The Piano of Vengeance

"Leon, where are you?"

Athena's voice trembled as she pressed the red button on her phone. Her fifth call in the past hour had been met only with the cold sound of a waiting tone. Worry gnawed at her, making her bite her lower lip, especially after her mother had called from the hospital, weakly repeating her husband's name.

"Mrs. Athena? Excuse me, but shall we leave now? Perhaps Mr. Leon is still stuck on the city's connecting road?" Edward, her assistant, suddenly approached, nearly causing the wine glass in her tightly gripped hand to slip.

"I can't calm down until I see my husband, Ed. He promised to be with me, and my mother's call earlier... What if he's in some kind of trouble right now?" Athena sighed heavily, the finest goose feathers adorning her wide-brimmed hat shifting slightly with her breath.

"But, ma'am-"

"The businessman hosting this event is one of Leon's new associates, Ed. It would be better for me to arrive with him to avoid questions from the reporters that will only give me a headache."

"Alright, ma'am. How about delaying your departure for another ten minutes? I'll notify the event organizers of the change."

Nodding, Athena let her assistant leave. With her fingers clad in white mesh gloves, she reached for her phone again. She intended to call her husband once more but was distracted by a notification that shattered her heart.

"Impossible! How could they be together?!"

***

Flashes of light alternated, illuminating Athena's beautiful face as she stepped out of a black limousine. The clicking of cameras grew louder as she walked down the red carpet, forcing a fake smile and a soft wave of her delicate fingers.

Who didn't know Athena Rose Waverly? In addition to being a talented pianist, her last name alone revealed her to be the daughter of a renowned business mogul. Born into fame, her name echoed across the nation, especially after her marriage to Leon Alexander Thorne, a man coveted by many women.

"Mrs. Athena? You've arrived alone at tonight's party? Where is Mr. Leon? Weren't you both listed to attend together this evening?"

"Yes, Mrs. Athena. Where is your husband? Could the rumors be true? Is your marriage on the rocks after less than a year?"

"So, the photos circulating on social media are real, Mrs. Athena? Your husband is having an affair with your best friend? Is this the worst birthday gift you've ever received, Mrs. Athena?"

Forcing another smile, Athena continued walking, ignoring the reporters swarming her. Her dazzling evening gown reflected the light from the crystal chandeliers, making her appear mesmerizing to everyone present, though beneath her graceful smile lay a turmoil she couldn't dispel.

"Mrs. Athena, it's time. Everyone is eagerly awaiting your piano performance," Edward whispered, snapping her out of her reverie.

"Alright, don't forget to signal me if my husband arrives." Athena tried to remain positive, but before heading to the stage, she turned to look at the man behind her with a slightly quivering gaze. "Do you think... I haven't been a perfect wife for Leon?"

"Excuse me, ma'am?"

"Ah, it's nothing. I... I'm just nervous!" She shook her head, ending the conversation with a smile. For the first time, she felt unsure of herself. But despite her doubts, she resolved to deliver her best performance that night.

"Good! It feels like I'm about to play the soundtrack to my downfall!"

With her mask of composure firmly in place, Athena waved to the guests. She forced herself to banish the haunting image of her husband's intimate photo with her best friend, captivating everyone with her performance-including someone watching her from afar.

"Perfect! Give it your all tonight, darling. Enjoy this moment while you can, for tonight marks your ruin!"

Applause and cheers erupted as Athena's music bewitched the audience. She delivered the climax of her piece masterfully, channeling her shattered emotions into the melody.

"Mrs. Athena? The host of the event and the Mayor would like to speak with you. They seem deeply impressed by your performance tonight," Edward said, approaching with a drink in hand.

"How can I socialize when my mind and heart are in utter chaos, Ed?" Athena quickly wiped away a tear before accepting the drink. "Please find an excuse for me. Tell them I'll speak with them another time."

