Chapter 3

The moment I turned my back on them and walked calmly away from the balcony, I could physically feel the heavy, suffocating tension radiating from behind me. I could almost hear the mixture of pure rage and helplessness vibrating from Lucas, and the bitter, vengeful hatred pouring out from Chloe. I knew exactly what was going through their minds, and more importantly, I knew exactly what awaited me once I was finally alone with my husband behind closed doors. Lucas Valeriano was a man who always demanded absolute obedience, unquestionable loyalty, and complete submission from everyone around him, especially from me — his wife whom he believed existed solely to please him, support him, and never ever dare oppose or contradict his will in any way.

For years, I had allowed him to dictate everything in my life. For years, I swallowed my pride, suppressed my feelings, and endured his coldness, his indifference, and his betrayals simply because I loved him and foolishly believed that patience and kindness would eventually win his heart and respect. But tonight, I had crossed a line in his eyes — I had stood my ground, I had humiliated his precious mistress, and worst of all, I had openly defied his authority and rules right in front of the woman he wanted so desperately to impress and please. In his twisted, selfish logic, what I did was unforgivable and unacceptable. I had embarrassed him, challenged his power, and proven that I was no longer the quiet, obedient wife he had grown accustomed to and taken completely for granted.

As I walked back into the brightly lit ballroom, the sound of music and laughter instantly surrounded me once again, masking the heavy storm that was silently raging just outside. I forced a gentle, composed smile upon my face, straightened my posture, and glided gracefully through the crowd exactly like the perfect hostess and lady of the house that everyone knew me to be. To everyone watching, I looked calm, elegant, and completely unbothered — as if nothing unusual or terrible had happened only minutes ago. But deep inside, beneath my composed exterior, my heart was beating fast and heavily, my arm was throbbing painfully from the tight grip and rough handling Lucas had inflicted upon me, and my mind was fully aware and prepared for the heavy price I was definitely going to pay for everything I had done and said tonight.

For the next two hours, Lucas never came near me, nor did he even look in my direction. He remained close to Chloe the entire time, acting completely devoted and attentive toward her, whispering sweet words, holding her possessively, and treating her exactly like the queen of the night, completely ignoring my existence as if I was invisible or completely non‑existent. He paraded her around the hall, introducing her to his influential friends and business partners, laughing loudly, and showing everyone exactly where his interest and affection truly lay. It was his way of punishing me publicly — telling me silently and clearly that no matter what I did, no matter how I fought or defended myself… she was still the one he chose, she was still the one he wanted, and I remained nothing more than just a necessary ornament and burden he was forced to carry and keep.

And just like he expected and intended, seeing them together hurt me deeply and painfully. Watching him giving her everything I deserved, everything I had begged and waited years to receive from him, tore my heart apart all over again. But unlike before, when I would have cried silently and broken down completely from pain and jealousy… tonight, I simply felt a cold, heavy ache mixed with pure exhaustion and disappointment. I watched them together and realized clearly and painfully exactly how pathetic and foolish Lucas truly was. He was willing to hurt me, humiliate me, and destroy our marriage completely and entirely just for a woman who clearly only wanted his money, his status, and everything she could possibly take and gain from him. He treated me, the woman who truly loved, respected, and stood faithfully beside him through everything and anything, like trash and dirt… while worshipping and treating her like a precious goddess despite knowing clearly she was selfish, manipulative, and opportunistic.

Midnight finally arrived and the party slowly came to an end. Guests started leaving one by one, thanking us, congratulating us, and telling us what a wonderful and perfect evening it had been. They all smiled warmly at me and shook hands with Lucas, completely unaware of the heavy war and pain existing between husband and wife. Once the last guest finally left and the huge mansion became quiet, dark, and empty… the atmosphere instantly shifted and changed completely. The servants quickly and quietly retreated to their quarters, knowing fully well better than to stay around or interfere whenever Mr. and Mrs. Valeriano had issues or conflicts to settle between themselves.

