2

‘What was that? How–?’ Valeria stood in front of the tall oak doors, her palms clammy as they rested at her sides. The grand hall behind her loomed with an eerie stillness, sunlight streaming through the arched windows and pooling across the polished floors.

‘Who is this guy? Whom have I even married?’ She had been standing there for what felt like hours, waiting for someone from the Moreno family. Valeria saw the man whom she had married just an hour ago standing right in front of her with his head bowed. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft shuffling of feet. Turning her head, she saw an elderly woman approaching her. “Pardon my late arrival.” The woman’s face was lined with the wisdom of years, her silver hair tied neatly into a low bun. Despite her age, there was a certain strength in her gait, the kind that came from a lifetime of grace and authority. 

She wore a warm smile that softened her sharp features. “Ah, there you are–” The woman said in a voice that was both gentle and commanding. Her eyes twinkled as they took in Valeria. “So you’re the one I’ve been hearing who married my son. My daughter-in-law. Welcome to Moreno family.”

Valeria blinked, caught off guard by the family’s name. It took her a few moments to realise that she married Markos Moreno. The rumoured multi-billionaire who was paralyzed for life. Looking beside her towards the man who just married her, she became confused. 

She started to wonder what was happening, but the woman’s hand reached out, soft but firm, resting briefly on her arm. “Don’t look so frightened, my dear.” She said, chuckling softly. “I know you have a lot of questions. Meet Lars.” The elderly lady named Mrs Stella gestured towards the guy whom she had married.

“He was just a decoy to proceed with the ceremony as nobody had seen my son. Lars and Markos had been friends for a long time. Lars is his bodyguard and conducted this ceremony on his behalf. Legally you are married to Markos Moreno, the signatures are his.” She explained furthermore. “My son is still in the coma.”

Before Valeria could respond, the sound of a chair scraping against the floor made her turn. Lars, who moments ago had been sitting in his wheelchair near the corner of the hall. He bowed and left the hall. “Good day, ladies,” Lars said, his voice smooth and obedient. He bowed his head slightly toward the elderly woman and Valeria before turning and walking out of the hall with measured strides.

The woman watched him leave, a faint smile playing on her lips. “Don’t let the situation frighten you, child. You have done a big favour on our family by agreeing to this marriage.” she said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. Valeria swallowed, her heart still racing from the unexpected encounter. 

“Come let’s go inside. You must be tired. We can talk further while having tea.” She took her towards the lounge and ordered some snacks and tea. Knowing Valeria didn’t bring any luggage she asked for some necessary stuff to be bought immediately. During the talk she introduced herself properly as Mrs Stella, Markos’ mother.

Valeria was explained that the family arranged a bride for Markos from some big family. Under a secure contract she was supposed to bear him a child. However, the bride refused and ran away when Valeria proposed to marry Lars aka Markos. Mrs Stella explained that she will be given all the protocol, money and protection. All in exchange for a child, she even cleared him about the contract. 

She had no idea about the contract and insisted on having some time to think over it. Mrs Stella was amused by her decision and assumed that perhaps Valeria wanted to stay. Nonetheless, before Valeria could properly take a look at the mansion, Mrs. Stella took her to the master bedroom. Her eyes fell over to the man on the king sized bed. 

“Is he–Markos?” Valeria slowly walked over and carefully watched his face. Mrs Stella nodded at her while explaining to her that doctors have lost hope. But she is hopeful that her son will wake up one day. Valeria glanced at Markos's deep-set features which made Valeria stare at his chiseled face, and he exuded a majestic aura of nobility and richness.

His skin was unusually pale from spending all that time indoors on that bed. ‘Goodness! Life is so unfair. He has everything but cannot enjoy it.’ Mrs Stella watched her staring at Markos with a soft gaze. His handsome face made one unable to take their eyes off of him. ‘I cannot believe that I hadn’t married a crippled but someone in a vegetative state.’ She mumbled to herself at her own misery.

Before he had been bedridden from the deadly car crash, Markos was a powerful figure in the US. He was rumored to be a ruthless and tyrannical businessman who took Moreno corp to the heights. He had a legal business as well as deals with the underworld. Anyone who crossed him was bound to pay a hefty price or lose their lives.

Valeria never thought that she would marry a man like Markos. It was the moment when the bedroom door opened while she was lost in thought.

It was James, her ex. “How’s uncle?” James didn’t see Valeria at first and when his eyes landed on a confused woman; they both kept quiet. Mrs Stella explained to him, introduced them both and left the room. 

"I was sorry at first and felt bad for leaving you at the altar. But you–I didn’t know you could be such a desperate gold digger. You married my uncle who is in a coma. Don’t you have any shame, Valeria?” James spoke as he approached Valeria with a stern expression of hate. He couldn’t get over the fact that she moved on within hours.

"I just married your uncle, James." Valeria snapped coldly. "Do I need to teach you how to address me now? Where are your manners, dear nephew?” She spoke to him sarcastically to make him realise what he had done. Valeria had no idea that they were related or James had any connection to Markos Moreno.

"I know you're mad at me for leaving you for Clara. I didn't know you would be such a money minded woman to the extent of suffering a difficult life. Uncle Markos is practically a dead man and you knew it already. Is this why you married him, didn’t you? So, you won't have to lift a finger while married to him. Once he's dead, get a good lawyer and get his whole estate!"

James eagerly grabbed Valeria's hands and tried to convince her. “Whatever happened is in the past, Valeria. I still love you and you can come back to me. You know I will still accept you, just hold onto this marriage and live it for a while till he passes away. When that happens, everything he has will be ours! We can start a new life together, somewhere away.” 

Valeria recalled the earlier scene she had witnessed between James and Clara. She felt a surge of disgust hearing his planning, it appeared to her why Mrs Stella wanted an heir to the empire. Everyone was after Markos’ money and was waiting for him to die naturally for his estate to be distributed.

"Let go of me, you bastard!" She yelled as she violently shook his hands off.

Her sudden cry took James by surprise as well as angered him. He always knew her as a naive, innocent, gentle and kind woman. The type who would never raise her voice at him. The one whom he could easily manipulate 

James felt angry at her but controlled his rage and moved closer to Valeria in hopes of explaining things to her. “Valeria it isn’t how you are—” His voice was interrupted as James saw a slight movement in the eyebrows of Markos. His eyes widened in disbelief as if he had just seen a ghost. "He–did he just–” James stammered and left the room.

Markos, who was lying still in bed, began to slowly open his eyes. “Argh!” His faint voice resonated in the room, under the lights of the crystal chandelier. Markos's bright silvery eyes were deep, magnetic, and inviting. As always, it was a gaze that sent a chill down one's spine. As much as Valeria was confused yet happy, James was afraid. 

The color disappeared from James's face as he stumbled a few steps back.

'Uncle Markos is awake? How even? Wasn't he supposed to be dying soon?'

A wave of terror washed over him as he dashed out of the room. Meanwhile Valeria could not help but back away, and she ran toward the stairs while shouting all the way.

"Mrs. Stella! Markos' is awake! He is out of the coma!" Valeria cried.

Mrs. Stella rushed up the stairs upon hearing Valeria's voice. It was the moment she explained to her the secret which most people didn’t know. "My dear, Markos opens his eyes sometimes. I was happy too at first but the doctors say  it doesn't mean he's awake.”

“Look at him now, he still is not responding to anything we're saying right now." Mrs. Stella explained while caressing his cheek, she sighed and added, "The doctors have said that there's a very low probability for someone in a vegetative state to wake up. Markos probably will never wake up which is why we need an heir.”