Chapter 1

• As if it were a fairy tale, the wind played with Helen's hair, while she walked along the extensive paths of her grand mansion, without a single care, and until that moment, not a single suffering. The perfect life for any innocent woman who only believed in the purity of love.
• Helen, heiress to one of the largest fortunes in the country, is the protagonist of this enchanted tale. Society magazines praised her grace and elegance, while her wealth made her the object of desire for many.
• However, Helen longed for more in life, she was looking for true love, a connection that was not marked by fortune, but by who she really was.
• And so came the news that would alter his destiny forever. Her father, the influential industrial magnate Ricardo Reynolds, had devised an ambitious plan to secure the family's future and wealth: an arranged marriage to one of the country's most prominent and enigmatic bachelors.
• But Helen sensed that this marriage pact was simply a business agreement, which filled her with frustration. She hadn't even had a chance to meet the man she was supposed to marry.
• "Father, I can't do it. Who in their right mind gets engaged without knowing their fiancé? Helen expressed her frustration as she took her seat, deep in thought.
• "You have to, Helen. This man enjoys an unrivalled prestige. The fusion of our surnames will strengthen our empire, you will be the envy of the city. In addition, I will obtain the long-awaited position in the high government leadership that I so covet; Maximilian's grandfather will guarantee it to me as soon as the marriage is finalized.
• Helen looked at him wistfully and rose from her seat.
• "And for what, Dad?" Look around you, father, appreciate all that you already possess. Are you really exchanging me for a position?
• This is not an ordinary job; He could soon ascend to the presidency. In addition, I will rescue your company with a small investment, I will save it from bankruptcy, it is a fact. You cannot object, my dear Helen; The contract is already signed. In addition, the union of his surname with ours will give us unparalleled power.
• Helen looked at her father with a mixture of anger and bewilderment. Being an independent and mature woman, with a solid faith in love, her father's plan seemed completely out of place.
• "I don't agree, Dad! I don't even know him. Does that man agree to marry me? I haven't even seen him in person. What's more, I don't have a single photo of him. Dad, please!
• At that moment, Helen's mother looked out into the garden when she heard her daughter's screams.
• "What's going on here?"
• "Mom, tell Dad I don't want to be hired for hire, please," Helen's mother hung her head in embarrassment and whispered back. Honey, I'm so sorry. I can't do anything. The contract is already signed, the future of this family depends on that wedding. I'm so sorry, daughter.
• Helen looked at them both, not understanding why her parents were so mad. The wedding was only three weeks away and all the preparations had already been made behind her back. Crestfallen, she sank into her thoughts, not knowing what to say or do.
• "I can't believe what they're doing to me. I can decide for myself. I'm not as fragile as they assume," Helen thought. He stood in front of his parents and, with determination, confronted them.
• "They definitely treat me like I'm a child. Do they forget my age? I can decide who to marry and who not to marry!
• "But you haven't married, Helen," her father rebutted. In our family, there are customs. We need you to give us grandchildren, to have a family, a good name. You're getting married! There's no turning back.
• Helen shook her head and angrily walked away, leaving her parents with the word in their mouths. The days passed swiftly for her; Marriage was a fact, and the big day arrived.
• She looked at herself in the mirror, already dressed as a bride. She was wearing a beautiful dress made by a prominent designer in the city, full of details and rhinestones that highlighted every step. But his face reflected a deep sadness.
• Meanwhile, at the Donovan mansion, Fernando was preparing for the event. He looked at himself in the mirror, praising himself. Her beauty and energy were the envy of all the men in the place. He had recently returned from abroad, and although he didn't know his fiancée personally, he had seen her in countless photographs. Moreover, the position she held was extremely convenient, not to mention the favorable conditions imposed by her grandfather to appoint him CEO of the largest exporting company in the country, a position she could not afford to lose.
• "Love, you look spectacular, but I can't understand how you're going to marry that woman." I know it's all a farce, but it hurts me deeply." Virginia, Fernando's girlfriend, clung to his back and cried inconsolably.
• Fernando turned to her, held her face in both hands, and kissed her passionately on the lips.
• "My dear, in two years, I'm getting divorced and we're going to get married. You will be my wife, even if my family objects. I'm only getting married because my grandfather is sick, and I promised to take care of this family. I'm the only man left; I must take responsibility for them.
• "I don't want to continue this secret relationship, but you only have two years, Fernando, only two so that your wife is me and we have the family we have always wanted. I know your grandfather is sick, but I want to take that woman's place.
• Fernando walked up to his girlfriend, kissed her on the forehead, caressed her arms and smiled at her.
• "My dear, it will be for a short time. After running Donovan & Associates, my grandfather won't be able to control anything. Rest assured. Also, my future wife seems to be very submissive, I won't have a problem with her when we get divorced. Do not worry. That's why I didn't want to meet her, I don't want to establish any link. From tonight, I won't even sleep next to him. Our relationship will continue uninterrupted. I owe it to you alone.
• Fernando's girlfriend looked at him in anguish. She knew he loved her and had a crush on her, but money was important to Virginia, too. So, he would sacrifice himself for a couple of years. Christopher, his grandfather, was an inveterate controller and would do his best to accomplish his goals. Nothing was more important to him than marrying his grandson off to the daughter of a prestigious businessman.
• Helen and Fernando's wedding reverberated throughout the city. The sons of the most powerful tycoons in the export sector would join their lives in a splendid ceremony. They all envied the position they were in; The media waited in front of the church, while family, friends, acquaintances, politicians, and businessmen gathered to witness one of the most prominent unions in the country.