Warning: AU, Businessman Jesse Cromeans, He has no scar in here, married life.
A few days later, Jesse received a message from two of his business partners asking if they could stop by for dinner to discuss some upcoming projects. He read it, frowned, and immediately shook his head as he put his phone down.
“No way,” he said firmly, looking across the room at her. “I do not need this. I am already the Chairman and owner of the company, worth more than they could ever imagine. I do not have to entertain them just to keep things running. More than that, I do not want you running around cooking and cleaning and stressing yourself out just to please them. It is not worth your energy.”
She walked over and sat beside him, placing a hand gently on his arm. She smiled calmly, though she understood his concern.
“I know you do not need them,” she said softly. “And I know you have more than enough wealth and power to stand on your own. But it is just one dinner, Jesse. If it makes things smoother for you at work, then let them come. I will start preparing everything early so I do not rush, and I will take my time. It will not stress me out, I promise.”
“Are you sure?” Jesse asked, still looking unsure. “I do not want you feeling tired or pressured. You are still recovering, and you have S/N and the others to look after already.”
“Positive,” she replied with a small nod. “Consider it a change of pace. I enjoy cooking for people once in a while. Go ahead and tell them they are welcome.”
After a little more hesitation, Jesse finally agreed and sent the reply.
That evening, as the sun began to set, the children were all settled in their bedrooms playing or reading, leaving the main part of the house quiet. She worked steadily in the kitchen from the afternoon onward. She prepared rich savory dishes, grilled meats, fresh salads, refreshing fruit juices, and sweet desserts that melted in the mouth. Everything was arranged neatly, the dining table was set with fine cutlery and glasses, and the whole house smelled warm and inviting.
By the time the doorbell rang, she had been so busy arranging the last few items that she completely forgot to go upstairs and change her clothes. She was wearing only a simple cotton dress, loose and comfortable, with her hair tied back in a plain ribbon, no jewelry or heavy makeup at all.
Jesse opened the door and greeted the two men, Mr. Henderson and Mr. Cruz, with a polite but distant smile. They stepped inside, and as soon as they saw her standing there to welcome them, their eyes swept over her from head to toe without any attempt to hide it.
“Good evening, sirs,” she said gently, smiling as she led them toward the dining area. “Please, make yourselves comfortable.”
They nodded and walked past her, but she caught their quiet whispers and sideways glances. They looked at her simple dress, her plain appearance, and exchanged looks that held judgment and disapproval. Jesse was busy bringing out drinks and did not notice any of it.
“So this is your wife?” Mr. Henderson asked casually, his tone sounding far too casual and unimpressed. “I pictured someone… different.”
Jesse only smiled briefly, not picking up on the meaning behind the words. “Yes, this is Y/N. The woman who runs this home and holds everything together.”
As dinner began, she moved around the table serving each guest, filling their plates and refilling their glasses with care. She did her best to stay pleasant and focused, though she could feel their eyes following her every move like they were inspecting something they found lacking.
Then, halfway through the meal, Mr. Henderson leaned back in his chair, took a sip of wine, and spoke in a loud, careless voice as if it were just a casual suggestion.
“You know Jesse,” he said, waving his hand in the air, “you have built such an empire. You are a multi-billionaire, Chairman of one of the largest groups in the country. You have power, money, and influence beyond measure. Do you not think it is time you found someone more appealing, someone younger and more refined to stand beside you? I know many beautiful women who would jump at the chance to be with a man like you. I can easily introduce you to them, if you like.”
The room went completely silent in an instant.
She froze where she stood, the serving spoon still in her hand. Her face drained of color, and her cheeks burned hot with embarrassment and humiliation. She felt as if every eye in the room was staring right through her, judging her unworthy. Her throat felt tight, and before anyone else could react, she placed the spoon down quietly.
“Excuse me,” she whispered, her voice trembling just a little. “I will get some more water from the kitchen.”
She turned and walked away quickly, her head lowered, wanting nothing more than to disappear from the room.
But the moment she left, the atmosphere shifted completely.
Jesse had gone completely still. His smile vanished, replaced by a cold, dark look that turned his eyes sharp and dangerous. The warmth in his voice vanished, and when he spoke, it was low, steady, and carried a heavy, terrifying weight.
“Say that again,” he said slowly, leaning forward and resting his hands flat on the table. “I want to make sure I heard you correctly.”
Mr. Henderson laughed nervously, thinking Jesse was amused. “I only mean well, Jesse. You deserve better. Someone who fits your status more than-”
“Shut your mouth,” Jesse cut him off, his voice rising sharply. “You dare sit at my table, eat the food my wife prepared with her own hands, and then stand there and insult her? You think you know what I deserve? You think you have the right to judge the woman who means more to me than every single dollar in my bank account?”
His face turned stern and hard, and the anger rolling off him was so strong it made both men shrink back in their seats.
“Y/N is not just my wife,” Jesse continued, his tone growing colder and more ruthless with every word. “She is the mother of my children, the one who stood by me when I had nothing, and the only person in this world who loves me for who I am, not for my money or my title. She is worth more than this entire company, more than all the shares and properties you could ever count. I respect her, I adore her, and I value her above everything else in existence.”
He stood up abruptly, pushing his chair back so hard it scraped loudly against the floor.
“You call her plain? You call her unappealing?” he sneered, looking at them with pure disgust. “She is more beautiful, more kind, and more dignified than any woman you could ever find. And you? You are nothing but leeches feeding off the work I built. You have forgotten your place.”
He pointed firmly toward the front door, his expression terrifying and unyielding.
“Get out,” he commanded. “Leave my house right now. And consider every contract, every partnership, and every agreement between us terminated effective this very second. You will never step foot on my property or speak to me again. I do not need people who cannot respect the woman I love. Now move before I decide to make this far worse for you.”
The two men did not dare argue. They scrambled to their feet, faces pale with fear, and rushed out of the dining room without another word. The door slammed shut behind them, leaving only silence behind.
Jesse took a deep breath, letting the anger slowly fade, and hurried toward the kitchen where she had gone. He found her standing by the sink, her shoulders shaking slightly as she wiped her eyes.
He walked up to her immediately, wrapped his arms around her from behind, and held her close, pressing soft kisses to the side of her head and her neck.
“My love,” he said gently, all the harshness gone from his voice now, replaced only by warmth and comfort. “Look at me. Do not listen to anything those fools said. They know nothing about us, nothing about what is real.”
She turned in his arms, her eyes glistening with tears, still feeling the sting of their words.
“Did I… did I not do enough?” she asked softly. “I just wanted everything to be good. I did not even get to change, and then they said those things… I felt so small.”
“You did more than enough,” Jesse told her firmly, wiping her tears away with his thumbs. “You were perfect. Those men are blind and stupid. They judge by appearances and status, but they have no heart. You are beautiful exactly as you are, simple dress or fancy gown, it makes no difference to me. You are still the only one I want, the only one I will ever choose.”
He held her tighter, resting his forehead against hers.
“I am sorry you had to hear that,” he whispered. “But I promise you, no one will ever speak of you that way again. Not while I am alive. You are my greatest treasure, y/n. Never forget that.
She leaned into his embrace, letting his words wash away the humiliation and pain she had felt. With him holding her like that, she knew it was true, no matter what anyone else might think or say.
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