I give him a kiss on the cheek and go to my room to tell Christian how much I appreciate what he did. Upon entering, I can't believe what my eyes see. He's asleep in the centre of the bed, with my children in each of his arms, sleeping turned and hugging him."What a lovely picture," whispers Marta in my ear, making me jump with fright."Marta, you scared me! Come on, let's put the children to bed."We each take a child and carry them to their beds. I call to Christian, who opens his eyes and looks around."You can change your clothes now, Christian.""Where are the children?" he asks, looking around. "I promised to be by their side when they wake up. They were very frightened.""Alright, follow me. We laid them down together; let's take them and lay them with us. Is that okay? Will they not bother you? I assure you they move a lot; they won't let you sleep. By the way, thank you.""You don't have to thank me; they are my children, Bella, and you are my wife. I will defend them agains
She replied with her eyes full of sparkle. "Yesterday I heard him shout and threaten your mother. I agree, because Dad surprised me too. "I'm as amazed as you. All my life I've seen him stay silent when my mother started arguing. Even when she scolded and punished me for no reason, all he did was tell me to shut up. He never intervened or confronted Mum. Even Grandfather was surprised. It was terrifying, and not only that. He picked up Grandma and went with her to the room, leaving Mum at Christian's mercy."She exclaims euphorically: "He's my hero, and he's beautiful. Although you don't look like him or your mother. Who did you take after, Bella?""I don't know, I think I'm a little like my grandmother, tall like Dad." It's something that also intrigues me, I don't look like them.After we finished taking a great walk around the property, and my children were tired of riding their ponies, we entered the house. An agency had its employees organising everything they had bought."And
I leap from my chair, pacing back and forth, feeling trapped. It's true, I agreed to a sham marriage, but not to this. For life? No! I can't accept that, we barely know each other! Besides, I have my life planned out, and there's no room for men in my future. I don't want anyone to make my children suffer. Although, I lied to them just now, telling them that this man who's asking to stay with me for the rest of my life wants to be their father, but he's not. Can I marry him just for them? What madness are you thinking, Isabella?"Bella?" Christian calls out. I stop in front of him."We're not in love! How can we live like this, married?" I ask innocently, my mind not working at the moment."Bella, I'm happy with your family," he says, taking my hands and looking me straight in the eyes. "If one day, you find the love you're waiting for, I'll let you go, without any resentment. I promise you that." I don't know what to say. I watch him, release my hands, and resume pacing. I walk to
"Alright, Bella."We go out and go to the children's room. It's a dream come true, they love it and scream happily. I sigh and think that yes, I'm doing the right thing. Christian will be a good father. I look at my grandmother, who smiles happily, and that image alone makes the tightness in my chest and the urge to cry disappear. In the end, I join Marta and dedicate myself to directing the team, to placing things where I want them inside the house.Christian accompanies me happily. Then we all have lunch, like a happy family. Christian and I keep talking about the children. He wants to know everything about them. When I finally bathe them and get them to sleep, I go out onto a beautiful terrace in the matrimonial room. All my new clothes, shoes, jewellery, make-up, in short, everything I use, is equally divided between the closet and Christian's room. I'm amazed to see that they've brought all my things from my house.I sit on a comfortable chair and rock back
After informing my parents that I was leaving, I head to my apartment. I'm so happy that my brother has come up with the idea of getting married. I don't care if it's true or a lie, I'm going to support him as long as he doesn't marry that shameless Adele. She may have blinded my parents, but not me.First, I'm going to go to France, I have to find out what that slut went to do there when she disappeared during the time Chris was in a coma. She said she had gone to do an internship, she's the only one who believes that, she doesn't even know how to speak French. Besides, I have to see if he left any photographs of the girl my brother was in love with at my grandfather's house. Why didn't he ever want to tell me who she was? Now we wouldn't have this problem, nor would I have been tempted to fulfil my promise not to investigate who she was.I finish packing when I hear the doorbell, I look through the peephole and can't believe it, it's mum. I opened the door wh
I will never forgive her and one day I will prove to my parents that they are wrong about her. I know, she is not what she seems, my brother told me so. That's why I'm going there, to make her life hell. If she thinks she's going to be able to trap him with her cheap woman's tricks, she's very wrong! I will not let go of him at all. I will defend you this time, my brother, you won't remember anything, but you have me, I will be your memory.I take out my phone and start checking the news on the entertainment pages. Wow, they really have a good show set up for my brother, ha, ha, ha.... Bravo Chris, you found the best solution! Ha, ha, ha... Isabella Sardino, where have I heard that name before? I started writing her a message."You did well this time, you have my full support.""Really? Do you think it's a good idea?""Yes, my brother. I'm on my way.""When are you arriving so I can wait for you with a surprise at the airport?""I have to go to Fr
I wake early to find Christian's side of the bed empty. I look for him in the bathroom, but there's no sound. So, I slip in for a refreshing shower myself. Afterwards, I tiptoe into the children's room. They're still asleep, the fresh air clearly lulling them into a deep slumber. I continue to Marta's room, where I find her getting ready."What are you doing? Where are you going?" I ask, surprised by her elegant attire. "I hardly recognise you. Are those new clothes?"Marta smiles when she hears me and responds. "Mima bought them for me to wear to work," she explains, still focused on her appearance. "She says I need to dress better, that you and I don't know how to dress ourselves. And since she's so excited about Christian teaching her how to shop online on the tablet he gave her, she can't stop buying things for all of us. Grandpa just watches and smiles. She's changed so much! But she's scared your father might come here to see her."She continues talking as
She speaks earnestly, sitting beside me on the bed. I look at her, take her hands in mine, and let out all my breath as if wishing away the fright that makes everything inside me tremble—it doesn't disappear. Instead, it remains there, lodged in my chest, growing with each passing hour and the reality of this arrangement I've agreed to."I've already accepted, Marta," I say. "Christian realised that my grandfather was determined to marry me off to him for real, and seeing as it suited him, he agreed." I tell her honestly; since we've known each other, I've hidden nothing. Her eyes widen with surprise and concern—clearly, she hadn't expected me to say that. "Didn't I tell you he was hiding something?""You were right, Bella, but you shouldn't have agreed so hastily. You said it was odd that he agreed so readily to everything, and it seems your instincts were correct—he's running from his family." She sighs, visibly annoyed. "And I'm certain that once his m
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