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Chapter 34: The Feeling of Being Unwelcome

Penulis: Avvi Keller
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-06-22 18:11:09

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains. A wave of disorientation washed over me as I blinked them open, the room unfamiliar for a moment. It took a sluggish mental count to register the time – 3 pm.

“Had I really slept that late?” The exhaustion must have been deeper than I realized.

Sitting up slowly, I scanned the room, my gaze landing on a tray perched on the bedside table. A steaming cup of tea sat beside a plate piled high with colorful pastries. A small, folded note beside the tray. Reaching for it, I unfolded the paper, my mother-in-law’s familiar handwriting filling the page.

Eat this, honey. I didn’t wake you up because you looked so tired. - Love, Caroline.

I picked up a pastry, the flaky crust giving way to a satisfying crunch. The filling, a sweet blend of fruit and spices, danced on my tongue. I took a sip of the tea, loosening the stiffness in my muscles. I made a quick trip to the bathroom for a splash of water and a swipe of lipstick.

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 35: Lucky Charm

    As we walked, I couldn't help but scan the crowd anxiously, searching for Regan amongst the throngs of family members. But he was nowhere to be seen, something I probably should have expected. Outside, a fleet of jeeps lined the driveway which was also filled with excited chatter."Why don't you ride with us?" my mother-in-law suggested, ushering me towards the jeep where her husband stood waiting.“Yeah, you can come with us.”I nodded, my smile a little strained as I continued to search for Regan. “O-okay”Just as I was about to climb into the passenger seat, a hand clamped down on my arm."She's coming with me, Mom," a voice spoke from behind me.I turned, my breath catching in my throat at the sight of Regan. He looked effortlessly handsome, clad in a crisp white button-down shirt that clung to his broad frame, the sleeves casually rolled up to reveal toned forearms. His strong jawline and high cheekbones gave his face

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 36: Reila Del Valle

    I stood with my mother-in-law, Caroline, and other relatives as we watched the men gather around the stables, each stall housing magnificent horses with coats gleaming in the sunlight. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement, everyone chatting and laughing."Isn't this lovely?" Caroline said, her eyes sparkling with joy."It certainly is," I agreed, a smile gracing my lips as I watched Regan emerge from the stable, a vision of equestrian grace.He wore riding breeches that hugged his toned legs, a crisp white polo shirt with the collar popped, and a tweed hacking jacket. A pair of polished riding boots completed the picture. He moved with a quiet confidence, a natural at home in the saddle. As he mounted his horse, a powerful black stallion, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride."Who usually wins these races?" I asked, turning to Caroline."Oh, Regan often takes the prize," Caroline replied, beaming. "He's been riding sinc

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 37: Bittersweet

    As we got inside the car, Regan stared out the window, a deep frown etching lines on his forehead. I stole a glance at him, the carefree mood I had earlier dissipating like mist. Silence stretched between us, heavy and suffocating.“So,” I began, needing to break the ice, “how did you get into horse riding?”He flinched a little at the question as if yanked back from his thoughts. “Lessons”It wasn’t much, but it was a start. “Lessons, huh? Must have been amazing. I saw this video online the other day, this rider going full gallop across a field, the wind whipping through their hair… looked exhilarating.”A flicker of something crossed his face, a spark of emotion I couldn’t quite place. Pressed on, refusing to let the conversation die. “And you just did it earlier. How did you learn to do that?”“Practice,” he responded, his ton

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 38: Humiliation

    Inside, the dining room buzzed with conversation. A long table stretched down the center of the room, groaning under the weight of a feast. Platters heaped with roasted meats, glistening vegetables, and golden-brown bread filled the air with a mouthwatering aroma. I found my seat amongst Regan's family on the right side of the table.As the clinking of silverware and polite chatter filled the room, the conversation inevitably shifted towards us. My mother-in-law, her face creased with a wide grin, leaned towards me."So, Anastasia, when are you two lovebirds going to give us a little grandchild to spoil?"A blush crept up my cheeks, warming my face like a summer sun. I stole a glance at Regan, but his attention remained fixed on his plate, his expression unreadable."We're working on it," I replied with a shy smile, "Hopefully it won't be too much longer."My words were met with a chorus of delighted gasps and excited chatter."Oh, that's wo

