Chapter 3

VERA'S POV.

The day went by in a fast blur after that and after the rites they let me go, on the way back to Richard's manor I kept thinking of what Luan said. 

If he finds out I killed my husband he will tell the others and I will be killed, they would make sure I suffer ten times the pain Richard suffered, my death would be gruesome. Worst of all, my father will be ridiculed and forced to watch, unless he doesn't care and gladly watch them tear me apart. 

When we got home I met Vince in the living room speaking to Don Alfredo, the disgusting prick lit up as I walked in and Vince bowed. 

"What's going on?" I asked. 

"Nothing Ma, he asked if he could speak to you privately" Vince replied and I diverted my attention back to the old geezer. 

"Yes?" I wore an expression of impatience, which I was at the moment all I wanted to do was go upstairs to my room and drink the overpriced wine my husband usually saves for his bitches and soak in my bathtub. 

The feeling of no one breathing down your neck is sweet and I want to savor every moment of that freedom. 

Who knows what could happen tomorrow? 

"Privately, ma belle" Don Alfredo said tilting his head at Vince. 

"He stays, my husband just passed and they're the only ones I can trust. I apologize if that would be an inconvenience but he's staying" I remarked and he glared, appearing furious. 

"I was wondering if your father informed you about the exchange" He stated using his silver cane to get on his feet, the rings on his fingers glinting under the light. 

"What exchange?" I asked, the mention of my father always sends my heartbeat erratic, and the knots in my stomach tighten. 

"The Reclaiming" He replied and Vince shuddered beside me as if the words meant something. 

"I don't understand, what do you mean by that?" I demanded. 

"With all due respect Don Alfredo, it's too early for that, she's still in the process of mourning and it's been just a few days since our boss died" Vince gritted out his tone didn't hide his anger and I was lost. 

"I'm surprised you don't know about it, I thought your father taught you all you need to know," Don Alfredo said ignoring Vince. 

"I have no idea what you are talking about and I don't care, you have overstayed your welcome, you need to leave" I ordered and he laughed. 

"Don't be a ridiculous little slut, you have no power here, you were nothing when he was alive and you'll still be nothing now that he's dead. You're just a young girl with a beautiful face and a nice warm hole to fuck-"

I saw red and snatched the gun from Vince's waistband, I pulled the trigger and shot at the bastard. 

He ducked letting out a yelp. 

"You won't speak to me like that, unless you want to leave here in a body bag, my husband is dead and despite all I loved him" The words were bitter on my tongue. 

"He cared for me in his own way, you will not insult me under our roof and I certainly won't tolerate your disrespect, Don Alfredo" I snapped. 

His eyes widened and he quickly recovered, rage evident on his face because I bruised his fragile ego. 

"You pulled the trigger on me!" He barked like a dog. 

"I will do it again if you don't leave this instant and this time I won't miss" I threatened and turned to Vince handing his gun back to him. 

"Escort him out," I instructed, even Vince looked stunned and looked at me like I was a different person. 

"Make sure he leaves and don't let him back in" I added and headed for the stairs. 

"You'll pay for this!" Don Alfredo yelled after me but I didn't bulge even though I knew I messed up with that move, I couldn't just let him speak to me like that. 

I have been insulted almost all my life and I can't stand it now. 

I got to my room and locked the door. The bottle of wine was on top of my vanity along with a glass cup. 

I poured myself a generous amount and chugged down the contents, the smile I was trying my best to hide earlier spread across my cheeks. 

I erupted into laughter. 

"Oh dear, I can't believe I pulled it off," I giggled, taking off my dress. I carried the bottle of wine and the cup with me into the bathroom. 

Then ditched the cup and just drank straight from the bottle, it felt nice to be rebellious, the feeling was euphoric rushing through my veins, intoxicating me like a drug. 

Is this what the men in my world feel? 

The taste of control, the freedom to do whatever they want and get away with it, while the women are just a nice little submissive bitch they can fuck any time. 

Tears blurred my vision, I know it's not going to last. 

No woman has ever ruled in Constantin's history, they won't let me and it's fair, I got my revenge they should just let me go. 

Let me live, I badly want to live. 

Maybe fall in love properly someday even if I can't picture myself committing to anyone in the next ten years. 

I have been hurt by these men all my life, but I'm not stupid I know life isn't the same for other women. 

The ones who got to go to college, have friends, go to parties, and socialize. 

I was homeschooled and then groomed on how to be a good wife. 

A jinxed miserable life. 

I'm grateful Richard killed all the kids I could have had for him, part of it was my doing because he restricted me from using drugs or getting birth control. I would purposely annoy him whenever I found out I was pregnant and he would beat me until I lost consciousness, I would lose the child in the process every time. 

The tears streamed down my chin and I broke down for real this time, my body trembling, my heart aching. 

He might be dead but he lives in my head, he broke me beyond repair. 

My phone started ringing in the room and I dragged my exhausted body out of the bathtub and rushed to get my purse, whoever was reaching out now must be doing it for a good reason. 

I would be happy if it's his lawyer. I deserve something at least, I deserve everything as compensation for his abuse but I will take enough that can get me out of this country, out of this life permanently. 

To my dismay, it was my father. 

A wave of fear covered me. 

"Papa?" I picked up with shaky hands. 

"You have two weeks, prepare for The Reclaiming" He ordered cryptically as usual. 

"I don't understand, is this another burial rite?" I asked confused. 

"Don't be a dumb bitch like your mother, Nica, The Reclaiming has nothing to do with Richard, he's dead. It's for your new husband, the one willing to take the burden of marrying a widow"

My knees gave way and I fell.