I walked slowly toward our master bedroom located on the highest floor of the mansion, my footsteps slow, steady, and completely calm. I knew Lucas was still downstairs, saying goodbye to Chloe personally and probably promising her heaven and earth to soothe her anger and bruised ego. I didn't rush or worry — I knew he would definitely come to me sooner or later, and I knew exactly what kind of storm was waiting for me. I entered our large luxurious room, removed my jewelry carefully, placed them inside their boxes, and slowly changed into my nightwear. I sat quietly in front of the large mirror on my vanity table, carefully removing my makeup, and finally caught sight of my arm which Lucas had grabbed and squeezed roughly earlier.

My heart sank and a cold shiver ran down my spine seeing the dark purple and blue bruises clearly forming against my pale skin — ugly, painful marks serving as solid proof and evidence of exactly how much hatred and anger he held inside him toward me. For years, he had hurt me physically whenever he was angry or displeased with me, and every time he would later claim that he didn't mean it, that he lost control and temper, promising me repeatedly that he would never do it again… yet breaking his promise over and over again endlessly without fail. He honestly believed that simply because he was stronger and powerful, he had absolute rights and authority to hurt me, control me, and treat me however and whenever he pleased. He honestly thought that my body, my feelings, and my entire existence completely belonged to him and were fully under his absolute control and ownership.

I was deep in my thoughts when suddenly the heavy door was pushed open violently and roughly hitting the wall loudly, announcing his arrival and his furious mood clearly and unmistakably. I didn't turn around or stand up immediately. I remained seated calmly and quietly, looking at his reflection clearly visible right behind me inside the large mirror. Lucas stood near the doorway breathing heavily and roughly, his chest rising and falling fast and heavily, his handsome face twisted darkly and dangerously with absolute rage and hostility. He locked the door slowly and deliberately with a loud clicking sound — sealing us inside completely and cutting us off from the rest of the world, ensuring nobody could hear or interrupt whatever he intended to do or say to me tonight.

He walked slowly and menacingly toward me, each step heavy, slow, and filled with pure threat and intimidation exactly like a predator slowly approaching its prey ready to attack and destroy it completely. He stopped directly behind my chair, towering tall and large above me, radiating such heavy cold and dangerous energy that used to terrify and paralyze me completely in the past. But tonight, surprisingly enough… I felt absolutely no fear, no trembling, and absolutely no urge to beg, cry, or apologize exactly like I always did before. I simply looked straight back at him calmly, coldly, and fearlessly through the mirror, meeting his burning furious gaze directly and steadily without blinking or lowering my eyes.

"You really did it didn't you Alessandra?" Lucas spoke slowly, darkly, and dangerously, his voice low, rough, and vibrating with barely controlled rage. He leaned down placing both hands heavily on either side of my chair, trapping me completely and securely between his strong arms and massive body, forcing me to look straight only at him and nowhere else. "You really showed your true ugly nature and character tonight. You humiliated me, you hurt her, and you dared challenge and defy my authority right in front of everyone… and you honestly think I will just let you get away and act like nothing happened? You honestly think you can do whatever you please, behave however you want, and I will just tolerate and accept everything silently?"

"I defended myself Lucas," I answered him calmly and firmly, my voice steady and composed despite his heavy intimidating presence surrounding and crushing me completely. "I told you clearly and exactly what happened. She came to me, insulted me, threatened me, and disrespected me in every possible way… and I simply gave her exactly what she deserved and taught her exactly the lesson she needed so badly to learn and understand well."

"She is precious to me Alessandra!" Lucas roared loudly and violently, his face inches away from mine, his breath hot, heavy, and smelling strongly of expensive alcohol against my skin. "She matters to me! Her happiness and feelings matter so much to me! And you had absolutely no right, absolutely NO RIGHT whatsoever to touch her, hurt her, or treat her however you like! She told me everything… she told me exactly how cruel, hateful, and arrogant you were toward her. She told me clearly how you threatened her, how you told her she is nothing and has absolutely no place or right near me… and honestly Alessandra… hearing everything she told me completely disgusted and disappointed me to my core! I never thought you were capable of being this cruel, petty, and hateful toward someone who never truly did anything wrong or harmful toward you personally!"

