How To Hate Your Husband – Chapter 19&20

HOW TO HATE YOUR HUSBAND

How To Hate Your Husband – Chapter 19&20

{•𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲•}

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒆- 𝐒𝐈𝐍 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐔𝐁𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍.

☆ 𝑶𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝑹𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑵𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒂𝒓𝒃𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆. ☆

©𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

[𝐁𝐚𝐫]

Sasha and Rias sat on high stools by the counter, legs crossed, shoulders almost touching.

The bar pulsed with soft music, low and hypnotic, blue and red lights bleeding into room. Glasses clinked and laughter floated in the background, but it all felt distant, muffled.

Rias was already on her third drink.

She lifted the glass, downed it in one go, then slammed it hard against the counter. The sound cracked sharp, earning a glance from the bartender.

She didn’t care. Her fingers clenched around the rim as if she wanted to shatter it.

Sasha turned toward her, brows knitting.
“Are you okay, girl? You’ve been really gloomy and aggressive since we came here.”

Rias let out a humorless scoff, eyes fixed on the glowing bottles behind the counter.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”Rias scoffed.

Sasha hesitated before asking. “Did you have an argument with Romeo again?”

Rias laughed, short and bitter, turning her head just enough to shoot Sasha a look.
“Why don’t you take a guess.”

Sasha sighed, resting her elbow on the counter.

“Well, are you going to talk or what? I called you here because I wanted to have fun and unwind.” Sasha groaned.

Rias inhaled slowly, then exhaled just as hard, like she was bracing herself. She reached for the bottle, poured another drink without waiting, the liquid sloshing dangerously close to the rim.

“Romeo and I are getting a divorce,” She said flatly.

Sasha froze.

“You’re what?” Her eyes widened. “Has it really gotten to that stage?”

Rias didn’t answer. She lifted the glass again, drank, her throat working as she swallowed.

Silence stretched between them, thick and uncomfortable.

Sasha broke it with a soft chuckle.
“Well… lucky you then. You always wanted out of that marriage.”

That made Rias turn fully. Her gaze was sharp, wounded.

“Unless, I didn’t want out,” She said quietly. Then, after a second, her voice dropped. “At least… not anymore.”

Sasha blinked, leaning closer. She lifted a hand and lightly pressed it to Rias’s forehead.

“Huh?” She teased gently. “You okay, girl?”

Rias didn’t respond. She only raised her glass again, drinking like the burn might drown whatever was tightening in her chest.

Rias stared into her glass, fingers tight around it, knuckles pale.

“Rias…?”

“I… I don’t know, Sasha.. After I found out that he was a Yakuza and that someone tried to kill me and he saved my life. I don’t know… I—”

She cut herself off, lifting the glass and draining the drink in one go.

“You wanted to repay the kindness or what?” Sasha asked, watching her closely.

“I was able to make sense of the reason he gave those rules in the first place. But he should’ve told me and been clear with it. I felt so stupid.” Rias scoffed softly.

Sasha leaned her elbow on the counter. “So… what does all this have to do with a divorce?”

“Apparently, he claims to love some other woman and wants to marry her, so he needed to dispose of me.” Rias let out a humorless laugh.

“Really? Who’s this person?”Sasha’s brows shot up.

Rias’s fist tightened. “Some whore named Bianca.”

“Rias, your language,” Sasha muttered.

“What?” Rias snapped, slamming the base of her glass lightly against the counter before pouring herself another drink.

“That’s exactly what she is. She’s his whore. She must be feeling special because she fucks him. Goodness, I have a headache.”

Rias pressed her fingers briefly to her temple.

“So since he loves someone else, what does that have to do with you?” Sasha asked.

Rias turned to her slowly, eyes narrowed.

“You’re really clueless after everything I just told you? C’mon, Sasha, I know you’re smarter than that.” She whined, voice cracking just a little.

“Well, can’t I be clueless?” Sasha replied, even though she already knew.

“Fine. I know you want to hear it from my mouth. I like him. Happy now?” Rias rolled her eyes.

