Episode 18

Antonio stared fixedly at Keyza, his mind a blank slate because she had wed another man and he was refusing to accept it. He felt a wave of enormous anger take hold of his entire being and struggled mightily to keep it in check.

"How could you marry Rafael, Keyza?" Antonio demanded, a surge of fury in his voice.

Rafael looked at Antonio with disdain, for he realized that Antonio was not only having a fit of jealousy, embarrassing Keyza, but also that his intentions towards her were quite twisted.

"Antonio, I believe my father-in-law warned you not to inquire about Keyza's life," Rafael told him icily.

All eyes were on Antonio, who felt extremely uncomfortable realizing that he had just made a serious mistake. He tried to justify himself, admitting that Rafael was right, yet he couldn't find the right words.

"Keyza, Rafael, let's put an end to this scene once and for all," Andrei said, hoping to quell the awkwardness.

Andrei was trying to hold back laughter because he had been against this dinner from the start, believing it too soon to announce another engagement. But his wife insisted, so the poetic justice of Keyza stealing all the attention with her sudden marriage to Kenya's ex-boyfriend amused him, even though both Ivana and Angela were on the verge of nervous breakdowns as the dinner turned into a complete circus.

"I always knew you were flawed, but cheating on my son is unforgivable," Angela reproached.

Keyza was puzzled by what her former mother-in-law meant by flawed, giving her a bad feeling about why she spoke of her in such a manner. Kenya saw the moment as an opportunity to swing the opinions of those present back in her favor.

"Keyza, I am so disappointed in you. I really thought you had overcome your inferiority complex since you have always been envious of me since we were children," Kenya said, bringing her hands to her chest and shedding a few tears to sway the audience. Antonio embraced her consolingly, while the dinner guests looked on.

"Does that mean you always desired Kenya's ex-fiance even when you were engaged to Antonio?" Angela asked with malice.

Ivana tried to restrain her laughter because her foolish daughter was being pressed by both Angela and Kenya.

"My daughter has always been devoid of any morals," Ivana said flatly.

Rafael frowned at Ivana's insulting words, as this woman epitomized everything a mother should not be.

"I assume you're referring to Kenya," Rafael countered with a smile, sipping from his wine glass.

For the first time, Keyza felt supported as she faced attacks from three sides. Understanding the veiled meaning behind the three venomous women's words, she refused to be silenced any longer, laughing uproariously, which agitated her mother.

"What's so funny?" Ivana asked irritably.

"I was just thinking about how sisterhood among women is an urban myth," Keyza responded with sarcasm.

Angela, Ivana, and Kenya looked at Keyza after her statement. In the past, they had easily bent her will in this configuration.

"It's not about envy, but learning. My older sister showed me how quickly feelings can change. The only thing I didn't do was act behind your back. Can you say the same, Kenya?"

"So much love can't just change overnight; that's impossible to believe," Antonio said.

Keyza glanced at him, smiling seductively, then sipped from her wine glass, the gleam of her wedding ring complementing her meticulous manicure. She had never appeared so feminine despite her distinctive style, which intimidated Antonio, leaving him to swallow hard.

"Antonio, you're an expert in changing your mind and breaking your promises, so why can't I?" Keyza challenged with a cynically amused smile.

Everyone was taken aback as she not only labeled him unfaithful and fickle but also misogynistic, all while maintaining her poise. Rafael smiled, pleased with his choice of a partner for revenge.

"Frankly, Antonio, we don't care what you or the rest of the world think about us, right, sweetheart?" Rafael said, kissing Keyza on the forehead.

Keyza blushed, unaccustomed to such considerate treatment from a man, and grinned broadly, finding humor in his brazen and romantic display—he was usually so stern.

"Yes, love, you're right, and I adore it when you call me sweetheart," Keyza said.

In truth, it was the first time he had, but she found the nickname endearing, a far better association than “Tepes” which alluded to a vampire.

"So, you're claiming to have fallen in love in just a couple of days?" Kenya asked indignantly.

"Yes," Rafael and Keyza answered in unison.

Ivana fumed quietly as the dinner had been spoiled by her impudent daughter and her new husband, the talk of everyone, causing her great fury.

"You're both ridiculous," Ivana muttered under her breath.

"You insisted Keyza come, so now you'll have to deal with it," Andrei murmured back.

The dinner guests were charmed by the romantic display from Keyza and Rafael, with even Andrei secretly enjoying it despite his outward disapproval. However, the rest of the family wore sour expressions, particularly Antonio and Kenya, who were consistently ignored despite the celebration being for their engagement.

"You were desperate to join our family because you're an opportunist," Ivana accused Rafael.

"Can you blame me, mother-in-law? You have such beautiful daughters—on the outside, for everyone here knows the moral calibre of one of them."

Keyza, wanting no more part in arguing with these people and feeling her point had been made, changed the subject.

"Why isn't my aunt here tonight?" Keyza inquired.

Ivana gave Keyza a look that said, "don't ask any more questions." Anastasia had chosen to stay in her room, not wishing to support the absurd engagement between Antonio and Kenya.

"Anastasia isn't feeling well," Ivana replied.

"You've been missed by your aunt a lot, Keyza, so please don't leave without saying hello to her," Andrei urged.

"I understand, Dad," Keyza said.

Andrei shot Rafael a severe look, still unsure of the motives behind this wedding and doubtful about such swift love.

"To Antonio and Kenya, may their marriage be prosperous," Ivana proposed, raising her glass.

Despite Ivana's heartfelt speech, the banquet attendees had lost interest in the unfaithful couple, instead taken by the love on display between Rafael and Keyza.

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