Betrothed To The Heartless Heartbreak...

his spot when all we could see was tranquillity and beauty? The Fields, which I had grown to adore over the years, was the enormous

flower plantation, mango, pineapple, sugarcane, and coconut plantations, the woodland garden, and the Sarmiento River were estab

ide from its beauty, I discovered everything... I fo

ing —- a bedroom fit for a princess, lovely clothing, lavish accessories, private schools, a colossal allowance... you name it, I got nearly

you are

t was perfect for him since

as, in fact, five years my senior. He was a popular adolescent at the time, with many fans in his school. Many females adored him, and many guys wanted to be his buddy. H

would retire to the Forest Garden, his secret sanctuary where no one could bother him while h

uable item I discov

his location so much

to me now that he disliked my presence in The Fields. He seldom spoke to me and never looked at me until I followed him, or should I say stalked him, to the Forest Garden, where h

to a shallow section of the Sarmiento River. With the breathtaking scenery of the distant mountains, huge mahogany trees, and lovely flowering shrubs surrounding my haven, I would always lie with my back on a b

leep on my usual blanket beside the lagoon

really extremely upset at the time since Nigel was about to go

y the slow and steady steps approaching where I lay. Nigel's face was falling on me as

s time, Princess," he said quietly, but I cou

d innocently, unsu

tonight, you're having the time of your life. Tha

ealized everyone in the mansion was busy p

e planning? Was it because I behaved like a princess when I

as lying to adjust the

w as I got up. "Wh

-t-t-t-t

me back into the blanket. He w

ng at him. I coul

his buttocks touched his heels, at the trees, flower

ased to be finally out of h

ctly do y

tal next week. Final

s?" I was astonished and asked. "Why? Do

ze with mine. I could feel my nerves trembling inside me. What was he up

his cheeks become redder than before, his b

vibrations in my chest. I

I won't have to see yo

like daggers piercing my own heart and so

?" As tears streamed dow

grabbing for oxygen. I could smell his fres

er be accepted as my sister. You wi

Fields. Mommy Carol informed me that she and Nigel were the closest of siblings. They spent a lot of time p

s place in his life. What did he mean

o you mean?" Asto

ooked at the gleaming wate

lawyer will provide the necessary documentation to your party tonight.

other intended to

to be my brother in my life. I liked him... I liked

an't be siblings! I'm not going to accept it!" After

me... and even gazed at me. I didn't care whether he was upset or not at

e day I did the

t of my incredibl

Mommy Carol to discuss the adoption. I discovered her in her offic

preparing it for a long time and wanted to surprise me on my thirteenth birthday.

of reasons. I didn't want to hear them all. All I wan

k. "Althea, why? Do you disli

u. I adore you and couldn't

ou want me to ado

ecau

hat re

igel cannot b

m distant and frigid, but he is not cruel.

want him to b

urge me to elaborate o

ared my genuine desire, "I want Nigel

not a reckless thought. This was everything I had w

ced mommy's stunned expression. She remaine

I want, mama

ind. Her look progressed from astonishment to confusion

uly what

ed by

no going back no

it! You're getting married to my Nig

ront of all our guests that I, Althea Molina Ruiz, would be the f

ay? Was I enga

He was probably ten times more surprised than

surpris

had been a knife, I would have been stabbe

like a mad person. No, he did not panic. "You will never win this, Althea," he said

ssumed dad was so upset with both mom and me that he cou

g in a condominium apartment in the capital at the time. I knew it was the type of life he desired... to be

The Fields over the holi

next summer, particularly on my fo

.. and Christmas... and another Christmas... and a

d with his schoolwork. His Business Ad

rmiento wealth, had no option, according to Mom. He would inherit the family esta

ure since he was engaged to me. Mom would go to any length for me

. Yes, maybe I was selfish. And,

whether I deserved such a gift when all I could think about was being a spo

ed out of my birthday party four years ago, I've avoided throwing enormous parties for my birthdays. Anyway, it was summer, and all of my classmates were on vacation, so there was no need for me to host a large party. So I j

n the lagoon that afternoon since

sket with me, I dashed down the small, rocky road that led to the concrete sidewalk leading to the house. I tripped on a rock by the roadside since it was so cloudy on that problematic t

p from the ground wi

ay?" he said, hi

on my left ankle, I didn'

very much, "I stated while look

on's maids that he had a crush on me. He was attractive and pleasant but wasn't

to the mansion whe

ith the uneasy sense of being alon

nd pulled me into t

table situation. In addition to the fact that it was already dark, the c

is time? Was it someone who w

dered why it had stopped, so I raced after it, leaving Diego behind, to

, the automobile started

7:00 p.m. on my watch. The vehicle I ha

our, particularly on my birthday? And wh

ething I had