For a second, Sasha just stared. Then she burst out laughing, so hard she had to slide off her stool to steady herself.

“Sasha, this isn’t funny,” Rias muttered.

“For someone who was with you when you were boiling in rage during the marriage announcement,” Sasha said between laughs, “….this version of you… is this is really funny.”

Rias frowned deeply. Sasha climbed back onto her stool and placed a hand on Rias’s shoulder.

“So Rias Gremory… finally likes a guy?” Sasha teased. “This needs to be recorded in the books. I never thought I’d live to see this day.”

“Hey, don’t make fun of me,” Rias said quietly. “You’re the only one I can talk to right now.”

“Fine, fine,” Sasha said, softening, settling back in her seat. “So why’d you agree to the divorce? You could easily say no.”

Rias’s grip loosened around her glass. “He was going to marry Bianca regardless, as a second wife. I can’t even imagine being in that house with them.”

“That sucks,” Sasha said gently. “So what are you going to do? It’s the first guy you actually like and it has to end like this? Sucks.”

Rias leaned forward against the counter, biting her lower lip hard. Her eyes shimmered despite her effort to keep them steady.

“Hey…” Sasha murmured, stroking Rias’s hair when she noticed the glassiness in her eyes.

Rias turned her face away, staring at the bottles instead.

“It’s okay to feel sad, you know,” Sasha said softly. “You’re human, not some robot without feelings.”

Rias inhaled shakily. “I didn’t know it was going to hurt this much. All I want to do right now is actually hate him. I want to loathe him, but I can’t find that hatred anymore…”

Tears slid down her cheeks before she could stop them.

She wiped them away quickly and turned back to Sasha, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Let’s not talk about me anymore. We came here to have fun. I’m going to get a divorce tomorrow and that’s it. Romeo and I were never meant to be anyway.”

“Rias…” Sasha started.

“Don’t give me that look,” Rias cut in, already lifting her glass again.

She drank.

______
[𝐇𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥]

Billie paced from the window to the bed and back again, her shoes clicking nervously against the floor.

She kept checking her phone, fingers twitching, breath uneven.

The door finally opened.

Hunter stepped in without urgency, his expression blank. Before he could even shut the door, Billie rushed him, arms wrapping tightly around his neck like she’d been starving for weeks.

“I missed you,” She breathed. “It’s been almost a month since you left Tokyo. I’m so glad you’re back.”

He didn’t hug her back.

Instead, he pushed her off with a firm shove, not violent but unmistakably rejecting.

“What is it?” he asked flatly.

Billie stumbled back a step, annoyance flickering before she masked it with a forced smile. “I said I missed you. Is that a crime now?”

Hunter looked around the room as if she were background noise. “Why am I here?.”

She scoffed. “You disappeared without a word. What did you expect me to do?”

“I’ve been busy,” She continued quickly, filling the silence. “Managing a kid at the agency isn’t easy, especially after his album dropped. I barely sleep. But I said I’d make time, didn’t I? I promised.”

That finally made him look at her.

“You’re going to have to stop calling me,” He said calmly. “Stop expecting anything from me. Didn’t we break up months ago?”

Billie’s smile cracked.

“Oh, that,” She snapped. “Yeah, you broke up with me but you still found joy in fucking me.”

Hunter didn’t flinch.

“You threw yourself at me,” He replied lazily. “What was I supposed to do? Say no? Are you that daft?”

Her jaw tightened, eyes flashing. She stepped closer, fingers brushing his chest. “But you didn’t say no. Because you still want me.”

“Get your hands off me.”

The sharpness in his voice stopped her cold.

“I have a girlfriend,” He went on. “And I’m not cheating on her with you. I don’t want to see you near me again. Don’t call me. Don’t disturb my peace.”

He turned toward the door.

Billie’s breath hitched. Panic replaced anger in an instant.

“Even if I told you I’m carrying your child?”

Hunter froze mid-step.

Slowly, he turned back.

“What did you say?”

She swallowed hard, but her chin lifted defiantly. “I’m pregnant, Hunter. And you’re the father.”

His first reaction wasn’t shock.

