THE EMPERORS WOMAN

Many believe that being the heiress to a millionaire family is synonymous with happiness. In their minds, they conjure up a fantastical existence for us, one which, 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 my parents but also from my billionaire, mafioso, and feared grandfather, Santiago Sardino, I am, for as long as I can recall, the most wretched person imaginable.

In the various novels I've perused, it's invariably the affluent youths who are portrayed as petulant, arrogant, and living life with reckless 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 antithesis of such characters; my mother made certain of it. Hence, I find myself ensnared in this abject existence they have foisted upon me.

It has been over six months since I began enduring the farce of an arranged marriage. Thus far, I have no complaints; my nominal husband, Luis, scarcely stays at home. I am 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. In my own peculiar way, I feel content; I am free. All that is required of me is to withstand this pretence for the necessary duration, and then I shall be wholly liberated.

I intend to travel, to immerse myself in studies that genuinely captivate me, far removed from everyone else's expectations. For when this masquerade concludes, a portion of my inheritance will be bestowed upon me, enabling me to do as I please—or so my father has promised.

Even though my father and I aren't close – indeed, he barely speaks to me in my mother's presence – I believe he loves me. Often, he gazes at me, lost 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 fears him, hence he refrains from showing any affection or interest towards me. At least he does not mistreat me and is quite kind when we are alone.

Today, I lingered longer than usual in the library, engrossed in a project assigned by the school. I am eager to achieve high marks in the hope that it will please my father. Moreover, should I succeed, there will be no need to study over the weekend, and I can spend that time fishing with my grandparents.

I return to my house; it's past nine at night. To my surprise, as I park the car, I notice all the lights are ablaze. Upon entering, I am greeted by the sight of Luis in the company of a blonde woman.

"Good evening," I say, not particularly pleased by the scene before me, yet I hold my tongue, waiting to see what unfolds.

"You've finally arrived, Bella!" Luis rises and comes over as soon as he spots me. "Come, let me introduce you to Vivian, the love of my life."

I can hardly believe it! It is one thing to keep a mistress outside our home and quite another to bring her within. Nonetheless, given our sham marriage, I take a deep breath and muster a semblance of a smile as she approaches. The blonde regards me with a smirk and extends her hand in greeting.

"Hello, Isabella," she says in a grating falsetto. She continues with a triumphant air that baffles me until she concludes her announcement, and I realise the cause of her smugness. "I hope we'll become very good friends, now that we're going to be living together."

"What?!" I exclaimed, truly astonished. I turned to Luis who was smiling contentedly as if all our problems had been resolved, and that incensed me.

"Yeah, Bella," he said with a cynical grin, draping an arm around Vivian's shoulders. "I can't justify paying rent when we have this large house at our disposal. You will continue to reside on the first floor; we shall take the second."

"Luis, that wasn't part of the agreement!" I protested vehemently, finding the situation intolerable.

"Isabella, don't provoke me," he barked, advancing towards me with a threatening air, yet I stood my ground. "If I say we are going to live together, then that's exactly what will happen!"

"I cannot accept this. I have nothing against your affair, but your mistress is not going to reside here with us! She simply isn't!" I asserted resolutely.

"Bella, you are really trying my patience!" Luis bellowed, his face inches from mine, flushed with rage as though he intended to intimidate me. "If you utter another word, I swear I'll make you regret it!"

"Don't assume I'm frightened of you, Luis. If you lay a finger on me, our arrangement is over!" I retorted with equal force.

For a moment, he regarded me as if he couldn't fathom that the usually docile Isabella was defying him.

"Are you threatening me, Isabella?" Luis demanded, resuming his menacing stance.