"Dad, I have to tell you something now that you said that.""What thing?" he asks as we walk towards the room where Chris sleeps."Yesterday afternoon, when we went to the market to buy clothes to go to the club, we ran into his parents, and my father-in-law..., my father-in-law...""What about your father-in-law, Bella? What did that heartless man do to you?"Upon hearing him shout furiously and seeing the terrible expression of hatred on his face, I become frightened and no longer think it's a good idea to tell him. However, I've already started and can't stop now. I will continue to trust my father as I did my secret friend. I won't hide anything from him; he seems to know Mr. Thompson very well."He was looking at me in a strange way, I thought he was comparing me to Adele, but... but... you know I don't have much experience with men, dad. But I think he was looking at me as a woman; I even saw him licking his lips while looking at my breasts.""Heartless womaniser! He hasn't chan
Everyone thinks that being the heiress of a wealthy family makes you happy. In their minds, they create a wonderful fantasy life that, in my case, is far from reality. Despite being the sole heiress of one of the most powerful families in my country—not only to my parents but also to my grandfather Santiago Sardino, a feared mafia millionaire—I am the most miserable person imaginable since I can remember.In the numerous novels I've read, rich children like me are always portrayed as petulant, conceited, and doing whatever they want without caring about anything. They face their parents without fear. I assure you that's not my case; I'm quite the opposite. My mother made sure of that, and now I find myself trapped in this miserable life they've imposed on me.It's been over six months since I've been living this arranged marriage charade. So far, I have no complaints. My fake husband, Luis, barely spends time at home. I'm immersed in my studies and visit my grandparents every day afte
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
With my head resting on the steering wheel, I cry until a memory comes to mind, as if God had enlightened me. I remember the apartment my grandfather gave me in the city center many years ago, I think when I turned sixteen; it was my birthday present. I remember it as if it were yesterday: he took me secretly from home and led me there with such mystery to give it to me. "Nobody knows about its existence, just you and me," he told me.The happiness that fills me is enormous. I search through my purse and find the address and, on my keyring, the key that opens it. I look up the location on my phone, which immediately plots the route; it's not that far. I drive there. Upon arrival, I have to show my ID at the entrance because the doorman is new and doesn't know me. Well, I suppose the previous one wouldn't have known me either; I only came that one time when Grandfather brought me. I could never come back because they wouldn't let me out.The doorman keeps glancing at me. I've let my ha
She observes me with satisfaction and leaves. I open the bag reluctantly to find an extremely short dress that barely covers my thighs. I try it on; it's beautiful, but my breasts almost spill out of the neckline.I'll never wear something like this! What was Mom thinking buying me clothes that look more suitable for a woman of the night? No, I definitely won't wear such a garment, even if she gets furious!After my mother leaves, and having seen how the dress fits, I search through my wardrobe until I find an outfit my grandmother gave me for my birthday. It's pale pink; I try it on. It fits perfectly! Above all, I feel comfortable in it: nothing to be ashamed of or worried about men's leering looks throughout dinner.Dressed like this, I stay in my room until they're all in the car honking and calling for me. I run out and quickly get in. Since they're running late, they don't make me go back to change. My mother spends the entire journey berating me. I put my headphones on and focu
I look at the smiling lady in front of me, her image comes to my mind for an instant from when they used to visit my house before I was sent to school."I..." I don't know what to say, the words catch in my throat. "I... I..." I stammer. What are they doing here?"Don't pretend you don't remember Luisito, darling," my mother says in her fake voice. I look at her but say nothing. "You haven't stopped talking about him all these years."What? Why is my mother telling such a lie? I had never remembered him until today, I hate him!"Isabella," Dad speaks, "you said a moment ago that you remembered him."I look at Dad, not understanding what he's saying. Was that what I said yes to? Of course I remember Luis well! He was that hateful boy who always made me cry, forcing me to do things I didn't want to do. I've hated him all my life; he used to follow me everywhere and hit me when no one was watching. Then he'd manage to make me take the blame for everything he did. How could I forget? I th
I remain paralyzed, staring at them, unable to believe what they are saying. I look at Luis, who smiles like an angel, accepting everyone's congratulations while holding one of my hands in his and kissing me from time to time. And suddenly, he kneels before me and shows me, with his cynical smile, an engagement ring."Bella, since we were children, you have been a fascination to me, and you still are. As you promised me back then when you confessed your love, I have waited all these years for you. Because I have also loved you all my life and I intend to continue doing so. Thank you for accepting me as the man who will make you happy for all eternity," Luis says while placing the ring on my finger, amid everyone's applause. He doesn't even ask if I accept him, he takes it for granted. I feel trapped, unable to react or say a word. I can't find words to express my desperation; I remain frozen and at a loss for what to say. I know I can't voice my opinion; it has always been this way.
