The marriage

Every step into the room revealed new surprises.

The wardrobes were filled with designer clothes I had only ever seen in glossy magazines. Rows of sandals, bags, and makeup—all so elegant and sophisticated—had me silently thanking God again and again for this unexpected blessing.

"Madam, please don't close your eyes," Julie said, her voice strained as she tried to apply eyeliner on my lids.

I'm a complete novice at this. I've never tried makeup before and was terrified they'd catch on if they noticed my trembling hands. So, I let them handle it instead.

Although reluctant, Julie finally agreed to do my makeup, but it was quickly clear that makeup isn't something you can take lightly.

After thirty minutes of struggle, Julie had managed to draw… clouds on my eyelids.

Looking at the odd swirls in the mirror, I sighed. "Alright, it seems makeup isn't in the cards for me today."

"Um...you...you're beautiful, madam. If...if you want, you can look stunning with just some basic touches," Tina said, pressing her lips together nervously.

Tina is a kind girl. She shared her story with me—how she's the eldest sibling, living with her grandmother and younger brother. Her grandmother is too frail to work, so Tina bears the responsibility of earning for her family.

"How about you help me with the basics, then?" I said in my best attempt at a cold, commanding tone, maintaining my facade.

Tina flinched slightly at my words but quickly dropped to her knees in front of me, her hands moving over my face in a way I didn't fully understand.

"When was the last time I went to a spa?" I muttered under my breath.

Tina worked carefully, her hands trembling slightly as she applied the makeup. She kept gulping nervously, clearly scared of making a mistake.

Julie, however, was not pleased. "Madam, you never liked such minimal makeup," she said, her displeasure written all over her face. Her frowning brows and tightly clenched dress made her disapproval clear.

After a while, Tina finally stepped back, looking tense as she anxiously tried to read my reaction.

I opened my eyes and inspected her work. To my surprise, I was more than satisfied. She had skillfully hidden my dark circles and added just a touch of blush with a light eyeliner. It was simple yet perfect.

"Good," I said, keeping my voice neutral even though I wanted to jump up and thank her.

My words seemed to lift a weight off Tina's shoulders. She let out a deep sigh of relief. "Th...thank you, madam," she stammered.

---

At the dining table, Arthur, Felix, and Lucifer were seated, but Heli's eyes were fixated on the staircase.

"Mom, is something wrong?" Arthur asked.

Heli quickly shook her head. "Oh no…no, there's nothing, son. Are you hungry? There's just one last dish that hasn't arrived yet. Just wait a little longer."

Her gaze flickered back to the staircase.

---

Lucifer's POV

The Valentine family—one of the most prominent and influential families in Russia.

They are known as business tycoons, with Arthur Valentine, my boss, reigning as the emperor at the top of this vast empire.

His influence stretches into both the black market and legitimate politics, making him a dominant force in both the underworld and the corporate world.

Boss was once the most sought-after bachelor in Russia. Women practically threw themselves at him, but he never showed interest in any of them. Work was his sole focus.

His days revolved around endless meetings and late-night shifts, a routine he followed religiously—until that fateful night.

A rainy night changed everything. An accident took away his ability to walk, leaving him confined to a wheelchair.

After the accident, Madam Heli became increasingly concerned about her son's future. She started urging him to consider marriage, hoping it would bring some happiness back into his life.

Boss, after much persuasion, finally agreed—only to make his mother happy.

To his surprise, Madam Heli revealed that he was already engaged, and the bride-to-be was none other than Diva Harper, the reigning queen of the entertainment industry.

Diva Harper—a name synonymous with success, beauty, and controversy. In the entertainment world, she's referred to as the "Cold Devil," infamous for her ruthless demeanor. There's even a rumor that she once slapped a famous director for criticizing her wardrobe choices.

When she learned about the engagement, she didn't hold back. She blatantly declared on Boss's face that she would never marry a man who couldn't even stand on his own two feet.

Her words were a severe blow to the Valentine family's reputation, but Madam Heli wasn't deterred.

Harper's grandfather stepped in, declaring that if she refused the marriage, she would be cut off from his will and legacy.

Desperate, she begged her grandfather to reconsider, but the old man stood firm. Left with no other option, she eventually agreed to the marriage.

But the drama didn't end there. After the wedding, Harper did everything in her power to ruin Boss's reputation.

Whether it was shouting at him in public or attending formal events with other men, she didn't miss a single opportunity to humiliate him.

Yet, despite everything, Boss never held her accountable for anything.

What infuriates me the most is Madam Heli's unwavering support for her, even after all she's done.

That woman doesn't deserve the Valentine name.