HOW TO HATE YOUR HUSBAND
How To Hate Your Husband – Chapter 25&26
{•𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲•}
𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆- 𝐒𝐈𝐍 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍.
☆ 𝑶𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑵𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆. ☆
©𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
“I said… I want you…” She slid her hand into his, pressing it firmly against her waist, leaning into his body.
Her breath hitched as she felt the tension in his muscles beneath her fingers.
“….to touch me.” She whispered into his ear, her voice trembling.
Romeo didn’t respond right away.
His gaze lingered on her face first, unreadable, before dragging slowly down her bare chest.
The look wasn’t hungry. It wasn’t frantic. It was measured. Assessing. And when his eyes came back up to hers, there was nothing soft in them.
“So…?” she asked quietly, chin lifting, defiant. “What are you gonna do?”
For a split second, she thought he might pull her closer.
Instead, Romeo removed his hand from her waist, the absence of his touch colder than rejection.
“You can leave whenever you’re done with your shit,” he scoffed, turning away like she hadn’t just stripped herself bare in front of him.
He headed for the door, unhurried. Untouched.
“Seriously?!” Rias snapped, disbelief and frustration cracking through her voice. “I’m standing n+ked right in front of you, and you’re not gonna do anything?”
He didn’t even slow down.
The door opened. Then closed.
“Romeo!!”
Her fists clenched at her sides, nails biting into her palms as the silence swallowed the room.
And for the first time, it wasn’t desire burning through her.
It was humiliation.
Because the worst part wasn’t that he left.
It was that he proved, without lifting a finger, that she had no control over him at all.
______
It was 7 p.m. when Levi pulled out onto the quiet road, the city lights bleeding softly through the windshield.
The Sky scandal hadn’t slowed down. If anything, it had grown uglier by the hour.
Nancy sat by the window, arms folded, staring out into the blur of passing lights. She hadn’t said a word since they left the agency.
Levi glanced at her, then back at the road. Then again.
“You alright?” he asked finally. “You look real pissed.”
Nancy exhaled through her nose, then turned to face him, eyes sharp. “Honestly? I still can’t get it out of my head.”
Levi frowned slightly. “Is it about Sky?”
“Who else would it be?” She snapped. “I can’t believe he did that. We actually went there because we were worried about him. Sincerely worried.”
Levi tightened his grip on the steering wheel but stayed quiet, letting her talk.
“And the way he spoke to us?” Nancy continued, her voice rising. “Like we were nothing. Like we were inconveniences. He even has the guts to pick a fight.”
“That’s just how Sky’s feeling right now.” Levi said carefully. “But I get it, it doesn’t excuse his behavior, though.”
“That was arrogance.”Nancy scoffed.
She turned fully toward him now, anger spilling out.
“Who does he actually think he is?!” She burst out. “Because I like him, he thinks he can treat me like I’m some pathetic girl who’ll just take it?!”
Levi’s eyes widened briefly. He stole another glance at her. This wasn’t the Nancy he was used to.
Gone was the soft-spoken girl who defended Sky at every turn. This Nancy was wild, furious, unapologetic.
“You’ve never talked like this about him before,” Levi said quietly.
“Because I respected him,” She shot back.
“I kept excusing his ill-mannered attitude just because I love him…” She laughed bitterly. “Meanwhile, he doesn’t even respect the people trying to stand by him.”
Silence settled in the car for a moment, thick and uncomfortable.
Levi swallowed, unsure what to say.
Nancy looked back out the window, jaw clenched.
“He deserves what’s happening to him right now,” She said coldly.
Levi let out a slow breath as he drove, his tone calmer than hers.
“You should really calm down. Sky’s probably just frustrated,” He said.
“I get him. This industry isn’t easy, especially if you’re softhearted. If he doesn’t clear his name, he could actually face jail time.”Levi said.
Nancy turned sharply toward him.
“Why are you defending him?” She snapped. “He even accused you of setting him up.”
Levi stiffened but stayed quiet.
“I get what he’s going through,” She continued, voice tight. “You think I like seeing him suffer like that? I don’t. But this isn’t the time for him to act so selfishly.”
“I was going to help him. But not anymore.” She shook her head.
“Help? How? What were you planning on doing?”Levi frowned.
Nancy crossed her arms.
“Of course I could hire people. Real professionals who can dig into this whole situation and find out who leaked those fake videos.” She laughed bitterly.
“But after the way he treated me? No. I’m done.”
