Chapter 12: Morning Drama
Morning sunlight breached the heavy velvet curtains, falling squarely on Agatha's face.
The woman stirred slowly beneath the silk duvet, blinking to adjust to the incoming light. As her consciousness gathered, the first thing she sensed was the strong scent of musk and mint.
She turned her head. The side of the bed next to her was already empty. But the sheets there were messy, a sign that the occupant had experienced a restless sleep last night.
Agatha smiled crookedly, recalling the events of the previous night. The frustrated Xavier, the bathroom door being slammed, and the sound of a cold shower running for nearly an hour or perhaps longer.
"Good morning, Mrs. Valois," Agatha murmured to herself. "The score is one to zero."
Agatha got up and walked toward the large mirror. She swept back her hair. On her slender neck, several reddish-purple marks made by Xavier were clearly visible.
"Perfect," whispered Agatha. "The props for this morning's drama are ready."
Agatha glanced at the torn wedding dress she had slept in. Without hesitation, she stripped off the expensive fabric that had become trash and threw it into the corner of the room. In its place, she put on a sheer silk house robe with a low collar. It was a strategic choice to showcase the marks of ownership on her neck.
Agatha chuckled, looking forward to the scene she was about to create. Her steps were steady as she descended the stairs toward the dining room.
The atmosphere in the dining room felt different this morning. Usually, it was silent and stiff as an empty house, but today there was an aura of tension that tickled the senses.
Melynda Valois sat at the head of the table, spreading strawberry jam on her toast with a bright smile. To her right, Xavier sat with a cloudy face. Faint dark circles were visible under his eyes. The man had already finished three cups of espresso, but his murderous aura had not subsided.
"You look terrible, Son," Melynda commented casually without looking at her son. "Was the mattress not soft enough? Or are you still not satisfied?"
Xavier slammed his cup a little too hard onto the saucer. "Quiet, Mother. Don't start."
"I was just asking. Why are you so sensitive this morning," Melynda chuckled. "Usually newlyweds are glowing, but you look like someone who just lost a high-stakes gamble."
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached.
Dion, who was pouring water, instinctively straightened his posture.
Agatha appeared in the doorway.
Her appearance silenced the room instantly. She now wore a sheer silk house robe with a low collar, deliberately displaying the red marks on her neck very clearly. Her hair was bunched up carelessly, leaving strands falling to frame her weary face.
Agatha walked slowly, very slowly... and limping slightly.
"Good morning," Agatha greeted with a feigned raspy voice.
Melynda immediately lit up. Her eyes swept over Agatha's neck, then down to her limping walk. The middle-aged woman's smile grew wider.
"Oh, my goodness. Good morning, Newlywed," Melynda exclaimed enthusiastically. "Sit down, Dear. Dion. Quick, get an extra cushion for the Young Madam."
"Cushion?" Xavier glanced sharply, almost choking on his coffee. "She doesn't need a cushion."
"Oh, of course I need it," Agatha cut in quickly.
Agatha walked past Xavier's chair. Her slender hand deliberately touched her husband's shoulder briefly, squeezing it gently.
"Thank you, Dion," Agatha said as the butler placed a soft pillow on her chair. She sat down slowly while wincing small, holding her lower back dramatically. "My waist feels like it's about to break."
CLANG.
The fork in Xavier's hand bent.
Xavier stared at Agatha with a look that said: Are you asking for a death wish?
But Agatha replied with a sweet smile, a very sweet one that hid cruel mockery.
"I apologize for coming down late, Mother," Agatha turned to Melynda with an innocent face begging for pity. "Your son... he really showed no mercy last night. His strength was like a monster."
Melynda covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes sparkling at Agatha's words. She looked at her son with pride and amusement.
"Really? Oh, Xavier. Mother already told you to be gentle," Melynda scolded, but her tone was clearly delighted. "Your wife is a human, Son, not a punching bag."
Xavier's face flushed deep red. Not out of embarrassment, but from holding back emotion. He wanted to scream that last night he slept facing the wall while holding back the pain in his groin, while Agatha slept soundly like a baby wrapped in a cocoon of blankets. But if he denied it, his pride as the leader of the underworld and the upper world would be shattered.
"She is exaggerating," Xavier growled, his voice low and dangerous. "It wasn't that bad..."
"Not bad for you, but a disaster for me," Agatha cut in again, pointing at her neck. "Look at this, Mother. He didn't even let me breathe. Xavier was very... savage. Too savage, making me overwhelmed."
The word savage was spoken by Agatha with an emphasis that made Xavier want to flip the table.
"Agatha," Xavier called out coldly. "Eat your bread. Or I will force-feed you until you shut up."
"See, Mother?" Agatha complained again, this time her eyes glassy, displaying Oscar-level acting. "At the dining table alone he is this fierce. Imagine if behind closed doors, he would definitely eat me alive again."
Melynda laughed crisply, a laugh that was free and happy. The sound of laughter echoed in the usually quiet dining room.
"Ah, youth," sighed Melynda while wiping the corner of her eye. "This house is finally alive again. It used to feel like a graveyard because Xavier was too stiff. Thank you, Agatha. You really brought new color."
Agatha smiled sincerely this time. "You are welcome, Mother."
Xavier snorted roughly. He couldn't take it anymore. This situation cornered him. He looked like a crazy predator in his mother's eyes, while in reality, he was the victim of his wife's fraud.
Xavier stood up suddenly, making the chair screech loudly.
"I'm leaving," Xavier said curtly. "Dion, prepare the car."
"Huh? You're not finishing your breakfast?" asked Melynda.
"I am already full," Xavier answered while glancing sharply at Agatha. "I am already full of this morning drama."
Xavier walked with wide strides leaving the dining room.
"Be careful on the road, my Savage Husband," Agatha called out with a cheerful mocking tone.
Xavier didn't turn around, but Agatha could see the man's ears turning bright red. The front door slammed hard.
BLAM.
After Xavier left, Agatha went back to eating her bread calmly. Her back pain suddenly healed completely.
"You are very brave to mock him," commented Melynda while smiling amusedly. "There has never been anyone who could make Xavier that angry without losing their head."
"Xavier needs a little warm-up, Mother," replied Agatha casually. "His life is too serious."
Melynda nodded in agreement. "True. But be careful, Dear. If a lion is teased too often, he might really bite."
Agatha sipped her tea, her eyes flashing challengingly.
"That is exactly what I am waiting for, Mother. I want to see how sharp his bite is. Besides..." Agatha smirked, "...I can bite too."