Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

The housekeeper opened the door for them. Susan's heart pounded uncontrollably, faster than it ever had-even more so than the first tshe attended an awards ceremony. She was both nervous and scared.

"Marcos and Susan are here! Cin," Mrs. Giron greeted them warmly, her smile as radiant as a sunflower in full bloom.

"Mrs. Giron, I brought this gift for you," Susan said, her voice trembling from her nerves.

"There's no need for gifts when you cto visit, Susan. You're too thoughtful," Mrs. Giron replied, her smile never faltering. Her demeanor was so gentle that Susan couldn't reconcile it with the sharp words she'd heard from her at the hospital that day.

The truth was, many people in this world were actors. They wore masks so well that it was impossible to see the expressions hidden beneath. If Mrs. Giron hadn't said those things at the hospital, Susan might still have held a good impression of her. But sthings, once broken, could never be repaired.

Susan followed closely behind Marcos, like a shy little girl. In the living room, Mr. Giron and Marcos' grandparents were seated. The housekeeper had already begun serving sdishes, and the enticing aroma of food filled the air.

Since becoming pregnant, Susan's appetite had grown significantly. Back when she worked as an actress, she had always been conscious of her figure. A slim face looked better on camera, and wearing evening gowns for events required her to stay trim. Gaining weight wasn't an option.

But now that she was expecting a child and no longer in the spotlight, Susan had allowed herself to relax. "Hello, everyone," Susan greeted them awkwardly.

They had all seen Susan on television before, so her face was familiar. "Susan, you're here. Please, have a seat," said Mr. Giron.

"Thank you, Mr. Giron," Susan replied, sitting down cautiously. She wasn't sure what kind of attitude Marcos' family would have toward her, so she didn't dare say much.

"Would you like something to drink?" Marcos asked her kindly.

"I'm not thirsty," she replied. She hadn't been this nervous even when visiting the Alvarez family. Apart from Joaquin being harsh, the rest of the Alvarez family was relatively easy to deal with. But the Giron family was different. Every single one of them seemed to look at her like she was an enemy.

Marcos' grandmother sat down beside Susan. "So, this is Susan. You're even more beautiful in person than on television," she said with a smile. Then, turning to Marcos, she added, "There's fruit in the kitchen. Why don't you go get sfor Susan?" "Good idea. You can rest for a bit," Marcos said before heading to the kitchen.

The moment Marcos left, Susan's uneasiness grew. His grandmother's expression shifted, losing the warmth it had held moments earlier.

"Grandma, is there something you'd like to say to me?" Susan asked. She could tell immediately that the older woman had something to get off her chest.

"You're sharp, Susan. Marcos' mother probably spoke to you at the hospital before. What she said represents the opinion of our entire family," the grandmother said, her tone turning cold.

So that was it. Susan had thought Marcos had managed to convince them, but now it was clear-they had only fooled Marcos. This family dinner was nothing more than a trap.

"Grandma, Marcos and I are truly in love. Why won't you accept us being together?" Susan asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Susan, you're a beautiful woman. With your background, you could find any man you want. But the Giron family has very high standards for our daughters-in-law. We don't insist on equal social standing, but at the very least, the person must have a clean background.

"You've spent years in the entertainment industry. Everyone knows how it works there. To get resources, you have to sleep with directors and producers. You've only been in the industry for a few years, yet you've already made it big. How else could you have accomplished that?" Her grandmother's words were cutting, implying that Susan had only risen to fthrough unsavory means. Anyone would feel insulted by such accusations, especially when they cfrom the grandmother of the man she loved.

In the past, Susan would have lashed out immediately. But now, even though she was furious, she maintained a calm smile.

"Grandma, you misunderstand me. I admit that many people in the entertainment industry operate the way you describe, but with my family's background, it wasn't difficult forto secure opportunities. Acting was just a hobby for me-I didn't do it for money.

"As the only daughter of the Simmons family, I receive significant dividends from our family business every year. I've never lacked money, so I had no reason to sacrifice so much for resources. My rise to becoming an award- winning actress was swift, and that was due to both my family's support and my own hard work." Her grandmother paused, considering her words, but then replied, "Whether or not you did those things doesn't matter. The fact remains that you've been involved in many scandals. That alone makes it impossible for us to accept you.

"On top of that, you've been married before. Our family is proud and has high standards. We can't accept a second-hand wife as our grandson's partner." "So, the reason you invitedhere today wasn't to acceptbut to persuadeto leave?" Susan asked, a bitter smile forming on her lips.

It was then that Mr. Giron, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "Susan, you're a smart girl. You should understand what's best for everyone. Marcos has already agreed to an arranged marriage with the Langdon family. You should give up.

"Of course, we won't let your twith Marcos go to waste. Here's a check for one million dollars. Consider it compensation. If you think-"

If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerlym waiting for you! Susan cut him off with a laugh. She had never imagined that such a melotic situation would happen to her. She'd played roles in movies where a poor girl fell for a rich man, but this? The heiress of the Simmons family being dismissed with a check? It was absurd. "Grandma, do you think I'm short on money?" "Of course not. With your family's wealth, you don't need money. This is just a token of our goodwill," her grandmother said firmly.

"Miss Simmons," Mr. Giron continued, "we're all adults here. The world is realistic, and you must know we'th never let you marry into our family. What's the point of staying? Marcos has already agreed to meet Miss Langdon. She's lively, pure, and exactly the kind of daughter-in-law we want. "You, on the other hand, are a woman with a tarnished reputation. I'm sorry if my words are harsh, but I hope you understand. No one is indispensable, and it's better for you to let go." "A marriage that isn't blessed by the family-do you think it could ever be happy?" he added.

Susan stood. "Thank you for your time. I won't bother you any longer," she said coldly.

She had hoped today's visit would lead to sprogress, but now she lish she had been! realized how foolish she hese people didn't hold back, speaking with cruelty and leaving no room for dignity. Not a single member of the Giron family welcomed her. As she walked out, no one tried to stop her. That, she thought bitterly, had been their goal all along-to humiliate her and shatter her hope.

So this was how little her self-respect meant to them. How pathetic.

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