Mia's pov

My ringtone cut through the silence and I quickly picked the phone up knowing it was Collins.

"Hey... how are you holding up?" He asked vainly. There was no hint of concern in his voice as he spoke so it didn't make sense to me that he cared enough to want to know how I was holding up. Especially when he and my father orchestrated all of this.

"Not bad. Jonathan isn't as devious as I thought.." I lied and folded my arms over my chest. There was a pause on the other end and he cleared his throat.

"Good. But don't get too attached because I'm sure you got my message earlier. Your assignment there will soon be over.." he warned and I glanced at the door to make sure it was locked.

Then I walked into my bathroom, turned on the faucet and just let the water swallow my voice.

"Why the sudden change of plans? What's going on?" I asked.

"You haven't heard? Jonathan is part of a money laundering scheme. Matter of fact, he's one of the people instigating it. He has no idea about it, but it's an illegal act and you've been placed strategically to take the fall when everything comes into light."

His words hung in the air for a few seconds as I struggled to understand.

"What the heck?" I snapped. "You mean to tell me, that Jonathan is unknowingly laundering illegal funds–"

"Massive sums of illegal money Mia, get it right. And yes, that is exactly what I said. In case you also didn't get the part where you're involved, I said you have been kept there as the perfect scapegoat when everything is exposed.." he repeated and my heart pounded in my ears.

"Anyways, have fun while you can, but don't forget what you're there for. I gave you 48 hours earlier darling, it's almost up and I can't find what you were asked to submit. Tick...tock"

The line went dead and I slowly lowered my hand from my ear. I gritted my teeth, trying to hold my frustration in but it simmered like water on fire.

"So this was my father's smart move huh? Use me as the shield while he stirs up wild beasts. Now I'll have to kill Jonathan and also take the fall for all the illegal stuff he's been doing.." my lips quivered as I spoke.

I placed my phone on the cabinet and poured some water on my face, letting out a grunt.

Once I returned to the room, my eyes landed on the invite and I picked it up again to know what date the event was.

"Oh shit! It's in a few hours!"

I grabbed my bathing robe and peeled my clothes off of my body. That was one of the quickest baths I've had in my life and when I was done, I had barely four hours left to get ready.

"What am I even going to wear?" I muttered and then remembered there are so many dresses to pick from outside. I picked up my phone and headed downstairs.

"Hey!" I called out and two maids rushed in front of me. "Take these dresses and everything else up to my room right now. Quickly!" I ordered and they filed up, dragging the racks and the boxes upstairs.

"You, call me a make up artist and a hair stylist. If you can get one who is both, then do that" she nodded and bolted off.

My eyes caught a familiar shadow and I looked up. Jonathan sat at the far end of the living room, eyes buried in his laptop and his stern face remained as emotionless as it was on our wedding day.

I shook my head and went back upstairs to get ready. He was already dressed in his tuxedo and I knew he was waiting for me but didn't want to come get me.

My indecisive mind couldn't settle for something to wear, so I just let my makeup decide and after what felt like eternity, I was finally ready.

I had no time to admire my reflection so I just picked up my phone and hurried down the stairs.

"Let's go." Jonathan ordered as he led the way into the car. We sat together, but he didn't look up from his phone. The car was eerily silent and I leaned on the window, feeding my eyes with the outside world.

"I'm sure you know what you're supposed to do.. keep up with the happy couple act until this event is over, got that?" Jonathan said like he was placing an order at a restaurant.

"Roger that." I sneered without looking away from the window. He said nothing else until we arrived at the venue.

For the first time since our wedding, he held my hand and helped me down from the car, walking me into the hall while our hands entangled.

"Mr. And Mrs. Mysterio! Look this way!"

"Over here! Over here!"

The paparazzi were crazy. Lights flashed from different directions and I did what I knew how to do best. Pretend.

Jonathan played his own part pretty well, caressing my hand, pulling loose strands away from my face, picking imaginary things from my neck every once in a while. Even I was impressed by how loving he was and if I wasn't married to him, I'd think this was how he always treated his wife.

The hall was exquisite. Lights, luxury, laughter.

As Jonathan and I walked in, I felt pairs of eyes gawking and it made me uncomfortable but it also made my shoulders rise above my chin.

I scanned the room, unfamiliar faces stared back at me. Until a familiar scent hit me.

"There's my favorite couple!" Her annoying voice shrieked and I whipped my head around to see Clara walking towards us. She smiled cunningly at me and I rolled my eyes in disgust.

"Hello Mia, aren't you dazzling tonight?" She teased me but I said nothing to her. She slipped her arm under Jonathan's and tugged at him to pull his other arm away from mine.

"I'm sure you won't mind me stealing your husband for a few minutes right? Look Martha is here already, she'll keep you company"

Before I could I even protest, she dragged Jonathan away, leaving me alone with Martha.

"I see Jonathan is actually taking care of you.." she sneered and sized me up, her sharp eyes piercing through me like a hot dagger.

"Not that it's any of your business Martha." I shot back.

