LOGINYou're Controlling My LifeWhen Aixa arrived at the bookstore downtown, a place that was usually peaceful, she tried her best to ignore the presence of the two broad-shouldered bodyguards standing a short distance away. It was a futile effort. Every time she walked down the aisles between the towering wooden bookshelves, two sharp pairs of eyes followed her every movement with unwavering discipline, like dark shadows that refused to leave her side.The bookstore, once her favorite refuge, suddenly felt suffocating. Several customers browsing nearby stole curious glances in her direction, whispering quietly to one another. The sight of two men in black suits inside a bookstore was impossible to overlook.Aixa tightened her grip on the book in her hands, an old novel with a worn cover whose title she hadn't even had the chance to read. Her knuckles turned white. That familiar sense of discomfort returned, creeping up from the depths of her heart and tightening around her chest until it
Fernando's Mistake That night, almost no one truly slept. The silence inside Castello Mansion felt suffocating, hiding a storm that refused to pass. Aixa closed her eyes, but the words Fernando had failed to say kept replaying in her mind like a broken record. Her heart throbbed with pain. She no longer expected him to change overnight. She was far too realistic for that. And yet, for some reason, a crushing weight still settled in her chest whenever she remembered the uncertainty in her husband's eyes. A look that confirmed there was still an immeasurable distance between them. In the room next door, Fernando remained awake much longer than usual. The darkness surrounding him did nothing to quiet his restless thoughts. Again and again, he found himself recalling the simple question he had been unable to answer. *"Will you listen, Fernando?"* For the first time in his life, Fernando felt powerless. The question echoed endlessly in his mind. It felt far more difficult and intimida
A Fragile HeartSeveral days after their brief conversation outside the bedroom door, nothing had truly changed.Fernando remained consumed by work.Aixa continued playing the role of the perfect contract wife.Yet quietly, something had begun to shift between them.Not toward closeness.Quite the opposite.The silence that had once come and gone now slowly became part of their everyday lives.Without anyone realizing it, Aixa's heart was running out of strength to keep hoping.In the days following the family dinner, Aixa retreated even deeper into the solitude she had created for herself.She maintained her routine as usual.Breakfast with the Castello family.Attending the medical appointments Elena had arranged.Occasionally sharing afternoon tea with Mrs. Sovia.Answering the servants' questions with a polite smile.Nothing had changed.At least, not on the surface.Inside, however, Aixa felt herself growing more exhausted.Like someone swimming endlessly without ever finding the
Accumulated 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
"I can help you." Aixa's steps came to an abrupt halt, and she slowly turned around. Elio stood a few steps behind her in the garden corridor of the Castello mansion. A faint smile rested on his face, as if what he had just said was the most natural thing in the world. Aixa immediately furrowed
“What do you mean, stop this procedure?” Fernando asked, his tone much sharper, clearly displeased.“There is light bleeding in her uterus.”“What????”Fernando’s expression immediately turned dark and unreadable. It was unclear whether he was angry because of failure, or because he felt manipulate
"So their marriage is only a contract marriage..."The voice was barely audible from the service corridor connected to the rear balcony of the master bedroom.She had never intended to eavesdrop on Aixa and Fernando's conversation. At first, the woman had only wanted to knock on Fernando's door. Bu
The sound of footsteps grew closer.Each click of shoes against the corridor floor sounded like the strike of a hammer against Aixa's heart.Aixa remained frozen beside the bed, exactly where she had been standing while speaking with Elio earlier. Meanwhile, her thoughts spun wildly out of control.







