Chapter 1

Paulina sighed as she carefully arranged the tea set on the tray, her hands trembling slightly as she heard the loud voice of her mother-in-law echo through the halls.

"Paulina! Have you made the tea, or are you too busy daydreaming again?" 

Mrs. Whitney called out from the living room, her tone dripping with disdain.

Paulina took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Yes, Mother. It's ready. I'll bring it right in.

"She walked into the wide living room in the house, sometimes she'd forget that she actually grew up in this very house with her parents, ever since she got married to her husband and her mother-in-law moved in, it's almost like they did a complete makeover of the place making it unrecognizable. 

Without looking up, Mrs. Whitney spoke condescendingly, "It's about time. Honestly, Paulina, how did you ever manage before you married my son?"

 If Paulina could get a penny for every time her mother-in-law asked her such a question she would have been a millionaire by now. 

She instead ignored her mother-in-law and poured some glass into her cup. 

A cruel smile played on her mother-in-law's lips. "Oh, I see you won't say anything right? After all, you had all that money to keep you company. Pity it didn't teach you how to be a proper wife." 

Paulina's fingers tightened around the teapot handle but forced herself to stay calm. "I'm doing my best."

"Your best?"Mrs. Whitney let out a mocking laugh. "Your best was giving James My son, everything you had the moment you married him. Honestly, I've never seen someone so foolish. What were you thinking, giving away your parents' entire fortune like that? Wow your generation sure knows how to love."

Paulina's heart ached at the mention of her parents. She looked down, unable to meet her mother-in-law's mocking eyes, Her heart ached even more when she thought of how much James and his mother had used her all this while. 

She felt stupid that she always kept giving him excuses, that she was still in this marriage unable to step out like someone who was bound. 

Before Paulina could respond to the taunts of her Mother-in-law, the door swung open, and James strode in, as he smiled at his mother first when his eyes met hers. He barely glanced at Paulina as he walked over to his mother, kissing her on the cheek. 

"Mother, I see you're enjoying your tea."

Mrs. Whitney smiled warmly at her son, a contrast to the coldness she reserved for Paulina. "Yes, dear. Though I must say, your wife's tea-making skills leave much to be desired."

James chuckled, finally turning his gaze to Paulina. "Is that so? Well, you'll have to work on that, darling. We can't have Mother disappointed, can we?"

Paulina forced a smile, nodding slightly. "I'll try harder."

James gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "Good. Now, Mother, I have some business to attend to. I'll be out for the evening."

Mrs. Whitney 's smile faded slightly, as a hint of concern could be seen in her eyes. "Out again, James? You've been working late so often lately."

"Yes, well, business doesn't wait," James replied smoothly. He leaned down to kiss his mother's hand before straightening up. "Don't wait up for me."

As James turned to leave, Paulina found her voice, though it wavered with uncertainty. "James, I thought we could have dinner together tonight. It's been a while since…"

James cut her off with a shake of his head. "Not tonight, Paulina. I have important meetings."

"Meetings at this hour?" Paulina asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Yes, meetings," James replied curtly, his tone leaving no room for further questions. "Don't be so nosy."

Paulina bit her lip, nodding in resignation. "Of course. I'm sorry." 

Mrs. Whitney watched the exchange with a knowing smirk, saying nothing as her son left the room. Once the door closed behind him, she turned her attention back to Paulina.

 "You really have to stop bothering him, dear. A man like James has more important things to worry about than a needy wife."

Paulina swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just… I just want to spend time with him."

Mrs. Whitney sighed dramatically, setting her tea down. 

 "Honestly, Paulina, sometimes I wonder if you're as clueless as you appear. A man like my son James doesn't have time for silly romantic notions. You're lucky he married you at all."

Paulina's eyes stung with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall. She wouldn't give Mrs. Whitney the satisfaction. "I understand."

"Good," Mrs. Whitney said briskly, standing up and brushing imaginary dust from her skirt. "Now, be a dear and clean up this mess. I'm going to sleep early tonight."

Paulina nodded wordlessly, watching as her mother-in-law left the room. The moment she was alone, she let out a shaky breath, the weight of her loneliness pressed down on her.

Later that evening, Paulina sat in the darkened living room, her thoughts racing. She had tried to call James earlier, but he hadn't answered. Now, the silence of the house was suffocating.

 She was about to head to bed when she heard the soft click of the front door. Paulina's heart leaped in her chest, and she quickly made her way to the foyer. There, she saw James slipping off his shoes, with an expressionless face.

"James, you are home," Paulina said, her voice tinged with relief.

James looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Paulina, what are you doing up so late?"

"I was waiting for you," she admitted, taking a step closer. "I wanted to talk… about us."

"Not now, Paulina," James replied, brushing past her. "I'm tired."

"But James, I…" Paulina's words faltered as she noticed something on his shirt. A faint trace of lipstick, a shade she never wore. Her heart pounded in her chest,

 "James, what is that?"

James froze, his eyes hardening as he followed her gaze. 

"It's nothing. Don't be ridiculous."

Paulina's hand trembled as she reached out, her fingers hovering over the stain. "James, please… tell me the truth."

James pulled away from her, his expression cold and distant. "I said it's nothing, Paulina. Stop being paranoid."

But Paulina couldn't shake the dread that filled her heart. Was her husband cheating on her?.