It was laughter.

“You’re lying,” He said, shaking his head. “I always use protection.”

“Oh, yes,” she replied bitterly. “Until someone makes sure the condom leaks.”

Silence dropped.

“You think I’m lying?” Billie dug into her bag with trembling hands, pulling out a brown file. She shoved it into his chest. “Read it.”

Hunter opened it, eyes scanning the page. Medical terms he barely cared to understand. Dates. Numbers.

His gaze paused at the conclusion.

“A month pregnant,” He muttered.

“You read it right,” she said quickly, hope creeping into her voice. “So you’ll take responsibility now, won’t you?”

He looked up at her, expression chillingly calm.

“One week.”

She blinked. “What?”

“I’m giving you one week,” He said, stepping closer, his presence suddenly suffocating. “To terminate that thing inside of you.”

Her face drained of color.

“Or,” He leaned in, voice low and merciless, “…you won’t like what I do next.”

Billie stared at him, disbelief and terror warring on her face.

He turned and walked out without another word.

The door closed softly behind him.

Billie sank onto the edge of the bed clenching her fists.

_____
[𝐊𝐨̄𝐫𝐲𝐮̄ 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬]

The lamp cast a warm, deceptive glow over Romeo’s room, soft light pooling across tiled floor.

Romeo stood by the desk, sleeves rolled up. Bianca placed the printout carefully on the surface, smoothing the paper as he went through it.

“Osaka?” He said, eyes scanning the page. “He goes there every month?”

“Yes.” Bianca tapped the column of figures.

“Receipts,debit transactions, repeated withdrawals. Large consistent sum of money to purchase whatever it is. Whoever she is, he’s been funding her life and there’s a possibility it’s his mom.” She said.

Romeo’s lips pressed into a thin line. “So he’s been hiding her there.”

“What now?” She asked.

“We’ll wait,” Romeo said after a moment.

“Once it’s the time for him to go this month, that’s when we’ll leave too. I want to be able to confirm that it’s really Diana he’s hiding there. Might be just one of his mistress.”He said.

Bianca nodded, then hesitated.

“Do you think Haru knows?” She asked carefully. “About what his mother did to you?”

Romeo’s eyes darkened, his fingers curling slowly against the edge of the desk.

“It doesn’t matter,” He said flatly. “Whether he knows or not changes nothing. Finding her comes first.”

He turned away from the documents.

“She’s been free for too long, 17 years is more than enough for her to think she actually got away with what she did.” He continued.

Bianca swallowed. “What are you going to do when you find her?”

Romeo looked at her then, really looked at her. His voice dropped, steady but dangerous.

“What do you think? I do have a long list of things I want to do to her….” He asked.

She met his gaze. “Death is the least painful one amongst whatever it is you’re thinking”

Silence stretched between them.

“Would you do it?” Romeo asked suddenly.

Bianca blinked. “Do what?”

“If I asked you to kill Diana,” He said evenly, “….would you?”

Her answer came without hesitation.

“She’s a rapist,” Bianca said.

“A pedophile and a monster who destroyed a child and walked away.” Her eyes hardened. “If you asked me to end her, I wouldn’t even think twice about doing so.”

Romeo studied her for a long moment, his gaze slow and assessing, like he was weighing something heavy in his mind.

Bianca noticed it immediately.

She arched a brow.
“What?”

“Come.”

He simply reached for her hand, fingers closing around her wrist with quiet authority, and led her toward the bed.

“Is there a problem?” she asked, cautious.

“Rias and I agreed to get a divorce.”

Bianca blinked. “A divorce? Really?”

“Yes.” His voice was flat, decisive. “It’s the best decision. I won’t have you living like an extra in my life. You deserve better than that.”

Her lips parted slightly. “But your parents… especially Lady Hinata.”

“Don’t worry about them,” he said dismissively. “You should worry about how to be a good wife.”

Her breath caught. “A good wife? Romeo… that’s sudden.”

His gaze snapped to her.

“Why? You don’t want to get married?” There was a sharp edge beneath the calm in his voice . “If you don’t want to, then say it.”

