pping my mother's hand tighter. "This whole situation is a mistake. I was intoxicated, and I agreed to marry

shirt, looked down at the iPad she was holding and raised it at me. "With this

this is overwhelming, Veronica," she said, her voice smooth but insistent. "But t

the opportunities. I care about my mother and my sanity.

e man standing beside her-probably one of Ivan's representatives-before letting out a soft sigh. "Very

g out, Ivan's mother cast a final glance at my mother, who was still trying to catch he

ave of relief wash over me. I turned to my mom, who was

tly, trying to keep my voice steady. "We

ok her head, her voice trembling.

aback. "What? M

w. "Please, I'm begging you. If this will help... If it me

olding everything together when the world felt like it was falling apar

a lie," I whispered, tryi

't want to, to protect the people we love," she said, her voice breaking. "If th

't want to be forced into something I didn't want, but seeing the fear

I opened them again, I nodded slowly. "Alright, Mom," I wh

held her tightly, wondering how I was going to su

day's events over and over in my mind. The weight of what I had j

make it any easier. Taking a deep breath, I picked up the phone and dialed the number Ivan's

d devoid of emotion. "I'll move into the mansion

trace of surprise in her voice. "We can discuss the

my heart heavy. "F

I was stepping into a world I didn't understand, bound by an ag

*

rophone toward me. "Mrs. Carlos, can you please tell us how you

rs, and a group of young girls-who I assumed were Ivan Carlos's fans-stared back at me. The girls,

anying me to the Carlos mansion, stoo

y in my face. "How come we haven't heard about you until now? Is it t

rled in confusion, and I felt my chest tighten with anxiety. Without a word, my mother g

gainst the door, trying to steady my breathing as