“Nancy…” Levi said quietly.
He slowed the car and pulled up in front of her house, the engine idling.
She grabbed her bag and opened the door. “Goodnight.”
Levi hesitated. “Wanna hang out tomorrow?”
She paused, half out of the car. “We don’t have classes tomorrow.”
“I know,” He said quickly. “We’ll just hang out. Ginger too.”
Nancy nodded once. “Sure.”
She stepped out, shut the door, and walked toward the house without looking back.
Levi watched her disappear inside, then shook his head softly as he pulled away.
“She’s a wild one,” He muttered, driving off into the night.
______
[𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲 – 𝐒𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚’𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨]
Sasha stood by the door, bag slung over her shoulder, keys already in her hand. She was halfway to leaving when the front door opened.
Hunter walked in like nothing was wrong.
Hoodie pulled low, cap shadowing his face, joggers and sneakers like he’d just come from a run.
“Babe,” He said easily, shutting the door behind him. “I almost thought you weren’t in Tokyo. You’ve been ignoring my texts and messages. Is everything alright?”
Sasha turned slowly.
The look in her eyes stopped him mid-step.
Pain. Raw and unguarded. Like something inside her had cracked and she was barely holding herself together.
Everything Billie had said replayed in her head. The pregnancy. The lies.
Was he really planning to keep his child a secret from her?
“You’re heading to the hospital, right?” Hunter continued, oblivious. “Let’s go. I’ll take you.”
He reached for her hand.
“Don’t touch me.”
She slapped his hand away.
Hunter froze, confusion flashing across his face.
“Hey—what is it?” He asked. “What did I do?”
She stepped forward and slapped him.
The sound echoed through the condo.
Hunter’s head snapped to the side. He stared at her, stunned. He hadn’t expected that. Before he could even process it, another slap landed, harder than the first.
He clenched his jaw, fists tightening at his sides. Every muscle in his body screamed back, but he forced himself still, breathing through the sudden rush of anger.
“Sasha…” His voice dropped. “What the hell is going on?”
Her lips trembled. Her eyes filled, the tears she’d been holding back finally spilling over.
“So you got a girl pregnant?” She choked out. “Huh?!”
The words hit him like a punch.
Silence swallowed the room.
Hunter stared at her, his face draining of color.
“What are you talking about?” he said slowly.
“Don’t lie to me,” Sasha snapped, her voice breaking. “I know. I know everything.”
She wiped her tears angrily, shaking her head.
“You stood in front of me every day, touched me, while you had a child on the way?” Her chest heaved. “Were you ever planning to tell me? Or was I just supposed to find out when it was too late to leave?”
Hunter opened his mouth, then closed it.
For the first time since he walked in, he had no easy answer.
And Sasha saw it.
That hesitation.
That was all the confirmation she needed.
Sasha’s hand trembled as she wiped her tears, her chest rising and falling too fast.
“Sasha, this… it’s not my doing…”He said.
“So you’re telling me that this is all Billie’s doing?” she said hoarsely,
Hunter ran a hand through his hair, pacing once before stopping in front of her.
“Yes. She did it on purpose. She punctured the condoms. I swear to you, Sasha, I didn’t cheat on you. Whatever happened between me and Billie was before you came to Tokyo. Before us.”
Sasha laughed bitterly, the sound breaking halfway. “You expect me to just believe that and feel better?”
“I’m telling you the truth,” He said quickly. “I didn’t know until she told me she was pregnant. I was blindsided too.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?” she snapped. “Why did you look me in the eyes every day and pretend everything was fine?”
He stepped closer, his voice lowering. “Because I didn’t want to hurt you. I was trying to figure it out first. I didn’t want to dump that mess on you without a solution.”
“Well, congratulations,” Sasha said sharply.
“I’m hurt anyway. Deeply hurt.” She pointed at herself, tears spilling freely now. “What does this make me, Hunter? A fool? A side chick you forgot to inform about the baby on the way?”
“That’s not what you are,” He said immediately. “You’re my girlfriend. You’re the one I chose.”
She shook her head, backing away.
“If you chose me, you wouldn’t have hidden something like this. You don’t hide a whole child from someone you love.”
“I can fix this,” He said, desperation creeping into his voice. “I’ll talk to Billie again. I’ll handle it properly. I promise.”
“You can’t fix anything,” Sasha replied quietly. The calm in her voice scared even her. “This is bigger than apologies and promises.”
