Madelyne began to walk back and forth, carefully analyzing the conditions I had given her, suddenly she stopped in front of me and stretched out her hand.

—I accept — she said firmly, smiling.

—I accept — I replied, shaking her hand.

We headed directly to the mansion, where dinner would begin.

Around us were all our guests, those who would be the witnesses of this commitment and the clauses that were involved, but only Henry and I knew what it really meant. Henry gave me a ring that had a beautiful sapphire as the main stone, it was too dazzling, but it was too big for me, it was clear that I would not be able to wear it regularly, at least not for the next few years.

After a few days, my relatives left the mansion. In the end, only the Windsors remained. The atmosphere began to relax naturally and I no longer felt as uncomfortable talking to Henry.

Finally the day arrived when they would leave. It was time to say goodbye. Henry slowly approached and surrounded me with a hug then whispered close to my ear:

—Will you remember our deal?

I nodded silently and extended my hand to him.

—Enchated to meet you, Henry.

He held my hand for a moment longer than necessary, before getting into the car.

That's how we saw the Windsors leave, although we would see them again shortly at the Victory Ball.

 

 

 

At that time, my heart still belonged completely to me, it would be years before I gave it to someone else, that would be when my life would change forever, when I would know both the best and the worst experiences that would mark my destiny.

 

 

 

 

The trip back to our house seemed eternal, it was already night when we finally arrived, along the way everything had been too quiet, I really felt exhausted.

When I got home I was about to go up the stairs to go to my room to rest, when I heard my father's voice.

—Henry, come, let's go to the office room— he said coldly and directly.

—To the office room? Why? —I felt completely bewildered.

—Is something bad happening? —My mother intervened, worried.

—And you don't get involved in this, Adeline.

My legs advanced on their own, fear squeezed my chest, what did I do now? We enter the studio. My father locked the door, the sound of the bolt freezing my blood.

Without saying a word, he walked to the desk and grabbed a pair of scissors.

—Did you really think I was going to forget the stupidity you had in your head? — he said with a dangerous calm.

Before I could react, he grabbed my hair violently.

—Dad, please! Let go of me! —I screamed, feeling how panic clouded me —Mom, help me!

On the other side of the door I could hear desperate knocks and my mother's muffled voice, along with Gilbert's, I struggled, but it was useless. My father did not hesitate, he did not hesitate, every pull was a lesson, every movement a punishment.

—This is so you can learn — he murmured —So you don't embarrass me again.

When he was done, he let go of my hair like I was worthless. He put the scissors on the desk and opened the door.

My mother and Gilbert came in immediately, I didn't say anything, I didn't cry, I just understood that that punishment would be one that I would never forget.

—You don't have long hair anymore — my father said —You better not let it grow again.

To be continued…

This novel is also being published in the spanish language, through this same platform called Entre el Cielo, la Tierra y el Mar, I invite you to help me as a reader in the same way, thank you very much and we will see you in the next episode.

Att. BF Crunch <3