Chapter 158 - Wont Hit Me

Thus, Persephone told Valencia about her tragic life. She told her from the time when she lost her mother at a young age and a couple of days later, she and her elder brother who was dead now too, obtained another brother and a stepmother. And that was how, a couple of years later, Sophia came into their life. 

She also told her how Sophia had been in love with Nico from the very start. And the funny part was that everyone except for Nico was aware of it. Still, it didn't convince Don Marino to end the so-called engagement between Persephone and Nicolas Scuderi. For some reason, he was hellbent on marrying her to Nico. 

This dream of Don Marino was achieved, almost achieved but a wicked man landed out of nowhere on their wedding day and kidnapped her right from everyone's nose. Or that was what she was told. She didn't know what had happened after the wedding day as she had no memory of that day. She wouldn't have believed them if not for the fact that she found herself pregnant with a child of a man she had no memory of. She didn't even know if she had been willingly intimate with him or it was the opposite. 

"And you know what happened after that," Persephone said after she narrated the whole story. 

"Oh, Percy," Valencia said in a hoarse voice and hugged the small woman in front of her. "I can't imagine someone experiencing what you did at such a small age. Darling, you may not know what a strong woman you are! If it had been me, I would have shattered a long time ago." 

Although Valencia had seen the worst that life had to offer, she still couldn't imagine herself living in confusion and uncertainty. At least, she had memories of her past but Persephone? She had to think several times before deciding to trust someone. 

Persephone sadly smiled at her and said, "I'm no special. If I had been as strong as you make it sound, I wouldn't have taken that stupid step."

She said talking about her suicide episode. She was emotionally and mentally weak back then with more doubts and fears than one could handle. However, she wasn't the same woman that she was a few months ago. Her strength came from her baby. He/she was her emotional pillar even without her realizing it. 

"You were not in the right state of mind back then," Valencia said. "And you shouldn't blame yourself for something you have no control over. You can't change your past but you can embrace it for an uncomplicated and stress-free future." 

"I wish it was as simple as you make it seem," Persephone sighed out. 

Valencia nodded. "So, your husband is Sophia's ex-fiance? Aka the man you used to talk about a lot?"

Persephone suddenly became alert. With wide eyes, she asked, "When did I talk about him?"

No, she didn't talk about Santiago at all. That man was infuriating. How could she talk about him? Nope, Valencia had to be talking shit. 

"Check your messages," Valencia rolled her eyes at her. "And see, how you used to complain about him all the time." 

Valencia was not lying at all. Persephone indeed used to talk about Santiago a lot. But in a very negative sense. And she knew that it was because that the man had gotten under Persephone's skin. She hadn't seen this girl disliking someone with this much passion. 

"I did?" Persephone blinked her eyes at her. 

Valencia nodded, quite amused. 

"I didn't realise," Persephone said with a long, suffering sigh. 

She didn't believe that she talked about that damned man with Valencia. How could she do this? That man has the magical power of affecting her like this! Could it be that he was a sorcerer or something like that? Or what could explain this bizarre effect that he had on her? 

"Does he treat you well?" Valencia asked after a while.

"Surprisingly, he is very nice to me," answered Persephone after thinking for a long time. She sighed and added, "Too nice sometimes. Sometimes, I don't even know if I should hate him or feel guilty about cheating him." 

Persephone didn't like deceiving him. And neither did she like the role of the pitiful woman that she was playing. But what could she do right now? She never has control of her life in her hands. It was always one or the other man making decisions about her life. 

For once in her life, she wanted things to go her way. She wanted to make decisions about the matter of her life without depending on or getting influenced by these powerful people who were controlling the life of people like her. Sometimes, she felt as if she was a puppet dancing on someone's strings. 

This wasn't the life she wanted for her child. 

"Why do you feel guilty?" Valencia suddenly asked her. Anger, frustration or even sadness, she could understand Persephone feeling all these emotions but why would she be guilty of something? 

"He didn't know I my pregnant, Val." Only Persephone knew what she was feeling right now. She felt as if she was cheating on her husband with some other man. 

Valencia gasped in disbelief. "Persephone, do you know that majority of problems in your life arise from you? How can you hide such a thing from him? He has every right to know about it." 

Imagine finding out a couple of months later that your wife was being impregnated with someone else's kid. 

"I know," replied Persephone as she shut her eyes in bitterness. "But I didn't know that he would be good to me at that time. I didn't want to put my baby's life in danger. Tell me, what should I do now?"

"Don't complicate the matter, Percy," advised Valencia. " Tell him the truth as soon as you can and only after disclosing the truth, you can come to an understanding...It will be up to you both if you want to stay together or get separated. Don't complicate your life more than you have already done."

Earlier Persephone was stuck in a dilemma, having no idea what she should and what she shouldn't do. But now after talking to Valencia, she had a little understanding of this matter, if not whole.

Right now, she had two options: Either get separated or stay with him.

She could convince Santiago to divorce him or... 

In all honesty, there was nothing that could convince Santiago to make him stay with him, not as she wanted him to but still no man would accept his wife being impregnated with someone else's baby! 

She was stuck in such a bizarre yet ridiculous situation. 

Yet, there was a small voice inside her heart that was asking her-- what if he does? Would she like to stay with him then? Would she like to become his wife if he accepts her? Would she like to stay with him forever? 

She had no answer for this question now. or perhaps, she had but she was in no position to answer it. 

Answering these questions means hope. And hope meant looking forward to a future. And future that could shatter anytime soon. 

"Are you sure that you are fine?" Valencia asked her one more time as she saw her leaving. "I'm telling you if he doesn't take the news well or if he gets violent, just call me. You can stay with me if you don't want to go back to your home." 

Valencia was truly afraid out of her wits after James Simon episodes. She knew what kind of men Persephone was surrounded with. And so she was more scared for Persephone than the girl in the discussion was. 

It could be said that the James Simon episode was traumatic for Valencia. And it was also the reason why Persephone was able to understand the root cause of Valencia's worry for her. 

"I know, Val," Persephone sighed out.

However, Valencia didn't look convinced by her assurances. 

Who knows what kind of man her husband was? What if he hurt her? 

"I know you are worried," said Persephone patting her shoulder. "But my husband will never try to hurt me. I can assure you. He is a reasonable man. He won't hit his wife. I can vouch for him." 

Nobody knew where this sliver of trust in Persephone's voice came from, but her flaring eyes were telling Valencia that she could trust her for once. 

"I will be fine," Persephone once again assured her. "I'm leaving now. Romeo is waiting for me there." She pointed at the boy waiting next to the car, by the other side of the road. 

Under Valencia's concerned eyes, Persephone took a step ahead but as she moved, a vehicle came out of nowhere, freezing her to the place. 

...

GOAL :

20 GOLDEN TICKETS (month) = 2 extra Chap.

200 Power stones = 2 extra. chap.

(weekly)