Chapter 216: Bruised Faith

The limousine was silent.

Leitana sat stiffly against the plush leather seat, her hands folded tightly in her lap. She was dressed in a beautiful, elegant black gown that flowed gracefully over her small baby bump, modest yet sophisticated, with delicate lace sleeves and a soft neckline. Her curly hair had been styled into an intricate updo with a few soft tendrils framing her face, pinned with small crystal clips that caught the light. She looked every bit the wife of a powerful man, but inside, she felt like she was falling apart.

Ravial sat a few paces away from her on the same seat, legs crossed, one arm resting on the door. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, looking every inch the untouchable billionaire. His blindfold was in place as always, but the silence between them was louder than any words.

Marita sat opposite them, looking stunning in a deep emerald green dress that complemented her warm skin tone. Her curls were styled in a loose, voluminous way, and she kept shifting uncomfortably, clearly sensing the thick tension in the car.

Avery had chosen not to attend the showcase tonight. The world still didn’t know she was a twin, or that Ravial was married to Leitana instead of her. That revelation was being saved for the press conference Ravial had planned. Until then, they couldn’t be seen together publicly.

Marita glanced between them, then cleared her throat. “Mi will go inside and meet the others,” she said softly, offering Leitana a small, encouraging smile. She opened the door and stepped out, leaving them alone.

The moment the door closed, Leitana’s hands rubbed together nervously. She was exhausted. She had barely slept since that nightmare about the wolf and Arabella. Every night she woke up gasping, heart racing, feeling like something was hunting her. During rehearsals, she could barely focus. Her guards followed her everywhere, making sure she left straight after class. And Ravial… he had been so distant. He slept beside her, but there were no soft kisses, no warm embraces.

Just a cold distance.

She couldn’t take it anymore.

“Mi Ravial…” she whispered, voice cracking. “Plis… look at mi.”

Ravial didn’t move at first. Then, slowly, he turned his head toward her.

Tears spilled down Leitana’s cheeks. “Please… please I’m sorry. Talk to mi. Yell at mi. Anything. Just… don’t shut mi out like this. Mi can’t breathe without you.”

For a long, agonizing second, he simply stared at her through the blindfold.

Then, in one swift motion, he yanked her across the seat and into his lap. Leitana gasped as she collided with his chest. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder, body trembling as she clung to him like he was her lifeline.

Ravial’s arms closed around her tightly, almost bruising one hand pressing her head against him, the other splayed possessively across her back. He didn’t speak. He just held her.

Leitana stayed in his lap, crying quietly against his neck. “Mi so sorry… mi so so sorry…”

Ravial said nothing. He simply held her tighter.

Leitana stood in front of the bathroom mirror, hands trembling as she took deep, calming breaths. Her performance was coming up soon, and her nerves were shot. She pulled out the small rosary she always kept around her neck, clutching it tightly.

She closed her eyes and whispered the prayer, voice shaky but sincere.

“Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.”

She repeated it softly, eyes squeezed shut. “Mother Mary… please give mi strength. Mi a virtuous woman. Please intercede for me. Papa God… if you no speaking to mi right now, please… help mi.”

The bathroom door suddenly opened.

Sabrina and two of her friends stepped inside, laughing about something until their eyes landed on Leitana. Sabrina’s gaze dropped to the rosary in her hands, and her lips curled into a mocking smile.

“Well, well,” Sabrina drawled, stepping closer. “What’s this? A little prayer before you embarrass yourself on stage again?”

Leitana quickly tucked the rosary away and turned to leave. “Please move, Sabrina.”

Sabrina blocked her path, smirking. “Hmmm, what a pretty little rosary. You actually believe in that stuff?.”

Leitana tried to step around her, but Sabrina’s friends moved in, grabbing her arms.

“Give it back,” Leitana said, voice shaking as they yanked the rosary from her neck.

Sabrina held it up, flicking it with disgust. “Pathetic. You think some beads and prayers are going to help you? Newsflash, God isn’t real, and even if He was, He doesn’t care about charity-case nobodies like you. You’re only here because your rich husband bought your spot. Everyone knows it.”

Leitana’s eyes filled with tears. “Give it back. Please.”

Sabrina laughed coldly. “Everyone out there is going to see you for what you really are, a nobody who can’t even play the piano properly. But of course the school will look the other way because of who you’re married to. How does it feel knowing you’re just a pretty little trophy wife?”

Sabrina slapped her hard across the face. Leitana stumbled back, cheek stinging.

Then Sabrina threw the rosary on the floor and stomped on it repeatedly, grinding her heel into the beads.

Leitana screamed, lunging forward, but Sabrina’s friends pushed her hard. She fell to the floor, knees hitting the tiles.

The girls laughed as they walked out, leaving Leitana on the ground.

She crawled forward, tears streaming down her face, and picked up the damaged rosary with shaking hands.

“I’m so sorry…” she whispered to God, voice breaking. “Mi so sorry for the words they said about You…”

She stood up slowly, walked to the sink, and washed the spit from her face with cold water. Her reflection looked pale, eyes red, but there was a quiet fire in them now.

She was not going to let them break her.

The showcase was about to begin.