DAVINA'S TROUBLES
Round sky-blue eyes, pepper-red hair that often went unnoticed, a slender frame, and cheap yet stylish clothes clinging to her body—Rachel didn't need anyone to announce it. She knew immediately that Davina Green had stepped into the Graham family house uninvited. And worse, she had brought her son along.
The boy irritated Rachel to no end. He had those same annoying eyes as his mother, the same features, and only Lucius' handsome face to redeem him. Every time he came over, Rachel was forced to play the role of the sweet, "soon-to-be" stepmother. She despised it. All she wanted was to marry Lucius, give him a child of her own, and shove Davina's brat to the curb.
The servants, however, lit up the moment they saw Davina. They greeted their former mistress warmly, especially because she had her son with her. Back when she was married to Lucius, Davina had treated the staff with respect. Rachel, on the other hand, only made their lives miserable. The divorce had been painful, but the servants understood why it had happened.
"Why are you here?" an expensively dressed older woman snapped. It was Victoria—Lucius' mother—the very woman who had made Davina's marriage a living nightmare.
"My son wanted to see his paternal family," Davina replied. At the mention of her grandson, Victoria's face softened.
"My grandchild, come here," she beckoned warmly. But the boy didn't budge.
"What's wrong, Prince?" Davina asked gently.
"She was rude to mummy," the boy said bluntly, making Victoria's smile falter. Prince adored his mother, and if not for Davina's busy life, Victoria would have tried to take him away.
"I was never rude to mummy," Victoria lied smoothly. "Come, sit down. The servants will bring refreshments." She pretended to be gracious, and when Prince saw her act nice, he finally sat beside her. His presence softened her expression again.
"So what brings you here, Davina?" Victoria asked.
"I came to speak to Lucius about Prince," Davina said.
"You always seem to want to see Lucius these days," a mocking voice drifted down the stairs. Rachel appeared, her smile sharp as a blade.
"Rachel, come say hello to Prince," Victoria ordered.
Rachel forced a cheerful tone. "Prince, it's so nice to see you." She reached to pinch his cheeks, but the boy shoved her hand away. He knew exactly how cruel Rachel was, and he wasn't about to play nice.
Rachel's blood boiled. How dare this little brat push me away?
"Rachel, go upstairs," Victoria said coldly. "Prince isn't comfortable around you." To Victoria, Prince was the heir to Majesty Ltd. Rachel was just a fiancée. No ordinary woman would be allowed to upset her grandson.
"Yes, mother," Rachel muttered through clenched teeth. Inside, her hatred burned. Soon, when she became Mrs. Graham, they would all learn to respect her.
She was about to head upstairs when Lucius entered the family room. His presence shifted everything. Rachel smirked and sank into a cushion, certain that with him here, no one could order her around.
"What brings you here, Davina?" Lucius asked, clearly surprised. It had been ages since she set foot in his home.
"Let's talk in private," Davina said firmly. Victoria, sensing tension, whisked Prince away to give them space.
"Alright. Speak."
"Your fiancée shouldn't be here," Davina said pointedly.
Rachel's face twisted with anger. How dare she?
"Rachel, leave," Lucius ordered.
Rachel blinked, stunned. "But why should I leave—?"
"Rachel." His voice dropped, darker and sharper. One look told her he wasn't joking. She stood and stormed upstairs, humiliated.
"Go on," Lucius said, turning back to Davina.
"Prince's school is having a Parents' Night."
"And what does that have to do with me?" Lucius asked flatly.
"The school insists both parents attend."
"When?"
"The 25th."
"I can't. I'm busy that day," Lucius said without hesitation.
Davina's face tightened. "But you have to come with me. I can't do it alone." Her voice wavered, but her desperation was clear. She couldn't face the judgmental mothers of Tybis alone—and people needed to know who Prince's father was.
"Davina, I don't see why I should go. You can handle it yourself."
"I can't! Prince needs you there!" she shouted, losing control.
Lucius' eyes flashed. "Don't you dare raise your voice at me." His words cut sharp and hard.
"You'll go alone," he said, final and unyielding, before leaving the room.
Davina stood there trembling, her heart sinking. Without another word, she left the house, her mind in a daze. Prince was safe with his grandmother, but she needed air—desperately.
The servants watched her leave with pity in their eyes. They had seen how she was treated in this house. They knew exactly why she had divorced Lucius.
Meanwhile, Janis was parked nearby, happily savoring a bowl of ice cream. It had been a year since she last tasted it, and the sweet coldness made her smile.
"Madame, isn't that your friend Miss Davina?" Hermes asked, pointing at a woman leaning against her car, cigarette in hand.
"Yes," Janis said, stepping out with her ice cream still in hand.
"Davina," she called softly, tapping her shoulder. Davina turned, her eyes red with tears.
Without hesitation, Janis pulled her into a hug. Davina stiffened, shocked by the gesture, but she didn't push her away. She needed it—needed someone to lean on.
"Are you okay?" Janis asked gently when Davina finally pulled back, wiping her cheeks.
"I'm fine," Davina lied, tossing her cigarette to the ground.
"Want some ice cream?" Janis offered her bowl. Davina accepted it silently, her face blank.
They sat together in Janis' car, eating in silence. Slowly, the sweetness soothed Davina's sorrow.
"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Janis asked carefully.
"It's nothing. Don't bother yourself."
"I am bothered. I saw a woman crying while smoking. Anyone in my shoes would worry," Janis said firmly.
Davina gave a bitter little laugh. "You know… apart from my son and parents, no one has ever asked me if I was okay. You're the first."
Her words made Janis wonder. What had her life been like before the divorce? Most divorced women found freedom. Davina looked like a caged bird.
"That's because I know what it means to be in pain," Janis said quietly, thinking of her own hardships.
"Pain? What kind of pain could someone as wealthy as you know?" Davina asked.
"Davina, of all people, you should know money doesn't guarantee happiness."
"Does your husband mistreat you?" Davina asked hesitantly.
"No. Adrian wouldn't dare. I'd end his life if he tried," Janis replied casually, and Davina wasn't sure if she was joking.
"Did… did Lucius mistreat you?"
Davina's eyes darkened. "What? I… I don't want to talk about it."
Janis didn't push further. The subject was clearly too raw.
"You know what? Let's go shopping," Janis suggested brightly.
Davina shook her head. "I don't like spending too much money on clothes."
"If you don't dress to impress, darling, no one will respect you. And doesn't your son's school have a Parents' Night?"
Davina frowned. "How do you know that?"
"Some housewife mentioned it in the Housewives of Tybis group chat," Janis rolled her eyes. That ridiculous group her mother-in-law had forced her into.
"I used to be part of that group," Davina said bitterly. She remembered despising those women and their shallow lives.
"You're lucky you left. They're insufferable," Janis said, making Davina laugh despite herself.
"Come on, let's have a good time," Janis urged.
"Fine. A little shopping won't hurt," Davina agreed softly.