She replied with her eyes full of sparkle. "Yesterday I heard him shout and threaten your mother. I agree, because Dad surprised me too. "I'm as amazed as you. All my life I've seen him stay silent when my mother started arguing. Even when she scolded and punished me for no reason, all he did was tell me to shut up. He never intervened or confronted Mum. Even Grandfather was surprised. It was terrifying, and not only that. He picked up Grandma and went with her to the room, leaving Mum at Christian's mercy."She exclaims euphorically: "He's my hero, and he's beautiful. Although you don't look like him or your mother. Who did you take after, Bella?""I don't know, I think I'm a little like my grandmother, tall like Dad." It's something that also intrigues me, I don't look like them.After we finished taking a great walk around the property, and my children were tired of riding their ponies, we entered the house. An agency had its employees organising everything they had bought."And
I leap from my chair, pacing back and forth, feeling trapped. It's true, I agreed to a sham marriage, but not to this. For life? No! I can't accept that, we barely know each other! Besides, I have my life planned out, and there's no room for men in my future. I don't want anyone to make my children suffer. Although, I lied to them just now, telling them that this man who's asking to stay with me for the rest of my life wants to be their father, but he's not. Can I marry him just for them? What madness are you thinking, Isabella?"Bella?" Christian calls out. I stop in front of him."We're not in love! How can we live like this, married?" I ask innocently, my mind not working at the moment."Bella, I'm happy with your family," he says, taking my hands and looking me straight in the eyes. "If one day, you find the love you're waiting for, I'll let you go, without any resentment. I promise you that." I don't know what to say. I watch him, release my hands, and resume pacing. I walk to
"Alright, Bella."We go out and go to the children's room. It's a dream come true, they love it and scream happily. I sigh and think that yes, I'm doing the right thing. Christian will be a good father. I look at my grandmother, who smiles happily, and that image alone makes the tightness in my chest and the urge to cry disappear. In the end, I join Marta and dedicate myself to directing the team, to placing things where I want them inside the house.Christian accompanies me happily. Then we all have lunch, like a happy family. Christian and I keep talking about the children. He wants to know everything about them. When I finally bathe them and get them to sleep, I go out onto a beautiful terrace in the matrimonial room. All my new clothes, shoes, jewellery, make-up, in short, everything I use, is equally divided between the closet and Christian's room. I'm amazed to see that they've brought all my things from my house.I sit on a comfortable chair and rock back
After informing my parents that I was leaving, I head to my apartment. I'm so happy that my brother has come up with the idea of getting married. I don't care if it's true or a lie, I'm going to support him as long as he doesn't marry that shameless Adele. She may have blinded my parents, but not me.First, I'm going to go to France, I have to find out what that slut went to do there when she disappeared during the time Chris was in a coma. She said she had gone to do an internship, she's the only one who believes that, she doesn't even know how to speak French. Besides, I have to see if he left any photographs of the girl my brother was in love with at my grandfather's house. Why didn't he ever want to tell me who she was? Now we wouldn't have this problem, nor would I have been tempted to fulfil my promise not to investigate who she was.I finish packing when I hear the doorbell, I look through the peephole and can't believe it, it's mum. I opened the door wh
I will never forgive her and one day I will prove to my parents that they are wrong about her. I know, she is not what she seems, my brother told me so. That's why I'm going there, to make her life hell. If she thinks she's going to be able to trap him with her cheap woman's tricks, she's very wrong! I will not let go of him at all. I will defend you this time, my brother, you won't remember anything, but you have me, I will be your memory.I take out my phone and start checking the news on the entertainment pages. Wow, they really have a good show set up for my brother, ha, ha, ha.... Bravo Chris, you found the best solution! Ha, ha, ha... Isabella Sardino, where have I heard that name before? I started writing her a message."You did well this time, you have my full support.""Really? Do you think it's a good idea?""Yes, my brother. I'm on my way.""When are you arriving so I can wait for you with a surprise at the airport?""I have to go to Fr
I wake early to find Christian's side of the bed empty. I look for him in the bathroom, but there's no sound. So, I slip in for a refreshing shower myself. Afterwards, I tiptoe into the children's room. They're still asleep, the fresh air clearly lulling them into a deep slumber. I continue to Marta's room, where I find her getting ready."What are you doing? Where are you going?" I ask, surprised by her elegant attire. "I hardly recognise you. Are those new clothes?"Marta smiles when she hears me and responds. "Mima bought them for me to wear to work," she explains, still focused on her appearance. "She says I need to dress better, that you and I don't know how to dress ourselves. And since she's so excited about Christian teaching her how to shop online on the tablet he gave her, she can't stop buying things for all of us. Grandpa just watches and smiles. She's changed so much! But she's scared your father might come here to see her."She continues talking as
