Chapter 1

              Chapter 1

I have warned you a lot of times to add more sugar to my coffee!" Aurora roared immediately as the coffee touched her lips.

The thunderous voice of her mother-in-law almost gave Sofia who stood with utmost innocence a heart attack.

With a realization of the scenario, she muttered an apology immediately and offered to make the lady another cup of coffee.

This time, following her instructions to avoid being shouted at even though she bet that wasn't guaranteed. Her mother-in-law gave mocking approval as Sofia went out to make another cup of coffee.

Praying that she won't find another fault to reject it once again."Here's your coffee, mom. I'm sorry for…" "Shut up! I don't even know the reason why my son got married to you, even if it's a god-damned contract marriage, I still don't see the reason why my son would choose you!" "Mom… I’m sorry" "Shut it, you gold digger!" Her mother-in-law rendered another insult while Sofia hung her head in shame, trying her best to not lose her composure in front of her mother-in-law.

She refused to give her the needed reaction by not breaking down in front of her."My sister and her daughter are coming today, make sure the mansion and the guest rooms are clean enough to receive them," Aurora said, without glancing at her daughter-in-law. Sophia nodded and was about to walk away when her mother-in-law's voice stopped her."Make sure everything is clean or I will report you to Marco." She threatened.

Sophia sighs, staring at the mansion. She already feels exhausted. "Finish it before three, they will be here at exactly three." "Mom… I don't think I can finish it today, where am I going to start from." Aurora didn't answer. she just kept mute, making those sloppy sounds as she sipped her coffee."Mom, cleaning this house for a few hours is impossible, I would only be able to finish it in five days or more" protested Sofia regardless of her mother-in-law's silence.

Aurora dropped the coffee and glared at her, she got up and stepped closer to Sophia, giving her a dirty slap.Sophia gasped, her heart sinking in shock. Sophia lowered her head as she bit her lips hard. Her eyes were teary but she was trying her best to stop the tears from rolling down her cheeks.

This would be the second time she was slapped by her mother-in-law. She wonders why her mother-in-law's hatred for her is this deep, despite trying her best to please her since she got married to Marco. "Did you just talk back to me? You lowly bitch!" "Like seriously, I really can't figure out the reason why my son got married to you. You have nothing good to offer, you're just a lowly bitch who is after my son’s money. You're the cause of the mess my son is going through now.

You're so useless!" Sophia shut her eyes again, trying her best to control the tears in her eyes. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves while reminding herself that she was well. She muttered an apology to the angered mother-in-law. “I am very sorry Mom," she mumbled."Hearing you call me mom is so disgusting," Aurora said with no sign of pity in her tone.She didn't need to wait for a response as she knew that the old woman was just going to keep on saying nasty things.

She turned away and walked to the storage room to get the tools that she needed for cleaning the house. After cleaning half a quarter of the mansion for hours now, she was so exhausted that it felt like her soul was already leaving her body.

And also she was starving to death. She cleaned the whole time without a break, skipping breakfast and lunch just to finish cleaning faster.She slumped her body on the sofa and heaved a sigh of relief. She shut her eyes, ready to take a quick nap when she heard her mother-in-law raging."You bitch, stand up and prepare us lunch. We're starving and yet you dare to sleep?" Aurora yelled and grabbed Sophia by the hair and forced her to stand up, the old woman didn't let go until Sophia kneeled on the floor.Sophia struggled to stand up and ran quickly into the kitchen, hands trembling as she started to prepare all the ingredients needed for cooking.

However, it seems peace would never be on her side when Ava walked in, she was her mother-in-law's niece."Make sure to prepare a nice lunch." Sophia ignored her, pretending not to have heard her."OMG! How am I going to eat a meal prepared by you when you are smelling like a dead pig? " Ava continued but Sophia ignored her, still picking up the ingredients.In annoyance, Ava pulled Sofia’s hair which caused her to stumble backward. "How dare you ignore it!" Ava gritted Sophia sighed, she didn't want to fight back because she knew it would only anger Aurora the more."Know your place, you're just a slave! You're not my brother’s wife, your marriage with him is only on paper. Stop acting like a bitch!" Ava screamed.A sad smile appeared on Sophia's face as Ava's words kept repeating in her head. “A salve.” “Only on paper.”"Do you think Marco loves you? He doesn't see you like a human." Those words weren't new to her anymore."Ava stop, it hurts!" Sophia cried out, holding Ava's wrist.

She used her strength to free herself from Ava and Ava fell hard on the floor with a thud and Sophia ended up falling too.Sophia was panting as she slowly got up and walked to Ava, offering her a hand when a terrifying voice reverberated in the kitchen.

"What do you think you're doing?" "Marco," Sophia whispered.