2. ESCAPE

I look at him with hatred, feeling a lump in my throat from the helplessness of the situation and my inability to act. He turns around and heads for the stairs, leaving me alone and in pain on the floor. Tears of frustration run down my cheeks, but I try to pull myself together and stand up. Suddenly, he turns and shouts at me from above.

"Bella, you're not a woman, you're too ugly! You have terrible taste in clothes! You're horrible! Your body is pathetic! It's embarrassing for me to walk arm in arm with you and introduce you as my wife! You know why I married you!" he spits out all that venom with rage.

I can't believe what just happened. Luis hasn't just hurt me with his words; he's hit me. Although I try to stay strong, it deeply hurts to know that he doesn't value me as a person. This situation has opened my eyes to a reality I've been avoiding for a long time.

Since childhood, I've always felt the pressure to please my parents and maintain the appearance of a perfect family. But now I realize I can't continue living like this, being a prisoner in this fake marriage and enduring emotional and physical abuse.

No one had ever treated me like this in my entire life; the occasional slap from Mom when she was angry and Dad wasn't around, but nothing like this. My heart is full of pain and disappointment. I feel vulnerable and lost, but I also know I can't let this continue. I don't deserve to be treated this way!

Until now, we had maintained a cordial relationship. I knew since we were children that he was abusive, as I myself suffered his mistreatment during our holidays. But I never imagined he would humiliate and hit me like this. I feel betrayed and used, as if I were just an object for his benefit. I won't let anyone take away my dignity and freedom.

This is intolerable, and I don't have to endure it! No sir! I'll never take another blow from a man! Never! The time has come to take control of my life and be the master of my destiny. I won't continue living in this sham of a marriage, tied to someone who neither respects nor values me.

I rise from the floor, wiping my tears away with determination in my eyes. It's time to face this reality and make decisions that will allow me to be happy and live with dignity. I don't know how I'll do it, but I'll find the strength to change my life. I'll take the reins of my destiny and find a way to free myself from this oppression.

Perhaps I can talk to Dad and tell him what's happening. Maybe he can help me find a solution. Or perhaps it's time to seek support from my grandparents, who have always treated me with love and understanding. Whatever happens, I can't keep allowing others to control my life or let my happiness depend on pleasing others.

Today, on this dark and painful night, I've found the strength to face my reality and seek a path to freedom. No matter how difficult it may be, I'll fight for my happiness and for the respect I deserve as a human being.

I'm still stunned by what happened, watching as Luis victoriously climbs the stairs while turning his head once or twice to look at me with a satisfied smile, as if he were certain I would follow his orders to the letter. But he's very wrong; I won't put up with anything more from this relationship. I tolerated it because it didn't interfere with my plans, but this ends right now.

The foolish Isabella died at this moment. Enough of enduring and doing what everyone around me imposes. I should never have agreed to marry this heartless man. I'm sorry, Dad, I truly wanted to help you, but I won't become an abused and battered woman. The years of abuse I suffered from my mother were enough. This is where I draw the line. I'm Isabella Sardino, heir not only to your fortune but also to my grandfather's. So if you want to disinherit me, do it. Right now, I don't care about anything.

I get up, grab my purse, and run out. I get into the car and drive crying at full speed until I stop at a red light. A car horn snaps me out of my thoughts. I start the car, cross the street, and stop; I don't know what to do, I'm terrified. I don't want to go back to that house. I can't go to my grandparents' house either. If my grandfather sees me like this, he'll kill him, I know it, and I don't want him to get into trouble because of me. And if I call Dad, he'll come and kill them both; I don't want that either. Or maybe Mom will force me to stay with Luis regardless of him hitting me; I believe she's capable of that. Better if none of them find out for now. But what do I do? Where can I go looking like this?

I look in the mirror to see if I can conceal it and go to my grandparents' house. It's nighttime; I'll go straight to bed and tomorrow I can escape early before anyone sees me, after taking some money my grandmother always keeps in a kitchen vase. That way, I can rent a room for a week. How ironic! I'm supposed to be a millionaire, and I don't even have money to rent a room. Luis has all my cards; Mom gave them to him on our wedding day. I didn't say anything because I didn't need them, Grandfather always gave me money for daily expenses, and look what happened.

My hopes vanish when I see the huge mark the blow left on my face. His fingerprints are also visible on my cheeks. I have no friends to turn to. My head hurts terribly; when I touch the back, I feel several tender bumps. I break down crying uncontrollably, feeling like the most miserable woman in the universe.