The Woman withitn Me

ch, in my case, is far removed from reality. Despite being the sole heiress to one of the most influential families in my country, and not just inheriting from m

ess abandon. They defy their parents without a hint of trepidation. I can assure you, this is not my reality. On the contrary, I am the ant

wholly immersed in my studies. After leaving my school each day, I visit my grandparents. At the very least, I have escaped the oppressive presence of my intolerable mother

rom everyone else's expectations. For when this masquerade concludes, a portion of my inher

ost in his thoughts, and I discern a profound sadness in his eyes, especially when my mother is nearby, chastising me over trifles. It's as if she f

am eager to achieve high marks in the hope that it will please my father. Moreover, should I succeed,

I park the car, I notice all the lights are ablaze. Upon entering,

pleased by the scene before me, yet I ho

comes over as soon as he spots me. "Come, let

bring her within. Nonetheless, given our sham marriage, I take a deep breath and muster a semblanc

hat baffles me until she concludes her announcement, and I realise the cause of her smug

to Luis who was smiling contentedly as if all our

ulders. "I can't justify paying rent when we have this large house at our disp

reement!" I protested vehemently,

with a threatening air, yet I stood my ground. "If I say we ar

affair, but your mistress is not going to reside he

inches from mine, flushed with rage as though he intended to intimid

. If you lay a finger on me, our arrangem

he couldn't fathom that the usual

sabella?" Luis demanded, r

one. "She's clearly taken aback by the news. I did tell you that you s

to our room while I finish speaki

r, who had advised me to do so at the first sign of trouble. I refused to be made an even greater laughing stock than I alrea

me and his hands planted firmly on his hips. Vivian cast another scornful, almost pitying glanc

turning to me with a parting shot. "Good night, Isabe

stairs to the second floor, feeling utterly powerless. I am about to rummage through my bag for the phone to call Dad whe

ssment in front of my girlfriend!" he snarls, seizing my hair and forcin

scream, desperately trying to break fr

, relentlessly pulling at my hair, and banging my head against the floor. "No man would spare a secon

egret it for all your days!" I vow to him, continuing to

. So, stay out of sight! Vivian and I will live here; you'll only appear for official functions. Under

with a violent thud as he clamped down on my face with his fingers, squeezing with a force that inflic

ive. Your body is pathetic. It's an embarrassment having to be seen arm-in-arm with you, introducing you as

, my knees smarting from the impact. As he walked away, leaving me sprawled

e loath to have to repeat it," he said coolly. "So do try to be

ief over what had just tra

ccasional slaps from Mum when she lost her temper and Dad wasn't

childhood that he could be a bully-I had endured his abuse during our holidays. But to

ate it! Absolutely not! I made a vow then and there-n