Chapter Six

Elena was having breakfast alone on Wednesday morning when Mrs. Kaelthorn walked into the house without knocking. She was wearing a white suit and diamonds, looking like she owned the world.

"Elena," Mrs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "Go get dressed. We have a charity event to attend."

Elena looked up from her coffee. "A charity event?"

"The Annual Children's Hospital Gala," Mrs. Kaelthorn said. "Tonight at the Grand Ballroom. You will attend as Jack's wife."

"I don't know if Jack wants me there," Elena said quietly.

Mrs. Kaelthorn smiled cruelly. "Jack doesn't know you're coming. But the Kaelthorn family must present a united front. People expect to see Jack's wife."

Elena felt trapped. "What should I wear?"

"Something simple," Mrs. Kaelthorn said dismissively. "You don't want to embarrass yourself by trying too hard."

That afternoon, Elena went through her closet looking for something appropriate. She chose a navy blue dress that was elegant but not flashy. She did her makeup carefully and styled her hair in a simple bun.

When Elena arrived at the Grand Ballroom, she was shocked by how beautiful everything looked. The room was decorated with white flowers and gold lights. Everyone was wearing expensive gowns and suits.

Elena saw Jack immediately. He was standing at the front of the room in a black tuxedo, looking handsome and powerful. But he wasn't alone.

Victoria was beside him, wearing a stunning gold dress that sparkled under the lights. She looked like a princess. Her hair was styled perfectly and her makeup was flawless.

Elena's heart sank. Victoria was Jack's date to the charity event.

"Elena!" Mrs. Kaelthorn appeared beside her. "Come. Let me introduce you to some people."

Mrs. Kaelthorn led Elena through the crowd. But instead of introducing Elena as Jack's wife, she introduced her as "the girl Jack felt sorry for."

"This is Elena," Mrs. Kaelthorn told a group of wealthy women. "You remember the orphan girl who saved Jack from that fire? He married her out of gratitude."

The women looked at Elena with pity and curiosity. Elena's face burned with embarrassment.

"How charitable of Jack," one woman said. "Not many men would marry out of obligation."

"Yes, well, Jack has always been too kind for his own good," Mrs. Kaelthorn replied. "But thankfully, he's found his way back to the appropriate company."

She pointed toward Victoria, who was laughing with a group of important business people.

"Victoria Ravencrest," Mrs. Kaelthorn continued. "From the shipping family. She's the kind of woman Jack should have married in the first place."

Elena wanted to disappear. Everyone was looking at her like she was a charity case herself.

The event started with speeches about helping sick children. Jack walked onto the stage and the crowd applauded. He looked confident and successful.

"Thank you all for coming tonight," Jack said into the microphone. "The Children's Hospital is close to my heart because I believe every child deserves a chance at life."

Elena felt tears coming. Jack talked about children like they were precious gifts. But he couldn't even look at Elena without disappointment because she couldn't give him any.

"Tonight, I want to thank someone very special," Jack continued. "Someone who has brought joy back into my life and reminds me what's truly important."

Elena's heart jumped. Was Jack going to mention her?

"Victoria Ravencrest," Jack said with a warm smile. "Please come up here."

Elena felt like she'd been punched. Jack called Victoria onto the stage in front of hundreds of people.

Victoria walked onto the stage gracefully. She looked like she belonged there. The crowd applauded loudly.

"Victoria has agreed to become the new chairwoman of our children's charity," Jack announced. "Her passion for helping others and her business experience make her perfect for this role."

Elena watched Jack look at Victoria with pride and admiration. He had never looked at Elena that way in public.

"Victoria will be working very closely with me on all future charity events," Jack continued. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather partner with."

Partner. Jack called Victoria his partner in front of everyone.

"Thank you, Jack," Victoria said into the microphone. "I'm honored to work with such an amazing man. Together, we're going to help so many children."

Together. They were a team now.

The crowd applauded again. Elena felt invisible standing in the back of the room.

After the speeches, people mingled and drank champagne. Elena tried to approach Jack, but he was surrounded by important people congratulating him and Victoria.

"Elena!" A familiar voice called out. Elena turned and saw three women from her wedding day. Jack's cousins' wives.

"We didn't expect to see you here," one of them said with fake sweetness.