"Understood, ma'am. I'll let them know. Please wait here for a moment, and then-"

"I want to leave on my own. Give me your car keys; I'll use the back gate to avoid the reporters. Apologize to everyone on my behalf for leaving early."

Without further ado, Athena downed the drink Edward had handed her. She frowned slightly at its odd taste but dismissed the feeling, unaware of the looming danger.

"Mr. Leon, Mrs. Athena has left the event as predicted!"

Oblivious to the conversation behind her, Athena continued walking away. Though the back gate was still busy, it offered respite from the reporters who stirred her childhood trauma-especially now, with Leon's rumored affair circulating widely.

"How could Leon and Crystal have been carrying on behind my back? I... I can't believe they'd do this to me!" Athena muttered, gripping the steering wheel tightly as she drove.

The quiet of the night road gave her the freedom to accelerate. She pushed Edward's car to its limit under the dim glow of the streetlights. Her hands trembled on the wheel, her mind consumed by the photos of her husband and best friend at a hotel.

[They look so intimate. Are you sure they're just friends?]

The text from an unknown number echoed in her head. Athena's headache worsened. Finally, the tears she'd held back spilled freely, leaving her sobbing as pain tore through her heart.

"How could you do this to me, Leon? I love you so much, but why did you betray me like this?!"

The storm of emotions caused her head to throb. Her vision darkened as she reflexively swerved the car, sending it skidding. A deafening crash reverberated as sparks flew.

"This is your downfall, Athena!"

"How? Did you make sure everything was safe before the police and the hospital staff started the evacuation?"

A faint voice gradually pulled Athena out of her long unconsciousness. She winced in pain, realizing that parts of her body couldn't move freely. Athena tried to identify the voice she had just heard, but she heard nothing further until the sound of a creaking door made her instinctively close her eyes again.

"Is she still unconscious?" Athena tried to calm her pounding heart as she recognized Leon's voice. Her breathing became shallow as she gripped the thin blanket that partially covered her body.

"The doctor said Mrs. Athena will wake up soon, Sir. She didn't suffer severe injuries thanks to the immediate help she received, but...."

"But she has some minor wounds and a broken right arm? Tsk, how disappointing! Why couldn't it be more serious?"

Startled again, Athena found it increasingly difficult to swallow. Her husband's cold tone echoed clearly in her ears. Her eyes began to fill with tears, especially as she felt Leon's rough touch on her injured face.

She never imagined her husband could be this cruel. Athena had thought Leon's infidelity was the worst he could do, but now it was evident he was actively orchestrating her misery.

"You should have died, darling! But it's fine. This way, you can personally hand over all your wealth to me!"

Athena held back her tears as Leon whispered harshly into her ear. She struggled to contain the whirlwind of emotions within her. She decided to continue pretending to be unconscious. Her left hand, lying at her side, clenched weakly as her heart shattered upon discovering her husband's vile intentions.

What had she done wrong to deserve this? How could Leon be so ruthless? Wasn't it enough for him to cheat on her with her best friend? Hasn't she been trying her best to be a good wife for him? Athena was even willing to sacrifice the peak of her career fame for Leon and even gave up her family's company to be led by him.

"Make sure she drinks that when she wakes up, Ed. Even if her hand doesn't fully recover, that's not enough. I want her silenced forever so she can't interfere with my plans!" The sound of steps came afterward, making Athena think Leon had moved away from her.

"Yes, sir!"

"You better make sure of it. I've already instructed a special team to fabricate her medical condition so the public believes the accident left her voiceless!"

Shocked once again, Athena could barely breathe. All her inner strength seemed to crumble. Her heart ached, realizing she was surrounded by people who wanted nothing but her downfall.

"No! I can't just stay silent and let this happen! I refuse to be trapped in Leon's devious games, reduced to a puppet he can control!" she whispered faintly.

After hearing the door close again, Athena slowly opened her eyes. She accidentally knocked over a glass of water beside her and then glanced at her heavily bandaged right hand.

