The biggest insult of her life.
"Andrew. I just got a call from Maria. I need you to be Roxanne's escort, make sure she doesn't notice my absence."
"Um. Sir i don't think that's possible. But I'll do my best either way. When should we be expecting you to return?"
"In about three day. Don't forget she has an appointment today. Make sure she doesn't miss it."
"As you wish Sir."
The call ended.
******
******
"Welcome Sir." Mr. Sánchez, Ethan's pilot bowed respectfully as Ethan approached.
"You've gotten your orders." Ethan asked for confirmation. His mood today was unbelievably depressing. He hated the way he left Roxanne however, nothing could be done to remedy it. Inorder to keep Maria in check and prevent a public scandal he had to do this.
Some weeks ago, almost immediately after their wedding, Ethan bought a mansion in Tuscany, Italy for Maria.
To Maria, she was the one married to Ethan.
Ethan had left her a week after the wedding, with an excuse that he had an important meeting in his home country, Spain.
She accepted it but now, the period of the supposed business meeting was over. He had to go back home.
"I have sir. The jet has been prepped for the journey."
"Ensure Andrew reveals nothing to her." With a straight face and remorse laced in his tone. Ethan gave his final orders before entering the jet.
His destination, Italy.
******
******
"Welcome home Sir." Leonard, the butler of Ethan's Tuscany countryside mansion greeted as he opened the car door. With a smile he said, "Your wife has been expecting you."
"Where is she?"
"In the garden. She's been anxious ever since you informed us of your return."
"That's nice." Ethan forced a smile. If he wanted this to go well, he had to stay in character, "I bought some things for her from my trip. They're in the car."
"Of course Sir! As generous as ever."
Ethan smiled once more before proceeding into his home. This mansion was smaller that the one back in spain.
Maria had insisted that a smaller mansion felt more homely to her.
After checking out various mansions around the region, Maria fell in love with this one.
She chose it because to her, the environment was perfect for rasing children.
'Children?' Ethan chuckled in his mind.
Even though he was running some kind of trial marriage with Roxanne whilst being with Maria. Children never crossed his mind.
For him, after he was done with the trial period of one year, he'd get a divorce and then go his separate ways with Roxanne.
Like she never existed.
He never cared for a life time partnership. Eventually, he'd also separate from Maria. Raising children was something he forgot about years ago.
But even now, with all this. He couldn't understand why he insisted on entering a trial marriage with Roxanne in the first place.
It was like an imidiate impulse. Another will took over him. Before he realized himself, Roxanne had moved in.
Why did he intentionally complicate his life instead of getting a divorce upfront?
He was looking for something, he just didn't know what.
"You're back!" Maria squealed. Her eyes tearing up. "I've missed you so much." She casually approach him.
Her nights had been too cold. Too lonely. She missed her dear husband.
The events surrounding her marriage with Ethan got her depressed. She felt betrayed by Ethan and everyone around him. But it was no use dwelling in the past.
Her main problem was far away in another continent. Therefore, nothing stood in her way anymore. She had to do her best to win over her husband.
She had to push her womanhood beyond plus ultra if she was going to gain Ethan's affection.
"How was your trip?" Maria leaned in to kiss Ethan.
He turned away from her.
"It was fine. How have you been?"
"F-fine." She took his coat. "Dinner is ready. Actually i prepared it myself." Maria giggled with pride. The way to a man's heart was through his stomach. If she wowed him with her cooking skills, Ethan would definitely appreciate her.
"Oh. Thanks but I'm not really hungry. I had something to eat on my way here."
"I know. But not even a bite? It's really good. And i spent all day maki-."
"I'm not hungry, okay Maria? Please let it go. I'm tired." Ethan made his way upstairs to the master bedroom. He was incredibly tired and desired sleep. "Did you run my bath water?"
"Yea." Maria struggled to hold in her tears. Her heart was heavy. How could one person be this inconsiderate? After all the effort she put into everything. He discarded her like waste.
"Miss?" A maid approached with caution from behind. She was ordered to set the table for dinner, but after witnessing everything. She needed new orders.
Maria's body shook. Ethan had given her one of the biggest insults of her life by rejecting her food. She sobbed, not wanting to fall apart in front of her staff.
"Miss? Are you okay?"
"Throw it out. Throw it all out!"
Maria bit her lip. She was seething.
Immediately, being aware of the pairs of eyes that were on her, she ran upstairs.
She didn't want to cry Infront of anyone.