The Real Mistress

Isabella run as fast as she could, while keep on looking back, afraid that those men who kidnapped her for almost three years would appear behind her and start chasing her, that cause her to stumble on the pavement as if her feet were weighted by rocks. "No... I-I need to stop their wedding, and tell Mateo all about what happened to me," she said, as she feel the aching bruises of her knees. Her eyes turned blurry because of the tears that's now running down her cheeks, but she wiped it immediately and stood up from the ground."You need to be strong, Isabella. M-Mateo still needs to know the truth. M-My daughter? For sure she's waiting for me," she whispered and started walking through the church, despite the pain in her knees.A simple smile form on her lips when she reached the front of the church. She's now chasing her breath while holding a pillar on her side, like it can give her more strength, but then it's already too late. "I know pronounce you, husband and wife," she heard

Isabella's parents gathered around her, wishing her a happy birthday. Although the celebration was simple, with only a few dishes on the table, Isabella appreciated the effort her parents had put into making her day special."Thank you, Mom and Dad! Come on, let's all eat, for sure all of the food are delicious!" Isabella exclaimed with excitement as she grabbed a plate and offered it to her parents."No, you go ahead, Isabella. And Nerissa, why don't you join us too?" her mother suggested gently, Isabella's reaching out to hand Nerissa a plate.But Nerissa seemed disinterested, she then averted her gazed from them. "No thanks, I'm still full. If only Dad hadn't woken me up to surprise you, I wouldn't be so sleepy right now."Isabella's mother approached Nerissa, concern is now showing on her face. She couldn't help but wonder if Nerissa's lack of enthusiasm stemmed from the memory of her own birthday just a month ago, when there had been no special food or celebration due to their f

The aroma of Isabella's mother freshly cooked rice hung in the table, with the savory scent of of their favorite dish, as Isabella decided to finally tell what's in her mind this past few days. "Mom, Dad... I just thought, what if I help you with your work?" Isabella said."After all, I believe that I am old enough already, so I can do a lot of things instead of just staying at home. And besides, it would also help with Nerissa's education". Her mother's hand, previously moving rhythmically as she chewed her rice, paused mid-air. It was already evening, and now they were facing each other at the dining table."You better to that," Nerissa whispered but not too loud to made that audible. Her mother looked up from her plate, surprise. Across the table, her father had also stopped eating, his gaze now locked on Isabella. "Help us with our work?" Her father said, and Isabella quickly nodded."Yes, Dad! I've been thinking about this for the past few days. I hope that you will consider my

Isabella slowly opened her eyes, her sight blurry. She looked around to try to clear her vision, but it's unfamiliar, until she heard Nerissa's voice. "N-Nerissa, where are we?" Isabella slowly blinked her eyes a few times to regain her focus. "We are at the hospital, you passed out a while ago. According to doctors it's because of dehydration and starvation," Nerissa explained. Isabella quickly sat up despite feeling weak. "We should go now, we doesn't have anything to pay here!" she stated urgently. "But Isabella —""Listen to me, Nerissa. If we stay here more, we can't afford the bills and for sure if we failed to pay this hospital we will put in jail!" "Isabella, we don't need to—" Isabella still ignored Nerissa's words and started to remove the IV needle from her arm, but before she could get out from bed totally a woman appeared in front of her."Dear, you shouldn't move! Your body needs proper rest," the woman spoke softly. "Madam, I told her that, but Isabella's really s

"It's all you fault, Isabella. I shouldn't cleaning here now if only you didn't push your idea to Mateo's mother to be one of their maids," Nerissa sighed as she swept the floor in the kitchen, while Isabella is preparing herself to do some of the work at the mansion's garden. "I can't avoid thinking now, if you really want me to suffer from the life that we have." Isabella feel guilty. "Nerissa, I am sorry. But we can't just live here like a princess. We owe Villanueva family big time. Besides, I still want to continue finding a job, so soon enough we can also stand by our own feet.""And until when before someone hire you, knowing that you didn't even graduate at any degree?" No matter what Isabella said, it was impossible for her sister not to think that way. "If you already feel tired you can just leave that work there and I will just do it later, okay?" "Really?!" A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Well, as you wish! Then, I'll just familiarize myself more in this m