NOT OVER YET

The elegant chandelier above spilled soft golden light over the well-furnished and exorbitant dining room, where the Hayes family sat in high spirits and laughter.

The room was filled with the savory aromas of roasted meats, garnished sauces, and steaming vegetables, served by professional chefs, that teased the senses and heightened the evening's celebration.

It was that time of the month again when every member of the family had to come together, away from their busy schedules, to catch up as one big family and bond over dinner. But tonight, something made this one spectacular.

The center of the excitement was Linda, the family's sweetheart, Alex's first love, and their most desired daughter-in-law, not the riffraff of a wife, Bella, seated opposite Alex.

Linda was the one they adorned, the one with class and vigor. She had been away for three years, and her presence tonight had ignited a spark of joy within the family. They talked animatedly about her great achievements in the past years, their voices filled with admiration and enthusiasm.

Yet, amidst the jubilation, Bella's isolation was palpable. Her silence was a stark contrast to the vibrant atmosphere, a clear reminder that she was overlooked and unappreciated.

Bella's P.O.V

I sat quietly, slicing a piece of meat on my plate cos that was the least I could do: eat and remain irrelevant, as I've forcefully learned within these past years. I kept my eyes buried on my plate as I tried to ignore the pangs in my chest seeing how close together Linda and Alex sat as they chattered on.

I'd never sat so close to him in all the three years we've lived as husband and wife because he would never permit it. But here she was, not just sitting close to my husband but encircling her hand around his arm, right in my face, and he did nothing. Nobody did.

They were all blinded by the aura of Linda, a child born with a golden spoon that reciprocated and aligned well with their status as the formidable Hayes. Since I was short of that class given my poor upbringing, I was nothing but a ghostly creature nobody noticed, a naive girl lost in a world of fantasy through art and a despicable mistake Alex brought to the family.