Today was the second day after Athena's ill-fated wedding. She sipped the hot coffee while looking at the articles about Mikhail. There were many pictures of him available online. He was the brand ambassador of a famous brand, a model, a CEO and the list goes on, while Athena was pathetic both in her looks and in life. She always believed that she didn't belong there. Because the luxury she had been experiencing there, for two days due to Mikhail's absence helped her to understand the life of a billionaire.

 By doing multiple part time jobs a single day, Athena would make a decent amount of money enough  to live with her mother, while not having enough to save. Life in Cassius mansion was different. She didn't need to bother with the loud noises made by some drunkard on the street nor she didn't need to pay any bills, at least for now.

"May i come in madam?"

It was the woman that Athena met on her first day there. Her name was Clara Johnson. She was the servant in the mansion, she was a bit temperamental. But she was nice to Athena.  Athena opened the door, surprised to see, Clara carrying a few books in her hands. While she was visibly in an awe, Clara broke the silence.

"I thought madam would enjoy books, so, i brought some of them from the library upstairs."

Hearing the word 'books', Athena honestly forgot about her life threatening problems for a second. But at the next moment, she came back to her usual depressed self. Clara sighed.

"Madam, you had been like this, since the moment you came here. This is your home from now on, you don't need to treat yourself as a guest that shouldn't be seen outside."

'This is not a cage, but your home,' was what Clara wanted to tell Athena, but unfortunately, Athena had already discarded her 'home' dream.

Athena sighed hearing the word 'home'.

"You really are a good judge of character, Clara. But you know my situation very well, i am just an unwanted wife, an outcast. There is no way, i can consider this as my home even if i wanted to."

Athena said showcasing a bitter smile. 

Clara was speechless. She was trying to help Athena but that didn't work. 

"You don't need to make that face, I'm alright... To lighten up the mood, why don't you show me the library upstairs?"

"Of course."

Clara said wearing a smile on her face.

It was night. Athena, in her bedroom, was looking at the mirror. Her complexion had become worse due to anxiety. She had been through a lot, for the past few days and that was clearly visible on her face. She was living in a house where the house owner was a ticking time bomb. She was afraid how he would react once he had seen her. The things that she had been enduring these past days were literally traumatic. She was tired both mentally and physically.

The moon shined all night long. The calm atmosphere made her sleepy. She strode slowly towards her bed, with eyes hoping that she would never see Mikhail.

The next morning.

Athena woke up, embracing the heavy rain. She got out of the bed, walked toward the windows to draw the curtain. Suddenly, a voice struck her ears like a thorn. 

  "Darling." 

The voice was deep indicating the other person was a man. It was smooth yet commanding. There was a low undertone that hinted at hidden danger to each word he spoke, a reminder of the ruthless authority he wielded. The man closed the distance between them, as he strode forward with calculating steps. Even without turning back, Athena could identify the other man. Mikhail, the man she got married to, her husband,  the devil... there were many names in her vocabulary befitting him. His cologne, an intoxicating blend of danger and allure, exuding, a raw, masculine fragrance with an undercurrent of elegance. His hypnotic voice pierced her ears again, making her body shiver.

"Why aren't you turning back? I want to see you, my wife."

The source of the voice seemed much closer to her. The next moment, she could feel his breath, on the back of her ear. She was petrified, not accepting the reality and was afraid to look at him. His tall build overshadowed her pitifully short body, evoking her deepest fears.

The man didn't leave her alone. He came closer to her, and his mouth find its way towards her messy bed hair and then whispered,

"My wife, why aren't you looking at me?...Do you know how eager i was to meet you?"

He slowly touched her with his veiny hands and gently turned her around.

Mikhail was surprised when he saw her. 

The thick long black hair was messy and flowed up to her waist. The brown eyes had a seductive charm even though it was lifeless. Her honey colored skin made her uniquely attractive. The face she had was the face of someone who had given up on her life. His ocean blue eyes glimmered while looking at her. The way she had been panicking made him enjoy, his smirk grew wider as he take in the sight before him. 

The reality of what he had been thinking was unpredictable. Without harassing her, without mocking her, he left silently, all smiling, with a vivid craze visible in his sky-blue eyes. His touch left a sign on her, a testament to the fact that Athena was now his.