, not competition.” Daven paused mid-bite. There was a moment of silence before he set the spoon down slowly. “You understand quite a bit.” “Some news portals have been covering it. I’ve just been following along a little.” Daven raised an eyebrow slightly. He didn’t say anything, but for the first time in a long while, he looked at Althea—not with disdain or irritation, but with a flicker of interest. Althea smiled, not out of pride, but because she knew she’d finally gotten his attention. “I want to understand some of the things that make up your world. At the very least… if I’m going to leave one day, I want to go knowing who you really are.” The word “leave” hung in the air like a heavy night fog. Daven said nothing. Instead, he picked up his spoon again and finished the soup in his bowl. A long silence settled between them—comforting in a way neither of them could quite define. Until finally, Daven spoke—his tone as flat as usual, though this time, not as cold. “In two days, there’s a dinner at the Mighatan Embassy. The Japanese Ambassador will be attending.” Althea turned to him slowly. “Sounds like an important meeting.” “The Japanese Ambassador has taken a particular interest in Callister Enterprise. He extended a personal invitation.” “That’s wonderful, isn’t it?” Althea’s voice carried a hint of enthusiasm. “They invited me... with a partner.” She was still smiling. “You can do that, Daven.” “My wife.” Althea went quiet. “I’ve been asked to attend with my wife, Althea.” Those words rendered her speechless. A sharp, unexplainable ache bloomed in her chest. It had already seemed certain that Daven would go with Vanessa. And why was he telling her this? Just to remind her of her place? Even without being told, Althea was painfully aware of who she was in this house. “Get ready to attend the event, Althea.” Daven rose from his seat, resting a hand on the table before walking toward the stairs. But just before he disappeared from sight, he spoke again—without turning back: “The soup was good.” She hadn’t processed what he’d said yet. Not fully. But... “Am I dreaming?” Althea muttered, pressing her hands to her cheeks, suddenly warm. “Daven... complimented my cooking?” Oh, but that wasn’t the most shocking part. “And he asked me to go with him? As his wife?” *** “I think this tie suits you best.” Althea picked one from Daven’s extensive collection. She knew he only tolerated her presence, but she pushed her embarrassment aside. What she had planned needed to work—at least until their agreement ended. After all, they would never see each other again. She might as well pretend she was living in a dream—a romantic fantasy where her beloved husband existed solely for her. And once the dream ended, she would return to her reality: a woman fated to live her life alone. Althea played her role with quiet grace, never asking for anything in return. As long as Daven didn’t push her away, she took it as acceptance—even if it was reluctant. But every movement she made, every word she spoke, left marks that Daven could no longer ignore. He raised an eyebrow. “I can dress myself.” “I know,” Althea said with a small smile. “But allow me to pick something for you today.” She laid a suit and matching tie on the couch. “Do whatever you want,” Daven muttered without looking at her. “You’re foolish… wasting your time on something so pointless.” Althea turned to him, unfazed. Not hurt. Not offended. The small smile never left her lips. “Maybe. But hold on for this last month.” “Daven, darling!” The shrill voice of a woman—greedy and far too enthusiastic—cut through the air, stopping Althea in her tracks. Daven, too, hurriedly slipped into his blazer as if someone was already waiting for him. “Is that... Miss Vanessa?” Althea asked. “I don’t know why she’s here this early.” Daven walked out of the bedroom, followed closely by Althea, who tried her best to keep her composure. In the living room, Vanessa and Kate Callister were deep in animated conversation. Their faces lit up even more when Daven appeared. But— “What are you doing here?” Kate sneered, glaring at the woman behind Daven. Althea chose to smile. “I was just seeing my husband off to work.” Vanessa laughed out loud, and Kate joined in—mocking her. “Oh my God! Did you hear that, Vanessa?” Kate said between her chuckles. “What a shameless woman,” Vanessa scoffed, folding her arms across her chest. “That’s enough,” Daven cut in, not wanting drama first thing in the morning. “What brings you here this early, darling?” Vanessa quickly wiped the annoyance from her expression and clung to Daven with a feigned sweetness, ignoring the way Althea looked at them—soft, wistful, resigned. Because this was how it was supposed to be. Vanessa belonged with Daven. Althea was nothing but an outsider in a house that was never hers to begin with. “I want you to