3 months after the wedding, a completely unknown vehicle parked in front of the Villa. Susan immediately knew that someone from the Lacronte family had arrived, based on the initials printed on the vehicle. However, she had not expected it to be Andrea Lacronte, her mother-in-law.

During the three months of marriage, Susan hadn't crossed paths with Arturo even once, although she knew that he spent every night in the study and left the Villa before sunrise. Despite Arturo's disappointment with Gabriela and her sudden departure, he had agreed to marry Susan, although both had very different thoughts about this union that was supposed to last 365 days.

When Susan descended to the living room, she found herself face to face with Andrea, whose look was full of disdain.

"Mrs. Andrea," Susan spoke softly, a small smile appearing on her face.

"The staff shouldn't address me, so go back where you came from, you cursed opportunist, fiancé stealer!" Andrea accused, causing the young woman to pale and widen her eyes in shock.

"Mother!" Arturo Lacronte arrived, and Susan found herself breathless as she observed the man dressed entirely in black, exuding elegance and presence.

"I didn't realize the staff had privileges," Andrea Lacronte spoke again.

"Enough, mother. Susan is my wife, not a member of the staff," Arturo's serious expression filled the room, his aura dominating even the grand Villa. After expressing those words, he headed to his study. Susan swallowed nervously, while Andrea made it clear that she did not like her.

Everything seemed to dissipate as Susan retreated to her room. Andrea went shopping, and Susan didn't know if Arturo was still in the study. But before she could dwell on it further, her cell phone rang, revealing it was her mother calling.

"Mom, is something wrong?" Susan was afraid, as she used to visit her parents every afternoon, and it was only midday. Being close to her parents was comforting, even though her father never spoke or moved.

"Yes, darling, your sister has returned." Susan didn't understand why hearing this caused discomfort within her. A few seconds passed before she could form some words.

"Is she at home?" her voice was barely audible.

"Yes, she is at home. And your father managed to utter some words with her return." Gema Fontaine seemed sad, as it was no secret that Gabriel Fontaine had a favorite among his daughters, and that was often Gabriela. Susan herself had been rejected by him many times, but she tolerated it due to her daughter's kindness and nobility. She was willing to accept small crumbs of affection from her father.

"I understand, Mom. It's better if I don't go today," Susan whispered. "I don't want to make Gabriela uncomfortable."

"Little Susan, this is your home, just like hers. You have every right to come here."

"I know, Mom, but I prefer not to go today. I'll talk to you later." Susan didn't give her mother a chance to react before ending the call.

It was midnight when Susan realized she had fallen asleep. Her throat felt dry, and she had slept for more than 8 hours. Her stomach growled, furrowing her brow. She carefully left the room, finding the hallway dark and deserted. Susan didn't want to make too much noise, especially considering her mother-in-law was in the house, and the last thing she wanted was to cause any inconvenience.

When she entered the kitchen, the lights were off, as expected. She poured herself a glass of milk, her hazel eyes gazing out of the window that overlooked the garden, adorned with large glass panels that accentuated the beauty of the flowers. Minutes passed in silence, bringing a sense of calmness to her heart. This had been her favorite spot for the past three months, always positioned to observe the garden from the same window. However, inexplicably, there was now a small sofa placed there, thirty days after her arrival.

"Are you thinking about me?" Arturo's voice caused the young woman to quickly stand up from the sofa, accidentally dropping the glass of milk she held in her hand.

"What are you doing here?" Susan was not accustomed to Arturo's presence. In fact, she was used to being alone. Her father always told her that she didn't fit in anywhere and that it was best for her to stay at home. This gave her an even greater appreciation for her solitude, rather than seek acceptance in a hypocritical society.

"This is my house." Arturo approached her, causing Susan to step back, unaware that the spilled milk on the floor was the same area she was now stepping on.

Susan lost her balance and slipped, but the expected impact never came. A strong arm encircled her small waist, and instinctively, she wrapped her arms around Arturo's neck. This action seemed like a scene from a romantic telenovela, where the protagonist saves their beloved from some danger. As their bodies came together, Susan gazed into the gray eyes of the man, his perfect face, his eyebrows. Arturo Lacronte had been chosen as the most elegant and handsome man in all of England for good reason.

"T-thank you." Susan attempted to separate herself from Arturo, but his grip intensified. "Let go of me. I didn't mean to hold onto you." Susan quickly apologized, knowing from the house staff that Arturo had a cleanliness fetish and couldn't stand people being close to him. The clothes he wore had to be sterilized, and the ingredients for his meals were exclusively imported.

"Are you aware that if you move, you will trigger a reaction in my body?"

"I don't have any bacteria; I won't cause any reaction in your body, Mr. Lacronte. I was just scared. I didn't expect you to be here. It wasn't intentional, I promise it won't happen again."

