LOGINAccumulated WoundsThe family dinner party had ended several hours ago.The Castello mansion had once again sunk into its elegant silence.The guests had gone home.One by one, the main lights were switched off.The servants returned to their usual routines with quiet efficiency.But for Aixa, the night felt much longer than usual.She stood in front of her bedroom mirror, slowly removing the earrings she had been wearing since the afternoon.Her movements were slow.Her thoughts were still lingering at the dinner table.On every faint smile from Valeria.On every understanding glance from the members of the Castello family.On every sentence that sounded polite, yet left small but painfully deep scratches on her heart.Aixa placed the earrings on the vanity.Her gaze met her own reflection in the mirror.A face that appeared calm.Makeup that still looked flawless.Nothing revealed that the woman standing there was trying to hold together something that was slowly cracking inside he
Family Dinner Fernando barely slept that night. Aixa's words on the balcony kept echoing in his mind. *I only want to be treated like a human being.* The sentence sounded simple. Yet for the first time, Fernando questioned the way he had treated the woman who now carried his name. Morning turned into afternoon, then night arrived with the Castello family dinner that had been scheduled long ago. Without realizing it, Fernando was about to witness something he had spent a long time trying to ignore. That evening, the Castello Mansion was filled with members of the extended family. The main dining hall, usually grand and imposing, felt more vibrant than usual. Conversations overlapped from every corner of the room. Servants moved swiftly, serving one course after another. Aixa stood before the mirror in her bedroom. The dark green gown she wore looked simple compared to the extravagant jewelry usually worn by the women of the Castello family. She adjusted the cuff of her slee
A Sense of PossessionFernando didn't sleep well that night.The image of Aixa smiling in front of Elio kept resurfacing in his mind. Something that should have meant nothing disturbed the composure he had always taken pride in.Fernando had never considered himself the kind of man who was easily unsettled by things beyond his control.For years, his life had operated according to logic. Decisions were made based on benefits and risks. Relationships were built on trust and responsibility. Feelings had never been the primary factor.Including his marriage to Aixa.That marriage had been nothing more than a contract. A mutually beneficial agreement. He provided what Aixa needed. Aixa provided what his family needed.Simple.Clear.Without emotions involved.At least, that was what Fernando had always believed.But that certainty had begun to waver.Ever since Elio had reentered Aixa's life.Ever since Fernando had witnessed how the woman slowly opened herself up to someone else.Someone
A Place to Lean On The days at Castello Mansion returned to their familiar rhythm. Orderly. Peaceful. And strangely foreign to Aixa. Valeria was still staying at the mansion. Her presence never truly caused any trouble. She was always friendly and knew her boundaries. Yet that was exactly what made it harder for Aixa to breathe. She had no reason to hate Valeria. She could not be angry with Fernando, and she could not ignore the small feeling that kept growing inside her, the feeling that she did not belong there. That morning, after breakfast with the Castello family, Aixa decided to go to the back garden. She needed time alone. She needed a place away from Mrs. Sovia's hopeful gaze. Away from Fernando's restrained concern, and away from the perfect image that always seemed attached to Valeria. Aixa sat on the wooden bench near the rose garden, staring blankly at the small pond before her. "You look like you're carrying the weight of the entire world." The voice made Aixa tur
Shadows of the PastSince Valeria's arrival, life at Castello Mansion had continued as usual.The servants carried out their duties according to schedule. Meals were always served on time. Fernando still left for the office every morning. Mrs. Sovia continued enjoying her warm tea in the family sitting room.At first glance, nothing had changed.Yet slowly, something had begun to shift.Aixa did not know when she had started noticing the things she had never paid attention to before.The way Mrs. Sovia smiled more warmly whenever she spoke with Valeria.The way the servants welcomed the woman with a familiarity that had been built over many years.The way Valeria could walk through every corner of Castello Mansion without hesitation, as though the house had once truly been a part of her life.And the thing Aixa least wanted to admit...The way Fernando seemed to know Valeria so well.Not because they displayed any obvious closeness.Quite the opposite.There was no awkwardness between
Valeria's ArrivalMornings at Castello Mansion always began with near-perfect order.However, that morning, Fernando came downstairs earlier than usual. His steps slowed as he passed the small reading room beside the family lounge.Someone was asleep on the sofa near the window.Fernando stopped.Aixa was curled beneath a thin blanket, an open book resting on her lap. Her face looked pale. There was a faint puffiness around her eyes that could not be completely concealed.Fernando frowned."Aixa."The call caused Aixa to stir awake slowly. She blinked several times before realizing who was standing in front of her."Fernando?" she murmured softly."Why are you sleeping here?"Aixa sat up slowly, smoothing down her slightly disheveled hair."I was reading," she answered. "Then I accidentally fell asleep."Fernando studied her face for a few seconds longer than usual."You're not getting enough rest."Aixa gave him a small smile."I'm fine."It was the same answer she always gave.Yet f
The household staff moved according to schedule. The aroma of coffee filled the main dining room. Economic news played softly from the television mounted in the corner. Everything was running exactly as it should.Except for Aixa's heart.Aixa sat at the end of the dining table with a cup of warm t
A Husband Difficult to LoveAixa began noticing the change a few days after the incident in the backyard.The change was so subtle that it was almost imperceptible.Yet it was precisely because it was so subtle that it felt far more unsettling.Fernando was still Fernando.Cold.Reserved.Impossibl
An Old Obsession Awakens Mornings at the Castello family residence always began with near-perfect order. The staff prepared breakfast on time. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the spacious dining room. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, illuminating a long table filled with va
The clinking of glasses and the soft strains of classical music filled the grand hall of the Castello residence that evening. Guests dressed in expensive attire exchanged smiles and polite conversation, discussing business projects, new investments, and the personal lives of the distinguished figur