She moved toward the door, pulling it open. “We’re done, Hunter. Please leave.”
He stared at her as if he hadn’t heard correctly. “No.”
She pushed at his chest, trying to guide him out. “Get out of my house.”
Instead, he grabbed her, pulling her into his arms. She stiffened, fists pressed against his hoodie as he held her tightly.
“No one is walking out of this relationship,” He said firmly, his voice rough near her ear. “ I’m not losing you. I’ll fix it, Sasha..”
She didn’t hug him back. Her body stayed rigid, caught between anger and heartbreak.
After a moment, he released her, cupping her face briefly as if memorizing it.
“Go to work,” He said softly. “Don’t miss your shift because of this. I’ll call you later. We’ll talk again.”
She said nothing.
Hunter grabbed his cap, opened the door, and left without looking back.
The moment the door shut, Sasha’s legs gave out. She slid down against the wall, burying her face in her hands as sobs tore out of her chest, raw and uncontrollable.
The apartment felt too quiet.
______
[𝐑𝐑𝐃 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐬 – 𝐕𝐈𝐏 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞]
Hinata sat comfortably on the cream leather couch, a glass of wine balanced loosely in her hand.
The VIP lounge was quiet, insulated from the rest of the hospital, soft lighting reflecting off glass walls and polished floors.
Rias sat beside her, focused, professional. She adjusted the equipment calmly, checking Hinata’s vitals with practiced ease.
“So, how’s this body of mine doing?” Hinata asked, swirling her drink.
“Relax,” Rias said softly. “You’re perfectly fine.”
Hinata watched her with fond eyes as the readings appeared normal.
“You look incredibly young for your age, you don’t really need to worry..”Rias chuckled.
“I know, I just can’t seem to get over the fact that I’ve been stressed out these days. I need more vacations.”Hinata said.
Rias smiled faintly as she packed the equipment away.
“You’re doing exceptionally well, Ruas.” Hinata continued. “At this rate, once you’re done with your medical practice, you might as well take over this hospital.”
“That’s exactly my goal… mom,” Rias replied without hesitation.
Hinata’s hand stilled around her glass. The word ‘mom’ clearly pleased her. She set the wine down and turned fully toward Rias, studying her face.
“My dear,” She said gently, “Why did you let Romeo go through with the divorce? Why didn’t you try to stop it?”
Rias’s expression shifted. She pouted slightly, eyes lowering as if weighed down by the question.
“I was confused,” She admitted. “He told me he’d marry Bianca as a second wife if I didn’t agree to the divorce. I was shocked too. I mean… he agreed to marry me in the first place, didn’t he?”
Hinata’s eyes widened. “What? A second wife?”
Rias nodded slowly. “I couldn’t stand it. I was really going to try to make the marriage work, but he didn’t want to anymore. He just… discarded me.”
“Oh, dear,” Hinata murmured, pulling Rias closer and stroking her hair comfortingly.
Rias’s voice softened, fragile.
“I think… no, I know I’m already in love with him. I just hoped he’d change his mind. But he loves Bianca. I don’t stand a chance.”
Hinata cupped Rias’s face firmly, forcing her to look up but Rias lowered her gaze, her fingers curling slowly into the fabric of her coat.
“Mom… you know Romeo better than anyone,” She said quietly. “You know how he is. He’s so stubborn.”
Hinata nodded immediately. “I know .That boy has always been stubborn. He doesn’t know what he wants until it’s taken from him.”
Rias’s lips curved faintly, encouraged.
“That’s why I know this isn’t over,” she continued.
“Bianca keeps acting like she replaced me, but that’s not how it works. I was his wife. I’m the woman he married and that doesn’t change just because he got distracted.”
She lifted her chin slightly, confidence bleeding through the vulnerability.
“I can’t lose him,” Rias said.
Hinata’s expression hardened.
Rias glanced at her, eyes glistening, carefully controlled.
“I just need… support. I can’t fight this alone. Romeo might listen to you, Mom. Even when he pretends not to, you’re still his mom. I’m really scared that it’s the end for us.” She leaned closer, voice soft but deliberate.
“Don’t say that. You and him are meant to be together, Rias. Nothing will stop that, trust me.”
Hinata scoffed. “Bianca is nothing but a phase. Romeo will get tired of her.”
Rias searched her face, then slowly smiled, leaning in to hug her.
“Thank you, mom.”
As she pulled back, her smile lingered—but something sharper flickered beneath it. A smirk.