"You need to expand your mind a little." Arturo's voice was hoarse, and Susan panicked, thinking that Arturo might be experiencing an allergy to the moisturizing products she used or the low-quality garments she was wearing.

"I truly apologize." Her eyes were already filled with tears. She had heard that Arturo was ruthless when something bothered him, of course, all of this from the cleaning staff, as she didn't speak with her sister. Gabriela had always discriminated against her, although Susan was too kind to ever hold it against her. She revered her family, and that wouldn't change.

"Do you regret it?" Susan trembled in Arturo's arms as she looked into his shining eyes. "You are sexually stimulating me."

Susan turned pale upon hearing Arturo's words.

"What are you going to do to me?" Susan squirmed once more, causing Arturo to growl. She wasn't foolish; she knew perfectly well that she was arousing Arturo. However, her new doubt was: Did he like her? Susan shook her head in denial, as it couldn't be true. But she could feel Arturo's masculinity, which frightened her even more. She snapped out of her thoughts upon hearing the sound of fabric tearing, her back hitting the sofa, and the excruciating pain as she was penetrated.

Susan was on the verge of screaming, but Arturo covered her mouth. Tears welled up in Susan's hazel eyes. Arturo had become wild, and with each thrust his body reacted. His hands caressed every part of Susan's naked body. When it was over, Susan couldn't move. She sobbed inconsolably, her clothes in shambles. Arturo, seeming unaffected, adjusted his pants with the air of a king.

"Why did you do this?" Susan mustered the courage to ask.

"Because this is what spouses do, they have sex. Wasn't that what you wanted? Besides, it seemed like you enjoyed it," Arturo replied.

"You're a beast," Susan covered herself with her torn clothes, or at least attempted to.

"I'm not trying to prove I'm a saint. You're my wife, you can't refuse," Susan knew Arturo's words were technically correct, she couldn't refuse, but she never expected him to do such a thing. "Go to your room," Arturo commanded.

This time, the man's voice evoked a strange feeling in her. Susan stood up, feeling an unfamiliar discomfort in her intimate area. She bit her lip and made her way to the stairs, ascending to her room. The kitchen remained cloaked in darkness, but Arturo flicked on a switch that illuminated the area around the sofa with a dim light. There, the bloodstain became visible, hardening Arturo's features as he observed the crimson liquid.

The new day had arrived when Susan opened her eyes and noticed the tall figure sitting on the small chair. Susan got scared and quickly sat up in bed. She couldn't understand what had been happening during the past three months. She hadn't encountered Arturo, but then she saw him one afternoon. At night, he forced himself on her, and now in the morning, she found him watching her while she slept.

"Susan," Arturo spoke, but the girl was still bewildered by the presence of the man and didn't pay attention to Arturo. "I suppose I still have to punish you for not answering my call."

"What?" Susan reacted, but it was too late. Arturo positioned himself above her. Susan tried to push him away, but it was futile. Her strength was no match for Arturo's.

"Guess," Arturo opened Susan's nightgown. The woman had given up, allowing him to take control of her body. The pain was less intense than the previous night, but there was still discomfort. After all, they were married, and she couldn't refuse him. An hour later, as two bodies intertwined completely on the bed, it was all over. Susan was left confused, her small body covered in small bites. She watched as Arturo buttoned up his shirt. Arturo was acting like the respected businessman everyone knew him to be, but with her, he behaved like a beast.

"Don't think too much, it's just sex," Arturo said as he left the room, as if he hadn't unleashed their passion just minutes ago.

"How did this happen?" Susan asked herself, looking at her naked body, the messy sheets, and, most importantly, was she merely a substitute for her sister? Did Arturo think of Gabriela when they were intimate? Susan let out a sigh. She didn't want this to spiral out of control; she needed to talk to someone. So she showered, had breakfast, and set out to find her best friend, Daniela Jones.

"Why are you here so early?" The blonde was surprised to see the brunette standing at her doorstep at 8 in the morning.

"I need to tell you something. I've committed a sin, and I can't tell my mother. I can't face her," Susan said, her hands trembling as Daniela took hold of them and led her inside the apartment.

"Unless you've killed someone or stolen something, it can't be that bad," Daniela reassured her. "Tell me, what's wrong?"

"Last night, Arturo and I were intimate," Susan whispered, clasping her hands together, her feet tapping on the floor. She was nervous.

"Is there a problem with that, Susan?" Daniela shook her head. "Let me tell you, there's nothing wrong with it. You're married, it's the most natural thing that can happen between you two. But what I don't understand is how you got there. You don't even talk to each other. The guy barely acknowledges your presence in the house. On the day you got married, the documents were taken to his office. You didn't even see him regularly when he was your brother-in-law, let alone when you were married. And now, it turns out you even…" Daniela smiled before speaking again. "Did you cast a spell on him? I always knew you couldn't resist Arturo, darling. He is the most desired man in London and all of England."

