A way out of the mess

—SAMANTHA—

While Maryjane drove, I scrolled through the comments online, my fingers trembling slightly. The netizens were already deep in discussion, dissecting every detail of the scandal.

Some mocked my poor background, while others fawned over Ophelia, praising her success as a designer abroad.

A debate had sparked between those supporting the "mistress" and those sympathizing with the "legal wife."

@FashionQueen23: "Ugh, why is everyone blaming Ophelia? She’s a successful designer abroad, and this country bumpkin Samantha is just leeching off the Frost name. Zeke deserves better!"

@AlphaMale99: "Mistress or legal wife? Who's really the victim here? Honestly, if Zeke loves Ophelia, shouldn’t he be with her?"

@SpillTheTea: "Forget the love triangle. The REAL scandal is Mrs. Frost’s past. Didn’t she sleep with a gigolo on her wedding night and get pregnant?!"

I swallowed hard, my grip tightening on the phone.

@TruthSeeker88: "That’s just a rumor. Zeke claimed the kid as his, so obviously, it’s his child."

@NoFilterNina: "Lol, or maybe he just covered it up to save face. You really think a rich family like the Frosts would let a woman who cheated on her wedding night stay married to their heir?"

I clenched my jaw, scrolling faster.

@WildGossip: "Wait, I heard something even crazier. People say the real wife died, and the sister took her place."

@ItsMeLuna: "Pfft, that’s ridiculous. Who comes up with this stuff?"

I couldn’t take it anymore. My hands trembled as I locked my phone screen, my heart pounding.

Someone was fueling the fire. And I had a sinking feeling that this was just the beginning.

Before I knew it, we had entered the affluent neighborhood where most of the elites in the Skyline City resided. Maryjane pulled up in front of the grand Villa of the Frost family.

Before I stepped out, she turned to me, concern clouding over her features. "Be careful, okay?"

I nodded, grateful for her support, and then walked toward the entrance.

The old family butler, James, hurried to usher me inside, but I caught the disgust fueling in his eyes. To him, I was just a poor country girl who had no business holding the title of Mrs. Frost.

I hadn’t even stepped fully inside when I heard Dawson Frost’s thunderous voice.

"How could you let this happen?!" Mr. Frost Sr. was yelling at Zeke. "The whole city is taking! Our sales are dropping! Clients and shareholders are already calling to demand answers! Are you even a capable CEO?”

I could feel the tension in the air.

Taking a deep breath, I strode into the spacious exquisite living room and greeted Dawson. “Grandpa, I'm here.”

The old man turned his glare on me, his sharp eyes scrutinizing every inch of me -then, for a brief moment, his expression wavered slightly when he saw my bruised face.

Sydney, Mrs. Frost Sr. gasped when she noticed. "Samantha! My child, what happened to you?" she asked, panic and sadness mingling in her voice.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Zeke shoot me a cold glance.

I forced a smile and lied. "I fell down the stairs, Grandma."

Silence.

No one spoke, but I knew they didn’t believe me. The bruise on my eye told its own story.

"Come. Sit with me," the old woman said, gently taking my hand. Her warmth was the only kindness I had ever known in this family.

Dawson's voice cut through the room. "We need to fix this before the public gets the wrong idea."

He didn’t look at anyone in particular, but I knew he was speaking to both me and Zeke.

Zeke scoffed, shattering the tension with his next words. "I want a divorce."

Dawson threw his grandson a dead look and his rejection was immediate. "Absolutely not!”

On the surface, it seemed like he was defending me. But I knew it had nothing to do with me. It was all about the family’s reputation.

Sydney turned to Zeke, her face filled with disappointment. "How could you carelessly say that boy? Samantha loves you."

I blinked. I hadn’t expected that.

And I didn’t think, I just reacted instantly. "I don’t love Zeke, Grandma," I said firmly.

The shock in the room was palpable.

Even Zeke looked momentarily thrown off, his face tightening as if my words had suffocated him.

Still, I knew none of them believed me.

Right. How could they?

All my life had revolved around Zeke. I had no job as my main responsibility was to be a dutiful housewife. I knew his favorite foods, and his favorite color. When he worked late, I stayed up, waiting. When he fell ill, I cared for him. When I got dead drunk, I cleaned up his mess. When he faces some issues in the company, I help out with reports.

And back then, he used to thank me.

I had thought that meant he had a soft spot for me.

But I had been wrong.

So, so wrong.

Sydney gently took my hand in hers, her eyes soft with understanding. "You don’t have to say you don’t love him, dear. I know you only said that because you’re mad at him."

I stiffened, my fingers curling into my palm.

Zeke, who had been silent, let out a dry scoff when he heard his grandma, shaking his head as he leaned back. "Of course," he muttered. "That explains it."

I didn’t bother refuting Grandma. What was the point?

No matter what I said, they wouldn’t believe me. They didn’t know the truth—that I had only loved and cared for Zeke because of my promise to Gina.

Dawson sighed, rubbing his temples. "We have to find a way to fix this," he said.

Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice chimed in.

"Grandpa, I have an idea."

My head snapped up, and I froze in shock as Ophelia stepped out of the kitchen, holding a freshly brewed cup of coffee. She walked up to Dawson, offering it with both hands.

Right now she was looking at every bit of the true ‘Mrs. Frost’

Dawson smiled as he took it from her. “Thank you, child."

Then, Ophelia turned toward Sydney, holding out another cup. But Grandma barely spared her a glance before looking away.

“I won’t take anything from you," she said coldly. "Only from my real daughter-in-law."

Ophelia’s face went pale, her fingers tightening around the handle of the cup.

She tried to force a smile, but the way she sniffed and stepped back made it clear how she wanted it to seem like Grandma wronged her.

Why that Bitch!

Zeke, as expected, was quick to jump to her defense. "Grandma, Ophelia didn’t mean any harm. Why did you talk to her like that?!”

Then he threw me a hateful look as if I caused everything. This man is sick.

“Then she shouldn't step her foot here anymore! She's unwelcomed!” Sydney’s eyes snapped toward him, sharp and unyielding.

“And you?” She scolded him, "should stop embarrassing yourself over a woman who is not your wife."

Zeke’s face flushed, he couldn't muster a word.

I bit the inside of my cheek, silently grateful for Grandma’s support.

Dawson cleared his throat, bringing the conversation back. "What plan do you have, Ophelia?"

“Grandpa,” Ophelia glanced at Zeke before speaking, her voice delicate yet confident. "Tomorrow is my birthday. Since my parents are still abroad, I’ve decided to celebrate here in Skyline City. Since I'm a well-known designer, we can use my party to clear up any misunderstandings. If the media sees that Samantha and Zeke are on good terms and that I’m just a family friend, the matter will die down."

Zeke immediately tensed, his lips parting like he wanted to protest.

I almost laughed. His love for her was so strong, he couldn’t even stand the thought of the public believing he was in a happy marriage with me.

Dawson clapped his hands together, pleased. "That’s a wonderful idea!" He turned to Ophelia, his gratitude clear. "Thank you, my dear."

“Miss Ophelia is truly intelligent and thoughtful, Mr Dawson,” James who stood beside the old man praised, “not so many people would be able to come up with that to save the Frost family…”

I knew who the butler was referring to; me. He was using every means to humiliate me in front of everyone.

“I couldn't bear to see the Frost Family in distress,” Ophelia lowered her gaze humbly, pretending to be modest, but I caught the pride gleaming in her eyes.

Something felt… off.

Why did I feel like this birthday party was going to change everything?

Why did I have the sinking feeling that something big was about to happen?