Episode 2

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.

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