"I'd rather be with someone who values me. I'm sure you know where your place is after this....sham is over."

I remembered my conversation with Collins earlier and swallowed the lump in my throat. But I'd rather chew on wet jeans than show anyone that they can get to me.

"If you pay as much attention as you pay to me, to your own life, I'm sure you'd be rubbing shoulders with men and women of caliber." I muttered and she smirked.

"I'll break your confidence..." she whispered and took a step backwards. "What Mia, don't tell me you really haven't told your husband that you can't get pregnant because you damaged your womb?"

Her voice echoed at the wrong time because the music lowered. The few people that heard her turned around and murmurs started.

"What are you talking about?" I laughed but she didn't stop.

"Why haven't you told Jonathan about your little whore life?"

My heart almost leaped out of my chest. I was never a whore, what is she talking about?

"Does he know about your past?"

"Martha..." my voice trailed.

Mia's pov

Slowly, the little crowd that formed around Martha and I had morphed into a bigger audience. Women sneered at me with judgments in their eyes. Men glanced at me like I was some piece of cake and they waited on their turn to have a taste.

"You're just a political tool darling..." Martha sneered and ran her fingers across my face. I pulled back, smacking her hand away.

"Rest assured that when you're of no use anymore, you'll be disposed of and nobody will even remember that there was ever a third daughter in the De Luca family.." her cynical voice echoed and I clenched my fists.

"Martha, what is wrong with you?" I snapped, pulling her arm tight. "Have you lost your mind? Why are you making such a huge scene?"

She yanked her hand off of mine and pointed her frail finger in my face. "Don't you dare lay your filthy hands on me ever again." She warned and that was when Jonathan returned.

"What's happening here?" His commanding voice shut Martha up and she folded her arms over her chest.

"I was just wondering if this perfect trophy wife of yours has told you about her past and who she really is.." she spat.

I ran my fingers through my hair, hot hair simmering beneath every breath I took. My heart raced, not because Martha was trying to embarrass me... this wouldn't even be the first time.

The idea of breaking my confidence in front of Jonathan bothered me to the core. I don't know why, but it made my skin crawl.

"I see you and Clara have a lot to say about your sister.." Jonathan growled. "Let's hear what you have to say about yourself Martha, how's that?"

My eyes lifted from the floor and trailed off to Jonathan's face. My eyes watered up and I clenched my teeth.

"But I'm trying to save you from what she really is. She doesn't even have the slightest idea of how to run a business. She's just a–"

"Your father married her off to me, Martha De Luca. Mia is now my responsibility, and thus she's my problem to worry about." Jonathan barked.

He strode towards me, wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in.

"Don't you ever speak to my wife in that tone ever again, do you understand?

She may have been your sister a while ago, but there isn't 'De Luca' attached to her name anymore. It's Mrs. Mia Mysterio now. Get used to it or get lost"

He turned to Clara and pointed in her face. "You're not left out either. Stay the hell away from my wife and anything concerning her. If there's something about her that I need to know about, I'll wait until she's ready to tell me. And if she won't, then I don't think it's worth knowing!"

My heart melted instantly. I didn't know how to act because this was clearly not part of the script at all. Jonathan never looked at me twice let alone spoke to me more than necessary. But here he was, in the presence of this multitude of people, fighting for me against these witches.

"Let's go honey, this place isn't welcoming you so I see no reason to be here either.." he said and tugged at my arm.

"Jonathan!" An old lady called out and we both turned. She looked like money itself and I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me she was the host.

"You leave when the party is about to start and you know how risky it'll be for the board.." she ordered and Jonathan slowly let go of my hand.

But then he turned to Martha and cleared his throat. "If she apologizes to my wife, then we'll all forget any of this happened and enjoy the rest of the event.."

Martha hissed so loud, her eyes rolling in disgust. "You can't force me to do something I won't do. I'd rather die than beg this brat!" Her voice thundered and Jonathan threw his hands in the air.

"Don't be a child Jonathan. I'm sure it's just something minor, they're siblings after all and siblings fight every once in a while.." the host added and I tilted my head.

"With all due respect ma'am, Martha and I aren't the ideal siblings. So either she apologizes like my husband said, or I'm leaving." I warned firmly.

Martha shot me a fierce look and scoffed. I knew she was never going to apologize no matter what, but I wanted to know what Jonathan would do now that this woman has involved the board.

"Jonathan..." the host muttered, staring at him with so many unspoken warnings.

"You heard her, she'd rather die than apologize to my wife. Anyone who disrespects her, disrespects me. And it seems everyone here, including the board, has no respect for my wife." Jonathan snapped.

"Come on.." he nudged me and we both left the hall, walking towards the car in silence.

The drive home was tense. Neither of us said a word to each other and it made my heart heavy. Jonathan's eyes were glued to his phone the whole time while I struggled to get my mind together.

Now how can I bring myself to kill this man?

He's nothing like the Jonathan who walked out on me without any explanations. Our worlds had crashed a long time ago, and I never thought I'd set eyes on him again.

