Chapter 146 - Emma And Persephone

"Emma got married?" Persephone asked in shock when she heard Sophia who was sitting next to her. She and Nico had also come to Richard's funeral. 

Sophia nodded her head. "You see the tall and dark Italiano God standing next to her?"

Persephone turned her head to look at the man standing next to Emma. He truly was an Italian God. She had never seen a man so gorgeous before. Well, Emma at least got a man who could defeat anyone in the looks department by dumping Salvatore. 

Sophia was still bitter that Emma dumped her brother on the altar. But she didn't understand that it was way better than the marriage filled with bitterness. Momentary bitterness was better than eternal one. 

"I heard he is a scholar or some white-collared man," Sophia then added. Her tone was condescending but Persephone didn't say anything. 

Weren't white-collared employees leading a respectable life? What's with her condescending such people? But what could she say? Her sister was used to the luxurious life that being the daughter of Alessandro Marino and later the wife of Nicolas Scuderi could afford. 

"White-collared?" Santiago raised his brow, quite amused. His gaze lingered on the familiar man dressed in a fine black suit. If these ladies knew the offer he received from the King just to have Killian join the research team, would they still call him a mere white-collar worker? Not that he was looking down upon white-collar employees. It was just that Sophia Marino's attitude was laughable. 

"He is a professor at a university in Las Vegas," Salvatore replied this time, surprising many people. Another speculation. To be honest, it was not speculation but the result of his report. 

'Professor now?'Santiago inwardly shook his head. Well, he functioned as a professor for a few months back in Maisean empire. But it was for a short time as Killian, the lover of silence, was annoyed by those rebellious university students. 

…

"Percy, are you okay?" Emma asked with a smile. Once they were done with the ceremony, she found Persephone standing alone, looking all pale and nervous. 

Persephone nodded with a smile. She just came from the washroom, puking all the food that she had confused. The smell of alcohol in the air was making her dizzy. Thankfully, no one was here to ask her questions. 

"Quite alright, " Persephone then said. She hugged the other woman and started making small talks. "I heard you got married." 

Emma seemed to have a sad expression on her face. She then asked in a whisper, "Do you hate me now?" 

Emma had been tormenting her mental health by thinking how much she hurt her family by taking that step even if she didn't regret her. Her mom.called her the reason for her father's death. But she knew the truth. Her mom was not blaming her for the death of Richard Costas but the fact that he announced her as his heir, leaving her mother with nothing but the house and several million dollars for her old age expenses. 

Emily Costas even called her husband a fraud who was married to her just for money. She wondered if she should tell her mother that it wasn't Killian but her husband who trapped him in this marriage. 

She didn't mind a middle-class life as long as she had money. Not everyone needs to be rich to become happy. 

Persephone sighed out, "Why would I? Of all people, I can understand your dilemma the best. What was the point in getting stuck in a marriage that is going to give you nothing but shackles and lifelong pain? You not only saved yourself but Salvatore too."

Truth be told, Salvatore and Emma were never a good match. Poor Emma transferred from being Lucien's fiance to Salvatore's. It was true that she fell for Salvatore first but people fell out of love the same way they fell in it. 

If Emma and Salvatore had really gone married as Don Marino hoped. Not only two but many lives would have been shattered. 

In all honesty, Salvatore and Emma were never meant to be together.

"Come sit. You don't look very fine to me right now," Emma told Persephone who nodded and then occupied the nearby seat along with her. 

Persephone found her head heavy. This morning sickness was sucking the life out of her. Valencia had advised her to be in a good mood all the time or she would suffer these symptoms more often. 

And you know what hurts the most? 

Even after almost dying with these symptoms...her tummy was flat as ever. Aside from a tiny bulge, there was no meat on her stomach. 

Now sitting on the chair, she realised a bit. She would ask Valencia why she was as skinny as ever the next time she met her. 

"Does your husband treat you well? If not tell me, I will ask Sal to kick his ass. This is the least he could do for hurting you all these years," Persephone said as she found Emma deep in thought. Alright, she wasn't a big fan of Emma. But these women were still closer than anyone. So, they understand each other well. 

Emma smiled at her suggestion and shook her head. Persephone still hadn't changed a bit. It was good that she looked better than the last time she saw her. Well, it hadn't been many days. A month at most… 

"He is surprisingly good to me. In fact, he is very good. He is very observant and takes care of me even when I forgot to, "Emma told her with a fond smile. She paused for a moment before sighing…"I won't say I am happy...but I am not sad either … All I can say is ...my life is better than before. At Least, I have something to look forward to. I'm finally free of this cage." 

The last part was added with a bitter smile. 

"These men will never understand how much we women hate this life, "Persephone said to her. "They stain their hands with blood. And when you ask them to stop doing it. They preach how they are doing it for their families. When in reality, they are doing nothing but bringing pain to their family." 

What kind of woman would ask her husband to give her diamonds by painting their hand in someone's blood? What kind of son would ask his father to give him money by selling the white poison that is destroying the lives of all the other children? 

She let out a mocking laugh," When will they understand that all we want is some familial love… we don't want war. We don't want to be the party of these wars ...and neither do we wish to bear the aftermath for them…But I think this is what marrying them means-- to bear the aftermath of their deeds." 

No one could better understand it other than Persephone. If not for her father, she wouldn't have found her pregnant with a child whose father was unknown even to her. If he hadn't taken the lives of innocents, Santiago wouldn't have trapped her in this unwanted marriage either. If he had been confident enough to accept his true feelings for Lorenzo, that crazy man wouldn't have killed Penelope and Lucien in jealousy. If he was not such a cower and had stopped proving his masculinity to himself, he would not have treated Carina like animals. Carina was nothing but a means to convince himself that he was a man enough. 

Everyone was facing the consequence of their actions but them. 

"I wonder if my mom feels the same," said Emma while a tear fell from the corner of her eye."Dad worked too much. He had expectations from me. But I couldn't make them true. I wonder if he hated me for taking that step. However, I swear that I always loved them. It was just that I couldn't bear to stay here anymore. I was tired of everything." 

Persephone patted her back. "You shouldn't feel bad for the things you have done. I know you will bear the consequences of your actions proudly and happily. So please eliminate this thought out of your head. It ain't worth your tears. And they don't deserve your tears, Emma. Trust me." 

Richard and Emily had never cared for anything except their face all their life. 

"You are right," Emma said but more tears fell from her eyes. "I can't just stop crying…" 

Persephone was helpless. She didn't know how to console a crying adult. Emma's beautiful face was a mess. The mascara that she might have applied was leaking from the corner of her eyes, smearing all over her cheeks. 

Before Persephone could do or say anything, a tall figure appeared. Throwing a glare in her direction, he hugged Emma and wiped her face with the utmost tenderness. 

His action made Persephone loss for words. 

Why was he looking at her as if she was his greatest enemy?