Inside the bathroom my breaths came in shallow bursts but with the last of my strength I stood up trembling.

In the mirror the woman who reflected back was hollow and broken but her eyes were ablaze.

Pushing the bathroom door open, I got out with my dress wrapped around me tightly.

Xander’s body stiffened as he saw my mascara streaked eyes with his arms folded, jaw clenched as he stood beside Jessica…Watching.

Waiting.

And for a moment a doubt emerged in his heart…what if I didn’t meant for the wardrobe malfunction to happen?

That can’t be true.

“Miss Valcruz.”

I walked past him without giving him any reply and in the very next moment, I peeled off his ink black jacket before dropping it in the big thrash can at the side, right in front of him.

Silence cracked as Xander’s mouth parted slightly, a flash of something in his eyes…was it confusion? Regret? Annoyance?

I didn’t care anymore.

“Miss Athena” The butler who had been part of the estate since my childhood came running, his voice worried.

“Paul, what happens to insolent servants who gossip behind their masters?”

“They are punished, Miss Athena?”

I didn’t answer Paul. My heart was no calm… It was burning with hurt, rage and sorrow.

I turned.

And without a flicker of hesitation, my hand flew.

CRACK.

The sound of my palm meeting Xander’s cheek cut through the hallway like a gunshot. Louder than the ballroom music, louder than Jessica’s dramatic gasp that followed.

Xander didn’t flinch. He stood frozen, the mark blooming red on his skin.

His jaw clenched.

But I leaned in, my voice shaking, low and full of venom.

“Who the hell are you to decide my worth?” I hissed. “Who gave you the right to determine my character and then call me… that?”

My voice broke, but I didn’t.

“A prostitute? Really? After everything I gave you…after every time I protected you..you humiliate me like this?”

His eyes shifted with a flicker of guilt like he wanted to say something. But I wasn’t done.

“Out of everyone who’s ever hurt me… you?” I whispered bitterly, stepping closer, my breath trembling. “You are my biggest regret because even a dog never bites the hand that feeds it but you…you are worse than a dog.

This house has never been a safe haven and the woman whom you are chasing so desperately..you have no idea who she is but you are a fool who will never believe it, not until she makes you fall to the depth of hell!”

Xander’s eyes that always remained calm and indifferent now lightened with some sort of shock as he called.

“Athena..”

I turned around and left.

At that moment when I finally made it inside my room completely breaking down recalling the humiliation.

My mind spiraled as with trembling fingers I clicked on the latest news on social media thinking that all of it without a doubt will be filled with evil words about what happened at the party today….of how my body was exposed.

I would be make a joke of the century.

At that moment my phone buzzed.

[Anonymous: No pictures, no traces, no news….not even a single thing will leak outside.Those who wronged you today, remember their faces.

They will pay their debt in blood.]

My tears paused as my eyes widened as I read the message again and again before hurriedly opening the news channels.

[Breaking News: Media House CV goes bankrupt.]

[Breaking News: Famous News reporter Jason Barrew accused of sexual assault, court ordered immediate trial.]

[Breaking News: Valcruz Princess Jessica Valcruz’s business venture in America fails terribly, loss of ten million dollars.]

There was not even a single mention of the incident today, the reportors who flocked to take my pictures were either suddenly in prison accused of serious crimes or ….dead.

I took a sharp breath before a shock registered across my face.

This anonymous helper…it must be the work of Spanish Mafia.

Of Killian Arrows..

But why?

The next morning arrived in silence where the servants were all aware of what happened yesterday and did not know how to approach me at all.

In an eerie silence I sat at the breakfast table, flipping through a magazine and eating my breakfast.

“The Arrows empire has said that they will not wait anymore, in three hours they will send someone to fetch you.”

Just like that a folder passed to me by my father who sat in front without a word for half an hour, his own food left untouched.

[TRANSFER OF ASSETS

SHARES: Athena Valcruz - 30% Valcruz shares

COMPENSATION: $50 million

PROPERTY: Seventeen estates.]

