♣ CHAPTER 21 ♣
The next day, at the Dray's mansion,The morning sun glowed softly through the wide windows of the mansion.
Kate stood in the kitchen,her sleeves rolled up, and her hair tied back, a light smile played on her face as she stirred the pot.
The smell of freshly fried eggs, spiced tomatoes, and warm pancakes filled the air.
One of the maids peeped in from the hallway, sniffing the air , like a dog.
"Madam Kate?" she called.
"Yes?" Kate turned slightly, drying her hand with the kitchen towel.
The maid walked in, looking surprised. "You're the one cooking?"
Kate chuckled. "Is that strange?"
Another maid entered behind her. "Madam, it smells so good in here. This is no ordinary food, your hand is truly blessed."
Kate laughed lightly. "It's just breakfast."
"No, madam. This aroma? It's something else," the first maid said again. "Even chef cannot make it like this."
"I used to cook for my parents," Kate said, her smile softening. "It reminds me of them."
A third maid entered, clapping lightly. "We didn't know you could cook like this. You're truly a full wife."
Kate looked away, blushing slightly. "Don't say that too loud. Your boss might hear you."
One of them giggled. "He should. Maybe he'll smile for once."
Just then, William appeared at the entrance of the kitchen, his shirt sleeves rolled up, and his tie still hanging loose.
"What's going on here?" he asked, eyeing the group.
Everyone went silent. Then Kate turned. William stared at her, like she was glowing in new glory.
"I was just making breakfast," she said. "They were... impressed."
William walked in slowly, sniffing the air. "It smells good."
"Do you want to try it?" Kate asked, lifting a pancake toward him.
He didn't answer. He just took the piece from her hand and bit into it. He Chewed and Swallowed it ,Then looked at her.
"You should cook more often."
Kate smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."
William looked at the maids. "Back to work." He commanded.
They quickly scattered, giggling to themselves.
He turned to Kate. "You're in a good mood today."
"I woke up feeling peaceful. That's allowed, right?"
He stared at her for a long second. "Yes. It is."
Kate placed a plate in front of him. "Eat. You'll need strength for whatever storm is coming next."
William sighed. "Let's hope there's no storm."
Hours later, at her office, Kate's assistant walked in with her phone in her hand.
"Ma'am, you need to see this."
Kate took the phone. Her eyes scanned the screen and Her heart dropped.
|A blog headline screamed across the screen: "Wife or a Temporary Toy? William Dray's New Wife Accused of Chasing His Money."|
Below it were photos of her and William at the event. But the article was filled with cruel words. And Gabriella's name was mentioned—more than once.
Kate's fingers tightened around the phone. She stood up.
"Call my driver," she said.
When she got home, she stormed straight into William's study.
He looked up from his laptop. "Kate?"
"You said there wouldn't be a storm."
"What happened?"
She threw the phone on his desk. "Your ex happened."
He picked it up and read it quickly. His jaw tightened.
"I'll handle it."
"Handle it?" Kate snapped. "She's dragging my name. She's making me look like some gold-digger."
"She's just desperate for attention."
"She's desperate for you," Kate said, her voice hard.
William stood. "That's not my fault."
"You haven't denied her strongly enough."
"I told her we're married. I told her I wasn't interested."
Kate moved closer. "Then why is she still talking like there's hope?"
He said nothing.
Kate's voice lowered. "Do you still have feelings for her?"
William looked at her, his eyes cold. "No."
"Then prove it."
"I already have."
"Not to me," Kate said. "To her. To everyone. Because right now, I'm the one being humiliated while she walks around like she's the real woman in your life."
William walked around the desk slowly, standing in front of her.
"You want me to go public again?"
"I want you to choose."
"I already did."
Kate's eyes flickered. "Then stop protecting her."
William's voice dropped. "You think I'm protecting her?"
"Everything about you screams control, William. If you wanted her silenced, she would be."
He stared at her for a long time. Then said quietly, "You're right."
"What?"
He moved closer. "I've been trying not to make noise. Not to cause more drama. But maybe... maybe it's time people understood who you really are."
Kate stepped back slightly. "And who am I?"
"My wife."
The way he said it made her chest tighten. Her heart raced like a race car, She looked away quickly.
"I don't want words, William. I want action."
"Then watch me."
Later that night, Kate stood at the balcony, her arms folded, and her eyes fixed on the sky. She didn't hear William step outside until he spoke.
"You've been quiet since dinner."
Kate turned slowly. "What's there to say?"
He walked closer. "Say what's on your mind."
She met his eyes. "I'm tired, William. I'm tired of being the one attacked."
"I said I'd handle Gabriella."
"Then do it. Because every time she opens her mouth, I'm the one bleeding."
"I'll talk to her."
Kate shook her head. "No. Talking isn't enough. She's playing games and you're letting her."
"You think I want her back?"
"I don't know what to think," she said. "You don't talk about her. You don't tell me how it ended. You just pretend she's noisy, but she's not. She's poisonous."
William leaned on the balcony rail. "She was part of my past. I was different then. I was Cold and Calculating. I thought she loved me... until the moment she betrayed me."
Kate looked at him. "What did she do?"
"She leaked private business documents to one of our competitors. I lost a deal worth millions. She claimed she did it for us... for our future."
Kate blinked. "You never told me."
"It's not something I like remembering. I buried it."
"But she's still walking around, smiling like she owns a piece of you."
William's jaw clenched. "She doesn't. Not anymore."
Kate stepped closer. "Then stop her before she destroys me."
He turned to her. "You're not weak, Kate."
"I know. But I'm tired of proving my worth every day while your past keeps shadowing our present."
"I'll make it clear, once and for all. To her and To everyone."
"You should've done that from day one."
William looked at her face. "Is that what you want?"
"I want peace. I want to focus on saving the company. I want to be respected."
He stepped close with his voice low. "You will be. I promise."
Just then, Kate's phone buzzed. She picked it up, eyes widening. "Tina?"
Her friend's voice came through, loud and sharp. "Kate, are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Why?"
"Gabriella just posted a video. She's telling people you're faking your marriage to secure investors."
Kate's face went pale. "What?"
"She even hinted that you were with William before his father died, that you seduced him while he was grieving."
Kate's fingers shook. "She's insane."
"I'm calling my cousin now," Tina said. "He'll help us pull the video down."
William took the phone from Kate's hand. "Tina, send me the link. I'll handle it from here."
"Okay," Tina said, then hung up.
Kate stared at him. "This... this is too much."
William's voice turned cold. "Enough is enough."
"What are you going to do?"
He looked her dead in the eyes. "I'm going to end this war. Publicly."
Kate exhaled, her heart pounding. "Then do it. For both of us."