Nonetheless, Dad continued to scrutinise him intently until Luis shifted his gaze and placed his arm around my shoulders as though he were afraid of something. Dad finally finished his farewells and left, followed by Mum who was still fussing over him. What happened with him?
We waved them off from the doorway, and as soon as they were gone, I shrugged off Luis's hold. He looked at me pensively when we were alone.“Bella, you were brilliant. I thought it would be tougher to convince them that we're a genuine married couple,” he said, his gaze still fixed on me.“You too, Luis. Thank you for keeping your promise not to leave me alone with them for a moment; I really was very nervous,” I said and started walking back into the house, where the servants were finishing tidying up. “Really, have you visited all those places?”“Yes, I did— with my girl!” he replied arrogantly. And that marked the endLuis stops for a moment to observe me. His look at that moment I think is one of condescension, and I even seemed to perceive a flash of pity before he continued."Your dad initially didn't accept this marriage when it was proposed to him, he flatly refused to let you marry me. It was something I was counting on to avoid doing it. That he would keep refusing until the end, but he didn't," he finished with anger and disappointment in his voice.I can't believe what he's confessing to me. What does that mean? Dad really doesn't want this marriage? Could I get divorced if I tell him what's really happening? Grandfather says he's not as ill as mom claims. But hearing what Luis continues to say fills me with doubts."He didn't, and look at us here, married!" He says, both disappointed and annoyed. "Your dad finally gave in and handed you over to me because of what Eva did to him!"He tells me and I believe him, I don't think dad wanted to leave me in his h
But considering the amount of jewellery she acquires incessantly, it's no wonder anyone would be left insolvent. Why doesn't Dad impose some restraint on her spending? Should I phone him and tell him, or should I confide in Grandfather? No, Bella! Keep them out of this. Dad threatened Luis that day; I don't want him to harm Luis, and if Grandfather gets wind of this, he'll surely settle scores with them.I'd better stay hidden here, out of everyone's sight. The trouble is, I only have the modest sum Mima gave me yesterday. I'll sell my earrings; they must be worth a fortune. Yes, that's what I'll do tomorrow, while staying out of sight. Once these marks fade, I'll seek out my grandfather and ask for his help to divorce Luis. I shan't return to that house again. Degenerate, abuser, contemptible man! I ought to have used the taser Grandfather gave me!At the time, it didn't cross my mind; it should have. I simply couldn't fathom he would attack me in such a
I shake my head to push those memories away, get up and head to the bathroom. I wash myself as best I can, then throw myself on the bed without clothes. I should have come to this place before and fixed it properly. I think as I curl up in bed, at least it's comfortable, I tell myself and close my eyes that still release tears even when I don't want to, and I fall into a deep sleep.The next day, my phone's ring wakes me up, I open my eyes and everything comes rushing back to my memory, bringing me back to reality. My head hurts terribly, as does the blow he gave to my face. With great difficulty, I manage to sit up because of strong dizziness. I stay like that until it passes and very slowly manage to stand up, everything remains in darkness. I move slowly until I find the switch and turn on the light. I have to close my eyes until they adjust.After turning off the persistent alarm on my phone inside my purse, I head to the bathroom. The horrible image
I try to calm him down, I know my grandfather, if he finds out about this he's capable of killing Luis, better to leave him out of everything, I don't want my grandfather to get into trouble because of that imbecile, and much less worry my sick grandmother."Bella..." his voice is full of questions and I'm almost certain he suspects something."Stop drawing your own conclusions, grandfather. I'm just studying for exams, I fell asleep and didn't tell Luis, he must be very worried. That's why he called you," I quickly invent, although I'm very bad at lying."And where did you stay?" He continues his interrogation."Where did I stay? At..., at a friend's house, yes that's it, that's why Luis doesn't know anything." I'm terrible at lying, I should have thought all this through before calling him, and I know he's already figured it out."Bella, if something happened to you..." And he falls silent, I know he's already figured it out, but I don't want to tell
I know I can trust my grandfather, and it touches me that he has been there for me. I'm almost sure he knows if not everything, something. However, I don't want him to get involved in this problem. All I need is to escape, and that money he says I have is an unexpected gift that will help me."Yes, that one, do you see that number inside? That's the code, my child. Don't be afraid, with it you'll never lack anything or need to work," he said, and by the tone of his voice, I knew he was smiling, then he added, "And if that's not enough, you have all my money, Bella.""Oh, grandfather, thank you so much, really," and a sob escapes that I know he must have heard, but he says nothing. I try to hide it by changing the conversation. "Grandfather, does that mean that..., hypothetically speaking, if I want to leave, I can go at any time?""Yes, my child, you can do it! Just let us know where you're going, so we can follow you. Okay? Don't abandon your grandmother and me, it w
