Chapter 8: I will hate you till my last breath.

I saw the man, whom I loved so much in the past entering in. He had black hair, and still looked to be in his mid twenties. But His deep blue eyes were filled with indifference. They were cold just like him.

I remembered how I lost myself in them. I was a fool to think I can dive in the ocean without getting drowned. He has an aura of power and pride emanating from his mere presence.

Like always, I couldn't look away from his eyes despite my fear of repeating the past. I ended up staring at it for quite some time, I was completely charmed by the beast.

The man in front of me was stunning, charming and regal. The fear and charms created a deep attraction towards him. Any woman would blush when faced with a man like this, so was I in the past.

But now, I just hurled several insults upon seeing him before I caught myself.This man was the Archduke, Killian's father Duke Cassius De Luca. He was the man I loved most in the past, but now he was my sworn enemy.

All the maids and servants bowed in his presence. I, too, needed to greet him properly. In the past I would have walked to him to welcome him, to gain his attention.

But now, I remained seated and just bowed my head in courtesy. But it didn't look like he cared. He slowly made his way to the table, and took the seat in front of me.

The maids scurried over with a new cup of tea. 'I glared at Lina, who was bowing to him and serving him. He was an uninvited guest alright' but I controlled myself, knowing well enough that they were doing their duty.

I gritted my teeth as I continued drinking my tea. He was a piece of trash, but god has made every effort in making him a sexy piece of trash.

'Ah, focus Marianne, he was an enemy now' I gazed at the other side and concentrated on the greenery rather than the man who was staring at me without blinking.

Like he would swallow me the moment I looked at him. In many ways, Cassius was perfect. He was a handsome man, and a good ruler. He was praised for both his wisdom and martial prowess.

But his heart was an empty desert, and the blood that ran through his veins was as cold as ice.

I still remember the way I was treated in my own marriage. He had made a joke of mine in front of everyone. And in anger I had pushed Killian who was coming to congratulate me.

Normally, a husband and wife will kiss to seal their vows of eternal loyalty when they wed. But he didn't kiss me. Even worse, he didn't share the first dance with me at the wedding reception. He left after making some excuse of being tired.

Like a fool, I was left there alone under the scrutiny of every guest. They were mocking me with their eyes. I could feel the ridicule in their praises.

That was the time the seed of hatred was sown in my heart. I just couldn't bear the way he abandoned me. And on my first night he didn't even lay a finger on me.

He simply said, "Marianne, know this, I won't ever touch you. We are husband and wife only for the show." I cried that whole night.

But he didn't bat an eye looking at my tear stricken face. Without any further discussion, he simply turned over and went to sleep. I was left on the other side in a mess. I was unable to catch even a wink, feeling him so close to me yet so distant.

He never held my hand. Thanks to all his cruel actions, my heart was shattered and my pride was shredded.

Devastated by all this, I first ignored him. But as the time went on and my emptiness increased, I tried to do efforts to increase his attention over me. It finally came to this point that I begged him, so badly.

I still remember my pleading words, "your highness, why do you always keep distance? What must I do to earn your love?"

And what had this cruel man replied, "do not approach me. Even better, pretend as if you didn't exist. No, if you truly desire to please me, act as if you are dead"

"why my lord, don't you want a child with me? Am I not beautiful enough or .." I asked again, broken hearted, tears running like a stream yet his face remained cold and indifferent.

"I already have an heir, why do I need a child? You are here just to fill the empty seat of a duchess, now take your pathetic state in front of me." His looks were despising her. His eyes were filled with disgust.

That was the start of being my villainess. I decided to get rid of Killian, the present heir of the dukedom. So he would come and beg me to give him one.

I came out of my reverie when I felt a metallic smell, filling my nose. I looked down at my hands, I was so immersed in the past again that I didn't even realize that I had broken the cup in my hands.

Its pieces have pierced my fingers and palm. But I didn't feel any pain. I was numb, my heart, my emotions, everything was numb just because of the man sitting in front of me.

In true sense, he was the villain of my life. He was the one who forced me to be a villainess. Cassius De Luca I will hate you till my last breath.