Chapter 27
Althea wakes up feeling disoriented and confused, realizing she is not in her own room but in Daven Callister’s bedroom. She struggles to process how she ended up there, noticing the familiar scent and surroundings. When Daven appears, she anxiously asks the time and learns she has overslept. Daven explains that she had fallen asleep in the dining room, and since her bedroom door was locked, he brought her to his room instead of waking her.
Embarrassed but grateful, Althea apologizes for the situation and thanks Daven for his kindness. They share a quiet, tender moment as Daven admits he didn’t keep his promise to her, but Althea quickly stops him from continuing, not wanting to confront the disappointment she feels about him not showing up for dinner. Despite the awkwardness, they agree she will prepare breakfast while he finishes some work.
Their fragile calm is shattered when Vanessa, Daven’s fiancée, bursts into the room, furious and shocked to find Althea there. Without hesitation, Vanessa slaps Althea and accuses her of trying to steal Daven with a “cheap little trick.” Vanessa’s anger is intense, and she makes it clear she intends to humiliate Althea enough to drive her away from the house permanently. The confrontation leaves the atmosphere tense and charged with conflict.
Chapter 27
A soft murmur escaped Althea’s lips as she stirred awake. “Mm… why does everything feel so soft?” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Slowly, her eyelids fluttered open, allowing the gentle morning light to seep through the curtains and gently coax her vision into focus.
Reaching out instinctively, she expected to find the familiar comfort of her usual belongings—her beloved stuffed bunny, the phone she always kept close to check the time the moment she woke. But her fingers met with unfamiliar textures instead.
Something wasn’t right.
Her heart quickened. “This isn’t my room…” she breathed, eyes blinking rapidly as confusion clouded her mind. Was she still dreaming? Her senses scrambled to piece together the strange surroundings—the smoothness of the comforter beneath her, the plushness of the mattress, and then… that subtle, unmistakably masculine scent lingering in the air.
Warm. Familiar. Clean.
Daven Callister.
A sudden wave of panic tightened her chest. How had she ended up here? And more pressingly—where was he?
“You’re awake p>
The sound of his voice sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.
She turned sharply toward the voice and saw him sitting casually on a sofa just a few feet from the bed. Daven removed his glasses, set down his work tablet, and rose, walking toward her with calm purpose.
Althea remained still, her mind racing to catch up, struggling to process the reality of waking up in a bed that wasn’t hers.
His bed.
“What time is it?” she asked, her voice tense and uncertain.
Daven, now slipping on his blazer, glanced at the Rolex on his wrist. “Just past seven p>
“Oh my God!” she gasped, panic flaring again. “I overslept p>
He raised a single eyebrow. “So? Is that a problem p>
Frantically, Althea threw the covers aside, searching for something—anything. Daven watched her with a curious expression. Was this really how she always woke up?
“Wait… why am I even here?” she finally demanded, her attention snapping back to the more urgent question.
“You fell asleep in the dining room,” Daven answered evenly. “I couldn’t bring myself to wake you. Your bedroom door was locked, and I didn’t want to go around asking for the key… so I brought you here p>
Althea exhaled slowly, the reality settling in. She had fallen asleep… in the dining room?
“I’m sorry,” she murmured, her gaze dropping in embarrassment. “I shouldn’t have made such a mess of things. And thank you for… letting me stay here. About dinner p>
“It’s fine,” he interrupted gently, now standing right beside the bed.
Her face was bare, soft, and unguarded. A few loose strands of hair framed her cheeks, slightly tousled but in a way that only enhanced her natural beauty.
Had this been how Althea looked when she first woke? Daven had never seen her like this before. There was something unexpectedly tender about the sight.
“I should be the one apologizing,” he said quietly, his voice dropping lower. “I… didn’t keep my word. And I left you p>
Before he could finish, Althea shook her head quickly, cutting him off. She didn’t want to hear the rest—not if it meant admitting how much she had hoped, how long she had waited, only to fall asleep with an untouched dinner growing cold beside her.
