I realize that by saying that, he's not completely lying. His father hugs him tightly. He is excited. He looks at me over and over again, then at my father who is silently observing the scene. I even think I saw my grandfather signalling that it's all in the past. I haven't missed the looks exchanged between my father-in-law and him. What are these two hiding? Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to be anything good. It's as if they are enemies. I hope not!
Also, Mum, I have the feeling that she avoids eye contact with my father-in-law, who looks at her with hatred, it seems. What could have happened between those three? I stop watching them to focus on what is happening with my in-laws and my husband. "Thank goodness you remember something, son! And it turned out to be the woman you love! You always said you were going to marry her!" my father-in-law exclaims excitedly, and I think he is genuinely happy that Chris remembers something, although I don't know why he s"I think everyone is leaving now; let's go and say goodbye at the door.""That's great," I say, letting him embrace me, the tension in the air wearing me out.Finally, the night comes to an end, and the guests depart, all of us bidding them farewell just as we welcomed them, at the door. To my surprise, as they say their goodbyes, my father hugs and kisses me. Then, he crouches down to talk to my children. Until now, he had only seen them from afar and hadn't approached them."I'm your grandfather too," he says, gently stroking my daughter's head. "And you, Lucia, you're my princess too.""Are you our grandad?" they both ask simultaneously."Yes, I'm your mum's dad," he replies with a smile as if he were someone else."Hurrah! I have another grandad and I'm his princess!" exclaims a thrilled Lucia as she throws herself around his neck, hugging and kissing him happily. Lucas stands back, eyeing my mother distrustfully. "Aunt Christie, I have another gran
"They're yours, my brother, they're yours! According to what Isabella told me, she doesn't know who the father is, so take charge of them and make them yours. She insists that you give them your surname. A father is not the one who sires, but the one who raises them.""I know, my sister, but you know, I always wanted to create a big family. I wanted to have at least four or six.""Now you have at least two. You haven't told me anything about your relationship, is it real or fake? Today when you kissed, it seemed like you enjoyed it. Come on, tell me, are you a couple now?""Yes, we are truly married, my sister, truly!" I say happily. I didn't mention anything before because I was in love with Bella and hoped to make it a reality, and now it has."How long h
A few giggles wake me up, I open my eyes and can't believe what I see, Christian, laughing happily with the two kids on top of him."Hello kids, do you know you can't enter mummy and daddy's room without knocking on the door?" Christian says."Why?" the children ask innocently."Because daddy and mummy might be without clothes," Christian explains, looking at me suggestively. I quickly close my robe, feeling embarrassed as I notice Chris enjoying seeing me like this, licking his lips and clearing his throat, also a bit nervous and blushing, which makes me laugh. But Lucy's voice interrupts us, making us pay attention to them."We see mummy without clothes, why can't we see you, daddy?" Lucy asks."No, my love, you can see mummy and Lucas can see me," Christian explains patiently.I am amazed at how skillfully he handles them as if he had been with them since they were born. My children's acceptance surprises me too. They have fully embraced
Adele speaks, entering through the kitchen door, dressed in riding clothes. She struts in, as if she owns the place. Her blonde hair is flowing freely, subtly made up, but noticeable. I can't deny that she is truly beautiful and that's why she captured my Christian's heart. Nor can I deny the flutter in my stomach when I see her, afraid that she might steal him away from me. But I won't give her the satisfaction of seeing me jealous; if Chris wanted her, he wouldn't be with me. She's the reason he agreed to marry. That gives me the assurance and confidence to know she's no competition for me."Good morning, Adele," I greet her dryly, staring at her without a hint of nervousness, continuing to eat my toast as if she doesn't exist. She moves with a riding crop in hand, clashing against her tall riding boots, seemingly trying to intimidate me. Seeing that it doesn't have the desired effect, she says something irritated, though trying to hold it back."We were waiting fo
"As soon as they leave, I'll teach you! I really enjoy it, and the estate has vast stretches of land with beautiful landscapes. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I do. That way, we can all do it together.""Dad, I want to go faster!" Lucas shouts."No, Lucas, you're not quite ready. Learn first, then you can ride a big horse.""Really, Dad?" he asks excitedly."Yes, I'll buy you a beautiful one!""Me too, Dad!" Lucy requests."Yes, my princess.""Dad, I'm tired, I want to get down. I want to play with the rabbits!" Lucy shouts upon seeing the animals running in the garden.I help her down, and she rushes out, followed by Marta. Lucas continues to enjoy his pony. Christian lets him do it on his own; I'm terrified, fearing he might fall at any moment. He seems like he's been doing it all his life. He handles his horse very well. I'm watching him from the fence when I hear a voice behind me."He's just like his father when he