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    My eyes fell upon a horse tethered nearby, a magnificent brown stallion. Almost on autopilot, I moved towards it, untying the lead rope with shaking hands. Swinging myself onto its back, I urged the horse forward.I needed to get away.Kicking the horse into a gallop, I rode towards the familiar sight of the forest. The trees blurred past me as I pushed the horse harder, the wind whipping through my hair and stealing my tears. Reila's words echoed in my mind, each one a cruel arrow piercing my heart.Deep within the forest, far from the mansion and the judging eyes, I finally reined in the horse. Dismounting, my legs gave way beneath me, and I sank to the ground, leaning against the rough bark of a tree."It's fine," I whispered, "It's all fine."But the lie tasted like ashes in my mouth when Reila's words, dripping with smug satisfaction, replayed on a loop in my mind. "It's not fine, fuck it is not" I choked out, a sob escaping my lips. Tears streamed down my face now. "I’m not fin

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 40: Kisses Under the Moonlight

    The cool evening air kissed our wet skin as we found ourselves emerging from the lake, our clothes clinging to us. The moonlight filtered through the trees as the sounds of the forest surrounded us. Suddenly, Regan caught my waist, and I squealed as he pushed me back against a tree. My hands landed on his shoulders as if I were going to push him off, but I didn't.“Regan,” I breathed, my heart pounding.“Hmm?” he murmured; his lips dangerously close to mine.Before I could say anything else, he leaned forward and kissed me. My heart leaped, my skin tingled, and my traitorous body gave in to his demand. I was supposed to be angry at him. I was supposed to be shoving him off and telling him to stay away from me. Telling him I hate him. But instead, I found myself pulling him closer, my hands fisting in the material of his shirt, my lips parting to admit his tongue.A groan of desire escaped him, the heat of his kiss lighting me up from within. I gave up any thoughts of pushing him away.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-06-25
  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 41: Zarina's Arrival

    "What will you do today?" I asked Regan as I closed our bedroom door behind us. I was in a good mood, and he seemed relaxed, which lightened my heart after the events of last night. I could sense that Regan cared for me at least a little.He had his hands tucked in his shorts pockets as he shrugged in response. "I don't know. I think Mom has plans for us later."I nodded, grateful that he wasn't responding with just one word or being distant. That small gesture was enough for me. "Do you think we can go to the town sometime? I really want to see it."As we descended the staircase, walking side by side, he answered, "Yeah, I can bring you there."I smiled, feeling excited at the prospect. But as we reached the bottom of the stairs, my joy turned to shock. I froze in place as I beheld the sight before my eyes. Why couldn't I have a peaceful life? Just why?There stood Zarina, with her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore a floral sundre

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  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 42: The Game of Who Knows Him More

    Soon after, breakfast was called, and the grand dining room bustled with activity. Even the children, usually bouncing with morning energy, were present around the expansive table. But to make matters worse, Zarina, sat directly across from me and was busy chatting animatedly with Reila. But her subtle gaze with Regan who was on my right didn’t go unnoticed.I, on the other hand, found it difficult to muster even a polite smile. My stomach churned with a fit of anger.At the head of the table, Richard's gaze swept across the assembled family members before landing on a man who sported a yawn and a simple shirt, his demeanor radiating an easy-going charm. He has a lean build, light brown hair, tousled in a carefree manner, and hazel eyes."Paul," Richard called, "where's young Ethan this fine morning?"Paul chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh, the little rascal's busy constructing some elaborate Lego masterpiece. Had to get him started early t

