Chapter 2

Carolina,

When I got to the company, I went straight up to his office. Everyone there knew me — they knew I was Henrique's wife. His secretary spotted me and hurried over.

"Mrs. Rodrigues, what are you doing here so early?"

"I came to see my husband. Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just that he hasn't come in yet. I thought you two would be on your honeymoon — he canceled all his meetings for the week." I stared at her, confused. He'd told me there wouldn't be a honeymoon because he needed to work.

"He said he was coming by to pick up some documents before we left." I lied to save face. "I'll head home. He must've changed his mind on the way. He said he was planning a surprise for me, but I'm too impatient — do you know where we're going?"

"He said you were going to Ilhabela, but don't tell him I told you, okay?" I smiled and nodded. I turned around and walked out of the building toward my car.

A few minutes later, I pulled into the driveway. The staff were already working, but his car wasn't in the garage, which meant he hadn't come home at all. I let out a sigh and went inside, heading straight to my room.

As the days went by, Henrique always came home late. I tried everything to get his attention — I even made his favorite dish. But he'd eat, then go back to his room and lock himself inside, as if I hadn't done a thing to please him.

I took a deep breath. I needed to make a move before this marriage fell apart completely. I walked to his room and heard the shower running. This was my chance to show him I was all his. I took off my clothes right there in the bedroom and walked into the bathroom. His back was turned, so I stepped in quietly, and when I entered the shower, he spun around with a startled look.

"What the hell are you doing in here, Carolina?"

"We've been married for a week, and you haven't touched me once. I've been saving myself for the love of my life, and that's you, Henrique."

"Do you love me, or do you love my money and the life of luxury I give you?"

"What? I've never spent your money on anything frivolous. Everything I have, your mother gave me. How can you think that about me?"

"Get out, and don't ever come into my room again. This is off-limits to you." I moved closer and touched his chest — so beautiful, perfectly sculpted with muscle. "Get out!" He grabbed my wrists and shoved me back.

"I'm your wife. Why did you marry me if you weren't going to touch me?"

"I married you because my mother told me to. But I don't have any feelings for you. Now get out. I won't say it again." His words hurt worse than a slap across the face. My heart clenched so tight it felt like it was being crushed.

I just nodded and turned away. I grabbed my clothes and ran to my room. I collapsed onto the bed and started to cry. He didn't marry me because he wanted to — he married me out of obligation. His mother was grateful that I'd saved her, but I was paying a steep price for it. I loved a man who didn't love me, and judging by his late nights, he didn't respect me either.

A month passed. I still hadn't figured out who the blonde in the photo was, but I'd caught the same perfume from that red dress on his clothes. We weren't a couple. We were two strangers living under the same roof. I did everything I could to get his attention, but he didn't notice me, didn't see me — it was like I was invisible. At twenty-three years old, I was still a virgin because he'd never once taken me to bed.

I got up, walked to the bathroom, and splashed water on my face.

"Enough crying, Carol. Time to turn things around. If he thinks I'm only with him for the money, then I'll be the wife who spends it all. I'm going to transform myself into a new woman. Let's see how far your hatred goes, Henrique Rodrigues."

I put on the nicest outfit I owned, though my plan now was to replace my entire wardrobe. I grabbed my purse and walked out. It was nighttime, but if he could stay out all night, so could I. I got in my car and drove to my childhood friend's place. Since she lived alone, I could vent as much as I needed.

"Carol? I thought you'd be on your honeymoon. What are you doing here?" She pulled me inside and we walked to her living room.

"Bia, I need your help. I'm only married on paper. My husband is an iceberg, and I can't take living with him anymore. Can you believe Henrique thinks I married him for his money?"

"I love it when men are like that, because when they fall, they rarely get back up. I'm going to help you. We're changing everything — your look, your clothes, your attitude. If he didn't appreciate you when you were being good, he'll appreciate you when you're being bad."

"I don't know if I can do it. I love him so much. But he doesn't love me — he won't even look at me. What am I supposed to do, dye my hair blonde?"

"You're not doing that. Never change who you are just to get someone's attention. If you're going to change, it has to be because you want to. Relax, okay? I'll be right here for whatever you need. Come on, chin up. We're turning this around. Let's make you unavailable to that asshole husband of yours."

As strange as it all sounded, she was right. I'd been too clingy. But wasn't that how a wife was supposed to be? Always there when her husband needed her?

"Here, put this on. We're going out."

"Bia, is this really necessary?" I held the outfit at arm's length, looking at it. This was definitely not the kind of thing I'd normally wear.

"It's perfect. If he can stare at other women who show off their bodies, you can show yours off for other men to stare at. You used to be more fun, Carol. Don't be an old grouch."

I agreed and started changing. Then she grabbed her purse, and we left her place. We got in my car and headed to a nightclub.

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