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Sweet Revenge For Contempt

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Episode 2

...Chapter 2...

Valentina fixed her gaze on him, and with a soft but unwavering voice, she said:

"Let's get divorced, Mateo. How about this as a birthday gift?"

Mateo's attractive face remained impassive.

"You're asking me for a divorce just because I didn't celebrate your birthday?"

"Luciana is back, isn't she?"

Upon hearing that name, a cold smile etched itself onto Mateo's lips, and he let out a scornful laugh. He approached her with deliberate steps.

"Does Luciana worry you?"

As the youngest tycoon in the business world, Mateo radiated an imposing aura, a product of his power, position, and wealth. His closeness made Valentina instinctively step back.

The coldness of the wall against her delicate back surprised her. In an instant, her vision darkened as Mateo cornered her, resting a hand against the wall, trapping her between his burly chest and the wall.

He looked at her with his beautiful eyes narrowed, his lips curved in a sarcastic sneer.

"All of Nueva Celestia knows that Luciana was my fiancee. Didn't you know that when you schemed to take her place as Mrs. Figueroa? If you didn't care then, why are you playing the victim now?"

The color drained from Valentina's face.

It was true. He was meant to marry Luciana.

If she hadn't fallen into a vegetative state, how would she have come to be his wife?

She would never forget the day he woke up: when he opened his eyes and saw her, his gaze revealed a disappointment and coldness that he didn't even try to hide.

Since then, they had slept in separate rooms. He had never touched her.

He loved Luciana.

She knew all this, but…

She gazed deeply at Mateo's face, superimposing it in her mind with that teenager from years ago.

"Mateo, do you really not have any memories of me?"

It seemed that only she was still anchored in those days.

It no longer mattered.

These three years would serve as a testament to her unrequited love.

Suppressing the pain and bitterness that gripped her chest, Valentina spoke:

"Mateo, let's put an end to this marriage without intimacy."

Mateo's eyebrows arched, and his magnetic voice uttered:

"Without intimacy?"

He raised his hand to hold her delicate chin, his thumb brushing her crimson lips with intent:

"So that's why you want a divorce? Do you have… unmet desires?"

Valentina's delicate face turned a deep red, like a ripe strawberry about to burst.

That's not what she meant!

His thumb pressed against her red lips, revealing a seductive side that she never would have expected from such a distinguished and elegant man.

It was the first time Mateo had observed Valentina so closely. She always dressed in black and white, with those huge dark glasses that made her look older than she was.

But now, he noticed that her face was small, the size of his palm, and her features behind the glasses were extraordinarily beautiful, enhanced by bright eyes like those of a fawn, which made her an unparalleled beauty.

Her lips were soft.

Where his finger pressed, the scarlet color disappeared momentarily only to return instantly, tempting and smooth.

He felt like tasting them.

Mateo's eyes darkened.

"Wow, I didn't imagine Mrs. Figueroa had such… intense desires. Do you crave a man so much?"

SLAP!

Valentina's slap echoed in the room.

Mateo's face was turned by the impact.

Valentina's fingers trembled with indignation. As always happens when you love with too much humility, your sincerity ends up being trampled on. How dare he humiliate her like that?

"I know perfectly well that you've never been able to forget Luciana!" she exclaimed, furious and hurt. "So now I'll let you be together, returning her place as Mrs. Figueroa!"

Mateo's expression froze instantly, covered by an icy mask. Being who he was, no one had ever dared to slap him!

"Valentina," he pronounced coldly, "you married me when you wanted and now you intend to divorce me when it pleases you. What do you think I am?"

"A toy," she replied with a bitter laugh.

What?

Fury etched itself on Mateo's face.

"You are a toy that I snatched from Luciana," Valentina lied, hiding her pain, "and now that I'm bored, I want to get rid of it."

Mateo's face darkened so much that it seemed he was about to distill venom.

"Perfect, Valentina, very well played. If you want a divorce, you'll have it. But don't come crying later, begging for us to come back!"

He went up the stairs to his study, slamming the door with a crash that shook the entire house.

Strength abandoned Valentina, who slowly slid down the wall until she was curled up on the carpet, hugging herself.

"Mateo, I will never love you again."

…

The next morning, Regina, the maid, entered the study.

Mateo was reviewing documents at his desk, true to his reputation as a workaholic.

"Sir," Regina called softly.

He didn't even look up. His bad mood was evident; the atmosphere was so icy that it could freeze the air.

Regina carefully placed a cup next to his hand.

"Sir, it's the coffee that Madam made for you."

Mateo's hand, which was holding the pen, stopped for a moment. His stern expression softened slightly.

Was she seeking reconciliation?

He had to admit that Valentina had been an exemplary wife. She cooked according to his tastes, washed his clothes by hand, and attended to every detail of his daily life.

He took a sip of coffee. It was just as he liked it. But he was still angry. The slap last night… that grievance would not be easily erased. A simple cup of coffee would not be enough.

"Did Madam acknowledge her mistake?" he asked.

Regina looked at him with a strange expression.

"Sir… Madam has left."

Mateo looked up, surprised.

Regina extracted an envelope.

"She left with her suitcase. She asked me to give you this."

Upon opening it, the words "Divorce Agreement" jumped before his eyes.

Mateo was stunned. And he was thinking she was seeking reconciliation!

"Madam said that after you finish your coffee, you should sign the divorce papers," Regina added.

"Throw it away!" Mateo ordered, looking at the coffee with contempt. "Throw it all away!"

Regina thought, "A moment ago he seemed to enjoy it… what changed?"

She hurried out with the cup, not daring to comment.