"¡No, son, don't think like that! Calm down, if she sees you like this, she will get very upset!"My grandfather looks at me pleadingly. I understand what he wants. I approach, hug him and kiss him. He hugs me back and whispers,"Sorry Bella, sorry for everything!""I love you dad! I love you so much!" I hug him tightly.Finally, he calms down. We sat side by side. My father doesn't let go of my hand and kisses it every now and then. I let him do it because I know it's what he needs right now to calm down. Finally, my grandmother comes out smiling, my father is the first to hug and kiss her, and we all leave with her like that. We head to the house.Upon arrival, everyone was waiting for us. They are happy to know that he is better. But the joy dims when we hear Christian's mother."Son, we have decided to stay here in your house to spend more time with you all. We see the state of health of grandma and I think being with the whole f
“Yes, I spent the whole year there. All the other kids went on outings and left me alone. Grandpa would come and spend the day with me, and at night he'd have a woman look after me.”“Why didn't he take you out on outings?”“He didn't have permission from my parents. Mum hates them; Dad was the one who left me with them when they brought me home. That's why I don't know if something happened between them.”“I think something did happen, I don't know what, but those two have some unfinished business. And you know what? I haven't told you something my mother said some time ago, after the accident.”“What did she say? It's still early since Christie is keeping the children entertained. Why don't we take a walk in the garden? It would be good for us; I feel suffocated with so many people in the house.”“Me too; if there's something I enjoy about this place, it's the silence and solitude. Let's go;
I stay pensive, although my family has talked about my dad's girlfriend, I don't remember them mentioning her name, so I answer honestly."I don't know, it's the first time I've heard of her. Apparently, she was very important in dad's life, maybe his first girlfriend.""And my father wanted to take her away if he didn't and had her hidden somewhere.""Do you think your father is capable of doing that?""Yes, and worse things too.""I'm scared, Chris. What's going to happen to us? What's going to happen to my children?""Our children, Bella, and nothing is going to happen. They are mine, I will enrol them.""No! Not for now, let's make sure first that this between us is going to work and then we'll talk about that. Okay?""But Bella...""Don't insist, Chris, they are my children, I must take all possible precautions to protect them. I'm sorry, but I won't budge on that.""I understand."An awkward silence takes over the tw
Christian lay on his bed after emerging from the bathroom, where he had indulged in fantasies about Isabella. He was seriously considering visiting his psychologist, as he believed his current state wasn't normal. Could he truly not live without her? It had all seemed so real-her body in his hands, how he had plunged into her repeatedly. Was Isabella actually visiting him, remaining silent so he wouldn't realise it was her? Did she know he was blind and accept him as he was?At that moment, the bedroom lights switched on as his mother entered. He sat up abruptly."Mum, I think... I think I saw the light when you turned it on. You did turn it on, didn't you?""Yes, son, I just did. Are you regaining your sight as the doctor said? David... David... come and see Chris, David!""What is it, Mother-in-law? I'm here," David said, rushing into Christian's room, followed by his wife Christie and Mr Thomson, who had come in response to Mrs Thomps
After all the commotion surrounding Marta and Rodrigo's relationship, everyone in the house is delighted that they are a couple. They hold the young man in high regard and know he is very responsible. They are particularly pleased that he respected her throughout and that, had Marta not essentially won his heart, he wouldn't have pursued the relationship.The following day, Mrs Tania invited Augusto, her lifelong bodyguard, and his wife Leila for lunch. She wanted to quickly formalise Rodrigo and Marta's relationship, as the couple couldn't stop gazing at each other happily. Since Marta's arrival with Isabella, she had initially remained very quiet, and although everyone loved her and made her feel like family, they could sense that she felt inhibited in many ways.Now she is brimming with happiness, constantly smiling and allowing others to embrace her, something she didn't commonly do before. This is especially true after managing to have Rodrigo assigned as her bo
Santiago and his father stared intently at the girls, who were at a loss for what to do or say. Despite her earlier words, Marta had quickly released Rodrigo's hand, and he too seemed unable to react. Isabella looked at her father and, seeing his reproachful head shake, hugged her grandmother, hiding behind her."Seriously, Bella? Are you going to pass your sister off as Rodrigo's girlfriend?" Santiago asked, trying to coax Isabella out from behind her grandmother."Dad, it's not what you think!" Marta stepped forward, attempting to defend Isabella, who was silently pleading for help. "Dad, it's not Bella who's with Rodrigo... it's me!""This is the limit, Isabella," he said, to the astonishment of all three women. "Now you want to pass Marta off as your lover's girlfriend to deceive me?""Dad!" Isabella exclaimed, emerging from behind her grandmother, who was chuckling at the mess unfolding before her. "Dad, I swear on everything sacred that I have nothing to do
