Prologue

I stood up when I saw Lucas entering the door. It was late at night.

He looked at me as I helped him take off his coat. I wrinkled my nose after catching a whiff of alcohol.

"Have you eaten?" I asked. "I was waiting for you so we could eat together," I added, but he didn't even bother to glance at me.

I puffed up my cheeks and bit my lower lip. "I cooked your favorite dish. I know that when—"

"Can you shut the fuck up?" he angrily cut me off.

I swallowed and just bowed my head. When he took off his shoes, I picked them up and placed them neatly on the shoe rack.

I was used to this. I understand why he acts this way, but what I can't fathom is why he can't even treat me as a human being anymore, not even as his wife.

My eyes glistened as he headed to the kitchen. I served the food, assuming he'd eat since he sat down, seemingly waiting. But after I prepared it, he looked at it in disgust before leaving me alone here. He nearly slammed the glass onto the table as he put it down.

I just sat down and covered my face. I looked at my watch and chuckled. It was already late at night. I looked at the food I had prepared.

That's probably what I'll be eating tomorrow. Nothing new. I took a bite of the food, and my stomach growled. I've had ulcers a few times, but I keep repeating the same mistakes.

I shook my head at myself and finished eating, trying to rest. I have work early tomorrow.

The desire to rest as soon as I got to my room was unfulfilled. Sleep had passed me by, and no matter how hard I tried, it seemed like I wouldn't succumb to this tiredness.

I stepped out onto the veranda and sat there. I looked up at the sky and gazed at the twinkling stars.

"How many more years?" I asked myself. "Seven years since we got married, but why does it feel like time is just passing by without change?"

I never wanted to marry him. I just woke up one day and found out I was already getting married. It's been years, and I still wonder why he didn't oppose this marriage if he didn't want it. He had the power to do so, and if I had known, I would've objected too. I would've refused because I only saw him once before this marriage happened, and what's worse is that I wasn't even given the chance to spend time with him and get to know him properly.

I wiped away a tear that fell from my eye and chuckled. "But why is it possible to love someone who never showed any kindness from the start?"

I sighed and went back inside. I didn't know what time it was, but sleep was already tugging at me as I struggled to get up from the bed.

Even before starting, I already felt tired. I had no choice but to get up and get ready if I didn't want to be late.

I didn't bother to look at Lucas because I knew he had already left. In our seven years together, I could count on my one hand the mornings I saw him at home before I went to work.

"Noah!" I greeted him when I arrived.

He turned his attention from sorting his things to me. "Have you had coffee?" he asked. "Let's have some coffee. I have a headache," he complained.

I just put down my things and joined him. I hadn't even eaten before leaving.

"If I were the CEO, I'd fire Miss Bernadette first. She acts like she has a huge grudge against me every time she assigns work," he said. We all could tell why he had a headache now.

I nodded. "But you're not the CEO," I replied.

He just pursed his lips and continued his rant. He went on and on until we reached the office.

Everyone noticed, but no brave employee dared to bring it up further, afraid that Miss Berna anger might turn toward to them.

"Do you want me to drop you off?" he asked when we got down.

I shook my head. "I'll just take a taxi. You go home. It's already late," I said.

He didn't insist and drove away. I was left standing in front of the Trion Building. I had no enthusiasm to go home and return to that hellish house.

I was used to it, but I'm still human. I get tired. I think anyone in my position would rather want to die or run far away.

Eventually, I also got in to head home. The lights were still off when I arrived, which indicated that neither of us had come home yet.

I puffed up my cheeks and clean myself first before going down. I reheated the kare-kare I cooked last night for my dinner. It would be a waste if it went uneaten. I spent quite a bit on the ingredients, especially since Lucas never contributes to house needs.

I am currently eating when Lucas entered the kitchen. I paused briefly while chewing as he passed by behind me.

I heard the refrigerator door open behind me, followed by the sound of a glass. I didn't bother asking if he had eaten. It seemed like he already had.

I looked at his cell phone that he placed on the table. I was about to take another bite when it rang and the screen lit up. I bit my lower lip when I saw Iris' face there.

Martyr.

I almost burst out laughing, but Lucas quickly grabbed the phone.

"Kare-kare again?" he asked, placing his cell phone back on the table.

A corner of my lips lifted as I slightly rolled my eyes. "Obvious, much?" I retorted. It's pretty clear, no need to ask.

"Thankfully, I'm done with dinner. I won't gonna eat that fucking leftover," he remarked.

I exhaled. "Yeah, same here," I agreed with a nod. "It's better that way. I won't have to spend on food, and I won't get tired cooking just to feed someone like you," I added.

I amusedly took the last spoonful of rice on my plate and proceeded to the sink to wash it.

"Wash that," I ordered as he placed his glass next to the one I was washing.

He chuckled slightly. "Come on, it's your job as a wife," he teased.

I laughed back at him and playfully tapped his mouth. "Oh," I replied, pretending to be surprised. "So you do consider me your wife too? That's really amusing."

He raised an eyebrow. "So now you're starting to answer back," he pointed out and gestured to my mouth, prompting me to slap his hand away. It flew out a little too hard and hit the side of his hand.

"Why? Do you think you're the only one entitled to answer?" I asked. "I've been patient up with you for years, and don't think for a second that I won't fight back. Who are you to belittle me? We're just both humans. We'll both be crawling with worms under the ground when we die," I retorted.

He stepped aside. "How sure are you? I might get my coffin made of metal," he said.

"Oh, right. You're a billionaire, aren't you? I almost forgot. Imagine having so much money, being so rich in wealth, but poor in friendship," I questioned.

I was satisfied seeing his annoyed expression. "Of course, you had none of that. Your life was just so ugly. It was so boring, and whenever someone came near you, you just threw money at them. You were so arrogant and lacked compassion for others, which is probably why Iris left you and never come back—"

I didn't get to finish what I was saying as I received a strong slap from him. My head turned from the force of it. I tasted metal at the corner of my mouth, indicating that I had cut myself, and blood started to flow.

"Don't you fucking dare to drag Iris' name here. Who are you? As far as I know, your parents were just so desperate to have my power, and you're just a woman who happened to be as desperate as her parents to marry me. How desperate your family are."

"What?" I asked with a sarcastic half-laugh. "Just so you know, I'd rather die than marry you. Look at this shameless guy? Where did you get that thick face of yours? I should get one made too," I countered. "Oh, wait. Never mind. I wouldn't want to be as arrogant as you."

"My family's desperate? Maybe you've forgotten who's more desperate between us." I shot him a look, and he was about to raise his hand to me again.

"Try laying a hand on me one more time," I warned through gritted teeth.

He laughed and stepped back. "What are you going to do, then?" he asked, acting as if he were scared. "Oh, I am scared," he sarcastically said, covering himself.

"Having you here in the same roof is starting to feel scary too," I retorted, pointing at him. "Do you see yourself? You're really something. After all I did for your family, you're acting this way in front of me."

"Is that what you're saying?" I asked, slightly amused. "I'd rather be buried alive than ask for help from someone like you. I'd rather go to my grave than ask for help from someone like—"

"Should I tell my people to dig a coffin-size hole in the backyard then?" he cut me off.

I felt my face turn red. His smirk turned into a full-blown grin before he turned and left, carrying the coat he had brought in with him earlier.