Chapter 4 Confrontation

Several days have passed since Athena and Valentino met. Although the wedding preparations are underway, the couple barely sees each other. While Valentino immerses himself in work at the factory and occasionally visits Lirio in her apartment, Athena tries to adapt to her new life in the mansion. Fortunately, she doesn’t feel alone; her friend visits regularly, they go shopping, and she has a nanny and some subordinates at her disposal. The loneliness and confusion are becoming more bearable for her. Valentino, at night, locks himself in his room, avoiding coming down to the dining room to have dinner with his fiancée. In the mornings, he leaves without breakfast, creating a monotonous routine. However, Athena, seemingly ignoring his presence, stays in touch with her family and friends, dedicating most of her time outside. It seems like both are avoiding facing each other after their last disagreement. “I hope you have adapted well here, Athena,” Clodan comments, bringing the coffee cup to his lips. “I’m not complaining,” she replies with a friendly smile, “but I think your son doesn’t like me. He avoids me all the time, and we are days away from getting married. What will people think of us? We have to give a good impression now that the press has us as gossip.” “In that, you are very right,” he mentions, furrowing his brow. “I apologize for the inconvenience he has caused lately, and especially with what happened last time with that woman. It must have been very unpleasant.” “Don’t worry, she’s his lover after all…” “What?” The man seems dismayed. “Don’t believe the things she says. They had a relationship, but that’s over.” “Oh, don’t get me wrong,” she rushes to reply. But for a moment, before telling him that she doesn’t care at all that Valentino has another woman, she considers, “Do you know what? When I arrived here, I didn’t have a good reception from your son, and even less from that woman named Lirio. Both were very cruel.” “Really?” Mr. Clodan frowns in confusion. “I will talk to my son about this situation. And about that woman…” “Don’t worry about her,” she interrupts, with a wry smile. “I know perfectly well that you cast the bait into the sea where big and fat fish abound, don’t you?” “What do you mean?” “This marriage is simply for convenience, and you benefit more than anyone from this, since your factory is practically bankrupt,” she states, capturing her father-in-law’s interest. “I also know that Lirio, your son’s lover, is not beneficial for your family. So don’t worry about her, she won’t affect our contract in any way.” “You are a very smart girl,” the man smiles smugly. “I’m glad to have you as a daughter-in-law. Anyway, it doesn’t hurt to put a stop to Valentino, so let me handle it.” “As you wish,” she returns the same complicit smile as they both enjoy their coffee. In the darkness of the night, Athena was getting ready in her room to rest after dining alone in the dining room. Her father-in-law was absent on business matters, and her fiancé showed clear disinterest in seeing her. While combing her long hair, she slipped into a mini white silk pajama, ready to sleep. However, the doors of her room swung open before she could lay down. Although she was briefly startled, she sighed in annoyance when she identified the intruder. “Have you been raised with wild animals or what?” she spat expectantly. “Knock on the damn door before entering; this is my space.” “Listen well, brat!” He approached like a raging bull, grabbing her arm tightly. “This is my mansion, and you are just an insignificant nuisance,” he roared with anger. “What did you tell my father? Stay out of my business with Lirio!” “First of all, let me go,” she darkened her gaze and, seeing the man’s persistence, aggressively broke free. “Who am I? Here I am your damn fiancée and future wife, the one who will save your miserable factory from falling into ruin.” “Insolent!” “Don’t you dare yell at me, you idiot!” she exclaimed with the same tone. “And I don’t care what your father told you, it’s none of my concern,” she stood in front of him like an enraged doll. “Now you want to play innocent? I know you talked to him about Lirio, because he didn’t hesitate to come and complain,” he declared disdainfully. “I told you to leave Lirio alone; things were clear since you set foot in this mansion,” he approached her, furious. “Listen well, I won’t give you the place you claim, I won’t give you and my father the satisfaction of leaving Lirio.” “And I’ll tell you something: for being too insignificant, you take up too much space, imbecile.” “What?” “I’m sick of you, tired of your damn sermon as always with that stupid woman.” “I won’t allow you to speak of her like that!” “You don’t allow me anything!” Athena replied, annoyed. “Don’t you ever get tired? Stop whining so much and playing the victim with your Lirio. Nothing bad is happening to her. You just complain and curse at me, knowing that you are the one benefiting the most from this. And me? I have the misfortune of putting up with someone as bitter and despotic as you, who is only behind a woman’s skirt.” Valentino clenched his jaw, darkening his gaze. “Grow up, Rizzo, accept that you are going to marry me, because like you, I can’t stand you, I despise you, but I’m not complaining.” “How dare you?” He grabbed her wrist tightly, causing her to let out a whimper. “Listen, Athena Volkova, this better be the last time you speak to me like that,” he sentenced. “If I continue with this damn contract, it’s not because I want to; I would rather everything go to hell than have to be married to a woman I don’t love. I thought everything would be easier if my fiancée was a manageable lady, not a woman as arrogant as you.” “Well, I have bad news for you, we will be married for a year, and if you can’t stand me, it’s your problem, because I don’t suffer for any garbage that comes my way, unlike you,” he replied indifferently, receiving a cold look from his fiancée. “If you don’t want to continue with this, talk to your father and cancel everything, because I have no shortage of options.” “You are so despicable,” he snapped, pushing her roughly, causing her to step back. “I hope you face the consequences of your rebellion and insolence.” He gave her one last look full of contempt before storming out of the room. Athena fell back on the bed, releasing all the air from her lungs, and tried to calm herself by running both hands over her face, processing everything that had just happened. She had moments of peace when she wasn’t with that bitter man, who seemed to turn into a beast every time they touched on the subject of Lily, his beloved mistress. The girl looked at her wrist, seeing the marks of Valentino’s fingers that were imprinted on her fair skin. She began to question if this marriage was really a good idea, as he seemed to hate her with all his might. Anyway, their first encounter had not been exactly friendly. “Athena, my girl…” Soledad, Athena’s nanny, entered the room worriedly. “What just happened? The screams echoed throughout the mansion.” “Nothing, nanny,” the girl fell back on the bed, still looking at her wrist before responding. “It’s just that that animal I have as a fiancé is a complete idiot.” “Did he hurt you?” The woman sat on the bed beside her. “I was very worried; the screams were heard downstairs.” “It’s because of that woman, nanny, his lover,” she sighed and ran a hand over her face. “What fault do I have that Clodan hates that woman and hasn’t taken her as a daughter-in-law? That guy has no brain; he just wants to unleash all his hatred against me no matter what.” “My girl, I think it would be best to talk to your parents and cancel the wedding; this will not end well,” the woman advised, and Athena immediately raised her head, frowning at her. “Do you think I will give him that satisfaction, nanny?” she asked in confusion. “No one will impose rules on me, let alone clean the floor with me because of a lover. I’m staying here, and I’m going to marry him even if I don't want to. I won’t give them the satisfaction,” her nanny sighed, knowing that with the determined look in Athena’s eyes, she wouldn’t back down. “I’m telling you, nanny, Valentino Rizzo will know who Athena Volkova is, I swear.”