“No,” She said quickly.

“That’s not it. You still have things to settle. And I want to earn your parents’ approval properly. They’re still my bosses. I don’t want to be seen as just someone who works for their son.”

He nodded once.

“How about you?” she asked quietly. “What do you think of me?”

His eyes flicked to hers. “Should I answer that?”

“Yes.”

“What do you think I think of you?”He leaned back slightly.

She went silent.

He already knew.

Romeo stood, the movement abrupt, and walked to the cabinet. He took out a pack of cigarettes, tapping one free before lighting it with a practiced flick.

“Don’t tell me….” He said coolly, smoke curling from his lips, “….that you actually think I see you as a whore.”

Her shoulders stiffened. “You used to call me that.”

“Because I hated the idea of you having feelings for me,” He replied without apology.

“That aside… I’m your first. And you’ve never been with anyone else.” His gaze darkened. “That alone makes you different.”

“That’s deep, coming from you.”She scoffed softly.

“You won’t hear it again anytime soon.” He said.

He moved back to her, stopping between her knees. She had to tilt her head up to look at him. He took a slow drag of his cigarette, eyes never leaving her face.

His free hand slid into her hair, gripping it tightly. His hand moved to her face then his thumb brushed her lips, rough and deliberate.

“I don’t want you thinking I chose you because of s+×,” He said quietly. “Or pity. Or because I need you to satisfy me.”

She swallowed.

“I could reject you and find someone else if I wanted to.” He continued.

“And you’re not a wh0re.” His thumb pressed briefly against her lips, parting them. “If you insist on calling yourself that, then it’s Romeo’s whore. Put a tag on it.”

Her breath shook.

Bianca stood slowly, taking the cigarette from his fingers and inhaling before exhaling a thin line of smoke.

“Sure,” She murmured. “Whatever you want.”

She kissed him.

He didn’t respond at first. His body remained still, unmoving, as if testing her.

Then his hand slid to her waist, grip firm, and he kissed her back—hard, claiming, leaving no room for doubt.

Her fingers fumbled with the buttons of his shirt.

He broke the kiss. “Someone’s getting too excited.”

“I need you,” She said, not stopping.

The shirt came off. She kissed his chest, his neck, her touch reverent and hungry all at once.

Romeo watched her with a dark smirk before she pushed him back onto the bed.

He let her.

She straddled him, kissing him again, and this time his hands were everywhere— her boobs, her ass, her waist, her face…. firm, unapologetic, grounding her against him like he was reminding her exactly where she belonged.

“Mmm.”

A low sound left her lips as he tightened his grip.

_____
[𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲 – 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐤𝐮 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞]

The bell rang, slicing through the lecture hall like a release signal. Chairs scraped against the floor as students poured out in clusters, laughter and chatter filling the corridor.

Nancy stepped out with Ginger beside her, her bag clutched a little too tight against her chest.

Her face was still flushed, eyes darting around as if Sky might suddenly appear out of nowhere.

Ginger glanced at her for the third time since they left the hall.

“I still can’t believe you,” she said, half amused, half stunned. “You accidentally kissed Sky. Sky.”

Nancy groaned softly. “Don’t say it like that. It sounds worse when you say it.”

“How can it sound worse?” Ginger laughed. “Do you know how many girls would sell their soul for that privilege?”

Nancy shot her a look. “It wasn’t a privilege, it was a disaster. It was accidental, I just wanted to take a close look at his face.”

“And your lips suddenly pressed together.” Ginger teased. “Fate works in mysterious ways.”

Nancy buried her face in her palm as they walked down the stairs.

“I’m so embarrassed. I didn’t even wait to see his reaction. I just ran. Like an idiot.”

Ginger nudged her shoulder. “Okay, first of all, running was dramatic, but understandable. Second, you kissed your crush. That’s not something to cry over.”

“What if he’s irritated?” Nancy said, worry spilling out of her voice.

“What if he thinks I did it on purpose? Sky doesn’t look like the forgiving type. He probably thinks I’m some weird girl with no boundaries, I just made it all worse.”