"One day, I'll regain full use of my hand! I refuse to stay crippled because of my husband's evil schemes!" she muttered as she struggled to sit up.

Despite the sharp pain coursing through her injured body, Athena's determination remained steadfast. She had to leave the hospital before Leon and Edward returned, especially since they were planning to silence her forever.

No, she wouldn't let that happen! Athena wouldn't lose her voice or mobility before she could expose Leon's plans to the public.

"Excuse me, Doctor. The police just arrived. They said they want to interview you about Mrs. Athena's condition after the accident," said a nurse, prompting Athena to hide behind another room.

She glanced left and right, searching for the police the nurse mentioned. Unfortunately, her gaze accidentally met Edward, who was approaching from the opposite direction.

"Mrs. Athena!"

Struggling, Athena tried to avoid her treacherous assistant. She pressed on, her vision blurry, her breaths ragged, and her body wracked with pain. Suddenly, she nearly collapsed after bumping into someone.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. I-"

"Get your filthy hands off my wife!"

Unexpectedly, Leon appeared from another direction. His piercing gaze was intimidating, making Athena's face grow pale and her hands cold.

"Help me!" Athena whispered, breathless, as she clung to the muscular arm holding her. She looked pleadingly into the man's brown eyes, but to her despair, he merely returned her gaze with an unreadable expression.

"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to bump into your wife."

"Tch! Are your eyes not working?!"

Without further argument, the man quickly left. Athena cried out in pain as Leon yanked her roughly. Her eyes widened as his threatening glare pierced her.

"Tell me, Athena. What do you know? Did you try to escape because you've uncovered my plans?"

Shaking her head rapidly, Athena silently responded to his question. She had never expected to confront Leon's terrifyingly cruel side directly. Any hope of escape seemed futile as his grip tightened painfully around her.

"How could this happen? Why wasn't she stopped? Did you give her the drink?" Leon demanded, turning to Edward, who stared suspiciously at Athena.

"I haven't given her anything, Sir. I just stepped out to check on the police investigation at the hospital."

Fighting back her sobs, Athena remained silent. Let them believe she couldn't speak; she needed to protect herself until she could find a way to escape.

"Hey! Speak up! Has your voice really disappeared?" Leon barked, grabbing her pale face roughly.

Suppressing her cries of pain, Athena shook her head again. She couldn't hold back her tears as Leon's sharp nails dug into her skin, forcing her to open her mouth, trembling, though she tried to stay silent.

"Good! The drug seems to be working quickly!"

Unbeknownst to Leon, Athena, and Edward, a man was watching them from a distance. His expression was unreadable before he stepped away to make a call.

"Prepare a place for me in this city. I have something important to finish that I've delayed for far too long!"

Gazing sorrowfully at the grand house she once considered her palace of happiness, Athena could only cry silently. After spending several days in the hospital, her heart grew increasingly restless. Her return home meant that Leon could freely do anything to her, including mistreating her.

"Mrs. Athena, please come with me!" Edward's voice suddenly broke the silence, causing Athena to turn her head.

She immediately brushed off the hand of her assistant, who had now become Leon's accomplice, and struggled to walk on her own, despite her unsteady steps.

"Well, well... So you've been allowed to leave the hospital?"

To her surprise, Athena encountered Crystal there. Her wide eyes narrowed sharply, a gesture that was met with only a faint smile from the woman in front of her.

"How are you, Athena? I'm so sorry about the accident you had. Leon told me that your hand is paralyzed and you've lost your voice. How does it feel, Athena? It must be painful, right?" Crystal continued, taking a small step forward on her long legs. She seemed as if she wanted to touch Athena's face, but Athena quickly swatted her hand away and gave her a sharp, warning look.

"I already know about your affair with my husband, Crystal! There's no need for you to pretend to be kind to me anymore! Remember, I won't let you keep exploiting my condition like this!" Athena thought bitterly to herself, her silent fury only causing Crystal to chuckle.

