ORIANA (She's back. Broken but Risen Again)

The sharp sound of a slap echoed through the whole hall.

Oriana Valez staggered backward, her trembling fingers holding the edge of the dining table before she could fall completely. 

Her cheek burned, but the pain in her chest hurt far more than the handprint of Mrs Vivienne appearing on her pale skin.

“You useless girl!”

Mrs. Vivienne hissed, her eyes burning in disgust. 

“Can’t you even pour tea correctly?”

Oriana's mother-in-law, Mrs. Vivienne Moretti, was a big-time billionaire who worked hard and raised her only two sons, Mateo and Adrian. 

Mateo was the elder, while Adrian was the younger and Oriana's husband. He was more handsome and easily admired by people than Mateo. 

Mrs. Vivienne Moretti was influential and highly recommended by the city, despite being a widow.

She hates Oriana for taking the place of her chosen daughter-in-law: Livia Stone, Adrian's Ex.

She thinks of making her life a living hell.

The shattered broken porcelain lay at Oriana’s feet, tea spreading across the expensive white tiles like spilled blood.

I-I’m sorry, Mrs Vivienne.

Oriana whispered quickly, lowering her gaze. Another slap landed before she could finish speaking.

You dare answer back? The older woman screams. Oriana bit her lip hard enough to taste blood.

Three years, three years of marriage into the powerful Moretti family, and this was what her life had become.

 Adrian, Oriana's husband, stayed away from his family for some time due to his work, as well as his mother and his ex, Livia Stone. Took Oriana for their own advantage to sabotage her since she was powerless and weak. They maltreated her and took hold of all that she had.

Not a wife. Not a daughter-in-law.

Not even a human being, just a servant. She thought in her mind.

A toy they enjoyed crushing.

Behind Mrs. Vivienne stood Livia Stone, whom Adrian Moretti was supposed to marry.

Livia Stone was a renowned daughter of a Billionaire business owner who dated the two brothers but loved Adrian more. Meanwhile, Adrian lessly admired her. 

Later on, she became Adrian's ex, when he chose to marry Oriana because he loved her. 

She's Beautiful. Elegant. And Cruel!

Livia folded her arms across her chest, a satisfied smile playing on her glossy red lips as she watched Oriana kneeling on the floor.

What a pathetic sight, Livia says disgustingly. Adrian truly has terrible taste.” 

Oriana’s fingers tightened around the broken teacup pieces as humiliation crawled through her veins.

Adrian.

Her husband. The man she had loved with her entire soul. The man she sacrificed everything for. Not once.

Mrs. Vivienne screams. What are you waiting for? Clean this mess. Oriana immediately dropped to her knees.

The broken pieces pierced through her fingers as she gathered them carefully. Tiny cuts opened her skin too, blood staining the rest of the glasses.

Livia noticed and laughed lightly.

“Oh dear, she mocked. “Look at her hands. Like a poor street rat.”

Mrs.Vivienne speaks to her aggressively. “That’s exactly what she is.” Oriana lowered her head further, silently enduring every insult.

She learned long ago that speaking only made things worse. The mansion servants passed by quietly, pretending not to notice. Some pitied her. 

Others enjoyed the show.

No one helped her. No one ever did. 

After cleaning the broken tea set, Oriana stood shakily.

Mrs. Vivienne throws a pile of clothes toward her. Wash these by hand.”

Oriana stared at the hip of designer dresses and suits.

There is a washing machine. Did I ask for your opinion?” Mrs. Vivienne snapped.

Oriana quickly bowed her head again.

“Yes, Ma'am.

Livia stepped closer, her perfume suffocatingly sweet and elegant.

You know,” Livia said, tracing one polished fingernail against Oriana’s cheeks, if Adrian had married me instead, this family would never have become such a joke.

Oriana forced herself not to react.

But Livia smiled knowingly anyway.

Because she knew. Everyone knew.

Adrian still loved her.

