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Chapter 6

Chapter 6

As the car left the beach wedding venue, Anna felt a sense of unease. The sun set over the ocean, casting a golden glow over the luxurious car. Fernandez opened the door for her, his eyes cold and distant. The car was a sleek, black masterpiece, with tinted windows and a smooth purr that seemed to hum with wealth.

As they drove, Fernandez handed Anna a small piece of paper. "Rules," he said curtly. "For our marriage."

Anna took the paper, her eyes scanning the list. "Why did you marry me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Fernandez's expression remained unyielding. "You're here to fulfill a purpose, Anna. Don't forget that."

Anna's heart sank. "And what purpose is that?"

"You'll find out soon enough," he replied, his tone dismissive. "Just follow the rules."

Anna's eyes scanned the list again, her mind racing with questions. "Why these rules?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

Fernandez's eyes narrowed. "Because I say so. You're here to obey me, Anna. Don't forget it."

Anna felt a shiver run down her spine as she read the rules again, feeling like a prisoner in a gilded cage.

As they drove through the gates of his mansion, Anna gasped in awe. The house was a palatial wonder, with marble columns and crystal chandeliers that refracted the light into a thousand rainbow hues. Fernandez didn't even glance at her as he pulled up to the entrance, his eyes fixed on some distant point beyond the horizon.

"Welcome to your new home," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he opened the door for her. Anna stepped out into the opulent foyer, her eyes scanning the lavish decorations and priceless artwork that adorned the walls.

"Follow me," he growled, leading her up the stairs to their bedroom. Anna's heart raced as she trailed behind him, her mind reeling with thoughts of escape and rebellion.

As they reached the bedroom door, he turned to her, his eyes glinting with a cold, calculated light. "You'll sleep in the guest room as from today henceforth," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Anna to her tears, her fears, and her determination to escape.

As she settled into the bed, Anna felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was finally free from the suffocating wedding dress that had felt like a prison sentence. The pyjamas were soft and comfortable, a welcome respite from the tight corset and heavy skirt. She closed her eyes, trying to shut out the thoughts of her loveless marriage and the daunting future ahead. But as she lay there, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being trapped in this grand mansion, with no escape from the cold and distant man who was now her husband.

Later that night, As she lay on the bed in the guest room, her mind wandering back to her parents. She thought about how they had tossed her aside like a pawn in their game of debt and desperation, without remorse, apology, or hesitation. The pain of that betrayal still lingered, a fresh wound that Fernandez's icy behavior only seemed to salt.

As she heard the sound of footsteps outside her door, heavy and deliberate, Anna's heart raced. The doorknob turned, and a figure loomed in the doorway.

The figure turned out to be a lady. Anna stood up from the bed, alerted. "Can I help you?" Anna asked, her voice cautious.

"Hi, I brought you some food," the lady replied, entering the room with a warm smile. "What would you like to eat?"

Anna was happy that someone thought of her and didn't want to act rude, so she followed the lady to the dining room where food was laid out. "Thank you," Anna said, taking a seat.

As she took two bites, she turned to the lady and asked, "Thank you for the food. Who are you?"

The lady looked at her and smiled. "I'm Olivia. We haven't been introduced yet because you're new here."

Anna's eyes widened in shock. "Introduced? You mean, you live here too?"

Olivia nodded. "Yes, I do. And I'm also Fernandez's girlfriend."

Anna choked on the water she was drinking. "Girlfriend?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.

Olivia's smile grew wider as she taunted Anna, "Don't think for a second that you mean anything to Fernandez. He's mine, and no one can snatch him away from me. I only gave you this food because you seem like a pitiful little thing."

Anna was speechless, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Olivia. She finally stammered, "Then why didn't he marry you?"

Olivia's expression turned venomous as she snarled, "It's because of you, witch! He wanted to exact revenge on you. This ring" - she flashed the diamond ring on her finger - "is our engagement ring. After Fernandez has tortured you enough, he'll send you back to your family and marry me. But don't think for a second that you mean anything to him, and don't even try to seduce him."

Anna's eyes welled up with tears as she felt a stinging sensation in her heart. She wanted to escape the toxic atmosphere and retreated to her room, but before she could take a step, Fernandez entered the room, his eyes blazing with fury as he gazed at her.

He didn't say a word, but his gaze pierced through Anna like a dagger. He strode past her and went straight to Olivia, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into a passionate embrace. As they started kissing fervently, Anna felt a wave of shame wash over her. She turned and fled the scene, tears streaming down her face as she sought refuge in her room, her heart shattered into a million pieces.

Anna's mind raced with thoughts, her heart heavy with sorrow and shame. She couldn't understand why Fernandez would treat her with such cruelty and disdain. She questioned herself over and over again, wondering what she had done to deserve such treatment.

"What did I do wrong?" she thought to herself, her tears falling like rain. "Was it something I said? Something I did? Why does he hate me so much?"

She replayed every moment of their encounter in her head, searching for answers that refused to come. Her mind was a jumble of emotions, her thoughts a tangled mess of confusion and pain.

As the tears continued to flow, Anna felt her body weaken, her legs trembling beneath her. She collapsed onto the bed, her sobs echoing through the room. She buried her face in the pillow, letting her tears soak into the fabric.

"Why does he want to exact revenge on me?" she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. "What did I ever do to him?"

The questions swirled in her mind like a vortex, pulling her down into a sea of despair. Anna felt like she was drowning, unable to escape the pain and heartache that threatened to consume her.

As the night wore on, her tears finally began to subside, replaced by a numbness that spread through her body like a shroud. Anna lay there, her eyes empty, her heart heavy, and let herself drift into a fitful sleep, haunted by the echoes of her own despairing cries.

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