**Amaya’s P.O.V**

I woke up to the beeping of my alarm, and a handsome Aiden getting ready to leave for work.

“Up so early, anything important going on today?” He asked not bothering to look at me.

Today was our anniversary but it wasn't important so she didn't need to mention it to him to avoid him reminding her for the millionth time that this was all a business arrangement.

By this he meant our so called happy marriage.

“Not really, just planning to head somewhere, I'll be back later” I said getting up and heading to wash up, he was just silent and continued whatever he was doing, she was sure that by the time she had finished he would have been gone.

But when she came out he was still there, sitting on the couch and staring at her with an unreasonable look

I just ignored him and continued what I was doing not minding the fact that his eyes were tracing my every movement.

“Could you go home?” He asked finally breaking the awkward silence.

“Not sure I'll have the time to blend that into my schedule, and where I'm going is really important, can't miss it” I lied.

“Where are you going?”

“I don't think that's any of your business, Mr Marcelo”

“You just get to go anywhere you want anytime, huh?, don't you have a family to take care of over here?”

“Family?” I blurted out, then burst into laughter.

“We're not family Aiden, you remind me everyday that this is just a business arrangement, or have you suddenly forgotten?” I said then scoffed

“And then you go to work and make yourself useful while I waste my time watching over nothing in particular, so why Shouldn't I be allowed to go where I'm wanted?”

“Well that work I do is what is feeding that family of yours so I think it's better you stop running your mouth saying nonsense”

The room fell into an awkward silence once again.

“I'm only saying this because my Mom is coming home”

“What does that have to do with me?, it's not like she has another choice but to put up with me being around her, to the world I'm your perfect wife, Mr Marcelo it seems you've been forgetting a lot lately”

“I'm just looking out for you, if you probably stay here, she would throw a tantrum and wouldn't let you be, I don't want that to happen”

“And when did you start caring?”

“Oh I didn't, I don't just want a little problem messing with my reputation, why would you think I care anyway?”

“I didn't, just wanted to be sure you felt the same, don't you have a meeting to get to?”

.

“I thought you didn't care?” He asked smirked then left

“Trust me I don't give a shit” I muttered under my breath.

That damn bastard

I wish I could rip off that smirk off his face, who the hell does he think he is to try and control my lifestyle, claiming it's because of his stupid reputation.

Fuck it.

My mind immediately drifted to the monster arriving today, just when I thought I could have some peace of mind, this witch has to come home?

I immediately felt disgusted.

Now I have to avoid His mother's blunt words and complaints, and the only way to do so was to leave and not return until she goes back.

Why did I have to put up with this?

It was all my father's fault, because of his frequent embezelment problems my mom's company came crashing down and now after maltreatimg Mr for so long he now solely rely’s on me.

Why can't that illegitimate daughter of his get the job done, by the way she had a nice and mush curvier figure, anyone would drool at the sight of her.

The thought of it alone was disgusting.

I quickly wore my clothes and packed a few things, I went home and thankfully dad wasn't home.

I dropped my things and went to Mom's hospital, I told the doctor I wanted to see her and I was giving immediate access.

I looked at her almost lifeless body, tears welling up in my eyes threatening to spill.

I placed my hands in her nearly cold hands and cried silently.

“Come home mum, we have a lot to catch up on and that cheating bastard to punish, me and Elly need you, please” I muttered then left

The nurse in charge of her then called me aside.

************

I headed for Elly's school.

By now it was almost their closing period, and I planned to take her to get some good food with me before taking her home.

And she was also only one I could tell about my pain and she wouldn't judge.

“Amaya?” Someone called out from afar.

I raised my head to see my little sister waving and then running towards me.

A smile appeared on my face as I embraced her tightly.

“How have you been?” I asked

“I should be asking you that, you have black circles under your eyes, not been getting enough sleep?”

For Elly's age she was really smart and matured, a true gift of nature.

“Didn't even realize” I said sounding puzzled but she saw right through my facade.

“Is it Aiden?” She asked as I just kept silent

“I'll be coming home today”

“Really?” The sight of her so excited brought back warmth to my heart.

But just then the smile on her face sank.

“Don't tell me he sent you out”

“Not really, where are you getting these thoughts from?”

“Doesn't matter does it?, and be rest assured Dad won't be returning for a while, they all went on a vacation”

*How is everything?, like at home, school?”

“Stressful, dad doesn't really talk much to me, still pets Valerie, and I already told him I need a change of school, I'm practically ahead of everyone here, i need to learn amongst people like me, so that I can have a sense of competition”

“Can you manage for now?”

“I think so”

“It’s been sick years since I last saw mom a d you still plan on hiding how she's doing?”

