Episode 10

The car started to move through the streets of the vast city. Silence within the vehicle grew more uncomfortable with each passing second, as if they were from a funeral rather than a wedding...

Edwin closed his eyes, leaning his head back. Diana occasionally glanced at Edwin, but dared not make a sound that might further irritate him.

"Why have you come back after all the harm your absence caused me?"

"Why didn't you just stay abroad as you had done all these years?..."

"Why did I feel something so intense upon seeing you again? An electric current surged through my body the moment your hand touched my arm."

"Is it possible I haven't been able to forget you?..."

Edwin couldn't find answers to the many questions tormenting his mind. Completely disregarding Diana, Edwin plunged into his thoughts until they reached the building.

Soon enough, the car parked in front of the building where Edwin had a modest apartment...

Astonished by the sight of her new home, Diana pressed her hand against the car window, taken aback by the beauty of the location. Situated in one of the city's prime areas, stores of every kind were just steps away, the most exclusive shopping centers were within close reach, and the best part was the ability to walk to the supermarket without the need for an escort.

Edwin was the first to get out of the car, opening the door for Diana. Noticing the tear streaks on Diana's cheeks, he slammed the car door in anger.

"How can I be so harsh with such an innocent girl?" Edwin chastised himself.

Then he turned and hurried inside. He wanted to take a shower before heading out to the airport.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Shop," greeted the building concierge.

"Good afternoon, this is my wife Diana Wlop, who, from now on, will be living in the apartment. Needless to say, if she requires anything, you are to see to her needs..." Edwin spoke with an unusual chill to the concierge.

The man bowed his head to Diana.

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Shop. I am at your service, anytime you need me, I’m always here..." The concierge's kindness prompted Diana to extend her hand in greeting.

He looked at her hand but hesitated to shake it; as the wife of Edwin Shop, a very powerful man, such a gesture could be misconstrued, potentially resulting in his dismissal.

Diana began to sign with her hands, and realizing she was mute, the man also started using hand gestures to communicate with her.

"My name is Diana, it's a pleasure to meet someone who understands my language..."

"The pleasure is mine, to meet such a beautiful and sweet lady as yourself," the man replied using the same language as Diana.

"How do you know the language?..."

"I'm the grandfather of a beautiful girl who is deaf and mute, so I had to learn this language to communicate with her..." replied the concierge.

"You can call me Diana, just Diana, not Mrs. Shop. It sounds so strange to be called that..."

"No!..."

"Mr. Shop would kill me if I dared to address you by your name, besides, who am I to presume so much..." The man responded immediately.

Diana reached out and gently took the old man's hands. His kindness and respect quickly earned him Diana's respect and admiration.

"Don’t worry about this grumpy ogre, I doubt he'll do anything..."

A huge smile spread across Diana's lips. She'd never imagined being treated with such kindness, being so used to mistreatment that meeting such kind people made her admire them all the more.

Seeing Diana happily chatting with the concierge, Edwin grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the elevator. He felt a twinge of jealousy that other men could understand his wife.

"I forbid you from talking to other men..."

Diana looked up with a furrowed brow, furious at Edwin's arrogant attitude. Just hours before, he had been passionately kissing her lips, and now he came across as a complete boor.

"The prince has turned into an ugly Toad..." Diana thought.

"Stop looking at me that way!" Edwin did not appreciate the way Diana was looking at him.

Angrily, Diana turned away, not wanting to see him anymore. As soon as the elevator stopped and the doors opened, Edwin took her hand and led her out.

Diana did nothing to resist being treated like an object; after all, she had been bought by Edwin...

For him, she was nothing more than a nominal wife, obliged to be submissive and obedient to her owner...

Merely a living object purchased to become his wife, Diana could expect nothing more.

Upon reaching the apartment, Edwin pulled out the key to open the door, but to his surprise, it was already open – this could only mean one thing: Edwin's grandparents had come to meet his wife.

After reading the news, the elderly couple couldn't believe it. They hurried out of the old mansion and went to the apartment where Edwin had been living for many years.

As Edwin fully opened the door and entered with Diana on his arm, he saw the two elders seated on the couch. He wasn't taken aback, as he had expected this.

"What are you doing here?"

Antonio didn't bother answering Edwin's question, being the eldest in the family and enjoying many privileges.

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