Luis stares at me with an expression of mockery and contempt that I did not understand, but I waited for him to finish speaking in the hope that somehow I would escape this torture."Did you really think I was in love with you? No, Bella, I'll never fall in love with someone like you," he said cynically. "So take it well, we'll both win. You'll have your freedom, and I'll have my inheritance. We'll be married for three years, and each go our separate ways. We'll only appear to be married. Now you have to pretend you like me, that we've truly been in love since childhood; if we do it well, we'll be free sooner.""Sounds good to me; I don't like you either. We'll divorce in three years, and that's it," I replied happily, feeling a great weight lifted from my shoulders. I felt God existed and had come to save me."Yes, but I want to make something clear. During that time, you can't have any relationships," he said very seriously while looking out the window."Fine by me. And you?" I ask
"Dad, I have to tell you something now that you said that.""What thing?" he asks as we walk towards the room where Chris sleeps."Yesterday afternoon, when we went to the market to buy clothes to go to the club, we ran into his parents, and my father-in-law..., my father-in-law...""What about your father-in-law, Bella? What did that heartless man do to you?"Upon hearing him shout furiously and seeing the terrible expression of hatred on his face, I become frightened and no longer think it's a good idea to tell him. However, I've already started and can't stop now. I will continue to trust my father as I did my secret friend. I won't hide anything from him; he seems to know Mr. Thompson very well."He was looking at me in a strange way, I thought he was comparing me to Adele, but... but... you know I don't have much experience with men, dad. But I think he was looking at me as a woman; I even saw him licking his lips while looking at my breasts.""Heartless womaniser! He hasn't chan
I don't know what to think or say right now. I told him so many things, shared my fears, talked about him, about Mum. Now I understand why my secret friend knew how I thought and understood perfectly without much explanation of what I told him, and gave me such good advice. I run towards him and hug him again, happy that he shows me in that way how much he loves me."Are you not upset?""No, I'm not.""Can I now be your best friend instead of your secret friend?""Yes, yes, Dad, I would really like that!" "Then answer me honestly all those questions I asked you." I pause, right now I want to tell him the whole truth, but I'm ashamed of what I did, going to the club, not knowing who the father of my children is, and above all, that Christian is not. I promised not to tell anyone, but Dad is no one; he's my dad! I slump into a chair not knowing what to do or say. It's not just my secret; I need to discuss it with Christian and even with Grandpa. For now, I'll tell him only what I can
Standing before my father, who observes me in silence, I patiently wait for him to speak. What does it mean that Christian is here in his house, and what did the doctor mean by that? He gestures for me to follow him into the study, and I do so quietly. He sits at his desk and switches on the computer."I want you to see this, Bella. Before I tell you anything, and for you to understand why your husband did what he did."I approach slowly, feeling like I'm about to witness something unpleasant, but I need to know. As I arrive, I see a video of a young man stumbling around a house, his gaze vacant as if he doesn't recognise anyone. I focus and realise it's not our house; it's another one. When the man turns, I see that it's my father when he was young. There's another person being taken away whom I can't recognise because their face is blurred."What does this mean, Dad?""That drug they gave your husband yesterday. That day, my girlfriend was supposed to meet me and disappeared; I neve
I catch Christian's face and kiss him, making him forget about them. I keep doing it for the rest of the night, even when we get into the limousine, I don't let go of him. We are all a bit drunk. But Christian instructs the driver to stop."Christie, take this key and go with David and Marta to the hotel where my company's party will be held.""Why my brother?" she protests. "I'm very tired! Whatever it is can wait until tomorrow.""I want to check something. Please, Chris, do as I ask," he turns when he sees she is really drunk. "Take care of them, David. Let's go, Bella."We get out of the limousine, which drives away, leaving us in the complete darkness of the street. Another car approaches, and we get in; it's one of the security guards' cars."Where to, boss?" the driver asks. I am also a bit drunk, so I just follow my husband without knowing what he wants to do."Take us to the estate," he orders very seriously, and I still don't understand. "I di