Two can definitely play this game, Romeo, Rias thought, her lips curving into a subtle smirk.
______
[𝐊𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐮 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 – 𝐆𝐲𝐦]
Romeo pounded steadily on the treadmill, sweat sliding down his temple. His earbuds muffled the sound of the gym, but his phone vibrated constantly in his pocket.
Hunter, perched on a nearby bench, was sprawled across the seat, phone in hand, sweating as he scrolled through the group chat.
Group Chat – College Reunion 2026
Keifer: Yo, everyone! 👀 Is this thing still alive? Where’s the hottest couple alive? Giselle and me repping Paris 😎✨
Giselle: Naturally, glowing 💖 Paris does wonders… and yes, still married to this dork 😏
Reed: NY in the house! 😎 Kiss and I are ready! Who’s gonna top us tho?
Kiss: Reed, stop showing off 😌 but yes, can’t wait to see everyone 😘
Student_01: Yo, long time no see guys! 😆
Student_02: Should we talk reunion dates or nah? 🗓️
Student_03: Yeah! We need an actual plan 🏖️
Student_06: Before that, Giselle is glowing tho, of course she is, Keifer’s her husband 😍
Student_07: Haha true!
Student_08: And what about Hunter? The funny one from our set 😆
Keifer: Lmao, yes! Where’s the jokester?
Giselle: Oh, and the coldest King of our set? Anyone seen Romeo? 😎
Student_09: Yeah, where is Romeo? I thought he was always “too cool for us” back in the day 😏
Keifer: 😂 I’ll drag him here. Hey @Romeo, come online! We’re talking reunion!
“Romeo, you might want to come online.” Hunter said to Romeo.
Romeo ignored him, still running in the treadmill.
Hunter: Not happening. He’s Busy. 🏃♂️💨
Reed: Dude, @Romeo don’t ghost the gang 😩 we need your cold king vibes back here
Hunter: 😂 fine fine… I’ll explain. He’s literally running on a treadmill rn. No excuses.
Keifer: Okay but we must decide on location for our reunion! Where’s everyone thinking? 🌎✈️
Student_01: Paris sounds fun again, but might be far for some…
Student_02: NY could work, easy travel. ✈️
Student_03: How about California tho? It’s where we all studied , makes sense 🙄
Hunter: Let’s do it in Tokyo. 😂 It’s easier cause, I live here. Someone gotta represent Asia 😎
Student_04: 😂 Hunter, always flexing.
Giselle: California makes sense… central, most can travel there easily, plus the memories 🏖️💖
Reed: True… I vote California, NY is too cold for a summer reunion ❄️
Kiss: Agreed, California sounds perfect
Keifer: Okay, California it is 😏 now, dates? Anyone free in a week?
Student_05: Two-week works. 🌴
Student_06: I’m good in a week.
Hunter: We can compromise in a week. That’s basically the only time we’ll be free here.🌞
Student_07: Next week sounds great!
Student_08: Agreed!
Keifer: Alright, next week in Cali! Who’s handling the resort bookings? 🏨
Hunter: I can do it lol, you guys chill. I’ve got connections 😎
Giselle: Hunter, only you 😂
Kiss: Okayyy I’m officially excited 😍
Romeo: …..,
Romeo: Don’t expect me to play happy 😐
Hunter looked at Romeo who was now on his phone.
Keifer: Lmao we don’t expect it. Just your presence is enough 😂
Reed: Finally, the coldest king of our set confirms he’s coming 🙄
Giselle: Can’t wait to see everyone together again… this is gonna be insane 💖
Kiss: I second that 😘
Student_01: Yes!! Reunion hypeeee 🎉
Student_02: Gonna be epic! 🌎✈️
Keifer: Lol, this reunion’s already a mess. Can’t wait 😂
Giselle: Same! Can’t wait to see old faces!
Kiss: Okay everyone, final confirmation: Next week, California. Resort TBD. We all good?
Everyone: ✅✅✅
—
Hunter chuckled, scrolling through the messages. He looked at Romeo, who was still running, face set in that unreadable calm.
“Dude… you even reading this stuff?” Hunter called.
Romeo just kept moving, earbuds in, thumb scrolling the treadmill screen after he dropped his phone.
“I thought you wouldn’t want to attend,” Hunter said, breaking the steady rhythm of the treadmill.
“I wasn’t going to,” Romeo replied without looking at him. “Just knew you’d nag me about it.”
