Andrea felt a surge of anger. "My parents raised me to be strong, to stand up for myself. They would never want me to stay in a situation like this."Leo slammed his glass down on the table, the sound echoing through the room. "You ungrateful bitch! You think you can just leave me? You'll come crawling back. You can't survive without me."Andrea stood up, her resolve unshaken. "Watch me."With that, she turned and walked out of the kitchen, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she was determined to take control of her life. She would find a way to protect her parents and build a future on her own terms.---The next morning, Andrea woke up early, determined to take the first steps toward her new life. She reached out to a lawyer, seeking advice on how to protect her parents' livelihood and ensure a smooth separation from Leo. She knew it would be a difficult battle, but she was ready to fight for her freedom.She also reached out to Ellen, asking for her

"He was attacked by a group of men," her mother explained, her voice cracking. "They came looking for him because of his debts. We don’t know the full extent of his injuries yet, but it doesn’t sound good."Andrea felt a wave of panic wash over her. "I’m coming to the hospital right now."When Andrea arrived at the hospital, she was met with a whirlwind of activity. The emergency room was bustling with doctors and nurses, and the atmosphere was tense. She rushed to the reception desk, her heart pounding."I’m here to see Mr. Sanchez," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I’m his daughter."The receptionist looked up, her expression sympathetic. "I’ll need you to wait here for a moment. I’ll let the doctor know you’re here."Andrea nodded, her mind racing with worry. She sank into a nearby chair, trying to calm her racing heart. The thought of her father being hurt was overwhelming, and she felt a mix of fear and frustration.After what felt like an eternity, a doctor approached

The air between them was thick with unspoken tension, and Carmen felt a pang of guilt for not pushing harder, for not defending Andrea’s right to choose her own path.Upstairs, Andrea paused at the top of the staircase, having overheard the conversation. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she processed her parents' exchange.The sting of betrayal she felt was less about their expectations and more about the cold, calculated way they discussed her life as if she were a pawn in their game.She took a deep breath and steadied herself. There was no use in confronting them now; it would only lead to more arguments and attempts to manipulate her. Instead, she decided to quietly gather some of her things and leave for her sister Ellen’s place, where she could clear her head and figure out her next steps.As she walked down the hall towards her bedroom, she felt a strange detachment, as if she were floating above herself, watching her life unfold from a distance.When

Her voice faltered as emotion threatened to overwhelm her, and she quickly stood up, unable to contain the tears that were beginning to well in her eyes. She didn’t want Evan to see her like this—vulnerable and hurt."I’m sorry, Sir Evan," she managed to say before turning and walking out of the office.As she exited the building, Marga felt a profound sense of freedom mixed with anxiety. The weight of the charade was lifting from her shoulders, but the reality of what lay ahead was daunting. However, her moment of relief was abruptly interrupted when she found herself face-to-face with a swarm of reporters. Cameras flashed, and microphones were thrust in her direction, capturing every moment."Marga! Marga! Is it true you’re dating Mr. Evan Winston?""How long has this relationship been going on?""Can you tell us about your plans with the CEO?"The barrage of questions overwhelmed her. Marga felt her breath quicken, panic rising as she struggled to find the right words. She had not

Months had passed since Marga decided to end the pretense with Evan Winston, her boss and the CEO of the Rising Eagle. The charade had begun as a simple ruse to make his ex-wife jealous, but somewhere along the way, the lines had blurred. What started as a job had become complicated, messy, and emotionally draining. The act of pretending to be Evan’s girlfriend, living under the same roof, sharing moments that felt too real—it all began to weigh heavily on her.Marga had left the city, seeking refuge in the province where the air was fresher and the pace of life slower. Here, she could breathe without the constant pressure of maintaining a façade, and the quiet allowed her to sort through her tangled emotions.The sun was setting, casting a warm golden hue over the sprawling fields. Marga stood on the porch of her childhood home, her arms resting on the wooden railing as she gazed into the distance. The view stretched out before her, a patchwork of green and gold, dotted with small ho