"What a pity, my dear friend. You're completely powerless now. I do feel sorry for you, Athena. As a good friend, why don't I take over your role as the lady of this house? I'm sure Leon wouldn't mind. That way, I can help him and spare him the trouble caused by someone like you."

"Fine, go ahead, Crystal. That'll just give me more time to gather evidence to expose all of your dirty schemes!" Athena thought again, glaring at the woman before her, her intense gaze finally causing Crystal to shiver slightly.

"I'm worried she's possessed, Edward. Take her to her room immediately. Remember, her new room! Not her old one, because I'll be taking that one to stay with Leon!"

"Yes, Mrs. Crystal!"

Snorting, Athena squinted at the woman she once introduced to the public as a rising singer. She wanted so badly to grab the hair of this two-faced woman who had shown her no gratitude, but sadly, she couldn't act yet. Her position in this house was still too precarious.

Athena knew she needed time to fight against all of Leon and Crystal's treachery. She realized she couldn't rush things, especially since she was truly alone now, with her father long gone and her mother still lying comatose in the hospital.

"Please, Mrs. Athena!"

Determined not to be touched, Athena tried to walk ahead. The sound of a car engine starting made her turn her head, but it only made her stomach churn violently. She inadvertently witnessed Crystal's overly enthusiastic greeting to the man who was still legally her husband.

"You're finally home, babe! That crippled woman arrived just before you did," Crystal whispered sweetly but sharply, her hand brushing against the chest of the man who had once again been named one of the most handsome men in a famous magazine.

Leon cast a glance at Athena and offered a crooked smile. One of his strong hands wrapped tightly around Crystal's slim waist. He kissed her makeup-clad face affectionately and handed her his briefcase.

"Get the document from my bag, honey. There's something this crippled woman needs to sign immediately!" he ordered sharply, his piercing gaze making Athena's heart race even faster.

Athena didn't know what document her husband meant, but she was sure it would only worsen her situation.

"A wealth transfer document?" Crystal's murmuring reached Athena's ears, causing her pale face to freeze in shock.

"Unbelievable! They've gone completely mad! If I sign that document, what more will they do to me? I doubt they'll let me go, even if I hand over everything I own!"

Shaking her head in refusal, Athena pushed away the pen being offered to her with her left hand. She tried to shove Edward, who was holding her in place, nearly causing the 40-year-old man to stumble.

"Enough! I knew she'd rebel like this!" Leon growled in frustration, rubbing his face briefly. "Ed, you handle all of my and Crystal's needs from now on! Let him deal with this crippled woman!"

At Leon's snap of his fingers, Athena's breath caught as a burly, intimidating man approached her. Her heartbeat quickened, especially as the tattooed man easily restrained her movements.

"Apologies if I hurt you, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you again," the man whispered in her ear, his voice chillingly familiar.

Athena's eyes widened as she recognized his voice. She turned to study his face but couldn't place him until her gaze locked on his brown eyes.

"It can't be! Isn't he...."

"Hurry and take her to her room, Arthur! Her room is in the back, near the kitchen. Ask the staff where the old storage room is!"

Shaking her head, Athena turned her gaze back to Leon. He had relegated her to a small storage room near the kitchen while allowing Crystal to share his room, heedless of the house staff's opinions.

"Come with me, ma'am!"

Struggling again, Athena was ultimately shoved forward. She winced in pain as her wounds were accidentally jostled and glared at Crystal, who waved mockingly at her.

Athena shook her head as she surveyed the tiny space that had once been a storage room. The damp walls and musty smell overwhelmed her, and the only furniture was a small, unfit bed. Her breath grew labored, not just from the room's poor condition but from the bleakness of her future.

"Mrs. Athena?" Arthur called, his gaze fixed on his new mistress.

Realizing this, Athena felt both uneasy and cautious. Slowly, she stepped back, her mind racing as she tried to place where she had seen him before.

"Is there anything else I should be doing? I'm certainly willing to help you, especially for revenge plans!"