"I haven't done anything, stop saying stupid things. His mother arrived yesterday, that's when the first encounter happened. In fact, he defended me against Mrs. Andrea. But at night, it happened without explanation, I have no way to explain it to you."

"Susan, I'm not asking for details. I just wanted to know how you ended up there. But it seems like you don't even know yourself. Well, girl, just enjoy it for a year. All you'll have as a memory is the fact that you slept with none other than Arturo Lacronte."

"You don't understand the gravity of the situation," Susan became desperate. "You're forgetting that Arturo loves my sister. They were going to get married, and…"

"Arturo is your husband now, your sister ran away," Daniela interrupted.

"I still don't know what happened to her, Gabriela just disappeared and that caused a heart attack in my dad. What if something happened to her? Besides, she loves Arturo," Susan was about to continue, but Daniela interrupted her immediately.

"Susan, we haven't discussed this topic because I thought it would never be necessary, but your sister was always your father's favorite. It's possible that she discovered something that caused the heart attack."

"And maybe she found out that my sister was in danger, it's logical," Susan stated.

"Or perhaps your sister disappointed him," Daniela stared at her friend, but Susan shook her head.

"She wouldn't be capable of disappointing Dad. I'm afraid something happened to my sister and I'm taking her place, plus she's back."

"What?" Daniela looked surprised.

"Gabriela is back, I need to see her, I need to talk to her, I need to know if she's alright."

"Maybe it didn't work out with her lover," Daniela shrugged.

"Stop saying that," Susan was determined to defend her friend.

"I'll stay quiet for now. I want to know what your sister tells you and how you assert your title as the President's Noble Wife."

"Daniela, don't call me that. You don't know how bad I feel after it."

"Did you think about your sister when he had his way with you?" Daniela's question made Susan blush. "See, you didn't think about her, and according to all the laws, you are his wife. It's not a sin for a couple to have sex. Now, come with me for breakfast. You're the only one who had dinner and breakfast with a desired man."

Daniela smiled, and a few minutes later, the two young women headed to a restaurant.

"Are you planning to eat all of that?" Susan asked, observing Daniela's plate.

"Don't be nosy. By the way, what did the viper of a mother-in-law say to you?" Daniela asked, earning a glare from Susan.

"Of course, she didn't hide her dislike for me," Susan took a bite.

"And did your knight defend you, as you told me?"

"Did your fortune rise on the basis of your good jokes?" Susan also smiled, causing Daniela to smile as well.

"My father was good at making jokes, and I have inherited that."

"Don't make me laugh." The atmosphere between the two young women was pleasant. They had started their education together since they were 5 years old, and now at 23, their friendship was stronger than ever. They were very different - Susan was quiet and didn't share much, while Daniela enjoyed her youth. Susan enjoyed art, while Daniela was close to assuming the presidency of the family company.

"We should go out tonight."

"You know me, Daniela. I don't like going out."

"It's a charity dinner for the Art School," the word "art" immediately changed Susan's expression. "The children studying art will represent the country abroad, and my father's company is one of the benefactors. Maybe it's a brilliant opportunity for you to venture into the art world."

"I can't do it, I don't want to disappoint even more, my father. He never liked me getting involved in that aspect."

"It's all about what others think, but what about what you want? What about your dreams, Susan? You made the decision to marry so your family wouldn't lose their heritage because we all know Arturo is the backbone of the company. You consolidate yourself through him. If he cuts ties with the Fontaine Family, their companies will disappear. But that's not a sin, many companies do it. But for your family, for companies that have nothing to do with you, you sacrificed yourself. Because you don't get any benefit, you never bought a dress with your father's money. Your mother always gave you money, and it was the Morgan Family's money, your maternal family."

Susan lowered her head, her friend was right. Her father never let her spend her money; in fact, when she entered the Art Academy, her father labeled it as a failure.

"But Susan, don't react like that, I'm telling you this to open your eyes, to put yourself first, to stop thinking that someone wouldn't do such a thing, you are making a mistake, when everything is correct, come with me tonight," Daniela expressed again.

Susan had sighed, but before responding, her gaze caught sight of the couple arriving at the restaurant at that precise moment.

"What is this?" Daniela frowned upon noticing the presence of Arturo and Gabriela. "You're his wife, she left him."

"Daniela, we don't know what happened there, we can't judge her, she loves him," Susan scowled at her friend, preventing her from finishing the sentence. "It's better if we leave here."

"Are you going to run away, leaving your husband in the clutches of your sister? No wife would do that," Daniela complained again.

"I only married Arturo for my family, to avoid falling into failure's abyss."

"Stop crying about it, you're his wife and I remind you, it's been a year."

