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Eden’s hands trembled as she put on the wedding ring.
Four years of marriage.
And she was still not used to it.
Because, in her… No… In Alexandro Gretto’s mansion, she was not treated like his wife.
Everyone - her husband, his assistant, the housekeeper, the cleaning staff, the gardener - everyone despised her.
She was treated as the sore thumb, the unwanted burden.
Nothing new there.
She had always been the unwanted burden.
“Will you hurry up?” Raquel, Alexandro’s strikingly beautiful assistant, sashayed in wearing a gown designed specifically to outshine Eden’s simpler silk garment. “You know how much Alex hates waiting. Especially for you.”
Alex.
Everyone called him Alex.
Except her, of course.
She was still stuck at Mr. Gretto.
“He won’t even notice my absence.” Eden said, looking down at her hands, trying to fight off the tears - why did she still bother to cry over her dead marriage? She did not know herself.
“You have got a point there.” Raquel pushed up her perfect D-cups as she gave herself a once-over in the mirror. “But you know he needs me with him at all times. So hurry up – his new business associates are asking about you. That’s why I am here.”
Eden looked at the confident woman in the mirror - the woman who meant more to Alexandro than she ever would.
She let out a deep breath and put on the metal onto her finger like it meant nothing and got up from the chair.
Raquel did not wait another second and walked out the door.
Eden turned to look at herself in the mirror - any unhappier and she would be a zombie. Even with the extensive amount of makeup, she looked sick and ugly.
Another deep breath.
And she was on her way.
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“You, Mr. Gretto, are a very very lucky man.” The old geezer ran his eyes all over Eden like he was stripping her bare in his mind.
The obscenity in his remark went unnoticed by everyone except Eden - Alexandro had tuned out as soon as the man started talking about his wife, and all Raquel heard was the ‘compliment’ praising her Boss’ undeserving wife.
Eden turned beet red, her face heating up by the humiliation.
“Have you tried the desserts?” Alexandro talked over him instead. “Eden, why don’t you show Mr. Ferraro to the dessert counter?”
Eden wanted to plead to be spared - she did not want to go anywhere with this man. But she knew no one cared.
No one ever cared.
Her so-called husband was not even looking at her as he spoke.
“Oh, I would love that.” The depraved glint in Mr. Ferraro’s eyes made her skin crawl.
But she could do nothing but obey.
“Do not f**k up.” Was her husband’s words as she reluctantly followed the disgusting man.
“This dress does not suit you at all.” Mr. Ferraro whispered in her ears as she plated some exclusive delicacies for him. "Maybe you should have gone for something that clung to your exquisite figure."
Eden felt his hand brush against her ass and she froze.
It was not the first time a man had made such a move on her, but it was the first time she had been so exposed in front of so many people.
So many people and none of them cared - they all pretended like this was not happening.
But she knew they chose to ignore it because she was just a trophy wife to them.
A pretty face to be flaunted, a body to be used, and a name to be ignored.
Her eyes darted to where Alexandro had been a moment ago - he and his assistant were nowhere to be seen. They were probably off to have some fun on their own.
"I should go look for my husband." She sputtered out, hastily handing the plate to him before making an exit.
Big mistake.
Mr. Ferraro had to keep some kind of decency with so many eyes on them, even if no one cared.
But having her away from those eyes? That was exactly what he had waited for.
He followed her like a predator. And as soon as he had her alone in the empty hallway, he pounced.
Eden's heart dropped when she felt his strong hands grab her arms, spinning her around to face him.
His breath reeked of whiskey and his rotten soul.
"You're a feast for the eyes, Mrs. Gretto," Mr. Ferraro leered, his beady eyes drinking in the sight of her. "And I have been waiting to have a taste.”
Eden's body recoiled at his touch, her eyes flashing with fear and anger. She tried to pull away, but his grip tightened, his fingers digging into her flesh. “Let’s find somewhere more convenient.” He smirked.
"Mr. Ferraro, please, let me go." She pleaded, her voice trembling as she desperately looked around for someone - anyone - to save her.
But Mr. Ferraro was not about to back down. He pushed her against the wall and caged her between it and his heavy frame.
He nuzzled his nose against her ear, making her shiver in pure disgust, and whispered, "You're going to enjoy this, Eden. I promise. And your husband promised me I would enjoy this too."
Eden felt a cold chill run down her spine. Alexandro knew about this?
"What did you just say?" Her voice came out angrier than she had ever felt in the four years of this marriage.
Mr. Ferraro chuckled darkly, "Oh, Alex didn't tell you? He's quite generous when it comes to keeping his associates happy." He pushed his body against her frame, his hand reaching up to caress her cheek, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw. "He told me I could have some fun with you.”
Eden had endured a lot in life - a lot. More than anyone could ever begin to fathom.
The only thing she had left for herself was her dignity.
And she was not about to give that away.
So, she did the one thing any woman in her situation would do - she kneed the moron in the balls, and punched his nose in while she had the chance.
As he toppled backward in the pain that was rightfully his, she took off, with one thought in mind -
‘I am going to kill you, Alexandro Gretto.’
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