"Jack's been so busy lately," another added. "We heard he's been spending time with Victoria Ravencrest. She's so accomplished."

"Yes," the third one said. "Victoria speaks five languages and has a business degree from Lysandria. Very impressive."

Elena nodded quietly, feeling smaller with every word.

"It must be hard for you," the first woman continued. "Being married to someone so successful when you come from nothing."

"I try my best," Elena said softly.

"Your best?" The second woman laughed. "Honey, your best isn't enough for a man like Jack. He needs someone who can match his level."

Elena felt tears starting but tried to hold them back.

"Look at Victoria," the third woman said, pointing across the room. "She's networking with the city's most powerful people. She knows how to handle herself in high society."

Elena looked over and saw Victoria surrounded by wealthy women, all laughing at her stories. Victoria fit in perfectly while Elena felt like an outsider.

"The Kaelthorn family deserves better," the first woman said bluntly.

"Excuse me," Elena whispered, walking away quickly.

Elena found a quiet corner where she could hide. She watched Jack and Victoria move through the party like the perfect couple. Everyone wanted to talk to them. Everyone admired them.

Mrs. Kaelthorn appeared beside Elena again. "See how well Victoria fits in? She's everything you're not."

"I know," Elena said quietly.

"Jack announced her as his partner tonight," Mrs. Kaelthorn continued. "In front of all the most important people in the city. Do you understand what that means?"

Elena understood. Jack was publicly choosing Victoria over her.

"This is your last warning," Mrs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "Divorce Jack before he divorces you. Save yourself the public humiliation."

Elena watched Jack dancing with Victoria on the dance floor. They moved together perfectly, like they had been partners their whole lives. Jack was smiling and laughing in a way Elena had never seen.

Other couples on the dance floor made space for them. Everyone could see that Jack and Victoria were the real power couple at the event.

Elena had never felt more alone. She was Jack's legal wife, but Victoria was the woman everyone accepted as his true partner.

Elena left the party early without saying goodbye to anyone. She drove home to their empty house and sat in their bedroom, still wearing her simple navy dress.

Elena looked at herself in the mirror. Next to Victoria's gold gown and perfect style, Elena looked plain and forgettable.

Her phone buzzed with social media notifications. Pictures from the charity event were already online. Photo after photo of Jack and Victoria looking perfect together.

The captions made Elena's heart break:

"Jack Kaelthorn and Victoria Ravencrest, the new power couple."

"Perfect match for Vaelthorne City's most eligible bachelor."

"Finally, Jack found someone worthy of him."

Not one photo included Elena. She had been completely erased from Jack's public life.

Elena turned off her phone and cried until she fell asleep on top of the expensive bedsheets that felt like ice.

Ten more days until Dr. Mortaine returned. But Elena was starting to think it wouldn't matter. Jack had already chosen his real wife in front of the entire city.

And it wasn't Elena.

Elena was still crying about the charity event when her phone rang Friday morning. Mrs. Kaelthorn's name appeared on the screen.

"Elena," Mrs. Kaelthorn's voice was ice cold. "Family dinner tonight at seven. Don't be late."

"Family dinner?" Elena asked.

"Jack's aunts and uncles are visiting from Celestria. They want to meet Victoria properly."

Elena's heart sank. "Victoria will be there?"

"Of course Victoria will be there. She's practically family now." Mrs. Kaelthorn paused. "You will serve dinner and stay quiet. Don't embarrass us."

The phone went dead.

Elena spent the day dreading the evening. She knew this dinner would be torture. Jack's family had never liked her, and now they would compare her to Victoria in person.

At six thirty, Elena arrived at the Kaelthorn family mansion. The house was huge and cold, just like Mrs. Kaelthorn herself. Elena had only been there a few times in three years of marriage.

The butler let Elena in through the back entrance. "Mrs. Kaelthorn wants you in the kitchen first," he said.

In the kitchen, Elena found the head chef preparing an expensive meal. Lobster, imported wine, gold-plated dishes. Everything was perfect and costly.

"You'll be serving tonight," the chef told Elena. "Mrs. Kaelthorn's orders."

Elena felt sick. She was going to serve Jack's family like a maid while Victoria sat at the table like a queen.

