Married First, Love Later with The CEO Who Secretly Loves Me

Episode 8

Upon arriving home, Aurora enters quietly with red and swollen eyes from crying so much, and her failed attempt to disguise it.

Grandmother: Hi, my dear, you arrived late today, it's almost nighttime already... have you eaten?

Aurora: Not yet, grandma, I'm not hungry, I'll go to my room and we can talk later.

Grandmother: But you can't go without eating, you need to nourish yourself well, there's food ready, just heat it up.

Aurora: I'll take a shower first, grandma, then I'll eat something...

Grandmother: Did something happen? You look sad and teary-eyed, did something happen to you again?

At that moment, Aurora hugs her grandmother and starts crying again, remembering that contract her father made without asking for her opinion, or at least without knowing the guy. After crying, she manages to speak and tells her grandmother everything that had happened, especially about that damn contract.

Grandmother: My dear, you're not joking, are you?

Aurora: No, grandma, my father came back and wants me to marry a guy I don't know just so he doesn't lose the company. He said there are other things involved, but he didn't want to tell me, and that's what makes me angrier, all these secrets.

Grandmother: And what are you going to do?

Aurora: I don't want to get married, grandma, I never even thought about it... and grandma, he told me something else that intrigued me.

Grandmother: What, my dear?

Aurora: He said he's been depositing money for me all these years, is that true?

Grandmother: Yes, Aurora... I never told you because I didn't want to give you hope, he gave the money but didn't want any closeness with you. I saved the money so that when the right time came, you could attend the college you wanted, always worrying about you.

Aurora: So he wasn't lying?... oh grandma, I don't know what to do, and I don't want to get married, especially because of a contract.

Grandmother: Do what you think is right, my beautiful girl, but know that I will never abandon you, I'll always be here, even if we have to move so you can escape from those two.

Aurora: Would you do that, grandma? Run away with me?

Grandmother: Of course, my dear, I love you and I want to protect you from anyone.

Aurora: Thank you, grandma.

Aurora hugged her grandmother for a few minutes, then took a shower and kept reflecting the whole time. After finishing her hygiene routine, she dressed and went to have dinner, even though she wasn't hungry and her grandmother would scold her.

(...)

_Thursday_

The next day, Aurora slept in the morning, feeling exhausted after spending most of the night awake thinking about everything she had heard.

Grandmother: My dear, get up and eat, you'll be leaving soon, you need to be well-nourished so you don't feel sick outside.

Dona Emanuela entered the room, waking up Aurora who was lying on the bed.

Aurora: I don't want to, grandma, I want to stay lying down, I'll eat later.

Aurora's Thoughts:

After my grandmother left the room, I heard someone entering the living room and my grandparents talking angrily. I imagined who it could be and quickly got up. When I reached the living room, I saw Eduardo standing near the door.

Eduardo: Daughter, I came to see you... how are you?

Aurora: What are you doing here? Didn't you understand that I said I won't get married?

Eduardo: Please, daughter, it will only be for a short time. You don't have to like him or hold hands or anything else you don't want to do with him. I just ask that you stay married on paper, not for life.

Aurora: Are you sure it's only on paper?

Eduardo: Yes, Aurora, I would never harm you. You don't have to let him touch you.

Aurora: I don't want to get married, I don't want to, especially to someone I don't know.

Eduardo: Aurora, please... do it for me, you'll have your freedom afterwards, I promise, just accept.

He clasps his hands, pleading, looking at me with sadness and desperation. He truly shows that he needs me, and for a moment, the thought of doing it crosses my mind.