BUT ON THE NIGHT OF THEIR ANNIVERSARY, SHE SCREAMED WHEN HE REMOVED HIS “SKIN,” REVEALING THE MAN EVERYONE HAD DREAMED OF
Clara was a young woman full of dreams, yet imprisoned behind the bars of poverty.
Her father had fallen into a gambling addiction and sunk into debt amounting to 50 million pesos.
And the man he owed?
None other than Don Sebastian “Baste” Montemayor.
Don Baste was known across the country not only for his wealth, but for his appearance.
He weighed nearly 300 pounds (around 140 kilograms).
Morbidly obese, constantly sweating, scarred across the face, and always seated in a motorized wheelchair because, according to rumors, his weight made it impossible for him to walk.
Behind his back, people cruelly called him “The Billionaire Pig.”
THE DEAL
One night, Don Baste’s men arrived at Clara’s home.
“Pay the debt—or go to prison,” they threatened her father.
“We don’t have the money!” her father cried.
“Then I’ll give you my daughter! Clara! She’s young, beautiful, and hardworking! Marry her, Don Baste—take her in exchange for my debt!”
Clara’s eyes widened in terror.
“Dad?! Are you selling me?!”
But Clara had no choice.
To save her father’s life, she agreed to marry the man feared by everyone.
THE WEDDING
On the wedding day, the guests couldn’t stop whispering.
Clara stood glowing in her wedding gown—radiant and composed—beside Don Baste, who was drenched in sweat, gasping for air, with a spaghetti stain on his tuxedo.
“Poor girl,” someone whispered.
“She’s only in it for the money.”
“She must be disgusted at the thought of sharing a bed with him.”
Clara heard everything.
But she lifted her chin with pride.
She took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from Don Baste’s forehead.
“Are you alright, Don Baste?” she asked softly.
“Would you like some water?”
Don Baste froze.
He had expected disgust — but instead, he saw compassion.
Care.
“Water,” he whispered.
Throughout the ceremony, Clara stayed by his side.
When it was time for photos, she didn’t step away.
She held his hand—large, rough, and trembling.
THE TEST
After the wedding, they were taken to Don Baste’s mansion.
“You’ll sleep on the sofa,” Baste ordered inside the bedroom.
“I’m too big—you won’t be comfortable in the bed. And one more thing…
Clean my feet before I sleep. And feed me.”
Don Baste was testing her.
He pretended to be lazy.
Messy.
Rude.
Cruel.
“This food is awful!” he shouted, throwing his plate.
“You’re too slow! Wipe my back!”
For three months, Clara became his caretaker.
And yet, she never complained.
“I’m sorry, Don Baste. I’ll try harder tomorrow,” was always her gentle reply.
Every night, while Baste slept—or pretended to—Clara softly spoke as she massaged his swollen feet.
“I know you’re kind,” she whispered.
“Maybe you’re hurt because people wounded you with their words. Don’t worry. I’m here. I’m your wife. I won’t leave you.”
Baste heard every word.
And beneath his thick “skin,” his heart slowly softened.
THE GRAND CHARITY BALL
The night of the Grand Charity Ball arrived—the first time Baste would introduce Clara to high society.
He dressed her in a stunning red gown and expensive jewelry.
He himself wore a tuxedo, still tight around his massive body.
All eyes turned toward them as they entered the ballroom.
A woman approached—Vanessa, Baste’s former girlfriend from before he became “fat,” according to rumors. In truth, Vanessa was the one who shattered Baste’s trust in women.
“Oh my God, Sebastian,” Vanessa laughed.