She speaks earnestly, sitting beside me on the bed. I look at her, take her hands in mine, and let out all my breath as if wishing away the fright that makes everything inside me tremble—it doesn't disappear. Instead, it remains there, lodged in my chest, growing with each passing hour and the reality of this arrangement I've agreed to."I've already accepted, Marta," I say. "Christian realised that my grandfather was determined to marry me off to him for real, and seeing as it suited him, he agreed." I tell her honestly; since we've known each other, I've hidden nothing. Her eyes widen with surprise and concern—clearly, she hadn't expected me to say that. "Didn't I tell you he was hiding something?""You were right, Bella, but you shouldn't have agreed so hastily. You said it was odd that he agreed so readily to everything, and it seems your instincts were correct—he's running from his family." She sighs, visibly annoyed. "And I'm certain that once his m
I stand before my parents' house, which is a hotbed of journalists – an ordeal that can't be doing my mother any good. I instruct my chauffeur to turn around and approach from the rear of the house. I alight and slip through a gap in the fence that I fashioned as a youth, well-concealed even now. I scuttle, crouched low, to the window of my old room which I know how to open without a sound. Entering, I'm greeted by an engulfing silence; there's no one here. Where have they all gone? Just as I'm about to leave, a small yellow note stuck to the mirror catches my eye. It's from Dad.“If you happen to come by, we'll be at Christian Thompson's estate. Go see your mother, I'll make sure they let you in.And Santiago, thank you for coming back. Dad”A wave of emotion overtakes me; Dad knew I would come, he always knows, and that's why he forgives me. I pocket the note and exit the way I came in, instructing the driver to head for that estate. From outside,
Days pass with shared laughter, warm embraces, and exciting adventures. Always supporting each other through good times and difficult moments, building a united and resilient family. Isabella and Christian found happiness in their love and in the beautiful family they formed. Time has passed, and they find themselves at a stage in their lives where routine and responsibilities intertwine with moments of tenderness and complicity.On a quiet afternoon, Isabella decides to climb onto a chair to reach a book on a high shelf. Christian, concerned for her safety and that of the baby she's carrying, calls out to her in an alarmed voice:"Bella, wait right there! You'll fall!" Christian shouted, trying to stop her. "You can't do that, eight months pregnant. If you fall, you could both get hurt. That's why I can't go to work at the office without making a fuss. You're always doing crazy things."Isabella smiles and jokingly replies, "You're exaggerating."They bo
Now seeing their parents hugging and kissing happily. Isabella gazes at Christian, her eyes brimming with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. The air around them is charged with expectation as their friends and family turn their attention to Christian, silently urging him to follow suit. Christian, who had meticulously planned this moment with Rodrigo and David, stands there with a knowing smile, watching as events unfold precisely as he had envisioned.His eyes briefly flit to his parents, who are visibly moved, their faces etched with pride and joy. They offer him an encouraging nod, their silent approval warming his heart. The room seems to hold its breath as Christian, without further hesitation, gracefully drops to one knee before Isabella.With tender reverence, he takes her delicate hand in his, his touch sending a shiver of electricity through both of them. His eyes, pools of adoration and unwavering devotion, lock onto hers. In that moment,
Santiago bursts out laughing upon hearing his daughter's question. He knows her well, and when his in-laws asked to come, he agreed even against Susan's wishes, who thought they should give Isabella more time to adjust."Didn't I tell you?" Santiago says, watching Susan's eyes widen as she nods, then turns to her daughter to answer."You can meet them whenever you want, they're desperate to come!" She pauses to look at Santiago, who can't stop smiling. "You're right as always, Santi, they're in the car waiting, Isabella.""Dad, call them to come right now! I want to finally bring our whole real family together!" Isabella exclaimed, feeling that at last everyone was going to be happy.The emotion intensifies in Santiago's voice as he hears Isabella's words. He feels overwhelming happiness seeing his daughter's desire to bring their whole real family together. Without wasting time, he takes out his phone and calls his in-laws, telling them to enter the estate
Santiago is in a state of indescribable happiness seeing the woman he has loved all his life and knowing that she is the mother of his only and beloved daughter. The joy he feels is so overwhelming that it's difficult for him to express it in words.As he observes Susan, his heart fills with gratitude and amazement. Every familiar feature on her face reminds him of the shared moments and experiences they've had together. The emotion completely envelops him as he sees them finally together, making him feel as if he were in a dream come true.The smile on Santiago's face is radiant, his eyes shining with pure and sincere happiness. He can't help but feel a deep connection with Susan, knowing that together they have created the most precious gift of their lives: Isabella. The realisation that their love has borne such wonderful fruit fills him with immense joy."Dad, could you get me a glass of water, please?" Isabella calls him, smiling as she sees how his e
Isabella looks at her father, whose face is lit up with happiness. And she knows, her father will finally be very happy with the love of his life. She can't help but smile seeing him like this. And she knows he's waiting for her to finally accept Susan, which is why he confessed this to her."My real mother did that for me without even knowing me?" she now asks emotionally, feeling that it's true, she has a mother who loves her and was willing to risk her life to save hers."Yes, my daughter!" Santiago answers, letting tears roll freely down his cheeks without hiding them. "Your real mum is very good, she's the kindest and noblest person I've ever known in my life! You look a lot like her, Bella. Now she's there in the car, waiting for you to receive her. Do you want to meet her, Bella?""Of course, Dad! I'm overjoyed to know that I'm not the daughter of such an evil woman as Eva!" she exclaims, feeling the urge to see the person who brought her into the world."
