Episode 3

Antonella watches that scene between her boyfriend and stepsister, trying to hold back her tears, but her eyes become glassy, feeling a tight squeeze in her chest that prevents her from breathing.

That was the bitter surprise that the wicked Zoraya had in store for her. She always tried to get along with her stepsister, even helping her with the company projects, but that's not what hurts the most. It's who it comes from - her boyfriend, who always claimed to love her.

She could expect that from Zoraya, but not from her boyfriend. She still remained incredulous in the face of the situation because she believed in the love that Harry swore to her.

Wasn't she enough for him? What does Zoraya have that she doesn't? These were the questions that ran through the mind of poor Antonella, trying to assimilate the sight her eyes beheld.

Antonella remained in the same place, watching as her boyfriend embraced Zoraya with so much love. She just wanted the earth to open up at that moment and swallow her. She felt a sharp pain in her chest, choking her and a lump in her throat.

She decides to take a few steps back while still visualizing the moment, then turns her back to leave. She wanted to go to where they were and confront them, but it would be a waste of time. The only one who would be harmed is her, and her pain would only increase if Harry told her to her face that he no longer loves her, although she knows that is the reality.

She tried not to cry as she walked down the hallway, but a single tear rolled down her cheek. That tear couldn't resist coming out, it only sprang forth because she couldn't contain the pain in Antonella's heart. She felt it slowly tearing apart, screaming for freedom. Not even it wanted to be in her chest because it couldn't bear that increasing pain.

What happened to Harry's love? What happened to their wedding plans?

How it hurts that one day you're important to someone and the next day you're worth nothing. That's how Antonella felt, that she no longer had value for anyone, not even for her own father, who only cares about his wife and stepsister.

What hurts her the most is that she always tried to be a good girlfriend, a good daughter, a good stepsister, and a good stepdaughter. Always giving love to others, even if all she received was contempt. She always put others ahead of herself only to later receive betrayal in return.

But what's the point of giving love if no one values it? Why do good things if only the mistakes are noticed?

Many things crossed Antonella's mind as she walked through the hallways with one hand on her chest and the other leaning against the wall. She walked with slow steps, that path became dark for her, there was only her and her solitude.

Antonella was heading to the gala room when suddenly the figure of a woman appeared in front of her. It was Rosario, her stepmother, who looked at her with satisfaction at her pitiful state.

"Have you finally realized that my daughter is worth it for him, right?"

"You already knew, didn't you?"

Antonella looked at the face of that woman, and all she could see was hatred and satisfaction at seeing her shattered.

"That's right, how could I not know? Even your own father knew about their relationship."

"My father? Did he know all this time?"

"We all knew, dear. The only naive and foolish one here was you, always trying to be perfect when in reality, you're worthless to everyone. It's time you understand that this is not your place, you're not worthy of bearing the Spencer name, especially after what your mother did to your own father. He must be turning in his grave knowing he was married to an adulterous woman."

"I won't allow you to speak of my mother like that! You have no right! Are you a saint perhaps? Aren't you only married to my father for his money? Tell me, who were you and your daughter before marrying my father? You were nobody! I'm sure my mother was never as low as you!"

"You insolent girl!" She slaps her across the face. "How dare you speak to me like that?"

Antonella received a slap from that frivolous woman; it hurt her so much that they spoke ill of her deceased mother. She lost control over her tongue.

But she was only stating the truth; that woman was nobody before marrying her father. The Spencer fortune didn't belong to either of them, but to Antonella's late mother, Mrs. Victoria Grimaldi.

"If you're satisfied, leave me alone!" she exclaims, hurt, while holding her red cheek with one hand.

"Well, this isn't over," Rosario mutters, arms crossed.

"What more do you want from me, Rosario?"

"The pianist couldn't make it to the gala, so your father suggested that you could be his replacement."

"I can't do it, I don't want to. Can't you see how I look?"

"I couldn't care less about that, just do as you're ordered. Don't embarrass us in front of all those people."

Rosario walks away with a smile on her face; they had already planned everything. Antonella was deeply wounded and that's exactly how they wanted her to play the piano for the guests, without an ounce of consideration.

Her own father knew about Harry's infidelity with Zoraya and yet he said nothing. She didn't have the support or backing of anyone within the Spencer family.

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