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-06-26

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    I sat on the balcony, staring out into the blank space. My head throbbed where the doctor had treated me. Sheila had left a while ago, saying she'd be back soon. There was food on the table, but I wasn't hungry at all. All I could see in my mind was Regan's face, twisted with worry, as he looked at that other woman, Zarina. It was like a broken record, replaying over and over.Suddenly, I heard the door open. I thought it was Sheila, but then my stepmother's voice echoed instead. She stood in the doorway. She wore a tailored navy-blue dress that hugged her figure perfectly, with a matching jacket draped over her shoulders. Her hair was styled in a chignon, not a strand out of place. Her makeup was flawless, highlighting her sharp features, and her eyes were cold, and calculating.I turned to face her, my voice flat. "What are you doing here?"She walked closer, her high heels clicking on the floor. "I called Ella, you know after your old maid Susan told me you went to a party. But Ell

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    “ANASTASIA!” I heard Sheila’s voice, but it was as if everything around me had slowed down.I felt my body slip, and then there was a sharp, terrifying impact. The side of the pool slammed into my head, sending a pulse of searing pain through my skull. Everything around me spun—twisting, distorting, until I could no longer make sense of the world.Someone grabbed me, pulling me out of the water. The dizziness started to subside, but the ache in my head remained, throbbing relentlessly. As my vision cleared, I saw Alan beside me, his face tight with concern. Sheila was already in the pool, frantically swimming toward me.Everyone else stood frozen, eyes fixed on the scene, their expressions a mixture of shock and confusion."Fuck," Alan muttered under his breath. His voice was tense, and I could hear the faintest edge of panic in it. “You okay?”I wanted to tell him I was fine, but all I could focus on was the sharpness of the pain in my head. I couldn’t think straight. I glanced up, a

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 85: The Wife Vs. The Mistress

    My gaze drifted back towards Regan and Zarina, drawn by a strange pull. They were looking in our direction, and for a short moment, our eyes met. A flicker of shock crossed Regan's handsome face; the exhaustion etched into his features momentarily forgotten. He looked… weary. His usually sharp blue eyes were clouded with fatigue, the dark around them. His dark hair, usually meticulously styled, was slightly mussed, as if he'd run a hand through it. Despite the exhaustion, his undeniable good looks were on full display – strong jawline, sharp cheekbones, and piercing blue eyes that always captivated me.The tension in the room was thick, but I kept my expression neutral. As I watched Regan and Zarina from across the room, the pain flared again.After a few minutes, I took a deep breath and straightened up. “I’ll just go to the bathroom.”Sheila squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. “If you need anything, just let me know.”I nodded and made my way back to the bathroom, needing a mome

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    We pulled into the driveway, the festive decorations already visible through the front windows of Ella's house. Sheila parked the car and turned to me with a concerned frown. "Anastasia, are you sure you're up for this?" she asked softly. "We can turn around and head home if you'd rather.""No. I came this far. Besides, I wouldn't want to disappoint Ella."Sheila reached out and squeezed my hand gently. "Of course not. But if things get too overwhelming, don't hesitate to tell me, okay? We can sneak out anytime."Taking another deep breath, I forced a smile onto my face. "Alright, let's do this."We climbed out of the car and made our way towards the house. The cheerful sounds grew louder as we approached. As we reached the front door, it swung open, revealing Ella standing there, a radiant smile lighting up her face."Anastasia!" she exclaimed, "You actually came! I'm so happy to see you!" Before I could respond, she pulled me into a hug, the scent of fresh flowers and baby powder

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 83: Invited

    Five days had crawled by since the trip. Since the storm Regan left without a word, leaving the mansion feeling even emptier than usual. The silence in the house seemed to stretch on, oppressive and suffocating. The maids had fussed over me all morning, urging me to eat, but the sight of food on a silver platter only turned my stomach. Nothing felt right. I couldn’t shake the image of him walking away, of his cold eyes, and the thought that he might be with Zarina now.Zarina. Her name lingered in my mind like a bitter aftertaste. I had no proof, no confirmation, but the way Regan had behaved—it made sense. Maybe they were together. Maybe that was why he’d stormed off. The thought of him with her twisted something inside me, something dark and painful. I didn't want to think about it, but I couldn’t help it. It was all I could think about.I reached for my phone again, fingers trembling as I unlocked it. I scrolled through the messages and then tried calling Regan’s number, again, for

