Author's POV,
"You stupid woman, don't you have any manners?" Mateo's growl surprised Aurelia before she could regain her calm.
His remarks made her eyes widen in surprise; he had never raised his voice at her in the previous three years. But now he's accusing her of making a blunder she didn't make. Her eyes deceived her as she felt wetness on her cheeks.
"Darling, it's just an accident, leave it," the woman murmured, still feigning a gasp.
"No, May, it's clearly her fault," Matteo protested, not getting anything.
"I... I apologize" When Mateo's hand raised in the air, her comments were cut off.
An ancient voice flowered in the landscape before his fingers could brush her cheeks, caught everyone's attention.
"STOP RIGHT THERE," granny called out, reaching for her walking stick.
"How dare you to touch my granddaughter?" Granny's words rang out like thunder.
"Grandma, you don't know she spilled the hot coffee over May's hand and tried to fake it," Mateo tried to explain, which didn't even reach granny's ear.
"How you're so certain about that young man? Why can't it be an accident?" grandma said, making Mateo's eyes widen.
This is what he despises about Aurelia; he believes she always entices everyone to her side with phony innocence and tears. With the passage of time, that dissatisfaction morphed into hatred.
"No granny, she's always like this," he answered, shattering Aurelia's faith.
"Enough!!" shouted Grandma.
"Look Mateo, whatever it is, Aurelia would never do such a thing, and even if she did, she apologized so let it go and end of discussion," yelled granny, causing everyone to leave the scene except Aurelia.
"My sweetie, don't blame yourself, okay?" granny pleaded, grasping Aurelia's hands, which made Aurelia hiss.
"What is it?" "Here your hand is burned, but he only cared about that useless shit," granny yelled in disgust.
"N.. no granny I... I'm fine, please." Aurelia tried to walk by, but the old lady was not having it.
"No more words," the woman remarked before sending a maid to get burn ointment with cotton.
When the maid returned with everything, Grandma treated Aurelia's scar, but she never expressed any pain. Inside agony is worse than outer pain, and while this scar may vanish in a few days, what about the lesion inside her heart?
Grandma remained cool, not wishing to worsen her emotions. She wiped Aurelia's cheeks and kissed her forehead affectionately when she was finished.
"My sweetie, don't lose your hope, and I swear he'll regret it sooner," grandma murmured in a humble tone, prompting Aurelia to nod and walk towards her chamber.
Her hands shuddered at the prospect of being in the same room with him after what had transpired today. It was the first time in three years that he spoke to her in that manner. Because of his lack of interest in their marriage, she assumed he was not ready for this marriage and was only interested in business. But something in her thinking began to crack today.
She entered the room with unsteady breaths to meet her rage-filled husband, who was sitting in bed. His gaze was fixed on hers, as if draining her soul. When her back impacted the wall, her hands became entangled in a death hold.
"I'm not sure what kind of game you're playing to make my family to dance around your fingers, but if you try to play with their emotions, I swear I'll be your worst nightmare. And for today I'll make you regret it," Mateo shouted before stomping off.
Aurelia held her burned hand where his hands were, and it began to burn like hell. But the suffocation inside her chest was more painful than the fire. Someone was choking her from both inside and outside.
Rubbing her chest, the woman slides the glass door behind their bed towards the pool. Her birds began to chirp as a result of their owners' deshelling. The cold breeze touched her creamy skin, but she ignored it and sat on the floor bed.
It's her favorite area in their room; she used to spend her nights here when Mateo hurt her. Tears started to wet both her heart and cheeks, she had intended to surprise him today, but he had astonished her with his new avatar.
"Hey snow and Grey, you know he... he yelled at me today," Aurelia poured her heart out.
The white-colored birds began to switch their wings, as though responding to its master. It brought fresh tears to Aurelia's eyes. Placing the bird cage alongside her, she lay on the bed, exhausted. The girl didn't notice a pair of silver pools staring at her.
The sun kissed Aurelia's face, causing her to whine briefly before gently waking up. Her birds chirped again to brighten her day, which it did. Before entering the room, she palms her face and hangs Snow's and Grey's cage in the proper spot.
After finishing her morning routine and changing into her white maxi, the woman looked at her husband, who was still asleep. Over time, she removed his workout attire and business suite and placed them on the nearby couch.
She wrote him a note and wrapped a rectangular box in gift wrap alongside it. It was meant to be Mateo's birthday present, but the man ruined everything, so Aurelia decided to give it this way. She placed it near his dress so he would notice it. The woman left the room, making sure his laptop, wallet, and wrist watch were all still there.
It was her daily practice to keep his clothes and stuff in order, not as Matteo had requested. Aurelia enjoyed doing these tasks for him. It's her practice to convey her affection through caring. Mateo never denied the clothes she chose, which touched her heart.
With renewed hope, she began preparing breakfast while the other maids concentrated on their respective tasks. When the clock struck eight, everyone gathered in the dining room, including Mateo. The man appears to be more normal than yesterday.
"Gran, please have your granddaughter ready by 7, as we need to attend an event," Matteo stated before storming off.
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