Athena cleaned up the entire mansion alone. Mikhail went to the airport to pick up his parents. It had been four hours since Mikhail left. Athena thought about how to greet her in-laws once they arrived. Mikhail had already told her that his parents are just staying for a few days and he would summon Clara back to her duty after they left.

The sky turned dark. They hadn't arrived yet. Athena was worried thinking something happened on their way. It doesn't matter even if they are a clan of devils, life is precious. Athena learnt this from her own life. Even though she had thought of her as a worthless trash, she was still lucky compared to millions of people, she was healthy; she was honestly felt guilty thinking about why had she always considered herself unlucky while she was lucky compared to millions of people. But then again, when she was depressed, all she was thinking was about her stroke of bad luck. It had always continued just like an endless cycle.

While she was lost in her thoughts, the calling bell rang. She stood up startled, walked quickly towards the front door, just like a robot. Seeing the sight in front of her, she was dazed. A woman came forward. Her lips, like cherry; her long blonde hair, thick; her outfit, fashionable; her eyes, viridian. 

Following her, a tall and muscular man entered. His thick jet-black hair shined even in the midnight. His azure eyes were breathtakingly beautiful, just like Mikhail's. Athena wondered if their family genes were perfect because they were rich or they were rich because their family genes were perfect. In short, her last brain cells were in a nutshell.

Athena stealthily searched for Mikhail, but he wasn't with them. Athena smiled and bowed politely. An awkward moment of silence. Athena just wanted to burrow in her blanket. Mikhail's whole family were like fashion models while she was just wearing her old pajamas. She felt so embarrassed. 

"Are you, my daughter-in-law?" 

A deep, hoarse voice echoed but with an amused face.

"Huh? Yeah... oh, sorry for my late introduction, I'm Athena."

Athena didn't know which surname she should use, so she just left it out. His face, clearly showed a gentle nature despite his massive build. Was he really the chairman of Infernotech? Athena disbelieved. Mikhail's father introduced himself as Adrian Cassius and his wife as Helena Cassius. This couple didn't look their age at all. If not for Mikhail told her that they were in their 50s, she would've thought that they were a couple in their 30s upon seeing them.

Athena?... how old are you? 

It was none other than Mikhail's mom.

"I'm 22 years old."

Athena uttered.

"So young." 

Helena spoke as if she was disappointed.

"Had you graduated?"

 Helena asked Athena in a stern tone.

"No" 

Athena mumbled, her voice fading as she continued to talk.

Athena felt so insecure and dejected thinking she shouldn't have been in this rich and painting-like household. But what could she do? She was just like a guest who was staying there for a while. There is nothing she could say nor ask him. She saw herself as nothing more than a leech in that mansion.

"Athena, I don't hold any grudge to you. I'm sure you had heard about my infamous son. Even after knowing some of his actions, there were many women still wanting him as their husband." 

Helena talked as if she wanted to tell Athena something serious. She continued her words,

"Now that you've become his wife, you will be seeing many things that you never wanted to see. Your life will be different from the one you had. From now on, you have to accept whatever curve balls life threw at you."

Problems had always shared a deep relationship with Athena, so it wasn't a big deal for her since she was used to it.

"Unfortunately, Mikhail is not a gentleman who will only be loyal to his wife. I heard that you are a shut-in, but I want to let you know that, as long as he claims you as his wife, you have to do your part."

Athena wondered what was her part in Mikhail's life. 

"So, see for yourself, who is Mikhail? Is he loyal to you, or not?"

Athena gazed at Helena with eyes that seemed to  ask 'who on earth doesn't know Mikhail's true colors, since he was always in the first page of newspaper?'

"Athena, I don't want to see my son playing with another girl's feelings anymore; especially a young and naïve girl like you. If you don't want to get hurt, then don't develop feelings for Mikhail."

 Helena wanted to tell Athena to never trust her son blindly. But Helena added one more thing,

"I was actually quite surprised when I first saw you. Please don't take it as an offence; it's more out of pure curiosity. I wondered why my son bring home a girl who wasn't his type, as his wife."

Athena was surprised to hear that, because Mikhail had never brought her to his home, it was her who came here in the first place like an encroacher.

 "I don't know if this is a mother's instinct or not, but I have a feeling that, you could change my son and teach him what true love is." 

Athena, at this point was tired of her nagging and was suppressing her yawn. She took a deep breath.

"If you are in love, even your silent stares would become a melody to your beloved. Let him taste the joy of a happy life."

Athena, hearing Helena's advices again and again, became immune to her ramble. Helena's words seemed well intentioned. But Athena knew better. Only Athena understood the depth of her own struggles, the sleepless nights filled with turmoil. The reality of her pain was that no amount of empty words could heal her wounds.