Episode 4

After the stylist and the makeup artist finished, I looked at myself in the mirror and I looked really beautiful, but with an emptiness in my heart.

I put on my dress and went with my father to the church where the wedding would take place.

We were standing in front of the church door, I clenched my fists, my father noticed.

Vicente: Are you sure about this, my daughter? (taking her hand)

Isabel: I am sure, father. Let's get this over with. (she took her father's arm and started walking)

The classic wedding melody was playing, I just walked, I had my veil on and I couldn't see very well. I didn't even look at the man who would be my husband as I walked down the church aisle.

When we arrived, my father handed me over to the man who would be my husband.

Vicente: Take care of her, please. She is my greatest treasure. (he said, letting out an emotional tear)

Santiago: Don't worry, that's exactly what I will do. (he took Isabel's hand)

I looked at the man who would be my husband while the priest spoke, and I was mesmerized for a moment. I drifted away from reality. This man was truly handsome, especially in his groom's attire.

With his black pants, matching jacket, white shirt, gray vest, and tie, his leather shoes were so well polished that they shone brightly.

Her face appeared as if carved by the very gods, and those intense blue eyes that made me tremble with just one look.

......................

I am in the church, waiting for the bride. She seems to be playing hard to get, making me wait.

I see her behind the door, talking to her father. I hope she doesn't want to back out of the wedding, if she does, both she and Vicente Lombardí will pay a high price.

Finally, the door opens, and the bridal march begins. She walks briskly as if she wants to get this over with once and for all.

Her father hands her over to me, asking me to take care of her. I assure him that I will, at least in the eyes of others.

I take her hand and lead her closer to the altar, taking my time to admire her.

She looks so stunning in that mermaid-cut wedding dress. She is ten years younger than me, and not the type of woman I usually get involved with.

But she truly looks beautiful in that dress, with its delicate lace and subtle embellishments.

The father began to speak, and I noticed that she wasn't paying attention. She was just watching me as if it were just the two of us. I signaled to her, and it seemed like she snapped out of the trance she was in. She averted her gaze from me and blushed slightly.

Father: Mr. Santiago D'Agostino, do you accept Miss Isabel Lombardí as your wife, to love and respect her in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, until death do you part?

Santiago: Yes, I do.

......................

Father: And you, Miss Isabel Lombardí, do you accept Mr. Santiago D'Agostino as your husband, to love and respect him in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, until death do you part?

A long silence ensued as I trembled, contemplating for a moment to say no. But upon seeing my father, I remembered why I was doing this. So when the father spoke again...

Father: I repeat the question, Miss Isabel, do you accept...

Isabel: Yes, father, I accept. There's no need to repeat the question. (She said with a wavering voice, still trembling.)

Deep within me, I pondered on what had just happened. And as I looked at my husband, I told myself that maybe this time spent together wouldn't be so bad. It would all be superficial; he won't even touch me. And I'm confident he'll keep his word since we both signed the contract.

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