Ginger stopped walking and turned to face her. “Nancy. Look at me.”

Nancy hesitated, then looked up.

“Not everyone gets to kiss the person they like, accident or not,” Ginger said seriously. “You’re lucky. Embarrassed, yes. Mortified, sure. But lucky.”

Nancy bit her lip. “I just… I keep replaying it in my head. His face was so close..”

“Or maybe,” Ginger said with a grin, “…he was stunned speechless because a cute girl kissed him.”

Nancy scoffed weakly. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you’re overthinking,” Ginger replied, looping her arm through Nancy’s.

“If he gets mad at you, you’ll just apologize. If he doesn’t, then congratulations, you survived your first accidental-romance moment.”

Nancy sighed, still uneasy, but a tiny smile tugged at her lips. “I swear, if he avoids me forever cause of it at this rate, I’m going back to Mexico.”

“Hi ladies…” Levi walked toward them.

“Hi.” Nancy smiled.

“Where are you girls going? Do you have classes now?” he asked.

“No. I just need to submit me and Sky’s project… it’s already compiled in hardcopy.” Nancy replied.

“So what are you two doing at the festival?” He pressed.

“A duet.” Nancy said casually.

“Duet? As in you two are… going to sing together?” Levi’s voice carried a hint of disbelief, and inside, a pang of jealousy twisted him.

Ginger’s stomach grumbled loudly, breaking the tension, and Nancy chuckled.

“I’ll go ahead and order food at the cafeteria, submit that stuff, and join me quickly.” Ginger said.

“Okay.” Nancy replied.

“Levi, you coming?” Ginger asked.

“I’ll just walk Nancy, we’ll join you soon.” He answered, eyes fixed on Nancy.

“Okay,” Ginger nodded, and left ahead.

—

Levi waited outside the professor’s office as Nancy went inside. Time dragged slowly, his thoughts tangled with worry and something darker….,jealousy.

After a while, Nancy emerged, her steps quick but calm. She turned to him.

“All done, let’s go,” she said with a small smile.

“Wait…” Levi grabbed her hand before she could walk away.

“Hmm?” she tilted her head, sensing the seriousness in his expression.

“Do you still love Sky?” he asked, his voice low, tinged with hurt.

“Of course, I do. Very much. I can’t really see myself loving someone else.” Nancy said, her tone firm but gentle.

Levi’s jaw tightened. “But he has a girlfriend.”

Nancy fell silent, her eyes briefly flicking away.

“You’re really going to force yourself on him?” Levi asked, his voice sharper now, though controlled.

“I… I don’t know what to do about my feelings. I like the fact that he isn’t yelling at me like usual… so I’ll just keep hoping that maybe he’ll fall in love with me,” she admitted softly.

“Nancy—” Levi started, the frustration in his chest rising.

“Levi, can we not talk about this right now? Please?” Nancy interrupted gently, squeezing his hand.

Levi nodded, reluctantly releasing her hand. He watched silently as she walked away, her figure moving steadily, and something in him clenched, torn in his own conflicting emotions.

Nancy disappeared into the crowd, leaving Levi standing there, a tight knot of jealousy and worry pressing in his chest.

_____
[𝐄𝐦𝐦𝐚’𝐬 𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭]

Sky’s car pulled up outside Emma’s apartment. He stepped out, adjusting his jacket, and let himself in without waiting for her response.

Inside, Emma was lounging on the sofa, scrolling lazily through her phone. She looked up, frowning.

“What are you doing here?” She asked, her voice flat. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

“I haven’t heard from you in a while,” Sky said, taking a step closer, his eyes soft but searching. “I wanted to see you.”

Emma raised an eyebrow, barely hiding her irritation. “I’ve told you, I’ve been busy.. You know how it is.”

Sky’s lips curved into a hopeful smile, and before she could react, he leaned in, aiming for a kiss.

Emma recoiled slightly, holding up a hand. “Sky… I’m not in the mood.”

Her tone was firm, yet tired. He blinked, taken aback, as if he didn’t understand.