"Put this on," the chef handed Elena a black uniform dress. "You need to look proper."

Elena changed into the uniform. It was the dress servants wore. Simple, black, and white. She looked like hired help.

At exactly seven, Elena heard voices in the dining room. She peeked through the kitchen door and saw Jack's family arriving. His two aunts, two uncles, and three cousins. All wealthy and elegant.

Jack was there in an expensive suit, looking very handsome. And beside him was Victoria, wearing a stunning purple dress.

"Victoria, darling!" Jack's Aunt Cordelia rushed over to hug Victoria. "You look absolutely beautiful! Just like your mother did at your age."

"Thank you, Aunt Cordelia," Victoria said sweetly. "You're too kind."

Aunt Cordelia? Victoria was calling Jack's aunt by a family name. Like she already belonged.

"Where's that wife of his?" Uncle Reginald asked loudly. "That orphan girl?"

"Elena is helping with dinner," Mrs. Kaelthorn said dismissively. "She wanted to be useful for once."

Elena felt her face burn with shame. Mrs. Kaelthorn made it sound like Elena chose to serve dinner.

"Good," Aunt Cordelia said. "It's time she learned her place in this family."

Elena had to start serving. She walked into the dining room carrying a tray of appetizers. The moment she appeared, the conversation stopped. Everyone stared at Elena in her servant's uniform.

"Oh my," Aunt Cordelia said with fake surprise. "Elena, you look so... different."

Elena set down the tray quietly. "Good evening, everyone."

"Good evening," Uncle Reginald said coldly. "Don't you look appropriate for once."

Elena wanted to disappear. She was being treated like hired help in front of Jack's entire family.

"Elena, pour the wine," Mrs. Kaelthorn ordered. "And be careful not to spill any. This bottle costs more than you used to make in a month."

Elena poured wine for everyone at the table. When she got to Victoria, Victoria smiled sweetly and said, "Thank you, dear. You're doing such a good job."

The way Victoria said "dear" was so condescending. Like Elena was a child being praised for simple tasks.

Elena had to stand against the wall while the family ate and talked. She was not invited to sit or join the conversation.

"Victoria, tell us about your time in Lysandria," Aunt Cordelia requested.

"Oh, it was wonderful," Victoria said elegantly. "I learned so much about international business. I speak fluent Lysandrian now, along with other four languages."

"How impressive!" Uncle Reginald said. "Jack, you must be proud to have such an accomplished woman in your life."

Elena noticed Jack's family was talking about Victoria like she was already Jack's wife.

"Victoria is joining Kaelthorn Corporation as my business partner," Jack announced. "She'll be handling all our international shipping contracts."

"Perfect!" Aunt Cordelia clapped her hands. "Finally, Jack has someone who can actually help his business instead of just spending his money."

Elena felt like she'd been slapped. Everyone was looking at her when Aunt Cordelia said that.

"Elena, clear the appetizer plates," Mrs. Kaelthorn ordered.

Elena moved around the table collecting dirty dishes. She had to lean over everyone, feeling like a servant interrupting important people.

"Be careful, Elena," Victoria said loudly when Elena reached for her plate. "These dishes are very expensive. They're family heirlooms."

Victoria was making it sound like Elena was clumsy and couldn't be trusted with nice things.

"I'll be careful," Elena whispered.

"See that you are," Uncle Reginald said sternly. "Some things can't be replaced."

Elena continued serving while the family talked about Victoria like she was perfect. They discussed her education, her family's wealth, her beauty, her intelligence.

"Victoria would make such beautiful children," Aunt Cordelia said meaningfully. "The Ravencrest and Kaelthorn bloodlines combined would be magnificent."

Elena almost dropped the wine bottle. Jack's family was talking about Victoria having Jack's children. Right in front of Elena.

"Children are very important," Uncle Reginald agreed. "A man needs heirs to carry on his legacy."

Elena felt tears starting but tried to hold them back.

"Victoria, do you want children?" Aunt Cordelia asked directly.

"Oh yes," Victoria said with a bright smile. "I love children. I can't wait to have a family with the right man."

She looked at Jack when she said this. Jack smiled back at her warmly.

"What about you, Elena?" Uncle Reginald asked suddenly. "Still no luck in that department?"

