Here’s a shortened version that preserves the key meaning and emotional weight of the original:
Iván Serguéyevich, an older man with sharp gray eyes and a polished presence, held Anna’s hand with practiced grace. His appearance and demeanor spoke of wealth and control—everything her parents had dreamed of for her future. Dressed in their best, they beamed with pride, convinced their daughter’s marriage meant financial security.
As the celebration unfolded, Anna sat in silence, her smile forced. Inside, she felt hollow. Every gesture masked her inner turmoil. This wasn’t a union of love—it was a transaction. Her dreams had been traded for status. She was a pawn in a deal arranged by her parents and sealed by a stranger.
Later, alone in the grand estate, Iván made a chilling request:
“I want you to call me ‘Daddy.’”
Frozen in disbelief, Anna listened as he revealed his obsession. He’d known her since childhood, manipulated events, and believed she belonged to him. She realized then—this wasn’t marriage, it was captivity.
Tears fell as the truth sank in. But beneath the fear, resolve began to stir.
At dawn, she slipped away from the mansion. No plan, no destination—only the determination to reclaim her life.
Anna’s escape marked more than freedom—it was the beginning of finding herself again.
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