Amaya’s P.O.V

Immediately those words left her lips the tears I tried to hold back came gushing out in full force.

I felt my sister pull me into her warm and comforting embrace.

I didn't want to tell her anything to avoid an emotional breakdown but right now she was the one comforting me.

“Did it worsen?”

“He reduced the funding, they're trying all they can” I sniffed

“The doctor said that at the rate her condition is not progressing at all, it might even worsen overtime” I said calming down.

“Ummm, can I see her?”

“Elly I don't think…….”

“What if i don't get to see her again?” She asked in a low upset voice, I was always worrying about myself I didn't give a second thought on how a fifteen year old would feel being deprived from seeing her mother for years.

“ I know you think you're trying to protect me from the unknown” she said with a hint of sarcasm.

“But I really want to see her, I can handle it” she said but I just couldn't imagine her face when she saw mom.

“Amaya trust me”

“Let's go home and wash up first then I can think about it”

“Cheer up and stop being depressed you grumpy old lady” she said grabbing her things and heading towards the car without bothering to wait for me.

I headed towards the car and when we were settled in , we headed home.

************

By the time we had arrived, it was getting late due to how many places Elly made us go.

When we finally arrived at home I immediately went to my room, the look of it was discouraging, most of my things I had planned to give Elly were now missing.

“Did Valerie enter my room?”

“Your room?, you must be kidding, it's now like a public tourist center, anyone but me can come in and go out, let me guess your things are missing?”

“A lot, not like I'm using them but …….”

“That goddamn bitch, did she have to steal the hoodies?” i shouted loud enough so she could hear me.

“You know you don't have to shout, and she's been more than just a bitch…”

“Language” I interrupted

“I heard you say it” she grumbled.

After I arranged my things I went down to prepare dinner and set everything, then went to call Elly.

“Dinner time” I said after placing a soft knock on her door

“Not hungry, can't afford to taste your heavenly magic” she said with a hint of sarcasm in hear voice.

“Come on Elly, can you stop being sarcastic”

“Just go, I'll be down in a sec Mrs Marcelo”

Sje said and it sounded nice for a few seconds but I quickly ame back to myself.

“Don't you dare call me that” I said storming downstairs.

“You hesitated, so you do like being called……” I heard her saying faintly.

After eating I went to my room to shower, I brought out my skincare and apploed them still wrapping my towel.

“Elly, have you seen my clothes?”

“Are you joking or what?”

“Do u sound like I am?, how many bags did you Carry to my room?”

“Just one”

Shit, I must've left it there, and things would've been better if Valerie hadn't stolen my things.

“I'm gonna go get them, I'll be quick”

“Do you have to?, why not go tomorrow?, what if you see those two jerks?”

“I have to, I can't wear your clothes and I have absolutely nothing else to wear, if I see her, I'd just have to endure I'm not sleeping there anyway”

“Just be quick” She said

I wore the clothes.i arrived with, grabbed my hand bag then left the house, I hailed a cab and was really grateful I had carried my spare key, that way I could sneak in and out before anyone could notice.

I must've left it in Aiden's room since that was the last room I was in this morning and since osceillia was around he probably wouldn't be home.

I quietly opened the door and entered inside to see the lights switched on, that was strange, his mom never left the lights on, she hated them, particularly because I was the one who picked their colors.

I climbed up the stairs, the whole house was silent except for a distant sound, I guessed she was already complaining about me even in my absence.

I don't even know what I did to her, I should be the one always complaining cause I was forced into a marriage I don't benefit from.

As I got closer I realized the sound wasn't coming from osceillia’s room but from Aiden's.

What was she doing in Aiden's room and why did it sounded like moaning?

It was a female voice, full of pleasure, then I also heard a familiar deep male voice say something I couldn't grasp.

It sounded like Aiden but I couldn't makr out the female voice.

I shrugged off the thought and wondered how I was as going my things.

Then the only possible solution came to my mind but I had to be ready to face whatever imsults she was going to throw my way.

I slowly pushed the slightly opened door and tried taking a peek, I saw the bag but it was far from hands reach.

The moaning grew louder.

Can this piece of shit lower their voices?

This wasn't working I had to open the door fully to get it, I couldn't believe I was going to interrupt her intimate time.

She would definitely bit let this go but that was the only solution.

I pushed open the door and walked in just to see Aiden…….

And Valerie, engulfed in pleasure, this couldn't be real.

“Oh my goodness” I blurted out at the sight of them.

Once they noticed I was staring at them they untangled and Aiden grabbed a towel while she used the bedsheet to cover herself.

Valerie was really shameless, I couldn't believe she would go as far as seducing my husband, that was way out of line.

I stared at the both of them, my surprise so evident in my eyes, I didn't even glance at Aiden, my eyes focused solely on Valerie

I felt like strangling her right now.