Hunter nodded, lips pressing together. He went quiet.
Romeo glanced sideways, noticing it. “I thought you were excited for the trip. Your face looks sour.”
“Bro…” Hunter ran a hand through his damp hair, ruffling it like he always did when he was nervous.
Romeo frowned. He hit the stop button, the treadmill slowing before he stepped down. “What did you do?”
Hunter hesitated. “Sasha and I… we’re having problems.”
“Sasha? You’re dating her?”Romeo turned fully toward him.
“Don’t you know?”Hunter blinked.
“Did you tell me?” Romeo shot back.
Hunter exhaled, defeated. “No.”
“So what happened? Did you cheat on her? That’s expected. You can’t keep your dick in one place.”Romeo crossed his arms.
“Fuck—no, I didn’t cheat.” Hunter groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “It’s worse. Well… I didn’t practically cheat, just—”
“Will you talk?” Romeo snapped, already impatient.
Hunter swallowed. “I got my ex pregnant.”
Romeo stared at him, expression blank, eyes sharp.
“I know you’re holding your laughter. Better keep it in.”Hunter scoffed weakly.
Romeo didn’t laugh. “Okay. So what?”
“I already told her to get rid of the pregnancy,” Hunter said quietly. “But she refused.”
The gym suddenly felt too silent, the hum of machines distant as Romeo continued to stare at him, the weight of Hunter’s words settling hard between them.
Romeo studied him for a long second, jaw tight.
“Does Sasha know?” He asked finally.
Hunter nodded. “Yeah. Billie told her.”
Romeo’s eyes narrowed. “And?”
“She wanted us to break up. Immediately,” Hunter said, his voice rough. “She didn’t even want to hear me out.”
“And you?” Romeo asked flatly.
“I told her I’d fix this,” Hunter said without hesitation. “I can’t lose Sasha.”
Romeo scoffed. “Fix this how?”
“I’ll find a way to make my ex terminate the pregnancy.”Hunter’s lips pressed into a thin line.
“And if she doesn’t?”Romeo asked.
Hunter stepped closer, lowering his voice. He leaned in and whispered something into Romeo’s ear.
Romeo pulled back instantly.
“Hunter….what the f+k? That’s gross.”
Hunter’s face hardened. “I’ll seriously have no other choice. I’ll do it if she refuses to get rid of the pregnancy herself.”
Romeo let out a short, humorless laugh. “That’s wild. Don’t you think there’ll be side effects with the way you’re planning this? I mean, she could die. Not like I care anyway, it’s not my business.”
“She won’t,” Hunter said confidently. “I’ll be careful.”
Romeo shook his head, already turning away. “Whatever. Deal with your shit yourself. Don’t involve me.”
He grabbed his towel and headed for the exit.
“Where are you going?” Hunter called after him.
“I have somewhere to be,” Romeo said without looking back. “With Bianca.”
_____
[𝐒𝐆 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 – 𝐒𝐤𝐲’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞]
Sky sat on the edge of the bed, phone resting loosely in his palm, the screen lighting up his tense face.
His thumb hovered over his messages again—still nothing. No reply. No missed calls.
Hadn’t she seen the news? The scandal was everywhere. Headlines, comments, hate pouring in like rain. And yet Emma, his own girlfriend hadn’t checked on him once.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes drifted to Nancy’s contact name.
He wanted to apologize. He knew he’d crossed a line earlier. He knew she’d been genuinely worried. But pride held him back, heavy and stubborn.
For a few seconds.
Then he hit call.
The line rang.
Once.
Twice.
“I’m quite busy and not in the mood to argue right now.” Nancy said immediately she answered the call.
Sky stiffened. “Nancy, it’s me. Sky.”
“I know,” she replied coolly. “I’m not blind. I saw your name before answering.”
He froze.
For a split second, he wondered if someone else had picked up her phone. This wasn’t the Nancy he knew. The softness was gone. Her voice was sharper, colder like she was pissed.
“Hey… I’m sorry about earlier,” He said carefully.
There was a pause.
“What are you sorry for?” she asked.
“You were genuinely concerned about me. I shouldn’t have treated you that way.”
“So you’re sorry?” she pressed.
“Nancy—”
“You’re not supposed to apologize to me,” She cut in. “It’s Levi you owe an apology to.”
“But I—”
“Can’t do it?” she interrupted again.
Silence.
Sky swallowed, his grip tightening on the phone.
