Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Susan felt a strange unease as she watched Mrs. Giron approach. As a child, she had always remembered her as a kind and approachable elder.

After she and Marcos began their relationship, Susan had often suggested visiting his family together. But every time, Marcos had come up with a different excuse to avoid

it.

Now, with Mrs. Giron showing up unannounced, Susan couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. "Mrs. Giron, please, speak your mind," she said cautiously.

"Susan," Mrs. Giron began, sitting down nearby with a warm smile, "I remember when you used to visit our home. You were just this tall back then, always chasing after Marcos. And now, look at you-all grown up."

Her casual tone eased some of Susan's tension.

"Yes," Susan said, smiling faintly, "people used to call me Marcos' little shadow. Even then, he looked after me, and I always loved being around him."

"You're just as sweet and lovely as you were back then," Mrs. Giron said with a chuckle. "That little shadow has grown up to become a big star. I've watched every show you've been in."

"Really? I didn't know you liked watching dramas, Mrs. Giron. Unfortunately, I'm no longer an actress. I just want to live a simple, ordinary life now," Susan said, her voice softening as she thought of the child she was carrying.

"I've followed all your shows-and the news as well."

Susan's face stiffened. "Mrs. Giron, you shouldn't believe everything those tabloid reporters say. I-"

"Susan," Mrs. Giron interrupted, her tone still kind but her words pointed, "the truth doesn't matter much to me. I'm here today to ask about your relationship with Marcos. What is it, exactly?"

Giron's smile remained, Susan couldn't tell what the

together now. I hope you can

her off. "Susan, weren't you married to Hayden before? I even attended your wedding and offered my congratulations. And now, not

yet cutting. On the surface,

first place. If she admitted she loved Hayden, it would raise an even sharper question:

respond. Mrs. Giron waited

hide anything from you. When I married Hayden, I thought he was the one I could

at my lowest, Marcos was there for me. He made me see that he's the one who truly cares about me. My marriage to Hayden was nothing more than

much in the lives of you young people. But there

Mrs. Giron?" Susan asked

a sigh. "It's

you years to realize you didn't love Hayden. So, what if, after being

waiting for you! "That's not how it is, Mrs. Giron," Susan said, her voice trembling. "I was young and naive before. I didn't understand love. But after everything I've been through, I finally see where I

I truly love Marcos. There's no one else for me, and there never will be. Please believe me, Mrs. Giron. You

Mrs. Giron's hand, her plea earnest and desperate. She finally understood what the older woman was implying-she

that moment, Susan felt utterly helpless, like a beggar pleading for scraps. But in Mrs. Giron's eyes,

Susan like a blade. Her heart felt as if a heavy stone had crashed down

said, her tone still measured, "you come from a respectable family. You should understand that every action we take is closely

be direct. If it weren't for the scandals surrounding you and your previous marriage to Hayden, our family would have gladly welcomed this union. But you know how traditional Marcos' grandparents are.

have a reputation to uphold. Marcos is our only son, and his wife must be someone who can stand proudly in the

I mean. If you truly love him, you should think about

the family business for so long because he wanted to pursue his dream. But look at