Chapter 2

Author's POV,

The mansion is filled with people and fairy lights, hinting that it is their big day. Lorenzo's family used to celebrate everyone's birthday like it was a festival, so how could they have forgotten their oldest son's birthday? Matteo's birthday is today, and Aurelia couldn't be happier.

Her heartfelt grin continued to beautify her face and portray her love for her husband. Although Easter, Matteo's mother, prohibited her taking everything on her shoulder, the girl would never listen precisely when it comes to her spouse.

Nothing has changed in the three years since they married. Aurelia still loves Matteo like a crazy woman, despite the fact that he never looks after her needs. He went to Germany for business and is returning today, so the family organized a surprise for him.

"Lucas, please help me man," Aurelia requested Matteo's only brother, Lucas, twenty-two years old.

"Coming darling," Lucas winked at her, as they always did.

Everyone, from servants to family members, adores Aurelia, and Lucas is no exception. But Matteo's aunty Sabrina would always find a way to annoy Aurelia, who was disappointed that her daughter had not married Matteo.

They were all set for the day, waiting for the birthday boy to arrive. Meanwhile, Aurelia double-checked the meal one last time before heading to her bedroom. It is in Matteo's favorite color is the combo of grey and cream.

The oval master bed in the center adds a touch of elegance to the space. The right side of the room goes to the lavatory and has two walk-in closet doors. One door is Aurelia's, the other is Mateo's.

On the left side, there is an adjacent study room that Mateo seldom used, so Aurelia would use it in her off-time. Behind the bed is a wall of glass with a connected pool and tiny garden, Aurelia's favorite area. She even has adorable love birds over there, whose tweeting would be a morning symphony.

Matteo's smile doesn't even reach his nose in their wedding photo, which hangs directly above their bed. It's the sole image of them together. The birds chirping welcomed her into the room with a deep sigh.

The woman stripped naked and stood in the shower, allowing herself to be drenched. Tears blended with the rushing water at the precise time. It was her custom not to exhibit her anguish in front of her family.

The warm water helped her tired muscles and heart, but there was still much more to come. Sighing sadly, she chose a satin cocktail dress in powder blue that complements her skin tone. While applying her modest makeup, the woman let her hair flow like a torrent. Aurelia has gorgeous silky hazel hair that mirrors her eyes.

The woman departed the room, taking one last look at herself. Mateo's grandmother was much sweeter to Aurelia than Mateo himself. Aurelia 's eyes betrayed the old woman's recognition of their relationships and longing.

Everyone in the mansion was aware of their disastrous existence, but no one mentioned it to Aurelia. From their perspective, their son is already causing her pain, so they don't want to add to the list. So, they tried all they could think of to keep the young lady pleased.

"How are you, Granny?" While walking into Grandma's room, Aurelia inquired.

The elderly lady in her recliner smiled at Aurelia and motioned for her to come around. Aurelia approached her with joy and kneeled before her.

"Are you going to give my boy a hard time?" the old lady inquired, a malicious sneer on her face.

"Don't flatter me, granny; now tell me, did you have your meds?" This caused the poor woman to blink like a deer caught in headlights.

Aurelia's silent treatment is something that the elderly woman still fears. If they failed to take care of them or were careless about their health while Aurelia was away, she would punish them by remaining silent. She can't yell or raise her voice at her family, but she can do this to make them understand their blunder.

"Only because today is your grandson's birthday am I letting this go; otherwise, you know the consequences," Aurelia threatened, feigning wrath.

"Sure, my child," Maria murmured, patting Aurelia's head.

Before heading to the backyard, Aurelia assisted the lady with her meds and clothing. Everyone was waiting for Matteo when Aurelia arrived, clutching Maria's hand. When everyone saw her, they began to compliment her charm.

Even Aurelia's family was called, who looked proudly at their daughter. Granny sat down in her chair as Aurelia excused herself to finish up the preparations. Meanwhile, she greeted the visitors.