“Honestly,” Nancy continued, her voice firm now, “Levi was only worried about you, and you went ahead and ran your mouth like that to him. He’s an idol too, Sky. Do you think he doesn’t understand the pressure?”
Sky opened his mouth, then closed it.
“I’ll say this,” She went on, not letting up, “…since it seems your fans don’t really know this about you, you have a very ugly personality, Sky.”
The words hit him deep..
His chest tightened. “What can I do to make it up to you?”
“If you want to make it up to me,” She said without hesitation, “…apologize to Levi.”
The call ended.
Sky stared at the dark screen before letting the phone drop onto the bed beside him. He leaned back, exhaling slowly, running a hand through his hair.
“She sounded really angry,” He muttered to himself. “Is she really mad at me because of Levi?”
He frowned, a new thought creeping in, unsettling and unwanted.
“…Wait. Does Nancy like Levi now?” He said quietly. “I thought she liked me?”
The room felt suddenly too quiet.
_____
[𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐢’𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧]
Bianca could feel it the moment they sat down.
The living room was quiet, too quiet, the kind that pressed against your chest. She kept her posture straight, legs crossed neatly, hands resting calmly on her lap—but Romeo saw through it instantly.
“Stop with that nervous act,” he muttered without looking at her. “It’s pissing me off.”
Bianca turned to him slightly, keeping her voice low. “This is your mother, Romeo. This isn’t just anyone.”
“And?” He replied coolly.
“What she says doesn’t matter. I’m only doing this out of the little respect I still have for her as my mother. Whether she likes it or not, her opinion isn’t changing anything. So stop acting like a wimp.”
Bianca exhaled through her nose, jaw tightening.
Footsteps echoed from upstairs.
Romeo’s attention shifted immediately as Hinata descended the stairs, her presence commanding the room before she even spoke.
Bianca rose from the couch the moment she reached the living room.
“Good day, Lady Hinata,” Bianca greeted, her tone calm, respectful, steady.
Hinata didn’t respond right away.
Her gaze dragged slowly over Bianca, from her face to her posture, down to her body, assessing, then dismissing. Only then did she look back at her son.
“Aren’t you going to greet me?” Hinata asked coolly.
“How are you?” Romeo replied, unfazed, his voice flat.
Hinata’s lips curved into something that wasn’t a smile. “Well, I remember asking you to come because I wanted to speak to you. Why is this woman here?”
Romeo leaned back slightly, completely at ease. “I believe you already know why Bianca is here. I don’t like repeating myself, so let’s not pretend this is a surprise.”
The tension thickened.
Hinata turned her attention back to Bianca. “Bianca, can you leave and wait outside? I’d like to speak to my son.”
Bianca didn’t move immediately. She looked at Romeo—not for permission, but for confirmation.
Romeo met her gaze and gave a small, almost careless nod.
“Wait for me outside,” he said quietly.
Bianca stood without hesitation. She didn’t argue. She simply acknowledged the boundary, her chin lifting slightly as she turned toward the door.
As she walked out, the room seemed to tighten further.
The door closed.
Romeo finally stood and turned fully to face his mother.
“Alright,” He said calmly. “Say what you wanted to say.”
—
Outside, the air felt heavier than it had inside the house.
Rias had been there an hour earlier with Hinata. She’d stopped by the leisure wing of the estate to see her grandfather, who was playing billiards with Angelo.
She was just about to slide into her car when the front doors of the main building opened.
Bianca stepped out.
Rias paused mid-movement, eyes narrowing with interest. Slowly, deliberately, she shut the car door again.
“Hm.”
She turned, hips swaying as she cat-walked across the driveway, heels clicking against the stone.
Bianca noticed her almost immediately and stopped short, her expression flattening.
“Well, well,” Rias said sweetly, lips curving. “Hello there, bi+ch.”
Bianca closed her eyes for half a second and exhaled, clearly restraining herself.
“What is it, Rias?” she said calmly. “I don’t have time for you right now.”
She tried to walk past.
Rias shifted at the last second, bumping their shoulders on purpose.
Bianca staggered slightly, catching herself. Her fist tightened. She bit her lip once, then slowly turned back around, eyes sharp now.
“Since you clearly want attention,” Bianca said coolly, “…let me ask you something. Did you say anything to Lady Hinata?”
Rias placed a hand dramatically on her chest.
“Me? Oh no. Of course not.” She tilted her head, feigning innocence. “All I did was tell her how heartbroken I am that my husband left me.”
