Episode 12

After crying for a while, Antonella dries her tears and gives Teresa a small smile...

"You feeling a bit better?" asks Teresa as she adjusts Antonella's hair...

"Yes, I'll be fine, don't worry, it'll pass," Antonella replies...

"What are you planning to do now? You can't go to work in this state," Teresa says worriedly...

"I know, I'll wait to recover. Besides, my father won't even notice my absence, so it doesn't matter..."

"How about we go to the cinema tonight to cheer you up? I don't want to see you so sad," Teresa suggests...

"I don't think so, Teresa. Look at my face, it's bruised, and besides, I just want to rest a bit. Don't worry, I'll be fine," Antonella declines...

"You always say you're fine when you're shattered. But it's okay if that's what you want. You also need your space and time alone," Teresa understands...

"Thank you for understanding, Teresa. Can you accompany me to get a taxi now?" Antonella asks...

"Yes, of course, let's go... I hope you recover soon," Teresa says...

"That's what I'll do, no doubt about it," Antonella assures...

"That's my friend... Take care," Teresa says...

Teresa helps Antonella into a taxi after bidding her farewell with a kiss on the cheek. She watches Antonella leave, feeling a bit worried about her. She knows Antonella is suffering greatly, and she wants to do more for her, but she can only offer her shoulder and moral support.

Antonella is in the taxi, but her mind is elsewhere. She thinks about how her life was before her mother passed away, she was happy, even though her father always showed indifference toward her; her mother's love was enough for her.

Now her mother is gone, and her life is hell since her father married Rosario. All those moments faded away like foam, and Zoraya, the only source of happiness she had left, was taken away from her. But when things don't work out, you let them go. If Harry is no longer with her, it's for the best, even if she doesn't think so at the moment. Soon she will realize the wolf hiding behind that sheep.

She had already arrived at her destination. Antonella pays the taxi driver and gets out.

She's only a few steps away from her house, walking towards it, but her steps halt when she sees a masculine figure leaving her house after shaking hands with her father.

That man looks familiar to her. She stands there, observing from a distance, trying to identify that intriguing silhouette conversing with her father at the entrance.

After that silhouette turns around and Antonella catches a glimpse of his face, she tries to hide her own face immediately with her cap and her hair.

She turns around and pretends to walk in the opposite direction so that the man doesn't see her.

She can hear the sound of the car starting and turns around again, heading towards her house.

Many questions pass through her mind. What was he doing there? Why was he talking to her father? What is her family's relationship with him? Is he investigating her?

They were unanswered questions, and she didn't plan on asking her father anything because she didn't want any misunderstandings.

She enters the house but doesn't see her father anywhere, so she decides to go upstairs. But as she's going up, a voice from downstairs speaks to her.

"You seem to be better, huh? Leaving so early and coming back at noon," the voice says.

Antonella turns around and sees her stepmother Rosario standing in front of the stairs.

Antonella ignores her and turns her body to go up to her room. But Rosario keeps provoking her.

"How dare you ignore me, you spoiled brat! Look at me when I'm talking to you. Don't turn your back on me!"

Antonella goes back down the stairs and stands in front of Rosario with a defiant look.

"What do you want?" Antonella's voice is cold, and her face is filled with anger.

"Well... I just wanted to see your face after yesterday's beating. It looks like you're in bad shape. Must have hurt a lot," Rosario's words are sarcastic and irritating. She wants to push Antonella's buttons.

"It seems like you have nothing important to do with your life other than meddle in mine, madam," Antonella retorts.

"How dare you talk to me like that!"

Why not? Are you my mother or something?

Antonella no longer cared to watch her language, she no longer respected those who didn't deserve it, and she had nothing left to lose. Everything that held value for her had slipped away.

"I may not be your mother, thank God, but I am the lady of this house, and you must speak to me with respect. That much is clear!" she replied.

"What if I don't? Are you going to hit me again? You must be satisfied with all that you've done, right? Your daughter took Harry away from me, my father is blinded by your fake face and doesn't love me anymore... Isn't that enough for you? I don't understand what more you want from me."

Rosario gave Antonella a wicked smile, filled with hatred and disgust.

"Luckily, your fate is already sealed. You won't be a burden any longer."

After uttering those words, Rosario turned her back on Antonella and left, leaving her filled with intrigue.

Antonella didn't pay much attention to Rosario's words, feeling slightly upset. These snakes wouldn't leave her in peace, and eventually, clashes with them were inevitable.

Antonella went upstairs to her room, disregarding Rosario's words, feeling somewhat frustrated. These serpents never left her alone; she knew she would eventually clash with them.

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