He didn't know that I couldn't cash the check here. Although, about Eva's money, I think you're right. I remember hearing my father saying that Santiago's company is frozen, because it's going bankrupt. If the Sardino patriarch doesn't step in, he'll be left with nothing. So it's true what you're saying. Where's Eva going to get money from? Although, she might have her own stash hidden away."Now I understand why Eva is so agitated, although it seemed she didn't know. She says she has a good plan, it might suit us, what do you think?""Do you trust her, Luis? I don't like Eva one bit. When have you ever heard of a mother plotting to kidnap her own daughter's children? I don't like that woman, I don't. Let's hear what she's planned. But if we don't like it, we're leaving, agreed?""I don't trust her either, but she's still someone we can get money from, and right now I'm going to cash this cheque Santiago gave me to pay for Luisito's hospital bill, we can't get him out
After rescuing Adele, they had decided to leave the country for good, but to their surprise, upon returning to the house that belonged to Luis' maternal grandparents, they found a surprise. Upon opening the door, there was Vivian and her mother with the child."Mum! Vivian! What are you doing here?" Luis asked, genuinely surprised."We're so sorry, son, but the little one didn't take to the climate and had been unwell since we arrived. The doctor advised us to return to a warmer one. As we had no idea where to go, we came to stay here for a few days, so you could help us find another place. And by the way, as we couldn't send money, we collected them to come with us.""Mum, you shouldn't have done that. Dad found out about everything and he's fuming. You should have called me and explained, I would have sorted everything out from here.""Luis, it's just for a few days. Besides, I need to sort something out with my account, it won't let me withdraw the money Santi
Marta didn't respond immediately, savouring Rodrigo's warm embrace as he held her tighter and tighter, his heart beating rapidly. In that moment, she said,"It doesn't matter that you did that, I'll talk to Dad, alright?" she assured, pulling away slightly to look at him."I'd rather do it myself, man to man," Rodrigo said, holding her gaze."No!" Marta hurried to say, and added, "Daughters know best. I'll tell Mum to help me, you'll see, she'll convince them. And Bella must have realised by now and she'll help me, do you really want to do this?""Yes," Rodrigo responded firmly, "If you want it too.""Of course I do. And don't worry, if they fire you, I'll hire you, hee, hee, hee... I'll just have to pay you in a different way," and as she spoke, Marta couldn't stop running her hands over the man's well-formed torso. "I've always wanted to do this," she says without stopping caressing him, he takes her by the waist and pulls her close."And I've wanted
They quickly put on their diving suits and dive off the other side, which is impossible for those on the boat to see. Rodrigo has tied Marta to him, who follows him sinking as he indicates. The water in this area is murky, so they can't see very well, so they swim close to each other until they reach the shore. They emerge slowly, releasing the oxygen tanks, and that's when Marta runs and hugs Rodrigo and kisses him. At first, he doesn't respond, but then he returns the kiss. When they separate, she is very flushed and says,"Sorry about that, I was really scared," she says, looking down blushing.Rodrigo just looks at her, then takes her by the hand and they run along the shore, until they reach the road, while he calls Santiago."Yes, sir, we escaped, we're on the road, come for us," he asks without stopping running with her hand in his.They continue walking hand in hand in silence. Marta holds on tightly, not letting Rodrigo let go of her hand the times he ha
On the other hand, Marta is sitting across from Christie, in the office that used to be Christian's."Is it necessary for you to do this, Marta?" Christie asks very seriously."Yes, I'm going to work with dad, I can't stand being here anymore, where no one talks to me and they whisper when they see me pass," Marta states firmly. "Besides, it's for my safety.""Your safety?" Christie asks, intrigued."Yes, I have a madman chasing me," Marta confesses, knowing she can trust Christie as she stands up. "Thanks for everything, Christie. When I finish writing the story of my sister and your brother, I'll bring it to you to publish. Say hello to Chris for me, a kiss, if you need my help with anything, just call. You know my number."And she turns her back, leaving to meet the security guard Rodrigo, who is waiting for her with two other men."Let's go to my office, so you can help me pack my things to leave," Marta asks, and walks past them towards the l
There's a brief silence as he listens to the employee moving away into the stables, only to emerge later with a horse."Noel, have you seen my wife around the farm in the last few days?" he repeats his question."No, no, lad, it's just a figure of speech," the man hurries to clarify. "You seem like a lost soul, it must be because of her, even though the children come every day. You've got her under your skin, you should go back to her. Mrs Isabella is a good person. Think about it, she's still waiting for you, don't delay too much or when you want her back, someone else might have taken her.""You too, Noel?" he asks, disappointed."What do you mean?" the old man asks as he prepares the horse Christian requested."Elmira keeps saying that someone's going to steal her away. I hope she finds a healthy man who loves her like I do and makes her happy! You're right about what you say, Isabella is a good woman, that's why she doesn't deserve to be tied to a blind