“Emphasis on husband. Because Romeo was mine first to begin with.”Rias smiled wider.
“Romeo doesn’t even love you. He doesn’t give a f+k about you.”Bianca scoffed.
Rias laughed softly, amused rather than offended.
“Oh really?” She purred. “Did he tell you he was with me last night when you called him? Or did he forget to mention that part?”
Bianca didn’t blink.
“I already knew,” She replied evenly. “I didn’t bother reacting because I trust my boyfriend.” Her lips curved faintly.
“Let me guess, he still left you alone after you tried throwing yourself at him, right?”
The smile on Rias’s face twitched, just slightly.
“Whatever helps you sleep at night,” Rias snapped, recovering quickly. “But the sooner you learn your place, Bianca, the better. He’s your boss and that’s all he’ll ever be to you.”
Bianca laughed under her breath. “Funny. Because last I checked, bosses don’t just bring women like me home to meet their mothers.”
“And did she accept you?” Rias’s eyes darkened.
Bianca sighed.
“There is only going to be one woman by his side,” Rias said coldly, stepping closer, invading Bianca’s space. “And that woman is most definitely not you.”
She leaned in, voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “You want to know why?”
Bianca didn’t move. Her fists clenched at her sides.
“Because Romeo Ryūjin Dragoni,” Rias said slowly, possessively, “…belongs to me.”
Bianca’s gaze hardened.
“You can keep telling yourself that,” She said quietly. “All I see is a woman desperately clinging to a man who was never hers to begin with.”
Rias laughed sharply and raised her hand, tapping Bianca’s cheek lightly. Bianca shoved her hand off and raised her fist.
“What? You want to hit me?” Rias taunted, lifting her chin. “Go on. Do it. And watch hell break loose.”
“Bye, girl.” She stepped back, smirking.
Rias turned, slid into her car, and slammed the door before peeling out of the driveway.
Bianca stood there long after the sound of the engine faded, chest rising and falling, fists still clenched—anger simmering just beneath her calm exterior.
______
“Marriage?” Hinata repeated slowly, disbelief sharpening every syllable. “You’re going to marry her? And why exactly would you do that?”
“Because I want to,” Romeo replied flatly. “Got a problem?”
Hinata let out a short, humorless laugh. “Don’t insult me. That woman is after your influence, your name, your money. Do you honestly believe Bianca loves you?”
“Can we not start this topic?”Romeo dragged a hand through his hair, irritation flashing across his face.
Hinata’s eyes flared.
“Really? We shouldn’t start this topic?” She stepped closer. “Didn’t you fuck other girls before her? What makes her so special then? She’s a slut. A whore.”
“Stop calling her that,” Romeo snapped, voice low but lethal.
“So you really chose her over Rias?” Hinata demanded.
Romeo’s lips curled slightly, not in amusement but contempt. “And what exactly is special about Rias for me to ever look her way, huh?”
Hinata stiffened. “Rias is educated. She’s smart. Sophisticated. A woman with ambition. Bianca is supposed to be under you. You’re her boss.”
He scoffed. “And?”
“I can’t believe you lowered your standards to that thing. Did she manipulate you?”Hinata’s voice rose.
That was it.
“Hinata, just shut up.” Romeo growled, taking a step forward.
The loud sound echoed through the room.
Hinata’s fist collided with his face.
The impact was brutal enough that any other person would have stumbled back, maybe fallen, maybe bled.
Romeo didn’t move an inch. His head barely turned. Slowly, he straightened his neck, eyes straightening to meet hers again, expression unreadable.
Hinata’s chest rose and fell.
“Did you lose your brain cells,” she said coldly, “…or did you forget that I’m still your mother?”
Romeo wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb, more annoyed than hurt. “You done?”
“You’re going to get back with Rias whether you like it or not,” Hinata said sharply.
“And if I don’t?”His gaze hardened.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. She stepped closer, close enough that the air between them felt suffocating.
“Then forget you ever had a mother,” She said without blinking.
“I will disown you, Romeo.”
He stared at her, then gave a short, incredulous laugh. “You’re joking. You can’t do that. I know you too well.”
“Really? Then you don’t know me well enough..Now you’re going to choose, boy….”Hinata leaned in, eyes blazing, voice low and merciless.
She held his gaze, unflinching.
“That woman… or Rias.”
.
.
𝐓.𝐁.𝐂.