"You silly woman, where is my diet soup?" Sabrina said, startling Aurelia.

"Sorry aunty, I'll get you right away," the woman apologized before bringing what she had requested.

After retrieving the dish, she returned to the backyard, checked the time because it was nearly 7.pm and there was no sign of Matteo's. The woman tried to pass, handing the soup to Sabrina, when she noticed a familiar back.

As she progresses, she notices her husband conversing with his mother. A feminine voice caused Matteo and Aurelia to turn back as she was about to reach him.

"Darling," the girl wailed before squishing into Mateo's grip; even the man returned the hug.

"Hey babe, why are you late?" said Mateo, his deep, rich voice skipping everyone's beat.

"Oh, thanks to the traffic, but now that I'm here, let's enjoy the day," the woman remarked as she stepped away from Mateo.

Matteo interlaced their fingers and led the woman to his family to present her. Even his family was stunned, to say the least. They greeted one other quietly, not wanting to make a scene in front of the guests.

Aurelia had no idea Matteo would do this the entire time she was grounded like ghostly. She can't believe her own eyes; she knows her husband is a jerk, but not a cheater, or so she claims.

Tears refused to escape from her eyes, which would have wounded her family in any case, but this time she could not bear the scenario even for her family. She felt the world around her skipping, as if she were about to be swallowed by the ground.

A warm pat on the shoulder drew her back into the world, and there stood her uncle Marco, who shared a puzzled gaze with her. Only when a hand stroked her cheeks did she feel the tears, and she quickly concealed her feelings and turned her face neutral.

"N.. nothing, dad, it must be his business friend or something," she explained, not wanting to alarm them.

"Honey, you know whatever it is, we're there for you, right?" said her aunt Lilyanna.

"Of course, mom, I know," she responded, urging them forward to communicate their wishes. Whatever it is, she will only refer to them as her mother and father.

She doesn't know how long she can keep her cool today, but she can't jeopardize her two families' reputations. With a sigh, she asked the servants to care after the guests and their food.

The tower-sized cake was rolled towards the stage amid thunderous acclaim. Before Aurelia could reach Matteo, the girl clanged with him. Aurelia stood near granny, singing a birthday song, still doing her best.

Her life came crashing down around her when the man sliced the cake and placed a piece in that woman's lips. He had never fed or caressed Aurelia with such joy in these three years. Today, something inside her broke, and the smile in Matteo's glittering eyes devastated her even more.

Granny squeezed her hand in consolation, but nothing changed; Aurelia smiled, relieving her anguish. Later, he had cake with his parents and family, who were equally sad. Except for Sabrina, no one in their family is pleased by an unforeseen visitor.

The guests gradually began to depart, not before exchanging gifts and wishes. Even after everyone had gone, that girl clung to Matteo like a leech. Aurelia secluded herself in the kitchen after the cake cutting ceremony, unable to face anyone.

Matteo's gaze never once searched for his wife, which aggravated her suffering. While cleaning the counter, she turned around to see that girl standing there with a sneer. Aurelia smiled out of politeness, not wishing to anger her husband's visitor.

"Can I get some coffee?" the girl requested sweetly.

"Y.. yeah," Aurelia responded before grabbing the coffee mug and combining the solutions.

"I'll wait outside, just bring it over there," the girl replied before leaving without waiting for Aurelia to respond.

Aurelia took the coffee and walked into the living room with red eyes. Her spouse and that girl sat as if they'd never meet again. The mere sight of them exacerbated the redness in her eyes. Nonetheless, she approached them, oblivious to the malicious grin on the woman's face.

"Y... your cof.." Aurelia's words faded as her feet slipped the balance, the hot coffee scorched her hands, and a few drops splashed over the girl's clothes.

"Ah ahh," the woman yelled, clearly in pain, as Aurelia tried to figure out what had happened.

"You stupid woman, you don't have any manners?" Mateo's growl surprised Aurelia before she could regain her calm.

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