Episode 2

Chapter 2

Thalia stared at her reflection in the mirror with resignation. The ivory dress hugged her waist with the delicacy of a garment she hadn't chosen. Her mother insisted she had to look "presentable," as if it were a job interview, or worse, an auction. And in reality, she wasn't far from that reality.

In the mansion's huge dressing room, Bianca burst in with her expensive perfume and air of superiority. She leaned against the door, crossing her arms as she looked at her stepsister with barely contained mockery.

"Ready to meet your future husband, little sister?" she asked sarcastically.

Thalia didn't answer. She just turned slowly, lowering her gaze to prevent Bianca from seeing the rage in her eyes.

"He's not my husband. It's just a deal. As if I were an object," she murmured.

"Come on, don't exaggerate. You should be grateful Mom got someone with so much money. You could be living on the street."

"I prefer the street to this prison disguised as a home."

Bianca giggled and shrugged.

"Well, you'll have to get used to it. Mom says if you don't accept, you'll ruin the deal for us. And believe me, that's not something you want to do."

The door slammed shut behind her. Thalia was left alone, with the echo of her thoughts pounding in her chest. She didn't want to get married. She didn't know the man who was about to see her as just another acquisition for his collection.

And yet, there she was.

The main hall of the mansion was spotless. Irene had hired a special cleaning service to make sure everything shone like new. White flowers decorated the corners and a tray of canapes rested on the marble table.

"Please, Thalia, smile," Irene whispered through gritted teeth, as she adjusted her hair for the umpteenth time. "I don't want you to make a scene. This man is our opportunity."

"Our?" Thalia frowned.

"Yours, of course." But her tone betrayed her.

The front door opened and a tall man entered, with a serious face, an impeccable black suit, and an imposing presence that made the entire room feel smaller.

Adrian.

Thalia looked at him directly, trying not to show the discomfort that invaded her. He also observed her, but not with desire or tenderness. His gaze was calculating, as if he were evaluating a business, not a woman.

"Mr. Munoz, it's a pleasure to have you here," Irene greeted, extending her hand as if she were selling a rare jewel.

He nodded his head.

"Thank you for having me."

"This is Thalia," Irene continued, subtly pushing her forward.

"Nice to meet you," Thalia said in a firm voice, although her heart was beating like a runaway drum.

"Likewise," Adrian replied. His tone was cold, almost indifferent. Then he added, "Could we talk alone?"

Irene's eyes widened, but she smiled immediately.

"Of course, of course. I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."

Thalia followed him to the garden terrace. The fresh air was a relief after the suffocating tension inside the house. They stood in silence for a few seconds, observing the landscape without looking at each other.

"I suppose they already told you the plan," he said, at last.

"Something like that. I don't know whether to call it a 'plan' or a 'sale'."

Adrian shifted his gaze to her. He didn't smile. But his eyes showed a spark of interest.

"I didn't choose you for pleasure, if that makes you feel any better. Nor do I expect this to be a fairy tale."

"Don't worry. I don't even like fairy tales."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Then why did you agree?"

Thalia stared at him.

"Do you think I had a choice? My mother wants to get rid of me. She always wanted to. She was just waiting for the best offer."

Adrian nodded slowly.

"You have guts. That can be useful."

"Useful for what?"

"To survive this."

There was a brief silence. He approached the railing, resting his forearms on it wearily.

"I have a daughter. She's three years old. I don't want her to grow up in an environment like this. I want… another image for her. Even if it's false."

"And you think I can give you that?"

"You'll tell me that."

Thalia let out a small, joyless laugh.

"You're direct."

"I don't have time for beating around the bush."

Adrian turned to her. For a second, Thalia saw beyond the cold, calculating millionaire. There was something in his eyes. A wound.

"And your daughter's mother?"

"She died in childbirth."

Thalia lowered her gaze. She didn't dare say "I'm sorry." Some wounds didn't need words.

"And that's why you don't believe in love?"

Adrian tensed up.

"Because love left when I needed it most. Because I had it… and it slipped away. So don't expect romanticism, Thalia. This is a deal. Nothing more."

She nodded.

"Same here. But if I'm going to live with you, I want to make something clear."

"I'm listening."

"I'm not a doll. I'm not a maid. I'm not yours."

He smiled for the first time. A slight smile, more ironic.

"If you say so."

...****************...

The dinner was tense, more so for Irene than for Thalia. She was in shock at Adrian's lack of deference, who made no secret of the fact that the wedding was imminent and that Thalia would be moving in with him in a matter of days.

"So soon?" Irene asked, nervous. "I thought that…"

"I don't see why wait," Adrian interrupted. "Everything is already agreed."

That night, as she went up to her room, Thalia felt for the first time that her life did not belong to her. But she also knew that if she was going to be forced to share a world with that man.

Days later, Thalia was packing her few belongings. Bianca watched her from the doorframe with her arms crossed.

"You know? I thought you were going to cry more."

"I won't give you the pleasure," Thalia replied without looking at her.

"That man doesn't love you, Thalia. He only wants you as an image. A perfect wife to show the world. But sooner or later, you'll end up alone."

Thalia turned to her, with a half-smile.

"I've already lived that. It doesn't scare me."

"And what will you do if you fall in love with him?"

The question hit her hard. Bianca smiled maliciously as she saw the doubt on her face.

"I don't have time to fall in love. I have to survive."

"Good luck with that, little sister."

When the door closed behind Bianca, Thalia felt that the longest and most painful chapter of her life was about to end. But she also knew that another, equally uncertain, was just beginning.

And in the background, in the limousine that awaited her, Adrian watched her from the window, with his daughter asleep in his arms, wondering if a stranger could really fill the void that life had left in his soul.

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