Chapter 8 .

Mia's pov

Slowly, the little crowd that formed around Martha and I had morphed into a bigger audience. Women sneered at me with judgments in their eyes. Men glanced at me like I was some piece of cake and they waited on their turn to have a taste.

"You're just a political tool darling..." Martha sneered and ran her fingers across my face. I pulled back, smacking her hand away.

"Rest assured that when you're of no use anymore, you'll be disposed of and nobody will even remember that there was ever a third daughter in the De Luca family.." her cynical voice echoed and I clenched my fists.

"Martha, what is wrong with you?" I snapped, pulling her arm tight. "Have you lost your mind? Why are you making such a huge scene?"

She yanked her hand off of mine and pointed her frail finger in my face. "Don't you dare lay your filthy hands on me ever again." She warned and that was when Jonathan returned.

"What's happening here?" His commanding voice shut Martha up and she folded her arms over her chest.

"I was just wondering if this perfect trophy wife of yours has told you about her past and who she really is.." she spat.

I ran my fingers through my hair, hot hair simmering beneath every breath I took. My heart raced, not because Martha was trying to embarrass me... this wouldn't even be the first time.

The idea of breaking my confidence in front of Jonathan bothered me to the core. I don't know why, but it made my skin crawl.

"I see you and Clara have a lot to say about your sister.." Jonathan growled. "Let's hear what you have to say about yourself Martha, how's that?"

My eyes lifted from the floor and trailed off to Jonathan's face. My eyes watered up and I clenched my teeth.

"But I'm trying to save you from what she really is. She doesn't even have the slightest idea of how to run a business. She's just a–"

"Your father married her off to me, Martha De Luca. Mia is now my responsibility, and thus she's my problem to worry about." Jonathan barked.

He strode towards me, wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in.

"Don't you ever speak to my wife in that tone ever again, do you understand?

She may have been your sister a while ago, but there isn't 'De Luca' attached to her name anymore. It's Mrs. Mia Mysterio now. Get used to it or get lost"

He turned to Clara and pointed in her face. "You're not left out either. Stay the hell away from my wife and anything concerning her. If there's something about her that I need to know about, I'll wait until she's ready to tell me. And if she won't, then I don't think it's worth knowing!"

My heart melted instantly. I didn't know how to act because this was clearly not part of the script at all. Jonathan never looked at me twice let alone spoke to me more than necessary. But here he was, in the presence of this multitude of people, fighting for me against these witches.

"Let's go honey, this place isn't welcoming you so I see no reason to be here either.." he said and tugged at my arm.

"Jonathan!" An old lady called out and we both turned. She looked like money itself and I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me she was the host.

"You leave when the party is about to start and you know how risky it'll be for the board.." she ordered and Jonathan slowly let go of my hand.

But then he turned to Martha and cleared his throat. "If she apologizes to my wife, then we'll all forget any of this happened and enjoy the rest of the event.."

Martha hissed so loud, her eyes rolling in disgust. "You can't force me to do something I won't do. I'd rather die than beg this brat!" Her voice thundered and Jonathan threw his hands in the air.

"Don't be a child Jonathan. I'm sure it's just something minor, they're siblings after all and siblings fight every once in a while.." the host added and I tilted my head.

"With all due respect ma'am, Martha and I aren't the ideal siblings. So either she apologizes like my husband said, or I'm leaving." I warned firmly.

Martha shot me a fierce look and scoffed. I knew she was never going to apologize no matter what, but I wanted to know what Jonathan would do now that this woman has involved the board.

"Jonathan..." the host muttered, staring at him with so many unspoken warnings.

"You heard her, she'd rather die than apologize to my wife. Anyone who disrespects her, disrespects me. And it seems everyone here, including the board, has no respect for my wife." Jonathan snapped.

"Come on.." he nudged me and we both left the hall, walking towards the car in silence.

The drive home was tense. Neither of us said a word to each other and it made my heart heavy. Jonathan's eyes were glued to his phone the whole time while I struggled to get my mind together.

Now how can I bring myself to kill this man?

He's nothing like the Jonathan who walked out on me without any explanations. Our worlds had crashed a long time ago, and I never thought I'd set eyes on him again.

Now fate has brought us together again, even though he can't recognize me after I went under the blade. I can't imagine taking his life, not after what just happened back there.

Pretense or not, he stood up for me against my sisters and even his board members. For the first time in years, someone stood by me against everyone else. I had already gotten used to being talked down on and humiliated by the people I called family.

Even Collins couldn't stand up against my father when he wanted to marry me off to my ex, despite claiming to be in love with me.

So now, how exactly will I kill the only person who's ready to protect me?