“Emma… you’re my girlfriend,” he said, voice low, pleading, a hint of frustration creeping in.

“And? Can’t I have my own space?” she snapped, setting her phone down and sitting up straighter. “I’m not in the mood for any touchy stuff, so… please, just back off.”

Sky frowned, disbelief flickering across his face. “I just… I just wanted to be close to you. I haven’t seen you, talked to you… I miss you.”

Emma leaned back, arms crossed, exhaling sharply.

“Sky… you keep missing the point. I’m right here. We’re talking. That’s enough. You’re… smothering me, honestly. I need space sometimes, okay? Is that so hard to understand?”

Sky blinked, the stubbornness in him refusing to acknowledge the truth in her words. “Space? I don’t care about space right now. I just want you.”

Emma rolled her eyes, her patience thinning.

“ Do you even hear yourself? I’m not feeling this right now. You’re pushing, and it’s annoying. Seriously, sometimes I wonder if you even listen when I talk.”

Sky’s expression softened, confusion and longing mixing in his gaze. “I… I just love you, Emma. I don’t get why you’re pulling away.”

Emma shook her head, leaning back against the couch.

“Love isn’t enough when someone keeps ignoring how I feel. Right now… I’m bored. I’m tired. I’m not in the mood for your love, your kisses, your clinginess. Can you just… let me breathe for once?”

Sky sat frozen, his chest tightening, blind to the growing wall between them. He moved closer again, reaching out.

Emma huffed, holding up her hand once more.

“No. Stop. I mean it. Go sit somewhere, Sky. I need a moment alone, and frankly… you need to realize I’m not here to make you feel better all the time.”

Sky stared at her, heart thudding, still wrapped in his own stubborn love, completely blind to the fact that Emma was slowly slipping away from the affection he insisted on forcing.

“If you’re hungry you can tell me, I can make food for you.” She said, not looking at him.

Her phone rang and she quickly hid the screen after seeing it was Kai.

“I’ll take this call.” She said, walking out in him.

______
[𝐋𝐚𝐰𝐲𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞]

Rafael sat quietly beside Angelo, while Romeo lounged casually in his chair. Rias sat beside Romeo, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

The lawyer cleared his throat. “These are the final divorce papers for Romeo and Rias Dragoni. I need to stress that once signed, there’s no going back. Are you both absolutely certain you want this?”

Romeo leaned back, arms crossed, his expression calm. “Yes. I’m certain.”

He picked up the pen and signed the papers without a second thought, setting it down on the table with deliberate nonchalance.

Rias froze, staring at the blank space where her signature belonged. Her heart pounded. Could she still turn back? Was there even a chance to undo this?

She shook her head slowly, trying to steady herself. She mustn’t look weak. She held the pen in her fingers as she began to write, but then it cracked, the ink stopping mid-stroke.

“The…” she whispered, frustrated.

“Use mine,” Romeo said casually, handing her another pen.

Rias took it, her hands stiff, and finished signing the papers.

Romeo rose first, followed by Angelo. Without a backward glance, they walked out of the office.

Rias sat there for a moment, fists clenched tightly, she sighed.

—

“Son…” Angelo called, trying to get his attention, but Romeo didn’t even look back.

“Romeo!!” Angelo shouted again.

Romeo finally stopped and turned slowly, a smirk tugging at his lips. “What is it, old man?”

“How dare you call me old! Do I look old to you?!” Angelo barked, glaring.

Romeo leaned casually against the desk, arms crossed. “Well… 50 ain’t exactly young.”

“You really sure about your decision? Divorcing Rias?” Angelo pressed, his voice sharper.

“Do I look like a child who doesn’t know what he’s doing?” Romeo replied, his tone cool, almost teasing.

“Actually… yes. Your mom hasn’t heard about this… You know exactly how she is when she’s pissed off, Romeo. That side of her is what I don’t want to see again.” Angelo warned.

Romeo shrugged, unconcerned. “Deal with your wife.”

“You still don’t have our permission to date Bianca.” Angelo shot back, trying to regain control.