And Oriana was nothing more than a replacement. A mistake. A burden.

Livia leaned closer. Tell me, Oriana, how does it feel sharing a bed with a man who regrets marrying you every single day?

The words pierced through her heart.

Mrs. Moretti laughed coldly. Sharing a bed? Adrian barely even looks at her.”

Livia smiles victoriously.

Oriana swallowed painfully. It was true. For months now, Adrian barely came home. And when he did, he treated her like an air.

The front doors suddenly opened.

The sound of expensive shoes echoed through the mansion.

Adrian had returned. 

Oriana’s heart instinctively beat despite everything being pathetic, she hated herself for still loving him.

Adrian entered the hall dressed in a black tailored suit, his sharp features cold and unreadable. Power radiated from him effortlessly.

The servants immediately bowed.

Mrs. Vivienne's face softened instantly.

Adrian,” she said warmly.

Livia's smile brightened. Only Oriana remained frozen.

Adrian’s icy gaze swept across the room before finally landing on her kneeling figure beside the bucket of water.

For one brief second, something unreadable appeared in in his eyes.

Then it disappeared. Disgust replaced it. What is she doing here?” he asked coldly.

Oriana’s chest tightened. Mrs. Vivienne sighed dramatically, " Your wife broke my tea set again. Honestly,  

Adrian, I don’t know why you continue tolerating such a useless woman.”

Adrian loosened his tie slowly. I warned you not to embarrass this family. He said without emotion. 

Oriana stared at him in disbelief.

That was all? No concern, no defense, nothing.

I said I was sorry, she whispered.

Adrian’s expression darkened immediately. Are you talking back now? Her lips parted helplessly.

Livia moved beside Adrian naturally, slipping her hand through his arm as though she belonged there. And Adrian didn’t stop her. Oriana felt something inside her cracked.

Mrs. Vivienne noticed the pain on her face and smiled cruelly.

Actually, she said thoughtfully, I’ve been considering a way for Oriana to finally become useful.”

Adrian looked uninterested. He just stared and left the scene.

Livia glanced wickedly at Oriana. Mrs. Vivienne slowly approached Oriana, you love wasting this family’s money, don’t you? 

She said. “Eating our food. Living in this mansion.

Oriana frowned slightly. Mrs Vivienne, I

Silence! The older woman grabbed her hair violently. Oriana screams in pain. Starting tonight,” Mrs. Vivienne whisperers, you will earn your living.

Fear crept into Oriana’s chest.

What do you mean? Livia smiled darkly. Mrs. Vivienne released her hair and pulled out a small black dress from a shopping bag nearby. The dress was revealing. Far too revealing.

Oriana’s face drained of color.

Mrs. Vivienne throws the dress at her. You will entertain guests tonight.”

Oriana stared at her in horror. I won’t do that!

The slap this time sent her crashing onto the floor. You don’t get to refuse!" Mrs. Vivienne roared.

Tears finally escaped her eyes.

Livia laughed softly. “How pitiful.”

Mrs. Vivienne walks towards Oriana, holding her cheeks tightly. You should feel honored,” she says.  

“At least men may still find some use for you.” Oriana’s body trembled in fear. This couldn’t be happening. This couldn’t be her life.

No one was going to save her. No one cared. Mrs. Vivienne turned toward the servants.

Prepare her. Two maids immediately stepped forward. Oriana backed away in panic.

No! please!

They grabbed her arms anyway, and tears streamed down her face as they dragged her toward the staircase.

And just before she disappeared upstairs, she heard Livia's soft voice behind her.

Make sure she looks expensive, Livia said with a smile. “The men arriving tonight will pay very well.”

Oriana’s heart stopped.

Men? What men?

But before she could ask, one of the maids whispered shakily

Into her ear,

Madam, the guests arriving tonight are dangerous men from the underground world.

Oriana froze.

Then the mansion doors slowly opened once again.

And the first man entered.