“I-I didn’t knew that you were going to marry Killian Arrows. Your grandmother suddenly made the transfer official and informed everyone just today.” he said softly. “I-I don’t hate you Athena, if you be a little more obedient-”

“I will not be here anymore to stop you from bringing your mistress home so go on and bring Jessica’s mother here with you and give her my mother’s place.”

Mason Valcruz flinched, the death of my mother was a sore subject and everyone acted as if she never even existed.

“With this we are no longer father and daughter Mr Valcruz. I am cutting off all our relations so live well with your mistress and daughter.”

My tone sliced through the atmosphere making him open his mouth before if was clenched shut.

His shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t argue.

At the threshold of my room, Xander stood like a shadow refusing to leave, that slap would have made him rage for I dared to lay a hand on the heir to the Thorne empire but my words from yesterday made him feel as if he had crossed a limit…for that he took the slap without any complaints.

Xander’s eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the boxes, the folded clothes and the empty perfume trays. His voice came low, frustrated when he saw picture albums thrown into the thrash along with silly journals that I used to write about my life.

“Athena you could have at least told me you were leaving. Now I have to wrap everything up in a rush.”

I didn’t respond.

“You always do this.” he muttered, frustration brewing. “No warning. No schedule. Just disappearing like the world is ending. What’s going on, Athena?”

I folded my last scarf and placed it gently into the trunk before facing him fully.

“I am leaving for a vacation.” I said, tone void of emotion. “You don’t have to follow me anymore.”

His brow furrowed, voice rising with disbelief.

“What are you talking about?” He knew I had a troubled medical history, having panic attacks and a fragile body so how could I be left alone without any supervision?

“We had a contract Athena, its my duty to follow you 24/7 and protect you from any sort of harm-”

“And yet you have failed. I don’t trust you to protect me anymore so the least you can do is follow my orders.”

At that moment I handed him a small velvet box wrapped in navy ribbon.

“Bring this gift to Jessica from me.” Xander opened the box and his body froze as if I had slapped him hard.

In it was the key of the jewelry chest the heiress of Valcruz family was given at childhood as a recognition of her status.

“This chest? I remember you crying when Miss Jessica wanted to even see it, claiming that you will die but never hand it over…… and now you are giving it away?”

“I was foolish to think such things holds any value, since Jessica likes it so much, she might as well have it.”

Xander looked at my bare face and stark black dress that covered every inch of my skin, no jewelry and nothing like the fiery dresses I used to wear.

I almost looked….unrecognizable.

For a second…just a second his mask cracked and his heart felt uncomfortable like a bad premonition.

His eyes trailed over me like he was seeing a ghost or maybe watching someone slip through his fingers while still standing in front of him.

“You can send me the location where I have to join you..” he said stiffly. “I will give this to Jessica first… and then come to you.”

He stood there searching my face for an answer that wasn’t coming. In silence I dismissed him.

“Go.” And he did.

An hour passed and I was standing infront of the cemetery, a private jet humming with quiet readiness behind me.

My mother’s photo reflecting on the stone as I laid down beautiful blooming red roses…a color she loved.

“Mom, I am getting married to the man called devil and yet it feels half not bad.” I spoke gently, tears streaming down my face.

“I used to believe love looked like Xander but it was an illusion that I have discarded completely. From now on I will be happy no matter what.”

Five missed calls from my grandmother Victoria Valcruz reflected on my phone, seven from my biological father and more than hundred messages from my younger brothers who chose Jessica as their ‘favorite sister’ for I was just ‘too strict’.

[Xander: When are you leaving?]

[Xander: When is your flight Athena?]

{Xander: Send me the address.]

I smiled before taking out the sim card from my phone and tossing it aside, cutting all contacts with the so called family.

The pilot tipped his hat. “Miss Valcruz, we are ready for takeoff.”

I stepped into the aircraft without hesitation.

Farewell.

I no longer need you follow me Xander.

For I was leaving for ever.