Chapter 3: The Wife He Never Wanted

The ceremony was over. Just like that, Lily was now Ethan’s wife. The reality hadn’t quite sunk in yet. It felt like a bizarre dream, one she was still trying to wake up from. The whole thing had happened so fast, too fast. One moment, she was just Lily, the girl no one cared about, and the next, she was bound to a man who looked at her like she was the worst thing that had ever happened to him.

Back in her room, she packed her things slowly, focusing on the simple act of folding clothes and shoving them into a bag. It kept her from thinking about what was actually happening. She was leaving. For good.

The agreement was clear: she was to go with Ethan. That was it. No discussions, no farewells. Her parents had made it clear, there was no place for her here anymore.

The bitterness rose like bile, but she swallowed it down. What choice did she have?

She had met Ethan’s parents briefly before. Auntie Maita was warm but guarded, while Uncle Ramon was unreadable, his gaze sharp and knowing. They had the kind of presence that made people shrink in their seats, and Lily was no exception. They knew their son loved someone else… Rosy, of all people and Lily couldn't shake the feeling that they blamed her for ruining his life. Their smiles were polite, but the judgment behind them was suffocating.

Ethan barely acknowledged her.

If looks could kill, she would have died a thousand times by now.

He hated her. That much was obvious.

The worst part? She still hadn’t been able to talk to her parents. No explanation. No understanding. Just a cold, final decision. It was as if they had been waiting for a reason, any reason, to finally be rid of her.

And Rosy?

She hadn’t even said a word. Hadn’t even shown her face.

Instead, she had locked herself in her room, playing the part of the heartbroken victim while Lily was being thrown out like garbage.

Lily clenched her fists, forcing down the sting in her chest. Of course, everyone sided with Rosy. They always did. She was the favorite. The golden child. The beautiful, talented daughter who could do no wrong.

And Lily?

She was just the afterthought.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Are you done yet?" Her mother’s voice rang out from the hallway, casual, as if they weren’t discussing her exile.

"Ethan’s been waiting for you downstairs. Hurry up. You know how slow you are."

Lily swallowed the lump in her throat. "I’m almost done, Mom. Just sorting out my school stuff. I don’t want to forget anything."

"Well, that’s not our concern anymore. You’re his responsibility now."

Lily’s hands clenched around a sweater. Her responsibility. Like she was some unwanted burden being passed off to another person.

Her mother’s voice turned sharper. "Rosy… " she paused, then sighed. "Rosy is leaving for Paris next week to pursue her modeling career. Maybe then she’ll finally forget this whole mess."

Lily exhaled slowly. "I hope she forgives me someday. I still don’t even understand how it came to this."

A bitter laugh. "Oh, spare me. You’ve brought nothing but shame to this family. I don’t know what you were thinking, but it’s nothing but trouble."

Lily flinched. "Mom, I didn’t want any of this. None of it."

"Enough with the dramatics. Just finish packing and leave. I can’t bear to look at you right now."

Something inside Lily cracked.

"Why, Mom? Why don’t you love me like you love Rosy? What did I do wrong?"

Her mother’s face twisted in frustration. "Enough!" She spun around, eyes burning with fury. "Rosy brings honor to this family. She’s beautiful, talented, and driven. And you? What do you have? Nothing. No ambition, no achievements. Don’t you dare ask why we favor her. It’s obvious. She’s everything you’re not."

The words sliced through Lily like a blade, leaving her hollow.

She didn’t cry.

Not this time.

She finished packing, numb to the pain, numb to everything.

And before she knew it, she was sitting in the backseat of Ethan’s car, her hands clenched in her lap. He sat up front with the driver, not sparing her a single glance.

The silence was suffocating.

After the wedding, his parents had left immediately. There had been no celebration, no joy, just a few signatures on a piece of paper.

They were husband and wife now.

Legally, at least.

But Ethan had made one thing clear.

She was not his wife.

"Take us to the mansion, Uncle Jonny," Ethan’s voice cut through the quiet. "She can’t stay in Rosy’s house. That’s for me and Rosy. No one else."

Lily’s heart sank, but she bit her tongue. There was no point arguing.

When they arrived at the De La Cuesta estate, her breath caught in her throat.

The place was massive. Luxurious. The kind of home that belonged in magazines, not real life. She had known Ethan was wealthy, but this? This was something else.

A uniformed assistant greeted them at the entrance, bowing respectfully. "Good afternoon, Young Master."

"Nana Cory, take Lily to the servants’ quarters. She’ll be staying there. Teach her everything she needs to know," Ethan ordered coldly.

Lily froze.

Servants’ quarters?

He was making her live like a maid?

Nana Cory hesitated. "But, Sir, Mrs. Maita said she’s your wife…."

"I don’t have a wife, Nana," Ethan snapped. "Not her."

Lily’s stomach twisted.

"Yes, Sir. I understand," Nana Cory said softly, turning to Lily with a look of quiet sympathy.

Before she could take a step, a sharp voice rang out.

"Ethan, what is the meaning of this?"

Mommy Maita stepped forward, her eyes narrowing.

"Why is Lily going to the servants’ quarters?"

Ethan exhaled, irritated. "You heard me, Mom. She’ll stay there because I don’t have a wife. The only woman I want in my life is Rosy."

"Ethan!" His mother’s voice hardened. "She is your wife. Don’t speak like that."

"She’s nothing to me," he said, cold and final.

"You weren’t raised this way!" Maita snapped. "Your father and I didn’t teach you to be cruel. Lily deserves respect as your wife."

But Ethan wouldn’t back down. "I’ll decide where she stays, Mom. She owes me, and I’ll never accept her. She’s not staying in my room. End of discussion."

The words punched through Lily’s chest like a hammer.

Maita turned to her, expression softening. "It’s okay, Lily. You don’t have to stay there. We’ll find you a room in the main house."

Lily swallowed hard. "Thank you, Auntie. But please… I don’t want to cause more trouble. I’ll stay in the quarters."

Maita sighed.

“No, you're not going to stay there, come with me I’ll show you your room. 

"Call me Mommy," she said gently. "You’re part of this family now."

The kindness stunned Lily. How could this woman be so warm when her son was so… cruel?

"Mom… Mommy," Lily whispered, the word foreign on her tongue.

"Rest now. Dinner will be served soon. You’ll need your strength," Maita said, squeezing her hand before leaving.

Lily sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the unfamiliar room around her.

The war had only just begun.

And she had no idea how she was going to survive it.