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 82: The Call From Her Stepmother

    As Alex pulled up to the grand driveway, I felt a lump forming in my throat. The house loomed in the darkness, familiar yet somehow alien after the whirlwind of the past few days. I unbuckled my seatbelt slowly, my hands trembling as I reached for the door handle. Before I could step out, Alex rounded the car and opened the door for me. “Hey,” he said softly, his voice grounding me. “You’re going to be okay. One step at a time.” I nodded; my throat too tight to respond. As I stood, he surprised me by pulling me into a hug. His arms wrapped around me firmly, shielding me for just a moment from the storm raging in my chest. “Call me if you need anything”“Thank you”He pulled away, his hands lingering briefly on my shoulders before he stepped back. I gave him a faint smile, the best I could muster, and watched as he walked back to his car. He paused for a moment before getting in, as if he wanted to say something else, but then he simply gave me a small wave and drove away. Turning

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 81: Thank You

    The car's engine hummed softly as Alex drove away, his focus entirely on the road ahead. We didn’t speak much during the drive, but I could feel Alex’s concern in the way he occasionally glanced at me, his brow furrowed with worry. I felt so exposed, and vulnerable, and yet there was something about his calm presence that grounded me. Eventually, we arrived at the house he had rented, a charming place. The rain was still pouring down in sheets, but I barely noticed it as Alex helped me out of the car and led me inside. The house was cozy and warm. He guided me to the couch, urging me to sit as he went to gather supplies. I watched him move around; his actions were quick but gentle. It was clear he knew what he was doing. “Just a few scratches,” he muttered as he carefully cleaned the scrape on my knee.The warmth of his touch as he tended to my wounds made me feel something unfamiliar, something soft, and I didn’t know whether I should be grateful or confused. "Thank you," I whisp

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 80: Alex

    He stood there, drenched from head to toe, his rugged features softened by the concern on his face. His brown hair was tousled by the wind, a few strands clinging to his forehead as he made his way closer, his jacket sticking to his frame in the rain. The jeans he wore were soaked, hugging his lean figure, and despite the storm, there was a warmth in his eyes—a warmth that was the complete opposite of the coldness I felt inside.I could barely believe my eyes when I saw him standing there."Anastasia," he said again, his voice carrying a sense of relief mixed with panic.His face was full of concern. Without saying a word, he rushed over to me, kneeling beside me in the rain, his hands reaching out, but stopping just short of touching me."What the hell happened?"I could see the worry etched into his face, his brow furrowed, and his eyes scanning me, searching for answers. But I couldn't speak. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at him properly. I just stared at the blood on my han

  • The Unwanted Wife   Chapter 79: Tears And Rain

    The road blurred before me, my vision a mix of tears and rain streaking down the windshield. I didn’t know where I was going, but I didn’t care. I just wanted to drive—to escape, to feel something other than the pain. I slammed my hands against the steering wheel, my fingers curling into the leather as I tried to steady my breath. “What the hell am I doing?”I was speeding, too fast for this kind of rain, too reckless in my desperate attempt to escape. The road in front of me was a blur, the rain so heavy I could hardly see past the windshield. The wipers swiped back and forth, but it didn’t help. Everything felt so... suffocating.“Why am I doing this?!” I muttered aloud, my voice shaking. “You’re being stupid, Anastasia!”The sound of the tires skidding on the wet pavement made my heart leap into my throat. I swerved, panic rising. I didn’t even know what I was doing.I tried to correct myself, but before I could even think, a flash of movement caught my eye.“Ahh!” I screamed, my

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