The room went quiet. Everyone stared at Elena, waiting for her answer.

"We're still trying," Elena said quietly.

"Still trying?" Aunt Cordelia laughed. "After three years? Maybe it's time to accept reality."

"Some women just aren't meant to be mothers," Uncle Reginald said cruelly. "It's nature's way."

Elena wanted to run away, but she had to keep serving dinner.

"Victoria, on the other hand," Mrs. Kaelthorn said, "comes from a very fertile family. Her mother had five children."

"Five!" Aunt Cordelia gasped. "How wonderful! Victoria, you'll probably have no trouble at all."

"I hope not," Victoria said sweetly. "I dream of having lots of children someday."

Elena was serving the main course when Victoria suddenly grabbed her wrist.

"Elena, you're shaking," Victoria said with fake concern. "Are you feeling alright? You look very pale."

Everyone at the table turned to stare at Elena. Her hands were indeed shaking from stress and humiliation.

"I'm fine," Elena whispered.

"Maybe you should sit down for a moment," Victoria continued. "Oh wait, there's no extra chair. Well, you can sit on the floor if you need to rest."

The suggestion was so cruel and humiliating that Elena couldn't speak.

"Elena doesn't need to sit," Mrs. Kaelthorn said coldly. "She's here to serve, not to rest."

Elena finished serving dinner in silence. She had to stand against the wall and watch Jack's family treat Victoria like a beloved daughter in law while treating Elena like unwanted help.

During dessert, Aunt Cordelia made an announcement.

"Victoria, we've all discussed it, and we want you to know that you're welcome in this family anytime. You're exactly the kind of woman the Kaelthorn name needs."

"Thank you so much," Victoria said, tears of joy in her eyes. "That means everything to me."

Elena felt like she was dying inside. Jack's family was officially accepting Victoria while rejecting Elena.

"Elena, you can go clean the kitchen now," Mrs. Kaelthorn ordered. "We want to talk privately with Victoria."

Elena was being dismissed like a servant so the family could have intimate conversations with Victoria.

In the kitchen, Elena washed dishes while listening to laughter from the dining room. Jack's family was having the best time with Victoria. They were probably planning Jack and Victoria's future together.

Elena was scrubbing a plate when Jack walked into the kitchen.

"Elena," he said coldly. "My family wants to talk to you."

Elena's heart dropped. This couldn't be good.

She followed Jack back to the dining room. Everyone was staring at her with serious faces.

"Sit down," Mrs. Kaelthorn ordered, pointing to a small stool in the corner. Not a real chair at the table, but a servant's stool.

Elena sat on the stool, feeling tiny and powerless.

"Elena," Uncle Reginald began, "we've been discussing your situation."

"My situation?"

"Your failure as a wife," Aunt Cordelia said bluntly. "Three years of marriage and you've given Jack nothing. No children, no business connections, no social advancement."

Elena felt tears coming but tried to stay strong.

"Meanwhile," Uncle Reginald continued, "Victoria has already proven herself valuable. She's helping Jack's business, fitting into our social circle, and she can clearly provide children."

"We think it's time you stepped aside," Aunt Cordelia said directly. "For Jack's sake and for the family's future."

Elena looked at Jack, hoping he would defend her. But Jack just stared at his hands, saying nothing.

"Jack deserves happiness," Mrs. Kaelthorn added. "He deserves a real wife who can give him everything he needs."

"What are you asking me to do?" Elena whispered.

"Divorce Jack," Uncle Reginald said simply. "Quietly and without drama. Let him marry Victoria and live the life he should have had from the beginning."

Elena felt like the room was spinning. Jack's entire family was telling her to give up her marriage.

"Think about it, Elena," Aunt Cordelia said with false kindness. "You're still young. You can start over somewhere else. But Jack can't waste any more years waiting for you to become something you're not."

Elena looked around the table. Every face was cold and determined. Even Victoria looked at her with pity.

"I need time to think," Elena whispered.

"You have until Dr. Mortaine returns," Mrs. Kaelthorn said firmly. "One week to make your decision. After that, we'll make the decision for you."

Elena stood up from the servant's stool and walked toward the door.

"Elena," Victoria called out sweetly. "Don't forget your uniform. You'll need to wash it before you return it."