Now fate has brought us together again, even though he can't recognize me after I went under the blade. I can't imagine taking his life, not after what just happened back there.

Pretense or not, he stood up for me against my sisters and even his board members. For the first time in years, someone stood by me against everyone else. I had already gotten used to being talked down on and humiliated by the people I called family.

Even Collins couldn't stand up against my father when he wanted to marry me off to my ex, despite claiming to be in love with me.

So now, how exactly will I kill the only person who's ready to protect me?

Mia

As the limo pulled over in the driveway, I helped muskets down because I knew Jonathan wasn't going too. Usually, he would have darted into his room immediately but when I walked to the front door, he was still standing by it.

He lifted his sharp eyes from his phone and scanned my face like he was a robot.

"Sorry about today, it didn't go as planned." My lips hung open and I just stared at him in absolute shock.

"Did you hit your head somewhere, or?" I asked and lifted my hand to his head but he pulled away quickly.

"Don't touch my hair.." he warned and I remembered the first day I ran my fingers through his hair. He loved it when I rubbed his scalp in circular motions... or that's what he made me believe anyway.

"I'm just being polite, that's all. Tomorrow I'll show you around so you can get acquainted with the way things are run here.." he ordered and disappeared into the night.

I didn't even get the chance to thank him for standing up for me before he left. Typical Jonathan..

My legs felt heavy as the weight of my mission pressed down on me. I got to my room and tore my clothes off of my body, rushing into the bathroom for a cold bath.

Now that it has been made clear that the kill order can come anytime soon, I was too scared to even look at my phone for too long so the text won't come in.

I wrapped my body in my robe and stood by my window, looking over the courtyard. The cold breeze brushed against my damp skin and I shuddered.

Now I hate that he's starting to act nice to me, because how do I carry out my mission without hurting myself in the process?

As the night stretched, I carried my drowsy body to the bed and drifted away instantly.

The last time I had such a satisfying sleep was probably when I was born. The morning sun peeked in through the partings in my drapes and I sat up on the bed, stretching my arms as a shriek escaped my lips.

"Whoa..." I sighed and got down from the bed. My phone lay on the floor, unplugged and the battery had run down already. Perfect excuse to not use that phone today, in case Collins drops another order.

I dressed up and hurried downstairs for breakfast, but as I walked into the living room Jonathan was sitting at the far end of the table, his face buried in his phone as usual.

"Finally.." he muttered as he saw me.

"Good morning." I responded softly, pulling a chair out for myself away from where he sat. He didn't complain, he didn't ask any questions.

Breakfast was served and eaten in silence, the only sounds that filled the air came from the clanging of cutlery on the ceramic plates.

"You'll join me in my study today," Jonathan broke the silence. The fork in my hand pauses midair and I slowly lifted my eyes in his direction.

"Is that a question or a request?" I asked and he shrugged his shoulders.

"It's not like you have anything else to do, so why not utilize the time?"

I was pissed at his selfishness, even though I honestly had nothing else to do. Going into his study would give me the leverage to know where he kept important documents, it'll give me the opportunity to get close to his emails and what not, but I had to make it look like I wasn't interested in being around his work.

The food in my hand was getting cold so I put it back down on the plate and took a sip of my water.

"Well, I have important things to do.." I whined.

"I'm very sure.." he scoffed and pushed his empty plate further away from him. "Important things like gawking at the house and lurking around?"

I gritted my teeth and bit my lower lip. He watched the footage? Shit... so he saw me creeping around the house like a maniac!

My stomach knotted and I lost all my appetite. The food didn't entice me anymore so I pushed the plate away and gulped down the whole glass of water.

"When do you want me in your study?" I asked and he put his phone into his pocket.

"You'll walk with me and we'll both go into my study, Mia." He ordered and stood from his chair. I pulled out of the chair and followed him behind, my hands firmly folded behind me.

His perfume lingered in my nose and I remembered when I used to lay in his arms and bury myself in his scent. It didn't give the same feeling anymore, but the nostalgia was there.

"I'm guessing you've been here before.." he said and glanced at me over his shoulder. I looked away, pretending not to pay attention to him.

The study was still dimly lit, still had that lingering fragrance of incense and smoked cigars. He walked to the window and pulled the drapes apart. Light hit the room so hard, I lifted my hand to my eyes just to shield them until they adjusted to the light.

"Sit" he ordered and I grabbed a chair. When will people learn to not order me around like I was a parlor dog?

Jonathan walked over to a shelf and placed his palm on the top drawer, a green light flickered, scanning his biometrics.

So that's where the important files are? No wonder all I could find were stupid staff lists and salary records.

He pulled out a bunch of documents and tossed them on the table.

"You do know that I'm the wife and not the secretary?" I sneered but he didn't look in my direction.

He pulled out more documents and then turned his laptop on. I watched him quietly, carefully mastering the way he typed. How many fingers he used and where they went, all of that so I could try to guess his password the next time I got the chance to be here alone.

"Okay wife.." he exhaled. "Let's hear what you have to say about these business ideas."