take me to the studio, sweetheart,” Vanessa purred. Daven looked mildly irritated, but he didn’t argue. There wasn’t much he could do except comply. “Fine. Let’s go.” Althea watched it all unfold and tried to steel herself. This wasn’t the first time—nor would it be the last—that she had to witness Daven and Vanessa flaunt their affection in front of her. She should’ve been used to the pain by now. But still... it hurt. “Drive safe, Daven,” she said softly. Her words caught his attention. He paused for a moment and turned his head. Althea gave him a faint smile. Her warm brown eyes met his, gentle and sincere. “Have a good day,” she added. “Let’s go.” Vanessa quickly grabbed Daven’s hand, tugging him toward the door. Her expression tightened with suppressed anger. If it weren’t for her scheduled appointment at the studio, she would’ve spent the rest of the day making sure Althea knew her place. This was all Daven’s fault for giving that woman too much leeway! The moment they left, Althea let out a long, shaky breath. The ache in her chest didn’t ease. She needed to calm herself. But just as she turned to leave the living room, a harsh slap struck her cheek. It stung—deeply. “Know your place, Althea!” Kate screamed; her eyes wide with fury. “You’re a parasite in my son’s relationship. You disgust me, you disgraceful woman!” Althea touched her burning cheek, stunned. “Are you blind? Didn’t you see how affectionate they are? They’re perfect for each other, Althea. And you?” Kate jabbed a finger in Althea’s face. “You’re just a pathetic outsider, living off the pity of my mother. You should be grateful we even let you stay here.” Althea could only lower her gaze, trembling. “Don’t you ever dream of becoming a part of this family!” *** “Mom,” Althea whispered. Her cheek still throbbed with pain, but she couldn’t turn away from the decision she’d already made. “Please help me find the strength to carry on.” She stared at her reflection in the tall mirror. The gown she wore was a gift from Evelyn Callyster—a kind, warm-hearted woman who had been so close to her. Her passing had left a deep emptiness in Althea’s heart. Just like the time she lost her own mother, who took her final breath after suffering a fatal head injury in that accident, Althea hadn’t been able to stop crying. Evelyn had quietly purchased several elegant dresses for her, saying that maybe one day, Althea would attend a formal event alongside Daven. Sadly, that day had never come. Until tonight. The gown was a pale gold, shimmering subtly under the light, flowing over her body with a graceful, understated cut. The neckline was bare, adorned only by a delicate pearl necklace—her mother’s last keepsake. Althea’s hair was styled into a low chignon, neat yet soft, framing her face. Her makeup was light, just enough to highlight the calm in her eyes and the gentle curve of her smile. She didn’t look like a woman from a modest background. Tonight, Althea Grayson looked every bit like a noblewoman stepped out of a classic tale. “This is what Daven asked of me… part of my role as his wife, right? At the very least… let this evening pass without incident,” she whispered to herself, trying to summon courage. When she opened her bedroom door and stepped into the main hall, Daven was already there, standing while checking his phone, as though his world was far too full to notice anything else. But he froze at the sound of heels tapping against the floor. His eyes lifted, and his expression shifted ever so slightly. He didn’t say a word, but his gaze lingered on her. His hand lowered, the phone forgotten, and a faint crease formed between his brows. Althea approached, a small smile still gracing her lips. “Have you… been waiting long?” “No,” Daven replied curtly. “Is… is this dress too much?” she asked, a bit nervous under the weight of his stare—he had never looked at her quite like this before. “If it is, I can change into something else.” “There’s no need,” he answered quietly. “Let’s go. The car’s waiting.” On the way, 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 against his collar. Their eyes met—just for a 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.” Daven turned slowly, his gaze sharp. “What’s that supposed to mean?” “I’ll just stay slightly behind you,” she explained softly, with a faint smile, trying 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.” 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 in a quiet, threatening tone, “you’ll regret it.” Althea froze. She stared at him, uncertain of what she had just heard. “Daven, I only—” “There’s no ‘only,’” he snapped, his eyes narrowing. “Tonight, you’ll stand beside me. As my wife. As you should.” A heavy silence fell 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.” But inside, one question kept echoing in her heart. Why? Why is Daven doing this?
