Valentina's POV

“Bianca!" Matteo called out in a pained voice before rushing to her side.

I watched in shock and disdain as Bianca's cries grew louder, drawing everyone's attention to her.

“What happened?" Mateo glared up at me and I took a step back at the hatred in his eyes.

How was I blind all these years to have not noticed the blatant disgust he had in his eyes for me.

“I said what happened?" He yelled and I shook my head in response to the lack of words.

How was I to explain the sudden irrational actions of Bianca?

Turning to face her, he cupped her cheeks. “What happened?" He asked in an extremely gentle tone that made my heart bleed while I stared down at them.

"She…" Bianca started, then hiccuped and Matteo turned to face me with a glare in his eyes.

“What did she do?” He pressed softly and gasped loudly when Bianca showed him something.

I tried to peer past his broad shoulders to see what it was but could only see Matteo's fast movement and soon, there was a loud slap. I gasped, holding onto my right cheeks.

“Matteo?" I called out shakily, tears wetting my lashes.

Looking at the giggling guests who found my predicament entertaining, I bit my lips in shame.

“What did you do to her?" He questioned with wide angry eyes.

“What?" I asked and he marched back to Bianca and showed off a claw mark on her wrist. The angry red lines that were accused of being caused by me were unfamiliar to me.

“I didn't do that." My voice broke.

"Liar!” It was Bianca this time.

She grabbed Matteo's shirt and cried into it like a baby and I went numb. I felt stupid, I was fed up, it all felt like an expensive joke.

"We were talking and … and all of a sudden, she tried to claw at my face and I blocked her hand with mine…” She pointed at the claw marks on her wrist.

"Then … then she pushed me saying I should die and go to hell!" Bianca explained, getting more agitated as she spoke while Matteo rubbed her back to soothe her.

“What have I done to you Valentina? Is it my fault you gave up your career to please a man?" She questioned righteously and my jaws slacked. My mouth went wide and I could not believe the unfolding event.

“Be calm Baby." Matteo soothed her and if my jaws could drop to the ground, it would at this moment.

“Matteo!" I could not stop myself from yelling his name.

“You jealous bitch! Were you trying to get her killed?" He yelled back at me instead and I took three steps back.

I was going to black out, I could not breathe and the murmurs from their guests made everything worse.

Bianca got up with the help of Matteo before drying her wet eyes and putting on her irritating smile. The bitch was really an actress. She made a step towards me.

“Don't." I snarled at her and Matteo made to move but she put out her hand, stopping him.

“I forgive you." She said it out loud in a clear voice, all evidence of her dramatic tears gone into thin air.

Before I could react, she closed in on me, hugging me tightly to the sickening applause from the little crowd.

“You can't do any goddamn thing about us Valentina.” She giggled into my ear, patting my back while I stood still in shock.

"You are the dramatic one.” I managed to say and her giggles grew louder.

"That's why he loves me instead of you. You are such a bore, even in bed.” She declared and it pierced my heart.

"Before you react, think. I could set you up again and make you get hated on.” I wanted to tell her that I knew about her plans but I held myself back.

“Do your worst." I snarled instead, still standing stiffly in her arms.

"Now hug me back, else I would scream and heaven knows you would get beaten to death and Matteo wouldn't care about your corpse.” I hated this, I hated her but I had to comply for the greater good.

"Good girl.” She purred when I obeyed and I gritted my teeth.

“See, we are good now." She disengaged and turned to smile at the guess and at Matteo who smiled back at her.

Matteo brought two glasses of the same drink from earlier towards us. My jaws tightened. Are they fools? Don't they get tired of the same trick after the first failed attempt?

My mind scurried for a possible attempt at another excuse to give as he approached.

“Why not take a glass of wine to celebrate your reconciliation?" He pushed a glass to me before pushing another towards Bianca.

“I want the other one." I declared and they both paused, the air got thick with tension.