CHAPTER 2

‘Life is like a game. Be a player or be played. But my fate chose me to be played by the love of my life. But this was just the beginning of my story!’

Four years later.

The sun came lazily over the city of New York, bringing new starts and ideas for everyone but not for everyone. She was seated on the couch in the living room, staring at the papers in her hand. Divorce papers.

Near the ceiling-to-floor window, her husband, Ronald Greg, was standing, looking at the blue sky. Across from her was her husband's lawyer Brian, was seated, observing her reaction.

“So you finally remembered that you have a wife, huh?”

Maria mocked him. It wasn't a question but a statement and Ronald doesn't like the tone.

“It'll be better if you'll sign the papers....quietly!”

He didn't glance at her and kept his back turned from her. Maria scoffed and looked at Brian who immediately handed her the pen. Maria stared at the papers for a moment then signed the papers.

“You are free to marry your mistress now!”

With that she threw the papers and pen on the coffee table. Ronald's jaw ticked visibly as he tried to control his emotions.

“Do you know that you just called yourself trouble by setting me free?”

Maria stood up and looked at her 'dear husband' who became her ex-husband', now turned his head at first then his whole body towards her.

“I don't think you can do anything else except for empty threats... if I remember correctly you said you'll destroy me, didn't you?”

“And I also said 'At the right time!’”

“Ohh and when will this ‘right time’ come, huh?”

Maria didn't respond and Ronald huffed then took a step closer to her while maintaining eye contact.

“You know... ‘To destroy a monster, you have to become one’."

“You're forgetting that I'm Maria D'Angelo Russell..!”

“A naive girl who ruined her dear Papa's reputation, right?”

Ronald mocked her with a smirk and raised eyebrow. Maria didn't respond and smiled softly.

“I'm feeling pity, so I decided to give you this…”

He said while looking around the Villa then looked at her.

“Villa.”

“You have such a precious thing..”

Her voice carried a soft tone as she turned away and walked to Brian who was still seated on the sofa and staring at them but startled as Maria walked to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Take care of him... you might need him in the future!”

She winked at him and Ronald frowned.

“Is that another empty threat?”

“Maybe…. But think once.. 'If your lover becomes the reason of your destruction–’”

“Don't you dare to harm–”

“Tch tch tch tch... nah.. why would I harm your mistress? She's just a wh0re who warms your bed!”

Maria's words hit him hard and he clenched his fists tightly.

“Maria... you're free but don't think that I won't keep an eye on you…”

“I'm not some bit¢h who attacks from behind... I'll do everything. In front. Of. You.”

With every word, her grip tightened on Brian's shoulder, who was looking at his boss.

Ronald just slightly nodded but Maria didn't show any reaction except for tilting her head.

“Take care of everything you have because one day you'll be left with nothing…”