"5, I met you. Understood that I was born to marry you. You were silent, you were shy. But I managed to make you be my friend.

At age 13, I fell in love with you. I loved your cheeky smile.  I loved the way I am the only person you rely on.

At age 17, I became yours and promised myself to you. I pledged to wait for you no matter how long. You were sweet, caring, and treated me like I'm the only woman in your world.

At age 18, you left. Moving to another country to meet the future that you are born to. I waited but you hardly called.

At age 25, you came back for me, but you're not the man I knew.
From the day I was born, I was meant to be his. It was okay. Everything was great. I loved him as we played on the playgrounds, as we watched grow up- and he loved me. Suddenly, he left with his father to go to Italy leaving me behind for seven years, he came back but he wasn't the same.
From the day I was born, I was meant to be his. I was happy to be his. But he was no longer the man who I was betrothed to"

His betrothed

　　A week has passed and Dante is still here at the manor. I have been restless and hardly had any sleep. I am so overworked that I get so nauseous at times. I try to keep the job as done as well as I can but Dante is so cruel that he just creates reasons to abuse and humiliate me. He really is worse than his son. He often uses his cane to hit me, leaving bruises all over my legs and arms. I am starting to wonder if he really needs it.


　　Matteo is not letting me stay in the guest room but he keeps his distance from me while I am in the bedroom. He has not touched me these days, he always comes home too drunk and tired for some reason. I did not ask too much into it because I honestly do not care. More time for me to rest as long as he is passed out in a corner.


Chapter 18