Chapter 2 An outsider

"So, You are Derek's wife on paper. Nice to meet you, I am Arusha Suzanne, Derek's Girlfriend!"

Instead of listening to Arusha Suzanne, A British American brunette, 5'4" who is speaking so cutely, Gwen is staring at her husband and mother-in-law. Her eyes are asking enough to get an explanation from both of them. How could they do this to her? Gwen wants to question but the pain is stuck in her throat to form words.

"No response? Seems like your wife didn't accept me." Arusha hisses with disappointment. But a smile appears on her face when Derek grabs her wrist and pulls her into his embrace.

"Who cares if she accepts you or not? She is like a servant here. After the divorce, she will leave eventually. Let's go to our room You are already weak."

Derek speaks as if he is saying some universal truth. His words don't convey any emotions, no hatred, no guilt. As if it is true, so he doesn't need to worry about the person who is standing before him with tearful eyes.

"Don't be so sweet or I won't be able to leave you again." Hitting his chest playfully Arusha rests her head on his chest.

"I will never let you run away. Arusha. So don't dare to say that again." A soft kiss plants on Arusha's lips.

But everyone's attention goes to Gwen who has been hanging her head down like a culprit. Her tearful eyes go to her mother-in-law who is enjoying her son's affairs.

"Isn't it cruel?"

Gwen bites her bottom lip, leaving the room to cook the remaining dishes. Her tears fall. She has been waiting for three years. Did she get this for waiting? Why didn't they just tell her that she was unwanted? Why didn't they tell her that her husband had someone else? She doesn't want to be a third wheel neither she wants to feel these horrible feelings right now.

" What are you crying about? Do your work. And Prepare Juice for Arusha. Finally, my son's happiness is back."

Mrs. Nicole walks inside the kitchen to check what she is doing after leaving her son and his girlfriend without responding to anything. However seeing her crying silently, makes her irritated.

"How cruel!" Gwen mumbles, her salty tears falling seeing how nonchalant they are about her feelings. She thought at least they would give her the respect she deserved.

"What did you say? I'm cruel!" Mrs. Nicole hisses at her approaching her with enraged hostility.

"Aren't you, Mom?" She responds without second thoughts. Her heart is breaking into pieces but nobody cares.

"Gwen Stacy!!!" Mrs. Nicole yells, shocked by Gwen's talking back.

"Why didn't you say that your son has someone else? Why did you make me wait for someone who was never mine in the first place?" She questions unable to hold herself back, " Yet. You are telling me, your son got his happiness and I should prepare Juice? Who am I to you two then? A servant?"

" How... How dare you raise your voice against me?"

A sharp slap across her face creates a deafening silence in her soul. Mrs. Nicole exhales sharply suppressing her Anger after seeing a lowly life dared to question her.

"Don't you know why we have accepted you? Yes. Now you should know if you don't know about it. We accepted you because we needed a caretaker who would take care of my husband." She grits her teeth speaking,

" Also Why are you hoping so high? All those years, You lived here in the name of our family. You are living well.

You should be grateful now"

A bitter scoff escapes from her when she realizes they didn't think of her as a Daughter-in-law who came here three years ago, " So, I am here as a servant, not your son's wife."

"My son has never acknowledged you as his wife.

Do you think you have the place to be my son's wife

Go and see yourself in the mirror. Even my dogs won't accept you as a wife!"

Gwen couldn't say anything. All her dreams, having a family, thinking about her husband from time to time. Having kids and so more, all she dreamed of like other married women is shattered now. With silent, invisible blood, invisible tears, and invisible death of the soul. She returns to the kitchen, she will stay here until she gets the divorce paper signs. As servant. After all, she

should be grateful for those years of pathetic dreams.

.........

Her eyes watch her husband picking the food for his lover as she is standing next to them to serve them food. She can see the position of her who is in the name of Daughter-in-law. Derek's eyes never leave his long-lost lover who he has been loving wholeheartedly.

"Is it a coincidence? Gwen has cooked all of my favorite food. I can't believe that!"

Hearing Anusha's words, Gwen finds the ground shaking. She glances at her mother-in-law who asks her to cook those foods. She even said they are Derek's favorite dishes.

"I told Mom to cook those. Do you like them? Or I should -"

"No. No. She is a really great cook. I love it. Thank you, Gwen!" Anusha gives a warm smile, resting her head on Derek's shoulder weakly. " It's been a while since I have a homemade meal. Thanks, Derek. Thanks for finding me!"

Gwen didn't reply, leaving for the kitchen. Anusha's words make her feel she is mocking Gwen. Her words are sharp as a knife, hits Gwen's heart. Somehow Gwen is hating herself for being pathetic and a loser. She should leave right now but where she will go? She doesn't know much about the city although she has been staying here for three years.

" She is upset. I shouldn't have come, Derek." Shedding tears, she speaks weakly. Her eyes are on the plate, sobbing.

"Don't mind her. Sweetheart. She knows it's just a temporary marriage. Also, you know those low-class family's people only hope high. Come on. Have them. Although she has no talent but she is a great cook!"

Mrs. Nicole places the meatloaf on her plate while caressing her back.

"OK. Thank you for forgiving me, Aunt. I shouldn't have hurt Derek by leaving her suddenly!"

" It's okay. You two enjoy your time. Don't worry about some outsider."

Her hands shake as Gwen hears them talking. An outsider? It hurts her more than she thought it would be. Seeing the family dining together somehow mocks her dream. She used to dream about having a family.

Now, she is an outsider in front of her family. " Please bring the soup to Mom. "

Handing the soup to a servant, she walks inside her bedroom. She doesn't want to make herself pitiful in front of them. She did nothing wrong to get this treatment.

" Did you prepare the divorce papers? Derek!"