I jump to my feet and we head to the dance floor. He wraps me in his arms and we dance non-stop for over an hour, laughing and completely happy with my husband, who also seems to be enjoying himself. We return to our table to rest for a bit. The girls are lost, but we're not worried, they're well taken care of. I see Christian furrow his brow and follow his gaze, and I can't believe it. Adele is a little further away, with a woman I can't quite identify, but she seems familiar!"Bella, by any chance are you wearing something my parents gave you?" Christian asks suspiciously as he inspects me."No, my love, why do you ask? You know I don't like jewellery, I only have these earrings that are gifts from my mum and the ring you gave me, nothing else.""I'm starting to suspect that one of us has a follower who tells them where we are," he says as he takes another sip of his drink, still looking towards where she is. "You're ruled out, I don't have anyth
I go to Marta's room, who is clad in very tight black trousers that accentuate her beautiful body. Her hair is tousled and adorned with garments, reminding me of the wild girl I met in France."Marta! I almost didn't recognise you!" I exclaim, truly astonished to see her."Why haven't you dressed yet?" she asks, ignoring my exclamation as if it were nothing."I came to see what you were going to wear to match. I've never been to a nightclub, you know," I explain, unable to stop looking at her; she is truly beautiful. "Marta, you've really surprised me. You're very beautiful and you were hiding it.""Stop exaggerating, I just fixed up a bit. What do you mean you don't know what to wear? Bella, we bought you the clothes you should wear, put them on.""Don't you think it's too tight?""No!"At that moment, both she and Christie, who appears dressed almost the same as Marta but in gold trousers, say simultaneously. Mine are dark blu
"I don't know if it's our Susi, but I'm going to find out, and if it's true that they have her locked up in a hospital in that country, we'll get her back. I promise you! I won't rest until I find our little one."From that day on, he hired detectives in America who didn't rest until they found her. But the situation was more complicated than they had thought. Powerful people were involved and the place was heavily guarded, almost like a prison. He paid countless times to see if he could get her out, but nothing worked.He went in person and couldn't do anything. So he decided to bribe a judge to get the order to let him see her for just two hours, the rest he would do by himself when they travelled to that place. He had invested a fortune in the preparations to recover his daughter, but he wouldn't rest until he achieved it.This is how they had managed to enter that sinister place, with the judge's order for a two-hour visit. Th
"Well, it could be a hallucination. The truth is, whoever locked her up in that hospital did so with the help of some doctor. Because you don't keep a patient admitted and with no visitation rights for so long just for depression. Your daughter was locked up in that hospital with a court order, as if she were a danger to herself," the doctor explains."We know, I had to pay a lot of money to get the order to remove her from there, and even then, we were pursued," the father reveals."I suggest that for now, you don't tell anyone she's here, let's wait for her to recover," the doctor advises."Do you think she can do it?" the mother asks."I'm not sure, but I have the impression that everything she experiences is caused by the medications. I'll gradually stop them to see if my theory is correct. Then we'll know where we stand," the doctor explains."Do you not think she might actually be crazy?" the father inquires."No! Definitely not! If she does have
In a private clinic, a beautiful woman sits in a chair facing the window, unable to believe she is there. An elderly couple enters the room, she turns and runs to meet them."Thank you, Mum, thank you, Dad. You finally found me.""My daughter!"The elderly couple embrace her, crying tears of joy, they check her over, kiss her, and caress her as if they need to make sure it's true that it's her."How are you feeling, daer?""Better, Mum, now that I see you both. I've been so scared thinking I was kidnapped again. How did you manage to find me?""It's a long story, let's go.""Go? Where to?""Where do you think? At our home, we always said you were living abroad. Why didn't you call us sooner, darling?""I was afraid, Dad.""That's in the past, you'll get better, you'll see. We'll take care of you a lot, my daughter. You have no idea how much we missed you.""I'd prefer no one knows I'm with you until I get better.""As