Chapter 2 Only Avatars

"... to have one another and also to care for one another from now on forever. In times of trouble and joy, in times of abundance and in need, and in times of health and sickness. To always love and cherish one another, until death do us part."

Jayden's words were still vivid in Hera's mind. At that time Hera thought that Jayden was playing her role well, just like her. Because neither of them wanted the marriage to happen. Maybe Hera and Jayden said 'Yes' to getting married but it was only to fulfill the wishes of their extended family. And they just become avatars there.

But during nearly a year of being together, those thoughts slowly faded away. Jayden's kindness, affection and attention made Hera so immersed in false happiness. And unfortunately again, Hera fell in love with the man.

Then what now?

The man had shown his true identity. The figure who hated Hera more than anything in this world. In fact, Jayden was the first male figure who made Hera fall in love. In a sense Jayden is Hera's first love. It's sad that the love that started to grow has now turned to hate. Hera also really hated Jayden. Possible (?)

Hera turned when someone opened the door to her inn. But when she saw who was coming, Hera looked away, not wanting to look at the figure.

"How are you?" Jayden asked as he took off his jacket and loosened his tie which felt like it was suffocating his neck.

"What do you care?" Hera snapped. She didn't even look down at her husband at all.

Jayden chuckled softly and then approached the bed where Hera had been in the hospital for the past few days. Because after the incident that night Hera had to give birth immediately because she was bleeding profusely. Lucky that she and the baby survived. Although the baby must be treated intensively because it was born prematurely.

"I couldn't have let you die after making me struggle to carry you here," Jayden said pulling Hera's chin to look at him. Smiling sideways made the woman in front of her clench her fists like she wanted to slap the man again. But what she did was slapped Jayden's hand away and then looked away again.

"You should have rejected our marriage then, Jayden," said Hera, placing all the blame on the man's shoulders. If at that time Jayden had firmly refused she wouldn't have to feel the hurt she is now. When asked why Hera didn't just refuse, the answer was because Hera was too afraid that her parents would find out what she did that night. In the sense that Hera has no alibi to refuse because she actually had to get married to cover up all her actions. Then why is Hera blaming Jayden now? What a very naive woman.

"If I refuse... your family will fall apart, Hera," Jayden said. He no longer needed to tug on Hera's chin. The woman was happily looking at him now.

Jayden smiled faintly and sat down on the chair there. He folded his arms over his chest proudly.

"We got married only for mutual benefit," said Jayden again.

It can't be denied. And perhaps the strongest reason for the marriage to happen. If it weren't for the Jaydens, maybe Hera and her family would be living under the bridge by now. At that time, the state of Hera's father's company was very worrying, until Jayden's family came like angels who finally stabilized the situation.

"Then why do you treat me like you like me? If you really hate me, just treat me like trash!" said Hera taking all her annoyance and disappointment. At least if Jayden was rude, Hera wouldn't have to fall in love.

"A shepherd must feed his sheep properly and properly so that if he is going to be slaughtered later the shepherd gets a fat sheep," Jayden replied. He turned his face slightly towards Hera. "So are you. I have to make good use of you," he continued.

Plakk!!!

It's enough. Hera was really fed up with the man. Jayden turned his head with a sharp look. Holding Hera's jaw firmly.

"Who do you think you are, huh? How dare you slap me?" Jayden said with a glint of anger in his eyes.

Hera's tears escaped from the corners of her eyes. She winced softly at the pain in her jaw and stomach. Didn't Jayden have a little mercy on her? She had just given birth to their first child. But Hera was wrong to expect compassion from a man like Jayden. She will never get it.

"You ignorant woman!" Jayden said then removed his hand from Hera. He felt like he was wasting his time with her. Jayden went to get his coat and car keys.

"Then divorce me, Jayden!"

Hera's shout made Jayden's steps stop again. He turned around, raising one eyebrow.

"I'd be happy to do that," Jayden said with a grin on his face as if those were the words he'd been waiting for the most from Hera. The woman's chest throbbed with excruciating pain.

"Yes. That's better," said Hera, looking down.

"But you also have to think about your family."

For the second time Hera looked up. Jayden looked confused. What did the man mean?

"If we divorce now. They will lose everything because your father's business is now under my company," Jayden said instantly making Hera flinch.

Jayden put on his coat as he drew closer to Hera's bed. He lowered his head slightly so that his face was right in front of Hera's.

"And one more thing, doesn't your father have a history of fairly severe hypertension?" Jayden asked playing his main card. "Will she be able to hear the news that her beloved child who has just given birth is going to divorce her husband," Jayden continued.

Hera gritted her teeth. Why did Jayden hold onto Hera's weakness so much? While Hera has nothing. So now what should Hera do?

Her heart vehemently refused if she had to put up with her marriage to Jayden. It hurts too much. But Hera also couldn't see her family being destroyed, especially if she had to lose her father. Even just imagining Hera's chest already felt very tight as if the oxygen around her was being forcibly taken away.

"How? Do you still want to divorce me?" Jayden asked.

"You bastard!" cursed Hera in response.

Jayden chuckled lightly then straightened his body after kissing the woman's forehead briefly.

"I take that as a no," he said and then walked away.

"I won't let you go easily, Hera Altezza. You have to pay for everything first," Jayden muttered in a vengeful tone.

To be continued....