Chapter 2 : Quarrel

"Why were you not present at the conference, Athena?"Orion questioned. He set his blue jacket on the couch, his expression reflecting his disbelief. "It was such an important day for you, and you missed it. I'm at a loss for words trying to explain your absence, and…You've managed to disappoint all the board members. "

"How can I continue to attend the conference when your so-called best friend paid someone to spill coffee on me? " Athena explained, taking a seat on the couch.

"Here we go again. Why do you always blame Necky for your own mistakes? If you just used your mind and were more careful, this wouldn't have happened. And why won't you call me for help instead? " Orion said, unbuttoning his white long sleeve.

"Well…You just answered your own question. I'm your wife, Orion. Please, listen to me and believe me, even if it's a small seed of trust in your heart. Because now I'm starting to question again if I'm your wife or just an ordinary woman in your eyes. Your mother and your best friend are ruining our relationship right from the beginning, and you refuse to listen to me. You're always taking their side, believing their lies, I feel like there's no one besides me. This marriage is bullshit. " Athena said, frustration evident in her voice.

"How can they not be angry at you if you're constantly starting fights with them?" Orion sat back on the couch, leaning his body against the cushions.

"You're supposed to listen to your wife, Orion. You're supposed to defend me! I did everything just to get your trust but still did not work. What sacrifices do I still have to make just to open your mind and believe in me?... Fine! " Athena exclaimed, standing up and making her way towards the stairs.

"Where are you going? We're not done talking!" Orion's voice echoed through the room.

Athena continued walking upstairs, her footsteps resounding against the cold floor. "I need some time to think, to consider if divorce is the only solution to our problems. " she replied, her voice showing with sadness.

"Athena! Come down here!" Orion called out, his tone growing more desperate.

Ignoring his pleas, Athena proceeded to the bedroom, tears streaming down her face. Overwhelmed by anger and pain, she unleashed her emotions, and wildly swept the items from the table, causing a chaotic mess. "Ahhhh!!" Her screams echoed through the room, a desperate release of the pain she felt inside.

"Stop it!" Orion intervened, trying to restrain her, but Athena resisted, forcing herself to express her pent-up disappointments.

"Let me go!" Athena struggled against his grip, her voice filled with boldness.

In a moment of intense rage, Orion pushed her onto the bed, his own anger simmering just beneath the surface.

Athena grabbed a nearby pillow and shouted, hurling it at Orion. "F*ck you! You're the most foolish husband I've ever known!"

It was the first time that Athena had allowed herself to be totally consumed by her emotions, no longer suppressing the pain and anger behind the cycle of quarrels and tears. She found herself unable to hold them back any longer.

Orion stood there, watching as the pillows landed around him, the weight of Athena's words sinking in.

"You're a freaking nightmare! Why did the heavens give me such a fate like this? With such a stupid, heartless bastard! I hate this. I hate you, I truly hate you. " she exclaimed, her voice trembling with anger.

But Athena wasn't finished. She pushed Orion away and faced him, her voice filled with a mix of anger and regret. "Leave me alone! I don't need an evil partner like you in my life! Marrying you was the biggest mistake I've ever made! I'm tired of this! "

"Enough! " Orion exclaimed, trying to put an end to the escalating confrontation. But Athena continued to hit and push him.

"I said enough!" In the middle of the intense moment, Orion's heavy hand swung and slapped Athena across the face. The room fell silent as Athena, dazed and disoriented, stumbled and fell to the ground. She lay there, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, struggling to catch her breath.

Slowly, Athena crawled on her hands and knees, using the bed for support as she tried to regain her composure. She sat on the ground, leaning against the side of the bed, wiping the blood from her mouth.

"If you don't want to get hurt, you'll do as I say. I'm tired of reminding you of this, Athena. I'm the one who will decide what's best for our future. Why can't your brain understand that? Do I need to plaster it all over our room so that every time you wake up, it's there to remind you that it's me giving you life? C'mon, it's simple. " Orion asserted, filled with authority.

"I hate you…crazy. " Athena uttered, her voice shaking with audacity, even as she remained seated on the ground.

Orion gripped her cheeks, forcing her to look at him, and spoke with a threatening tone, "Do you really want to get hurt? Or do I need to remind you again that it's because of me you're living now in this luxurious place? You should be thankful for everything you have, the life that other women dream of. Now get up and clean up your mess. " Orion coldly remarked.

Fear flashed across Athena's face as she realized the extent of Orion's power and control. He released his grip on her cheeks and kissed her before exiting the room, leaving Athena alone to process the painful encounter.

That night, Athena secretly left the house and made her way to her friend's place. She knocked on the door, and Elaine peered through the peephole before opening it.

"What happened to your face? Did Orion hit you again?" Elaine exclaimed.

Athena couldn't help but burst into tears as she saw her best friend and immediately hugged her tightly.

"What kinda man could raise his hand against his own wife? "Elaine gently stroking Athena's back."It's going to be okay, Athena. They will pay for what they've done to you. God is watching. " She reassured her.

Elaine closed the door behind them and guided Athena to the sofa. As Athena took a seat, Elaine went to the dining room and fetched some water and an ice pack, handing it to Athena.

"Drink this. " Elaine instructed, carefully applying the ice pack to Athena's swollen face.

"Thank you," Athena replied, taking the ice pack from her friend.

"Lean back, let me take care of you. " Elaine insisted.

"I'm sorry I couldn't answer your call. I forgot to charge my phone before leaving the shop, and I only saw your missed calls when I got home. " Elaine explained.

"No. It's okay. Literally, it's all my fault. If I had been more careful, I wouldn't be in this situation. " Athena admitted.

"What happened?" Elaine inquired.

"Somebody spilled coffee on me as I was heading to the conference room. " Athena recounted.

"I bet it was Necky again. " Elaine remarked.

Athena winced as Elaine applied the ice pack to her swollen lips."Ouch! Take it slowly. I've had enough pain today. " Athena sighed.

"I'm sorry again, but you're right it's also your fault for allowing Necky to bully you. I mean, why didn't you fight back? Slam her face to the floor and wipe that smug look off her face until her heavy makeup transfers to the floor. That damn witch. " Elaine said, her voice filled with anger.

Athena winced again. "Ouch, please. Be careful."

Athena felt annoyed then she took the ice pack from Elaine. "Give me that. You're not helping me, you're just adding to the pain."

Elaine sighed and sat back on the sofa. "Okay, take care of yourself then."

"Why haven't you continued filing for divorce and freeing yourself from that hell? I'm really scared about what might happen to you if you continue to stay in your home and surround yourself with those crazy people. " Elaine expressed, her voice tinged with concern.

"I pray that their wickedness will be exposed to the public eye. "

"I can't. I feel like I'm trapped with a chain around my neck. Even if I try, Orion will hurt me, or worse, he might even kill me. It feels like the world has become so small for us. " Athena replied, her voice filled with resignation.

" Until now, I really regret supporting your marriage. . .I never expected it would turn out like this. I should've stopped your relationship from the start when my gut feeling told me that something was wrong . He's like a snake, you know ? If only I could turn back time, I would. " Elaine sighed, leaning against the sofa and placing a cushion on her legs.

"We have to do something that forces him to be the one who gives you the divorce papers and lets you out. " Elaine pondered.

"I have an idea!" She leaned forward.

Athena took a sigh.

"You'd better hope it works. Your last idea only made the situation worse." Athena said, speaking slowly and in a lowered tone as she held an ice pack against her swollen lips.

"Don't worry, I assure you it will."