I am determined, I won't let anyone see me for now, I'll stay hidden here. I'll interrupt everything, I have to think carefully about what I'm going to do with my life from now on, I'll see if I can get my grandparents to follow me, I don't want to leave them alone. They are my true family!If dad ever decides to follow me, I'll receive him, but I won't let them convince me of anything else again. I won't work in his company, I'll study what I really like, I'm very sorry. What if what Luis said is true and mom is planning to marry me off to another guy for money? No! This is my chance to be free and I won't waste it.After thinking everything through carefully, I decided not to go back to school. In the end, I don't like the career my parents imposed on me. I called the institute, saying that due to personal problems, I won't be able to attend anymore. I have to think about what to do with my life from now on. I have more than enough money to study what I
My grandfather looked at me with an expression I cannot describe. But I knew he wasn't happy with me, quite the contrary, though he didn't want to make me feel worse."You should have come right away!" He scolded me and added, "Your grandmother will be very upset when she finds out.""Don't tell her grandfather, she's very fragile. I don't want you to get into trouble over this either," I pleaded again, seeing his furious gaze."And what do you intend to do, Bella? We can't leave that degenerate unpunished!" he shouted, snorting furiously."I just need you to help me get divorced. Please?" I begged, taking his hands. "I want to forget about Luis, I want to think he never existed in my life, please grandfather, help me forget all this.""Of course, sweetheart, I'll talk to my lawyer right now! I told you not to marry him! I knew this would happen!" He spoke while taking out his phone and searching for the lawyer's number. "I'll press charges against tha
I watch my grandfather as he roars and says things against my father. Especially against my mother, he's convinced that if my father's problem turns out to be true, it's his wife's fault. Seeing that I don't answer and just look at him, he stops and gives me a strong hug, one of those that makes you feel everything will be alright and that you're not alone."Thank you, grandfather," I tell him while still resting on his chest."Why don't we go abroad?" he suddenly asks and I'm filled with happiness, that would be great. "Some time in another country wouldn't hurt you. You can study whatever you want! In any city you want!""Could it be Paris?" I ask enthusiastically now, if I go with them I wouldn't care where it would be. "I would love to study literature. You know I love reading and writing. I could also teach music, dance and..."I stop when I see how he looks at me with his glassy eyes, he suddenly comes closer and holds me tight, I do the same, rest my
On the other hand, Santiago revisited his mother, parking his car at a distance this time. Waiting until nightfall, he crept through the garden surrounding his parents' house, reminiscent of his youth when he would sneak away from home. Eavesdropping by his bedroom window, he overheard a conversation between his father, mother, and daughter."Mima is right, Grandpa. That car she mentioned was Dad's; I remember it clearly. Yes, Mima, Dad is on his way to see you; he adores you.""Bella, don't get your grandmother too excited. If it were Santiago, he wouldn't need to keep his distance; he knows our doors are always open to him. Even if I was upset, I would never stop him from visiting his mother.""Mima says he's scared of you; that's why he hasn't come.""And what would you have me do? Should I leave so he can visit?""She didn't say that, Grandpa. Can you go talk to him? Maybe it's as I said; Dad feels guilty for missing Mima's surgeries and doesn't know how to face us now.""Coming,
Santiago acquiesced to the request, although his thoughts lingered on the prior accusations. Nonetheless, Eva persisted, unveiling a new revelation that triggered alarms in Santiago's mind. "You make the call, but kindly refrain from any altercations with my mother or, even more so, with Isabella. Are you certain Isabella is coming? I understand she works in France, so it's peculiar that she would abandon her esteemed position there. Perhaps she's merely visiting." Eva spoke with a mischievous glint in her eyes, prompting Santiago to suspect she harboured concealed intentions. "She's back for good. Your father informed the doctor. I overheard their conversation distinctly, and you know what?""What?""She's back for good. She's neither wed nor engaged!" she disclosed with a gleam in her eye, leading Santiago to suspect she was plotting something."How do you know? Perhaps she has a clandestine partner in France," Santiago posited in an attempt to counter Eva's insinuation. Unfazed,
Eva was taken aback. It was the first time Santiago had threatened her with divorce, and that couldn't be a positive sign. Dr. Alfonso undoubtedly had something to do with this, she was sure. Santiago was beginning to realise what she had been doing to him for years, she reflected. However, his recovery was rapid. She concealed her embarrassment behind a hypocritical smile that barely touched her lips."Don't be like that. I'm sorry for what I said before. You know that if she doesn't love me, I don't love her either. But that doesn't mean I wish her harm. It wasn't today, it was yesterday when I saw her. She appeared to be emaciated, although not entirely bad," Santiago explained. Santiago sank into the chair slowly, his gaze fixed on Eva. Something was being concealed, he sensed it, and was determined to uncover it. He vowed to rise early and visit the doctor without delay; he promised himself not to let any more time pass before seeing his mother and daughter. Yet, a nagging conc
