Ava arrived exhausted from her latest shot and her nose was boiling with rage because her stepsister was trying to make her look bad in the eyes of the public.

“Can someone get me some glass of water, please?!” The maid managed to hurry to the kitchen to prepare her a glass of water. The home servants have always been intimidated by Ava’s attitude and powerful personality even though she looks such a petite woman with a model-type physique. She groaned and sat on the sofa; it had been five months since her grandfather passed away. She looked around, and the memories within her head flashback. The maid clears a throat so that she can glance at her. Maria brings her a glass of water with a warm smile. Maria is an old maid who has served the mansion for five years and has a Spaniard aura look.

"Thank you. You may now return to your work." She said it, and Maria smiled at her. Ava asks a question she does not wish to ask. She hates it but wants to know where her husband is. "Where is my husband? Was he home today?” she asked with a fierce look.

"Uh, Mr. Roberts was not at home today... We are unaware that he has arrived—"

Ava stopped the maid from explaining by raising her left hand and saying, "It's okay, I don't want to know anymore." She then descended the stairs to take a shower. Her thoughts are still focused on why Raphael did not care to visit her and check to see if she is still alive.

They have been married for five months, but she has only seen him once in a blue moon, rarely once a month.

Raphael was forced to marry her, and there was no love between them. Consequently, she cannot blame him for his behavior.

Afterward, she removes her clothing and massages her neck while shutting her eyes. She has a heavy heart to face the public once more. She desired to retire soon and live a contented life by herself. After completing her shower, she receives a call from her husband, to which she responds, "Hello, Ava Adams, speaking." Even though they are married, she is not accustomed to using his name and treating him as though she knows him. They are strangers who are wedded on paper alone.

“ Ava…”

She gasped when she first heard him say her name, then she sighed and said, "Yes, it's me. what do you want, Raphael?"

"I've just landed at the airport; would you like me to see you?"

She told him, "No need, you may do anything you want," and then she was about to hang up when he said, "We will have dinner with my family later, get ready yourself.”

She said, "Alright," before closing her phone with a groan. She viewed herself in the mirror while biting her lower lip because she still feels awkward whenever she speaks with him, whether on the phone or in person. Five months earlier, they had just kissed in front of the important people in their life. But Raphael left her after the wedding. Ava has maintained her life as a model endorser as if nothing had happened.

Ava chooses a crimson knee-length dress with an open back to display her curves, as she prefers to dress in this manner.

When she arrived at the Roberts' mansion, her mother-in-law and other in-laws greeted her.

Raphael sat there with his lips apart, admiring his wife's beauty, and aroused his emotions. Raphael wishes he could reprimand himself for feeling this way because it was not right.

Ava's gaze catches Raphael's. She bites her lower lip and tries to turn away, but Raphael walks toward her, and because everyone knows about them, he is about to kiss her cheek, but she steps aside, causing his lips to touch hers unintentionally.

She stepped backward and frowned at him, “Hi…what do you think you’re doing?” she asked like this man was not her husband.

“I was about to kiss your cheek but you moved….”

“So it was my blame now?”

He shakes his head, “No, I am not blaming you…it’s okay, you’re my wife so maybe its normal to kiss you like that.” he said.

“No, this never been normal to me,” she said and walk inside to the dining area where everyone was waiting for them. Raphael followed her from behind and said, “I did not mean to kiss you, Ava. It was an accident, and I do not wish to kiss you, you know that.”

Ava turned around and stared at his eyes, “I know. let’s forget about it, it’s not even important.”

“Fine,” he said and walk away.

Ava stares at her husband’s back and sneers and laughs bitterly when she sees Erica, the current girlfriend of her husband. It’s hilarious cause they are free to do anything they want, while she is being miserable for taking care of her reputation in public.

“Ava!” Erica greets her with a phony smile, Ava glanced at the b*tch woman with a fierce look, “Oh my god, look at you…you look like a hooker!” Erica said and plastered a big smile.

Raphael heard that and he holds Erica’s arm and said, “Let’s go…”

“What? I am still talking to this woman!” Erica fold her arm and said, “Yes, you marry the man I loved, but you are always a pathetic woman, and you know why? Because he never loves you!” Erica starts to tease her.

Ava could not restrain herself from slapping the woman in front of everyone and muttering, "Intent on humiliating me in front of them? According to the law, I'm just a wife, and you're just a mistress." Ava stated as she walked away with her head held high. Then she turned around to face the shocking faces of everyone.

"I am not hungry anymore, enjoy your dinner, everyone."

Raphael split his lips in response to his wife's fierce and menacing appearance. He took a deep breath and decided to chase her.

"What do you want, Raphael? Do you want to criticize me for hurting your girlfriend? Oh, I apologize for that." Ava replied sarcastically, and her driver promptly opened the car door for her.

"You cannot embarrass her in front of my family!" Raphael stated.

"Oh? Why? But you find it acceptable when she humiliates me in this manner? She lacks respect for me, so she deserves that slap."

Then she entered the vehicle while smirking at the man.

She noticed in the rearview mirror how Raphael stared at her car from behind with a frowning face, and she smirked and sighed.

"Ma'am, where to?" the driver asked her.

"Mister Rusco, I want to go at home, where do you expect me to go?" she said and opened her phone; then she received a text from her manager stating tomorrow would be another shoot for the shampoo endorsement.