After saying this, Grandpa leaves towards the garden. Marta moves forward to take all the tests that Isabella still has on her lap, reviews them unable to believe it's all real, then turns to Isabella and says:"Bella, I'm impressed with your life. It's truly a soap opera. I want the rights to write it," she says enthusiastically."Ha, ha, ha... Marta, stop teasing me," Isabella plays along happily, not letting go of Christian's hand.They both laugh with Marta, who keeps insisting she's not joking. She assures them she'll write their story. She'll make an incredible novel about their lives, she's sure it will be a huge success. And although she claims she doesn't usually write this type of romantic plot, their story has everything: intrigue, secrets, betrayals, mobsters, which makes it unique."I'll write it, I swear I'll write it as soon as I finish writing this book!" she declares as everyone looks on."Do what you want," Christian and Isabella say
"The grandfather takes it, intrigued, as Marta and Tina look on curiously. He opens it and pulls out the paternity tests, which prove that Christian is the father of the children. He looks up, staring at them in disbelief. Marta, seeing his surprised expression, moves her wheelchair forward and snatches the paper from his hands. She reads it and bursts out laughing."I knew it!" she exclaims excitedly. "Lucas looked too much like Chris!""What is it?" Tina asks in sign language."Grandma, Christian is Lucas and Lucia's father! He was the one who spent the night with me at the hotel! He was the one who got me pregnant!" Bella explains."But that's not all, grandfather," Christian adds. "I remembered everything! All my memories came back!""Congratulations, Chris!" Marta shouts again, excited. "Congratulations on both things!""Many congratulations!" The grandfather hugs him.He still can't believe that Christian is the father of the children. He sep
After Isabella asks that question, looking at him with a huge expression of despair and at the same time of pain, Christian hurries to answer."No, no Bella, nobody raped you," he says firmly, still looking into Isabella's beautiful and fearful eyes. "That child you're expecting is mine.""Yours? Don't deceive me, Chris, I know very well you can't have children!" Isabella asserts."I couldn't," he affirms as he stands up again, leaving Isabella confused by his words.Christian takes another yellow envelope and returns to the bed where Isabella has sat up, intrigued. He hands her the results of the tests he had done to see if his sperm were viable, and gives them to his wife, who opens her eyes, still unable to believe it."What does this mean?" she asks as if needing to hear it."It means I was the one who got you pregnant, when you came to sleep with me those nights and that afternoon when we made love in the shower," he explains calmly and confi
Slowly, she takes out the white papers under Christian's smiling gaze. Isabella finally finishes taking everything out and sees two paternity tests, but she doesn't read them. She still doesn't understand."What does this mean? Did you find the father of my children?" she asks immediately."Yes, I found him!" Christian exclaims, unable to contain his joy in front of Isabella's gaze, who doesn't understand why he's behaving like this."Did you really find the biological father of the twins?" she asks incredulously. "Who is it?"Christian looks at her for a moment that seems eternal to Isabella. Her heart races as she considers the possible consequences this fact might have for her and her children. Now that everything seems to be going well, she doesn't want to introduce a stranger into her children's lives. Above all, she'll have to face the truth and tell them she lied when she said Christian was their father when he wasn't. That's why she doesn't understand the