Romeo stepped closer, his smirk widening, eyes glinting with defiance. “You know I don’t need your permission to do anything in my life.”

“For clarification’s sake, I’ll bring Bianca over. If after we all meet… whatever your decision is, it still won’t matter. I will do what I want, with whom I want, whenever I want.”

With that, he spun on his heel and walked out, leaving Angelo staring after him, shaking his head in disbelief at Romeo’s bold disrespect and utter sass.

“Just whom exactly did he inherit this attitude from?”Angelo asked himself.

______
[𝐒𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐲 – 𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐘 ] ☆ [𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐧]

The echo of heavy boots filled the marble hallway as guards stood in two rigid lines.

One after another, they bowed deeply, eyes lowered in respect. The doors at the end of the corridor opened, and he walked in without breaking stride.

Derek Parker.

Second in command of the Black Fang Clan, the most powerful Mafia clan in Italy.

Don Matteo stood by the large desk, a glass of whiskey in his hand, watching his son with open satisfaction.

“You’re finally back,” Matteo said.

“Of course, Father,” Derek replied calmly. He removed his coat and handed it to a waiting aide. “I said it would only take two days.”

Matteo laughed, pleased. “I heard the reports from our men. Good job, son. Very good job.”

Derek’s lips curved slightly. “You know I’m your son. I don’t fail.”

Matteo walked closer, pride clear on his face. “Seventy clans. You wiped out and took over 70 Mafia clans spread across Europe in just two days.”

“It was piece of cake trust me.” Derek said evenly.

Matteo nodded.

“Now Black Fang is the only ruling clan in Europe…..” He turned back toward the window, staring out at the city

Derek didn’t interrupt. He already knew where this was heading.

“We’ve succeeded in taking over the Mafia world in Europe,” Matteo continued. “So our next target is Asia. We need to neutralize Korea, Hong Kong, Mumbai and finally… Tokyo.”

Derek folded his arms. “If we’re starting Asia, Tokyo has to come first.”

Matteo turned sharply. “The Yakuza.”

“Yes,” Derek said. “They’re not like the others. Those bastards are ruthless and well structured. They’re not an easy opponent.”

“What clan is the largest amongst them?” Matteo asked.

“The Ryukai,” Derek replied.

“Oh, I know them. Bloody old days, Rafael Gremory and Angelo Dragoni were tough bastards and Angelo’s wife, Hinata. Beautiful woman. Deadly too.” Matteo scoffed lightly.

“They’re retired,” Derek said flatly. “You should really stay updated with the news.”

Matteo raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Their son has been running the clan for almost six years now,” Derek continued. “Romeo Ryūjin Dragoni.”

Matteo studied his son. “So. Are you scared of him?”

Derek met his gaze without hesitation. “I haven’t met him in person. So I can’t underestimate him.”

Matteo gestured for him to continue.

“Rumors say his men are well trained individually, not just as squads.” Derek said.

“They don’t rely on numbers. They rely on precision. Romeo rarely goes on missions himself since his men are skilled, which makes him difficult to read. His strength and his weaknesses are unknown as well.”

Matteo smiled slowly. “A mystery.”

“And mysteries are dangerous,” Derek added.

“So if we’re launching an attack on Asia,” Matteo said, voice lowering, “…we start with the Yakuza in Tokyo.”

“Yes,” Derek said. “That’s the plan.”

“Any idea how you plan on infiltrating? Those people don’t joke with security.” Matteo walked back to his desk.

Derek’s expression remained calm. Confident.

“Don’t worry,” He said. “I already have a spy embedded within one of the Yakuza clans.”

Matteo’s eyes widened slightly. “You’re sure about your source?”

“I wouldn’t bring it up if I wasn’t,” Derek replied. “When the time comes, Tokyo will fall faster than they expect.”

Matteo raised his glass. “To Black Fang.”

Derek nodded once. “And to the fall of the Ryukai.”

______
[𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐲’𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧] – 6PM

Rias stepped slowly into the house, her hands clutching the straps of her bag.

