The Ugly Wife Turns Into a Beautiful Swan

Nina had always believed that her life was simple. School. Home. Friends. Assignments. Group projects. That was her world. At eighteen, Nina was still a Grade 12 student who dreamed of graduating, going to college, finding a stable career, and becoming independent someday. She had never asked for an extravagant life. She was satisfied with having a home, an education, and the people she called family. Nina had been orphaned when she was young. She knew almost nothing about her biological parents and had no relatives she could turn to. Marsha Mason and Primitivo Seder adopted her and raised her as their daughter. They gave her everything she needed. Because of that, Nina had always believed she owed them her gratitude. She never imagined that one day, that gratitude would become a debt she could never repay. “Nina?” Her mother's voice interrupted her thoughts. Nina looked up from her notebook. “Yes, Mom?” “Your father and I need to talk to you.” Nina glanced at the clock. It was already past four. “But Mom, I have a group project at five. We still have so much to finish. Our deadline is the day after tomorrow.” “This is more important.” Nina immediately noticed the seriousness in her mother's voice. “What happened?” Marsha stepped inside her room. “Our company is struggling.” Nina's smile disappeared. “How bad is it?” “Bad enough that we might not be able to pay for your tuition anymore.” Nina stared at her. “My tuition?” “And your other school expenses.” “But why? What happened?” Marsha sighed. “Your father will explain everything when he gets home.” Nina stood. “Mom, I'm willing to help. I'll do whatever I can.” Her mother's expression suddenly became difficult to read. “Then listen carefully when your father talks to you.” “What do you mean?” Marsha looked directly into her eyes. “It's time for you to repay what you owe this family.” Nina froze. “What I owe?” “Yes.” Before Nina could ask another question, Marsha left. Those words remained in Nina's mind. Repay what you owe. What did her mother mean? She had never thought of her family as something she owed. They were her family. At least, she thought they were. --- An hour later, the front door opened. “Nina!” Her father's voice echoed through the house. She slowly walked downstairs. Primitivo was waiting in the living room. “Come here and sit down.” Nina obeyed. Marsha sat beside him. Both of them looked unusually serious. Nina's hands tightened together. “Dad, is this about the company?” “Yes.” “I know things are difficult right now, but I'll help however I can.” Her father stared at her. “You can't help financially.” “I know.” “That's why we've found another solution.” Nina frowned. “Another solution?” Primitivo exchanged a glance with Marsha. Then he looked back at Nina. “You're getting married.” Nina blinked. “What?” “You heard me.” “Married?” “Yes.” Nina couldn't move. “To whom?” “Jacob Almeda.” The name was unfamiliar. “Who is he?” “The son of our business partner.” Nina's heart began beating faster. “The Almeda Group?” Her father nodded. “But I don't know him.” “You will.” “Dad, I'm still in Grade 12.” “You can continue studying after the wedding.” “But I don't want to marry him.” “This marriage will save our company.” Nina stared at him. “So you're asking me to marry a stranger because of the company?” “This isn't a request.” Her eyes filled with tears. “But what about my dreams?” “You can still have dreams.” “My dreams don't include marrying someone I don't know!” Her father slammed his hand against the table. “Nina!” She fell silent. “You've lived under our roof your entire life. We paid for your education. We gave you everything.” “I know.” “Then it's time you give something back.” Nina felt something inside her break. “I am your daughter.” Primitivo's expression hardened. “You are our adopted daughter.” The words hurt more than she expected. Nina looked at Marsha. “Mom…” Her mother looked away. “You're getting married next month,” Primitivo said. Nina shook her head. “No.” “There is nothing you can do about it.” “I don't want this.” “This conversation is over.” Nina stood, trembling. She walked back to her room without saying another word. The moment she closed the door, her tears finally fell. She looked around at everything she had known her entire life. Her books. Her school uniform. Her notebooks. Her dreams. Everything suddenly felt distant. She wanted to escape. But where could she go? She had no relatives. No money. No job. No one. Then her father's voice came from outside. “Don't even think about escaping.” Nina froze. The door opened. “Wherever you go, we'll find you.” Her father stared at her. “You have nothing without us.” Nina couldn't answer. “You depend on us for everything. Your school. Your food. Your home.” He paused. “So don't make the mistake of thinking you can simply walk away.” He left. Nina stood alone. For the first time, the home she had loved felt like a cage. She wiped her tears. She didn't know Jacob Almeda. She didn't know what kind of man he was. She didn't know why his family had agreed to this marriage. But there was one thing she knew. Her life was no longer hers to decide. And somewhere across the city, the man she was supposed to marry was looking at her photograph. Jacob Almeda stared at the picture silently. “That's her?” he asked. “Yes.” “Does she know the truth?” “No.” Jacob's expression darkened. “Good.” He placed the photograph on the table. “Don't tell her yet.” Because Nina wasn't the only one trapped in this arrangement. Jacob had a secret of his own.