“Why do you seem so surprised?” A deep voice asked dragging me out of my thoughts.

Amaya’s P.O.V

The moment Aiden said that I felt a pain in my chest.

But why?

It was all a contract, I knew this was inevitable but why did I feel so hurt?

Why did it have to be Valerie?, with his status he could have any woman begging for him so why did it have to be the one person i hated so much?

“This was all a contract Amaya, did you really think I was going to feel something for you just because we were married for 3 years?” He asked but my eyes weren't on him but on Valerie.

She knew the only reason I accepted this arrangement was to fend for my mom and she still has to come and disrupt everything.

“I don't understand, why my sister?”

“Cause I'm in love with her”

“Don't tell me she didn't know?”

“I didn't think I needed to tell her, it was fun watching her slowly soften towards me”

“By the way Amaya, could you help Valerie settle in?, she plans to move in with us.

I couldn't speak I wanted to leave and tell myself that I had to endure for Elly, for mom, but this was a lot to take.

Just when I thought I had used marriage to escape hell, I realized this marriage was way worse than hell and I slowly succumbed yo the demon who lives in it, and now this bitch was coming to make my life worse.

“I won't be helping Valerie because she won't be moving in”

“What did you say?”

“You heard me Aiden, I said she isn't moving in, this might just be a business arrangement but u will not let you disrespect me by bringing your mistress into our home, you can do whatever outside, I don't give a shit” I said trying to hide the pain in my voice.

“Our home?, I really didn't think an infertile bitch like you would ever get to call my house your home, just for clarity I wouldn't have agreed to marry you if Valerie had been there”

His every word was like a punch that hit me.

I maintained my calm demeanor and acted like I didn't care

“I wish you had seen her first, I wouldn't have had to live with people as arrogant as you”

“Now you two are so in love, the more the merrier, you can have her but I already made it clear that she won't be moving in, not as far as I still have the title of being your wife”

How did he think I would agree to this?

His mother was enough headache and he expect me to accommodate someone that has hated me since her birth?

But what was I expecting?, the signs were clear I was just too naive to think he'd actually do it.

But that didn't mean u would let him control my decision on this, I was standing my ground.

I had never been given an opportunity to make a choice, all my life I wasn't allowed to do anything ony own accord, even my marriage wasn't my decision and now this?

I was fed up

“Have you forgotten I pull the strings here, if Valerie can't move in consider this marriage over”

“Then what are you waiting for, give me the papers and tell me where to sign and your little mistress has the house to herself”

“Are you hearing yourself?, one phone call and it's all over, think about Elly and your mom?” He said his tone softening.

Why was he acting like he cared, all I wa to him was a medium for transactions and investments to take place so what changed?

“Why are you begging her, her mom might not survive the week” Valerie said with a smirk on her face.

Something snapped in me and every emotion I had been holding back came gushing out in one sentence.

“You slut, you still have the guys to talk, you stole my father, stole my things, even stole mom….”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

“You think I didn't find out it was you and your drunken friends that caused the crash that day?, and now this?, are you that jealous of me or what?” I asked angrily as she opened her lips to speak but u didn't let her

“ What possibly could you want again?, you're pretty, young, sexy, being treated like a princess, a position I would die to be in, so what the fuck do you want?”

She feigned innocence and put herself into Aiden's arms.

“You've said enough Amaya” he said as he comforted her.

How could he say that?

I felt so wronged, I thought he felt something but I was wrong, it amused him anytime I showed signs that I'd fallen hard.

“Amaya……”

“Mr Marcelo I don't need your pity, keep it for someone who does, we’re done, tjis business arrangement ends here”

“You're upset, everything came in a flash, you can rest, tomorrow we'll talk about it”

“It's really useless talking to you isn't it?”

I stormed off to my room and began searching for the divorce document Davina had kept gor me just in case I felt suffocated.

I took it out and signed it without hesitation, I wasn't going to banter words with anyone, my days of being Mrs Marcelo are gone.

I headed back to his room and took a peek at the entrance, I saw him, his clothes were already on while she was hugging him like a clingy puppy.

It disgusted me.

Or that's what I told myself.

Why did she have to get the good things?.

I was ashamed of myself, I wanted to be Valerie, to be in Aiden's arms, I wanted him to comfort me like he did to her and that thought alone disgusted me.

I told myself I hated him so much, always called him bad names, and tried to seem difficult around him, but deep down I hated myself for falling in love with him.

But now it's too late, everything's ruined and there's no going back.

I slammed his door wide open and threw the papers at him.

“Meet my lawyer if you need any clarification, although I doubt you do” I said as he scoffed.

“I know you'll be back, sooner or later”

“You wish”