"Arturo can end the deal whenever he wants, and after this meeting, I know he won't even wait until tomorrow to inform me about it, and to be honest, that sounds great. I'll regain my freedom, my family will be saved, and my father can improve with Gabriela's return."

"And once again, it's all about them. What about you?" Daniela held her hand.

"Daniela, don't think that my happiness lies by Arturo's side," Susan shook her head. "That sounds crazy, envision my sister's ex-fiancé and me falling in love. I was tempted to smile, but I didn't because it would give Daniela more reasons to bother me."

"There's nothing wrong with that; many times love comes after marriage. Besides, you already had intimacy," Daniela said aloud.

"Don't say that out loud," Susan glared at her.

"Let's go from here," Daniela left the money on the table. Curiosity got the better of Susan, but she couldn't spot Arturo and Gabriela. "You won't find them; they're probably in one of the restaurant's private rooms," Daniela spoke maliciously, not to make Susan feel bad, but just to observe her reaction.

"Well, I don't blame them. I suppose Arturo missed her a lot," Susan expressed, though something tightened inside her.

"Just shut up," Daniela smiled this time. "Let's go see Aunt Gema." Her best friend dragged her out of the restaurant.

40 minutes later, Daniela's vehicle parked in front of Villa Fontaine. Gema, who was having coffee, noticed the arrival of her youngest daughter, but she wasn't alone.

"Mom," Susan entered the house and hugged her mother, with Daniela entering behind her.

"What are these manners?" Andrea Lacronte didn't hide her displeasure at the arrival of the youngest of Los Fontaine, despite it being the Fontaine Family home.

"Mrs. Lacronte," Susan lowered her head, and behind her, Daniela arrived.

"Don't ever lower your head in front of anyone," Daniela whispered, pinching her arm.

"Luckily, Gabi has returned. Arturo and she make a beautiful couple. Besides, you're just an intruder," Andrea approached Susan. "Ask Arturo for a divorce today and let your sister be happy."

"Andrea, it's their business, we can't intervene," Gema interrupted.

"No, I choose Gabriela for my son," Andrea set down her coffee cup and left the house, not without shoulder-bumping Susan.

"Don't mind her, Susan," Gema caressed her daughter's face.

"She won't, Aunt Gema," Daniela greeted Gema. "We came to see how Uncle is doing."

"Today he expressed a few words again," Gema sat on the couch. "He asked about Gabriela."

"That was to be expected," Susan showed a sad face, trying to hide it from Daniela but failing to go unnoticed.

Hours passed, Susan and Daniela had left, but Gabriela hadn't returned.

"I'll pick you up in my new baby," Daniela's eyes sparkled. "The new Lamborghini I acquired is a beast. Be ready by 8."

"Wow, you're more excited about the car than a man," Susan genuinely smiled at her friend.

Susan entered the house, clearly not expecting to find so many people in the living room.

"Look, it's the substitute girlfriend of your son," one of the women remarked, causing Andrea to smirk mockingly.

"It's just a replacement," another person expressed. Susan rushed up the stairs, locked herself in her room, and didn't come out until the sun set and it was 7 pm. Susan had taken a bath and put on a beige dress. It was beautiful, although not a designer piece, just a cheap copy she had managed to acquire. She tied her hair up and looked stunning. Precisely at 8 o'clock, Daniela's vehicle parked in front of Villa Lacronte. Susan got in, and the Lamborghini drove away.

From the fourth floor, green eyes observed this action with a different sparkle. They lifted a cell phone, and Marco dialed a phone number.

"Hello, sir," the person Arturo wanted to contact quickly answered the phone.

"Find out whose the license plate 3x3x4y6 belongs to. English, of course," Arturo ended the call and sat back in his chair, pouring a glass of whiskey. Although the heating was on, the room felt cold.

At 11 pm, the vehicle parked in front of the Villa again. This time, Susan stepped out, looking more cheerful. Her cheeks were flushed, and her smile could be heard as she got out of the car.

The young woman began moving, taking a detour around the house. She didn't want to disturb anyone, so entering through the kitchen seemed like the best option. Besides, she wasn't sure if her mother-in-law's friends were still in the living room, so she preferred to avoid an awkward encounter. Suddenly, the lights unexpectedly went out, causing Susan's feet to falter. Her heels were high, and she almost fell. But someone grabbed her arm, not in a friendly way. The atmosphere was imbued with bad mood, and her body jerked abruptly in the strong arms emanating coldness.

"Who were you with? Arturo's voice sounded terrifying. Susan panicked at the sight of her husband, staring at her in an intimidating manner. " Answer my question, Susan.

"I went out for dinner," Susan shrugged.

"Did you drink alcohol? Arturo grabbed her chin.

"It's none of your business," Susan tried to pull away, but Arturo let her go. However, seconds later, she cried out in pain.

"What the hell is wrong with you now?" Arturo lifted her up, encountering her tearful eyes.