The line of maids trailed behind her, carrying boxes and bags, silently giving her space.

“Big sis?” Nancy’s voice rang out, tinged with shock as she took in the mountain of belongings. “What is all of this…?”

Rias forced a small, tight-lipped smile but said nothing, her gaze fixed on the floor.

Downstairs, Rafael appeared, walking toward her with steady, calm steps. His presence was a quiet anchor.

He reached her and smiled softly. “It’s okay… don’t blame yourself. If you two aren’t meant to be… it’s fine.”

Rias’s lip trembled. Her eyes, rimmed red, threatened to spill over. Without a word, she dragged her feet closer and wrapped her arms around him, holding on as if she’d never let go.

“I know…” Rafael murmured, his hands resting lightly on her back. “I saw how you felt when signing the divorce papers.”

That was all it took. She lost it completely, burying her face against him as tears streamed freely down her cheeks. The quiet house was filled with her muffled sobs.

“Why didn’t you realize it earlier, huh? You two were so busy hating each other…” Rafael’s voice was gentle, trying to soothe.

Rias shook her head against his chest. “I thought… I thought I hated him.”

She cried harder, her shoulders shaking.

“It hit me like a dagger when I heard him say he loves her… I should’ve fought. I should’ve done everything to make him stay. Why… why did I agree to the divorce?”

Rafael’s hand patted her back in steady, comforting strokes.

“C’mon, you know how he is. Once he makes a decision, he doesn’t listen to anyone, and I don’t want to force him.” He said.

“But he’s such a jerk!” She wailed, pulling back slightly to glare at nothing.

“I thought he married me because he wanted to teach this kiddo a lesson… so why did he give up so easily? Does he think he can just discard me like I’m nothing?”

“He loves her, my foot!” She screamed, tears blinding her.

Rias wiped her cheeks, her hands trembling. “I’m going to get him back… He must be living in some delusion if he thinks I’ll just let him throw me out after finding no use for me anymore…”

“Rias…” Rafael said softly.

But she didn’t answer. She took a deep breath, turned on her heel, and fled up the stairs.

____

The door shut behind her, and the room fell into a suffocating silence. The maids quietly retreated, leaving Rias alone with her thoughts.

She tossed her bag onto the bed, the impact dull but angry, and walked straight toward the vanity.

Her reflection stared back at her in the mirror, puffy eyes, tear-streaked cheeks, lips pressed tight with fury.

Her hand slammed into the table.

“Arghhh!!” she screamed, the sound tearing out of her chest.

“I was willing to give that fucking marriage a chance!” she snarled at the mirror. “You agreed to marry me, didn’t you? Huh?!”

Her breath came fast, uneven.

“Fuck you… fuck you if you think you can actually be happy after making me feel this way.” Her voice cracked, then hardened.

“You think you can just walk away?”

She laughed bitterly. “You think I’ll let you have fun with her? Marry her? My foot.”

Her eyes burned.

“She’s nothing but a whore to you, she’s a bitch!! A slut!” Her fingers curled into fists.

“You’re mine, Romeo… you’re mine.”

In one swift motion, she grabbed the vase from the table and hurled it at the mirror.

CRASH.

The glass splintered, cracks spreading like veins across her reflection. A sharp sting tore through her palm as shards sliced her skin.

Blood dripped down her hand, splashing onto the floor.

She didn’t care.

Her chest rose and fell violently as she stared at the broken mirror, her blood staining the glass.

The door burst open.

“Sis…?” Nancy froze in the doorway.

Rias turned slowly.

Nancy’s breath caught in her throat. That look—cold, burning and terrifying.

The same aggressive look Rias had when she had already dead set on getting what she wants by any means necessary.

Rias looked away again, pressing her bleeding palm against the cracked mirror. She dragged it downward, leaving a crimson smear across her fractured reflection.

“I’ll have you back, Romeo…” she whispered, a low, twisted chuckle slipping from her lips.

Her eyes gleamed darkly.

“……even if I have to drag you to the depths of hell.”

.

.

.

.

𝐓.𝐁.𝐂.