Revenge After Betrayed

Chapter 1 "After a long wait of three years, finally I..." Maria smiled as she held the envelope of her medical results. She had just returned from the hospital, her face glowing with happiness. The long wait had borne sweet fruit. Maria immediately began preparing dinner as usual. But tonight, she cooked an unusually large and delicious meal. Every dish was arranged beautifully on the table. She also dressed herself elegantly, wearing a red gown, letting her hair flow down, with makeup that made her look enchanting. Tonight was a night of joy and celebration. Tonight would be unforgettable for Elio, the man she loved so deeply. "Where are you going?" Jenny, who had just returned with several shopping bags, glanced at Maria. Usually, her daughter-in-law never dressed up like this. "I'm not going anywhere, Mother. I just finished cooking," Maria replied while gazing at the dishes neatly placed on the table. Jenny smiled at the sight. Not only had Maria prepared a delicious meal, but small candles were also ready to be lit later during dinner. "Without me telling you, it seems you already knew. Tonight, we’ll have a very special guest." The middle-aged woman smiled and then sat down on the sofa, resting her feet on the table. "Bring me some mineral water, I’m thirsty." Quickly, Maria brought it to her. Even though she didn’t know who the guest was, she felt delighted. She would still share her good news later after dinner. Not long after, the sound of the front door opening echoed. Jenny immediately stood, her face bright with excitement. From the doorway, Elio appeared, and beside him stood a graceful woman with a charming smile. Maria froze. The red dress she had worn, the happy smile she had prepared, all vanished in an instant. "Maria..." Elio’s voice was flat, as if without guilt. "I forgot to tell you—Eva has returned." He glanced at Maria briefly before turning his attention to the beautiful woman at his side. Jenny stepped forward, her face glowing. "Eva, you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting for you for so long." She embraced the woman warmly, as though welcoming her own daughter. Maria stood stunned. Eva—Elio’s first love. The woman people often spoke of, the one who had never truly left her husband’s heart. Eva was also Maria’s half-sister. Meanwhile, Elio stood by Eva’s side, his expression unreadable. Maria felt her chest tighten. The night she thought would be her most beautiful memory had instead become the beginning of an unimaginable wound. The dining table was set perfectly. A small candle flickered warmly in the center, creating a romantic atmosphere. Every dish Maria had lovingly prepared was displayed—cream soup, roasted meat, salad, and even the sweet cake she had baked with care. But the evening she had imagined would never come true. "Maria, so you already heard from Elio that I’d be joining dinner here, and you prepared all this just for me." Eva’s face lit up with joy as Elio pulled out a chair for her. Maria gave a crooked laugh, staring at her husband and her half-sister. She wanted to lash out, to curse them both, but the words would not leave her mouth. In the end, she could only laugh. Elio fell silent, watching his wife. Why wasn’t Maria angry? From the moment he sat down, Elio never truly looked at Maria. His eyes were fixed only on Eva, the woman beside him, so comfortable in every conversation. "Eva, you’re just as beautiful as before—no, even more beautiful now," Jenny chuckled as she ladled soup into Eva’s bowl. "I can’t even remember the last time I saw you. You’ve always been special in my eyes." Jenny’s voice was warm, filled with affection. Eva smiled gracefully, her voice soft as she replied, "Thank you, Aunt Jenny. I’m so happy we could finally meet again. It truly feels like coming home." Maria, sitting across from them, could only lower her gaze, trying to hide the bitterness in her chest. The spoon in her hand trembled, barely able to lift food to her lips. Meanwhile, Elio chuckled lightly as Eva shared her work experiences abroad. "You really are extraordinary, Eva. I always knew you would succeed. No one can match your determination," he said, his eyes gleaming with pride. "You’ll start working at Elio’s company tomorrow. I hope you’ll feel at home here. And if anyone ever tries to bother you, just tell Elio—or you can call me directly," Jenny said warmly. Her words pierced Maria’s heart. In three years of marriage, never once had she heard such admiration from either her husband or her mother-in-law. Jenny added with a meaningful smile, "If only things had been different back then, maybe the two of you would have already..." She left the sentence hanging, but the look in her eyes nearly stole Maria’s breath away. Eva and Elio’s laughter rang again, blending so naturally, as if the world belonged only to the two of them. "You know how the story was back then," Eva replied with a faint smile. Maria forced herself to smile, though tears threatened to fall. Her hand gently caressed her flat belly. She wanted to scream, to tell them she was pregnant, that she was no longer the barren woman they had accused her of being. But seeing Elio so deeply immersed in conversation with his first love shattered her heart. The night she had prepared with so much love had now turned into one filled with sorrow. "Why did she come at such a wrong time? Tonight I was supposed to..." ---