calm and composed, as if nothing had just happened. I watched Ivan walk away, leaving me to drown in the weight

his?" I asked, dropping my han

back out now," she said, her tone almost mocking. "It's no longer a favor. I've paid the six million dollars your mot

nto my chest. Six million dollars? My mother had sold me into this? And my friends...

with amusement. I glanced at her, seeing the smirk on he

t carried me up the stairs to my mother's room, each step fueled by the seething anger bubbling inside of me

g of betrayal. "How could you conspire with them like this? Sell

ago replaced by guilt and discomfort. She waved the maid away, w

rising to approach me, but I took a step

ising. "You sold me, Mom! Six million dollars? Wa

led, keeping the distance between us. "Veronica, trust me. A

per in my chest. "You still went through wit

e drowning in debt, Veronica. You didn't know, but we were about to lose everything-our home, our dignity. I didn't kno

to process fully. "And you thought this,

til it was too late. Mrs. Carlos is ruthless. She manipulated everything-my fear, our situati

n this impossible situation, tangled in a web I had no control over. And Ivan, standing sile

self. "And what now, Mom? I'm trapped in th

t maybe, Veronica, you could... find a way to make this work for you? Ivan-he's power

ears. "What could I possibly gain from a man who doesn'

reaked opened revealing Ivan as he stood there, his hands in his black

y as he walked into the room taking my ha

twisted at once. It was just like the woman standing opposit

to follow him, but because I didn't know what else to do. He was still playing his part-my husband, even if i

e anger still hot in my chest. "More mi

udied me, his deep eyes dark and intent. "Why are you acting like I'm forcing all this on you?"

owing my eyes. "This isn't a marria