ISABELLA
The next day, while Antonio was at work, I slipped out of my room and asked Melo to drive me to the mall. I told him it was for shopping, even though that was only half the truth.
He hesitated, his hand already reaching for his phone, clearly tempted to call his boss and ask for permission.
"I am his wife, Melo," I said firmly. "And I want to go out."
"Yes, ma'am," he replied after a pause.
He swallowed, tucked his phone back into his pocket, and led me to one of Antonio's cars.
Once we were inside, he looked at me carefully before starting the engine and pulling onto the road.
What Melo didn't know was that I wasn't going shopping. I wanted to go home and see my father.
For two nights since I had been sold to Antonio, I couldn't sleep. Whenever I closed
