"I forgot," I reply, daring to glance at him. Heavens, he’s handsome! I turn my head away and continue speaking, trying to keep my voice steady. "I used to run in France, but after having the children, it became more difficult."
"Well, from today onwards we'll run together every day! How's that sound? Would you like that?" he asks."Yes, that would be nice," I say, stubbornly looking ahead. Fortunately, Christie sticks to my left side, and I turn to her as she asks excitedly."Hey Bella, do you like skiing? My brother and I love it!""Yes, I adore it! Marta and I are quite good. We used to go skiing every year on holiday," I tell her enthusiastically. If there's one sport I enjoy, it's skiing. It's not that I love the cold, but skiing is my passion."The children seem to have learned to ski before they could walk. We all love it.""My children can ski?" Christian asks in surprise and then concludes with a smile. "They must take after me. Even in tI continued conversing with Christie throughout our journey; she divulged everything about Adele, and between what Christian had told me and now my sister-in-law's account, I became convinced that Adele must have been unfaithful. Strangely, I found myself relieved that it had happened because now he is mine. The array of emotions that the very sight of my husband provokes in me is bewildering, especially the possessive thoughts that seem so alien. I scarcely recognise myself.Upon completing our run and arriving at my room, I was greeted by the sight of Christian stepping out of the bathroom shirtless, his hair damp. He was strikingly handsome and alluring. I lingered in the doorway, transfixed and uncertain of what to do next, my heart racing and my body alight with longing."Is something amiss, Bella?" he inquired."No, nothing," I managed to say before retreating into the sanctuary of the bathroom.I shed my clothes hastily, acutely aware of how sensitive my s
He finishes right by my side, and I step back, alarmed, while falteringly asking and trying to explain."What?! Chris, I'm not sure I can! I, I..." I dare not tell him that I know nothing, and that I'm not sure if I can do it."You what, Bella?" he asks, not breaking his intense gaze and moving closer as he licks his lips, while I continue to retreat. Yes, this man is hunting me. I can see it in the gleam of desire in his eyes. He wants to kiss me—Christian wants to kiss me! I panic and almost shout."I've never kissed anyone!"He stops and looks at me incredulously, as if he hadn't understood what I said. I sigh, thinking that this will stop him, but it's far from it. Slowly, a smile spreads across his lips, and he takes a step until he's almost touching me. He leans in until our faces are level and asks,"Never? Will I be your first kiss?" I slip by him to the side and start to explain while he follows and listens attentively, still smiling."We
As he lies next to me on the bed and moves to kiss me again, I panic at the thought of what will happen between us. All I can do is escape and say to him fearfully,"I'm sorry, Chris, you have to give me time to process this!" I repeat, under his expectant gaze, with my heart still racing from my first kiss. Because this truly is my first kiss! "It's not that I don't like you, Chris; it's just that I don't know how to react to all these feelings," I tell him. "Do you understand?"He continues to smile happily, draws me back in, and holds me tightly in his arms, noticing how I haven't stopped trembling with fear. He kisses my forehead, my eyes, my lips and then repeats above them,"Everything is going to be alright, Bella. Trust in me! I'll make you the happiest woman in the world if you let me."He pulls back slightly to look at me, kisses me gently again, softly, allowing me to savour his lips, his caresses. I draw him closer to me, feeling myself getting lost i
"I adore the sea; I could live in it for the rest of my life!" he exclaimed with passion, moving away slightly to let the waves wash over his feet. He stretched out his hands towards me and beckoned. I walked towards him with determination, handed him my hands, and let out a shriek at the coldness of the water. He laughed and hugged me joyfully. After a moment, we walked on in silence, hand in hand, letting the waves lap at our feet.I still couldn't believe his words; he had never shown any sign of affection, or at least none that I had noticed. And if he had, I wouldn't have known what it meant—I'm no expert in these matters. We've been through so much since we decided to be together that there's been no time for anything else. I don't want to get caught up in a fantasy. And right now, my life feels like a fairy tale."No, Bella! It's not about that!" he stated emphatically, and I felt the lump in my throat dissolve. "I've liked you since the moment I
Mr Thompson is seated in his office, reviewing a stack of documents left by his daughter Christie. They're all prepared; he just needs to sign them. He smiles, acknowledging the excellent work she has done. She's very good at what she does, and that fills him with pride. However, it irks him that she would abandon everything just to be with her brother. He muses that even if they were identical twins, they couldn't be closer.Now, who shall he leave in charge of the company to address his son's issue? Could it be true that his son is legally married to the Sardinos' daughter? And those children that were mentioned – whose are they? He can't deny the resemblance to Christian, but when could he possibly have fathered them? She was married at that time, and the children seem to predate the accident. His phone rings persistently; he picks it up upon seeing who it is."Hello." He responds and is happy to hear who he isHe is the head of your security who
The sound of the door slamming open and shut caused him to lift his head and see his wife storm in furiously. It was the last thing he needed, he thought to himself. Pretending to be engrossed in work, he allowed her to approach."We must leave today to help Adele with this problem," his wife stated, visibly agitated."You mean to help our son," he corrected her, for it seemed she was forgetting that he was their priority. "I remind you that it is Christian whom we need to listen to and support.""Darling! That is exactly what I am doing. Adele is the love of our son's life!" she declared, dropping a folder onto the bureau of her husband who watched her with concern. "The poor dear just called me in tears because they say that Christian truly married Isabella Sardino. Do you remember her? That odd little girl, whose acquaintance your father insisted Christian make from childhood, taking him almost every weekend to stay at their house.""I remember her, dear. Sh
Adele anxiously watches the clock in a room on the outskirts of the city. She has arranged to meet Luis Ibáñez, who has promised to bring someone who can help them. However, they are running late, and she needs to greet Christian's parents, who informed her they would arrive that day.Finally, there's a knock at the door. She rushes to open it and is surprised to see him accompanied by a lady who, without waiting for an invitation, strides into the room. Luis follows behind, and Adele shuts the door. She then moves to face the two seated figures, takes a seat herself, and looks questioningly at Luis."This is Eva Giménez Sardino, Isabella's mother," he introduces her, then turns to Eva. "And this is Adele, Christian's former fiancée.""What is she doing here?" Adele asks, her voice tinged with animosity. She despises mothers who are not good to their children because her own mother abandoned her to an abusive father."She wants revenge
Mr. Sardino looks at him very seriously and at the same time handing over the investigation to his son."Son, I don't know why, but I keep suspecting Luis. On the children's birthday, I caught Luis Ibáñez smiling contentedly twice, looking at the worried faces of Bella and Christian. It was as if he was relishing everything that was happening. I don't understand why Christian still keeps him in the company!""Do you really think that good-for-nothing Luis would be capable of such a thing?" Santiago asserts."You also didn't believe he could mistreat Bella, and you saw the beating he gave her! That lad has something rotten in him! I can see it!""Dad, you've always had keen eyesight, not like me," he says thoughtfully. "Perhaps you're right; I too saw him smiling contentedly. Is he being watched?""Yes, he's under close surveillance," confirms Sr. Sardino.Just then, the phone rings. The grandfather answers and begins to talk. He looks at h
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