"Didn't do anything wrong?" I repeated his words sharply, bitterly, and angrily, finally standing up and facing him directly, looking him straight deep into his furious eyes without fear or hesitation. "Lucas… are you seriously telling me with a straight face and clear mind that she didn't do anything wrong or harmful toward me?! She came to me, inside my own house, and told me clearly that I am nothing to you! She told me openly and shamelessly that you are going to divorce me very soon and marry her instead! She insulted my appearance, my dignity, and my entire existence telling me I am old, useless, and completely worthless compared to her! She told me clearly to pack my things and leave everything just so she could take everything I have and own as your wife… and you honestly dare stand there and tell me she never did anything wrong or harmful toward me?! Are you seriously blind, stupid, or simply completely insane Lucas?!"

My words seemed to snap his already fragile patience and temper completely instantly. Without warning or hesitation, he raised his hand high and swung it hard and fast right across my face.

SLAP!!!

The sound echoed sharply and painfully throughout the silent room, loud and clear exactly the same way my hand sounded when I slapped Chloe earlier tonight. The force was so strong and heavy that my whole body swayed sideways violently, and I almost lost my balance falling heavily onto the floor. A sharp burning sensation instantly spread across my entire cheek and jaw, hot, painful, and throbbing heavily, and I instantly tasted metallic blood filling my mouth from where my teeth accidentally bit deep into the inner skin of my cheek. My head spun painfully, and tears instantly rushed into my eyes from the sharp intense pain and shock of the heavy blow.

"You have absolutely no right to speak to me like that!" Lucas shouted loudly, furiously, and mercilessly, his eyes burning bright with pure hatred and rage looking at me exactly like he wanted to kill or destroy me completely. "You have absolutely NO RIGHT to judge, criticize, or speak badly about anyone I choose to bring into my life! Especially NOT HER! I told you clearly and repeatedly Alessandra… Chloe is special, different, and she means the world to me! She treats me right, she makes me happy, and she understands and accepts me perfectly exactly the way I am! She never complains, never demands things from me, and she simply loves and adores me completely and purely! Unlike you… who only knows how to complain, demand, fight, and make everything difficult and complicated for me! You are exactly the complete opposite of everything I want, need, or desire in a woman!"

He stepped closer toward me aggressively, towering over my small trembling figure, looking down at me exactly like I was nothing more than dirt and rubbish under his feet.

"She told me clearly exactly what you said to her," Lucas continued speaking harshly, cruelly, and mercilessly, every single word cutting deep into my bleeding heart. "You told her she is nothing but a temporary entertainment and pastime for me. You told her I will eventually get tired and throw her away exactly like all the others before her… and honestly Alessandra… hearing you saying those things, hearing you talking about my feelings and decisions like you know everything better than me… completely infuriated and disgusted me beyond measure! You really think you know everything, don't you? You really think you are smarter, better, and more knowledgeable than everyone else?"

He grabbed my shoulders roughly and violently, shaking me hard and aggressively back and forth as if I was merely a lifeless doll or object in his hands.

"Well listen carefully and understand this perfectly well Alessandra… once and for all!" Lucas roared loudly and dangerously right directly into my face, his eyes shining bright with determination and absolute seriousness. "You are WRONG! Completely and absolutely WRONG this time! Chloe is different… she is everything I ever wanted and dreamed of having! She understands me, she satisfies me perfectly, and she truly loves me purely and sincerely unlike you who only married me for my wealth and name! And yes… I honestly and seriously considering everything she told me! She is right… our marriage is miserable, unhappy, and completely pointless! We don't love each other, we don't understand each other, and honestly… I am absolutely sick and tired of living like this! I am sick and tired of your face, your attitude, and everything about you Alessandra! And believe me when I tell you this… I am seriously thinking about ending everything between us completely and forever!"

Every single word he spoke hit me harder and sharper than the physical blow he inflicted upon me moments ago. Hearing him openly and shamelessly telling me that he actually wanted to divorce me and replace me completely with his mistress completely shattered my heart and soul all over again. Hearing him comparing me unfavorably with her, claiming she loved him purely while accusing me of marrying him only because of his wealth… completely destroyed whatever little affection and respect I still foolishly held inside my heart toward him.