She hadn’t forgotten the excitement she’d felt preparing the meal, nor the way her heart had raced at the thought of sharing it with him. But in the end… he hadn’t come.
Whatever he had been doing, it wasn’t her place to ask.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I understand p>
Silence stretched between them. Neither spoke, but Althea knew she couldn’t linger here much longer. Clearing her throat softly, she said, “I should head back to my room. If you don’t mind waiting a bit, I’ll prepare breakfast quickly p>
“I’ll wait,” Daven replied without hesitation. “I still have some work to finish, anyway p>
Althea nodded in response. “Alright then p>
Just as she moved toward the door, the sharp click of high heels echoed down the hallway, followed moments later by the door slamming open with force.
“DAVEN p>
Vanessa’s voice cut through the quiet like a whip. Her eyes widened in shock at the scene before her: Althea, sitting in her fiancé’s bedroom, looking disheveled and completely out of place. Without a moment’s hesitation, Vanessa stormed inside—and then—
Slap!
The sharp crack of her hand striking Althea’s cheek reverberated through the room.
“You shameless woman!” Vanessa spat, her fury boiling over. “What the hell are you doing in my fiancé’s room p>
She had felt uneasy when Althea wasn’t in the kitchen, but this? This was beyond humiliating.
So this was where she’d been. In Daven’s room.
Unforgivable.
“You think you can steal Daven from me with some cheap little trick like this?!” Vanessa’s voice was venomous, far from finished. She wasn’t about to let Althea walk away unscathed.
If she could humiliate her enough, hurt her enough, maybe—just maybe—Althea would finally leave this house for good. As she should have done from the very beginning.
As Althea stood there, shock coursing through her veins after the unexpected slap, she felt the weight of Vanessa’s accusations crash down upon her like a tidal wave. The confusion that had enveloped her moments before morphed into a deep, gnawing despair. She had never intended to intrude on Daven’s life or his relationship; her heart had simply longed for connection, for a moment of warmth in the coldness of her solitude. The humiliation of being caught in a situation that was far from what she had imagined darkened her spirit. Yet, beneath the sting of Vanessa’s words, a flicker of resolve ignited within her. Althea realized that she could no longer be a passive character in someone else’s story, nor could she let her own insecurities dictate her worth.
Daven’s presence became a lifeline in that moment, a reminder of the bond they had been forging despite the chaos around them. She could feel his eyes on her, a mix of concern and anger directed at Vanessa, and it stirred something deep within her—a determination to stand her ground. Althea took a breath, straightening her posture, and met Vanessa’s furious gaze with newfound strength. “I am not here to steal anyone,” she said, her voice steady despite the trembling in her heart. “I deserve to be here just as much as anyone else.” In that instant, she embraced the realization that she was worthy of love and respect, regardless of the shadows of the past that loomed over her. The confrontation marked a turning point, not just in her relationship with Daven, but in her journey toward self-acceptance and empowerment.
**What to Expect in Next Chapter p>
In the upcoming chapter, tensions will escalate as Althea grapples with the fallout from Vanessa’s explosive entrance. The slap will leave her reeling, not just from the physical sting, but from the emotional weight of Vanessa’s accusations. Readers can expect a deep dive into Althea’s psyche as she navigates the complexities of her feelings for Daven and the precarious position she finds herself in. Will she stand her ground against Vanessa’s fury, or will she retreat further into herself, questioning her place in Daven’s life?
Meanwhile, Daven’s reaction to Vanessa’s outburst will be pivotal. As the layers of his character unfold, will he defend Althea fiercely, or will he try to diffuse the situation in a way that inadvertently fuels Vanessa’s fire? The chapter promises to reveal more about Daven’s loyalties and his past with Vanessa, setting the stage for a confrontation that could change everything. With emotions running high and secrets lurking in the shadows, readers will be left on the edge of their seats, eager to see how the dynamics between these three characters will shift and evolve.
Lucia Morh
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.