The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 77

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The Poisoned Olive Branch

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At four in the afternoon, Alina sat in the library with a book in her lap that hadn’t been opened for the past half hour.

She couldn’t focus. Couldn’t stop thinking about Junior. The little boy who hadn’t spoken to her for three days. Who looked at her with eyes full of confusion and hurt every supervised visit.

The sound of the door opening made Alina look up.

Clarissa entered with a small tray in hand, smiling with practiced and perfect warmth.

“Alina,” she greeted in a friendly tone. “I thought you’d be here. Mrs. Helen said you like to read in the library in the afternoons.”

Alina looked at her warily, setting down her book. “Clarissa. Can I help you with something?”

“Actually, I wanted to help you.” Clarissa walked closer, placing the tray on the side table by the sofa. “I made chamomile tea. With honey and lemon. You’ve looked… stressed lately. Thought this might help.”

Alina stared at the teacup with immediate suspicion. “Thank you, but I don’t need it.”

“Oh, come on.” Clarissa sat in the armchair across with a casual gesture. “It’s just tea. Not poison.” She laughed lightly, as if the idea was absurd.

But there was something in her eyes. Something too bright. Too calculated.

“I appreciate the gesture,” Alina said politely but firmly, “but I really don’t+”

“Alina.” Clarissa’s voice dropped to something softer. More intimate. “I know we didn’t start off well. I know this situation is… complicated. But I want us to be civil. For Junior.”

The mention of Junior made Alina pause.

“For Junior?” she repeated softly.

“Yes.” Clarissa leaned forward slightly. “The boy is clearly confused with all the tension in this house. Between you and me. Between everyone. And I thought… maybe if we could find common ground, the situation would be easier for him.”

Reasonable words. That made sense.

But Alina didn’t trust Clarissa. Not after Optimus. Not after all the subtle manipulation.

“What kind of common ground?” Alina asked carefully.

“Like… acknowledging that we both care about Junior. In different ways, yes. But genuine.” Clarissa picked up the second teacup from the tray, clearly for herself. “And maybe we can figure out a way to co–exist without making him feel like he has to choose.”

Clarissa drank from her own teacup with a natural, casual movement.

Alina stared at the tea on the tray. Steam still rising. The soothing aroma of chamomile mixed with a hint of lemon.

Maybe she was being too paranoid. Maybe Clarissa was really trying to extend an olive branch.

Or maybe this was a trap.

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“I don’t know if I can trust you,” Alina said with blunt honesty.

Clarissa didn’t look offended. Instead, she nodded with understanding. “I get it. After everything that’s happened, I completely understand. But Alina… I’m not a monster. I’m just a mother trying to reconnect with her child.”

“At any cost?”

“Not at the cost of Junior’s happiness.” Clarissa set down her teacup. “And clearly, separation from you is making him unhappy. I see that. I’m not blind.”

Alina looked at her with genuine surprise. “You… acknowledge that?”

“Of course. Daniel just told me about the psychologist visit today. About the drawings. About what Dr. Linda said.” Clarissa’s expression shifted to something that might have been sadness. “And it hurts, honestly. Knowing that Junior sees me as… a threat. As a villain.”

There was vulnerability in her voice that made Alina’s guard drop slightly.

Only slightly.

“But I also understand,” Clarissa continued. “You raised him. You were there for him when I wasn’t. And I can’t just waltz in and expect an instant connection.”

Alina didn’t know what to say. This wasn’t the Clarissa she expected. Who was always perfect and calculated and clearly manipulative.

This was Clarissa who was… vulnerable. Real.

Or a very good actress.

“So I thought,” Clarissa continued, “maybe we could try to work together. Not against each other. For Junior’s

sake.”

Alina looked at the tea again. Then at Clarissa who had already drunk from her own cup without issue.

Maybe she was overthinking. Maybe Clarissa was genuinely trying.

And Alina was so tired. Tired of fighting. Tired of being suspicious of everything and everyone.

Hesitantly, she picked up the teacup.

Clarissa smiled. Small. Encouraging.

Alina brought the cup to her lips, inhaling the calming aroma. Chamomile had always been a favorite. Soothing. Familiar.

She took the first sip.

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