"So you believe every single word she told you?" I asked him slowly, painfully, and softly, tears freely falling down my burning bruised face, mixing with sweat and blood, completely broken and devastated yet still refusing to bow down or surrender completely. "You honestly believe she loves you purely and sincerely Lucas? You honestly think she truly cares about you and your feelings? Open your eyes Lucas… open your eyes and look clearly at the truth! She doesn't love YOU! She loves your money, your power, your status, and everything she can get and take from you! She sees you exactly like an opportunity, an investment, and a prize she desperately wants to win and own completely! She doesn't care if you are happy or sad, sick or healthy, rich or poor… as long as she gets everything she wants and needs from you!"

I looked straight deep into his cold grey eyes, looking at the man I loved faithfully and devotedly for years, the man whom I gave absolutely everything I had and was… and seeing absolutely nothing but coldness, hatred, and selfishness staring straight back at me.

"She told you I married you for your wealth and status?" I asked him bitterly and sadly, shaking my head slowly in pure disappointment and sorrow. "And you honestly believed her and accepted her lies easily and happily? You completely forgot and disregarded everything I have done, given, and sacrificed for you and our marriage all these years… simply because she whispered sweet lies into your ears? You honestly think if I truly wanted money or status… I couldn't get them anywhere else or from anyone else? You honestly think I didn't have plenty of other richer, better men chasing and wanting me desperately before I chose YOU?"

I stepped closer toward him bravely and fearlessly, despite his heavy anger and intimidating presence.

"I married you Lucas because I loved you! I chose you above everyone else exactly because I loved you with my entire heart and soul! I accepted you exactly the way you were — your bad temper, your selfishness, your coldness, and your arrogance… I accepted everything completely and wholeheartedly simply because I loved you! I stayed with you through every hardship, every struggle, and every difficult moment… I supported you, stood beside you, and gave you everything even when you treated me badly and hurt me repeatedly! And now… you dare stand here in front of me, accusing me of being greedy and opportunistic while praising and glorifying that woman who clearly wants nothing but your wealth and name?!"

"ENOUGH!" Lucas shouted furiously, roughly pushing me hard and violently backward causing me to stumble and fall heavily onto the soft carpeted floor. He looked down at me exactly like I was his worst enemy and the source of all his misery and problems. "I don't want to hear your lies and excuses anymore! You are just jealous, bitter, and insecure exactly like she told me you were! And I am done trying to understand you or explain anything to you anymore!"

He stood there breathing heavily and roughly, staring coldly and cruelly at my trembling broken figure lying helplessly on the floor, completely bleeding physically and emotionally because of him.

"From now onwards Alessandra… listen very carefully to exactly what I am going to say," Lucas spoke slowly, coldly, and deadly serious, his voice calm yet infinitely more terrifying and threatening than when he was shouting and raging moments ago. "You hurt her tonight, you humiliated her, and you caused her so much pain and suffering… and because of what you did… she is hurt, traumatized, and absolutely terrified to be near you or come anywhere close to our house or events you attend. She told me clearly that she feels unsafe, threatened, and afraid of you… and knowing you and exactly what you are capable of doing and saying… I honestly believe her completely."

He paused briefly looking straight into my tearful eyes, smiling coldly and cruelly right directly at me.

"Therefore… to make sure nothing like tonight ever happens again and to keep her safe and happy… I have decided on everything clearly and firmly," Lucas declared firmly and authoritatively, his voice holding absolutely no room for negotiation or discussion whatsoever. "Starting from today onwards… Chloe will be attending every single official event, business gathering, and social occasion with me from now onwards. She will take your place as my partner and companion everywhere and anywhere we go. You… you will stay at home, remain inside this house, and you are strictly forbidden from accompanying me or attending any public functions and gatherings with me ever again. You are forbidden from meeting, speaking, or even coming anywhere near Chloe or any of my friends and associates. You are going to stay here quietly, behave yourself properly, and never dare interfere or involve yourself in my private life and business matters ever again!"

To be continued