Elena had forgotten she was still wearing the servant's dress. The final humiliation of the evening.

Elena drove home in the black uniform, crying so hard she could barely see the road.

Elena waited in the living room until Jack came home. It was almost midnight when she heard his car in the driveway. She had been sitting on the couch for hours, still wearing the servant's uniform from dinner.

Jack walked in looking tired. His tie was loose and his hair was messy. When he saw Elena waiting for him, he frowned.

"Why are you still awake?" Jack asked coldly.

Elena stood up slowly. "We need to talk."

"I'm tired, Elena. Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow."

"No," Elena said firmly. "It can't wait. We're talking now."

Jack looked surprised. Elena never spoke to him with such a strong voice.

"Fine," Jack said, sitting down in his chair. "What do you want to talk about?"

Elena took a deep breath. "Why do you hate me so much?"

Jack's face went cold. "I don't hate you."

"Yes, you do," Elena said, tears starting to fall. "You humiliate me every chance you get. Tonight your family made me serve dinner like a maid while Victoria sat at the table like a queen."

"You didn't have to serve dinner," Jack said. "That was your choice."

"My choice?" Elena laughed bitterly. "Your mother ordered me to serve. She made me wear this uniform. She treated me like a hired help."

Jack looked at the black servant's dress Elena was wearing. For a moment, his face softened. But then it went cold again.

"Maybe if you acted like part of the family, you'd be treated like part of the family," Jack said.

"How can I act like part of the family when you won't let me?" Elena asked desperately. "You take Victoria to charity events but don't tell me you're going. You buy Victoria clothes worth millions but never take me shopping. You introduce Victoria as your partner to everyone but won't even look at me in public."

Jack's jaw tightened. "Victoria appreciates what she's given. Victoria understands business. Victoria fits into my world."

"And I don't?" Elena asked.

"No," Jack said bluntly. "You don't. You never have."

The words hit Elena like a punch. "Then why did you marry me?"

"Because I felt guilty!" Jack shouted suddenly. "You saved my life and I felt like I owed you something."

Elena felt her heart breaking all over again. "So you married me out of pity?"

"Yes," Jack said harshly. "I married you out of pity. Because I thought it was the right thing to do when everyone saw how you cared for me and carried it on the news. But I was wrong."

Elena stared at Jack in shock. "You were wrong?"

"I was wrong to think I could make this work," Jack continued. "I was wrong to think I could love you. I was wrong to think you could ever be the kind of wife I need."

Elena felt tears streaming down her face. "What kind of wife do you need, Jack?"

"Someone like Victoria," Jack said without hesitation. "Someone educated. Someone from a good family. Someone who can have children."

"I'm trying to have children!" Elena cried. "I've been trying for three years!"

"And failing for three years," Jack shot back. "I am very fertile and you are not."

Elena felt sick hearing Jack talk to her about that.

"You didn't even give me a real chance," Elena said through her tears. "You decided I wasn't good enough from the beginning."

"Because you're not good enough!" Jack stood up angrily. "Look at yourself, Elena. Look at where you came from. You grew up in an orphanage. You worked at a cheap diner. You barely finished high school. What did you think would happen when you married into one of the richest families in Aethermoor?"

Elena felt like she was being torn apart. "I thought you would help me learn. I thought you would be patient. I thought you cared about me."

"I tried to care about you," Jack said coldly. "For three years I tried. But every day I looked at you and saw everything I was missing. Every day I wondered what my life would be like with someone appropriate."

"Someone like Victoria," Elena whispered.

"Someone like Victoria," Jack agreed. "Someone who speaks five languages while you can barely speak one properly. Someone with a business degree while you don't even know what stocks are. Someone who can charm my business partners while you hide in corners at parties."

Each word was like a knife in Elena's heart. "I hid in corners because you made me feel unwelcome. I didn't speak because you never included me in conversations. I didn't know about business because you never taught me anything."

"It's not my job to teach you how to be good," Jack said harshly. "You should have known better than to think you could fit into my world when you agree to marry me."

Elena felt anger rising through her sadness. "I never forced you to marry me, Jack. You proposed to me. You chose this yourself."

"Then I chose wrong," Jack said simply.