"Alright, let's put an end to this," Dad interjected, gesturing for Mum to cease speaking. "But son, you're excelling in your company, which suggests you could return to ours and even assume control alongside your sister.""Dad, that's not on the cards for now." I rush to stop him in his attempt to get me to return to work for him."Son, you need to come back to your family, to your life." He insists, I know he's saying it because he thinks it's best for me, but I refuse."I'll only do so when I feel the time is right, not now, alright?” I answer and change the subject immediately. “ How long do you plan to stay here?""One week. Don't fret, we won't encroach on your space; we'll lodge in a hotel in the city centre. This place is too far. Have you considered purchasing a flat closer to your workplace?" My father again wants to interfere as usual in my decisions."I like it here. The commute doesn't bother me. It feels familiar, and I enjoy the drive each day." I explain, trying to mak
I look around the room at the faces of my family. They all look so worried and concerned. I know they want to help me, but I don't think they can. This is something I have to figure out on my own."Don't behave like that, Rafael," My father interjected and spoke to Adele's father. "Let's give it a bit more time, as they agreed. We can continue working together as before. You need to understand.""I won't let my daughter linger without hope any longer. If Christian don't make a decision within a year, I'll consider the engagement terminated. Come, Adele." He says firmly.I smiled openly, it's just what I wanted to hear. I am determined to end this farce and the persecution they have with me to force me to declare Adele my fiancée, so hearing her father say that I immediately added."The engagement is over; there's no need to wait a year, Mr. Rafael," I asserted firmly and assuredly to dispel any doubts. "Adele is free to pursue any relationship
I walked away, glancing at Isabella in the rearview mirror as she watched me depart. That girl is perceptive, opening up to me like that. So, a wild night? She doesn't strike me as the type to have a fling with a stranger. She mentioned she's not married; what led her to make such a decision? "A night of recklessness and madness." Those were her words.I continued towards my house on the outskirts. As I passed the doorman, he informed me of a visitor. Who could it be? Two cars were parked in my driveway; one I recognised as my parents'. The other remained a mystery. Resigned, I anticipated another challenging encounter with them.Unlocking the door with my keys, I headed towards the voices coming from the terrace adjacent to the dining room. My tension spiked when I identified the guests. It was my parents, accompanied by Adele, who approached me eagerly, attempting a kiss as a greeting. I sidestepped her advance, avoiding her attempt to cling to my arm.
I can see that Marta is really happy about her achievement. She immediately informs me that the job is with a French company. The same one we were looking at yesterday and she asked me to help her translate the ad into French."Of course. What happened? Is that the one? What role is it for?" I fill her with questions, happy for her, and at the same time worried that she's been cheated. I should have gone with her, I think."An Illustrator! Can you believe it?" she exclaims, brimming with excitement. "This company specialises in marketing. They are expanding to France and needed a native French speaker. And who is a native of France? Me! Ha, ha, ha... I called them, and they immediately invited me for an interview. Grandpa drove me there, and they accepted me on the spot when they learned about my work experience and qualifications."I can't believe she was so lucky. We hugged each other jumping up and down and laughing happily that she was accepted into a
I know that right now my friend's imagination is running wild imagining a thousand scenarios. I'm not going to deny it, I'm also very impressed with my boss's story."Yes, he says he saved a child who ran into the street and got hit by a car. He was in a coma for a year! When he woke up, he couldn't remember anyone. Not even his family! He recognises them from photos but has no recollection of his life with them before the accident," I reveal, still shocked by this terrifying revelation."Terrible!" She exclaims. "I can't imagine living without any memories!""That's why I can't abandon him. Even though I have to face Luis every day. But I don't want Grandpa to find out. Because I suspect the bankruptcy my boss mentioned relates to the transport company Luis's parents' business. It is my grandfather's work" It's true, I believe it. I remember how furious he was when he saw my face all bruised from the blows Luis had given me.Although I didn't a
I almost laugh when I see how furious she is. I'm sure that if she had Luis in front of her right now, he would have a worse time than he did with me. That's why I hurry to tell her everything, or she is capable of going to look for him to settle accounts."No, it wasn't that. I just didn't have the chance to respond. Because my boss appeared at that moment and whisked me away." I tell her, without ceasing to move forward. "I was fine until later, when I went down to sign the contract at human resources. When I came out, he was waiting for me in the elevator hallway. He cornered me against the wall and squeezed my face so hard; look at the marks on my face."She looks at me with a mix of pity and fury. During my stay in Paris she forced me to learn self-defense, so that I could defend myself when something like what happened to me today."And what did you do, Bella? Didn't you defend yourself? Why didn't you ask for help if you were afraid of him?""I