Seated on the sofa in the Gonçalves mansion's living room, Lucy glanced distractedly at the clock on her wrist, 9:32 PM, and sighed, defeated. Today was her husband Daniel Gonçalves' birthday, the vice-president of Lacoste Group, one of the most influential entities in the United States. Lucy had even invited his family to a surprise party, but where was the birthday boy? Lucy pondered internally while mustering a forced smile.

"My son is quite late, I wonder if something's happened?" Consuelo mused absently.

Earlier in the day, Lucy texted Daniel, asking him to come home early as she had organized a dinner, the message was seen, and trusting her husband, Lucy had prepared everything – she even made the decorations and sweets herself, which seemed quite pathetic now.

Trying to maintain her decorum, Lucy smiled and shifted the topic.

"Let's toast to this gathering, it's not every day we manage to come together."

"Well, dear, that's because we all work, we don't have the luxury of visiting you all the time," remarked Dayse, Lucy's sister-in-law, who owned a high-end clothing store in one of New York's largest shopping centers.

Though the woman gave a smile, Lucy still detected sarcasm. Lucy, coming from a rural background to marry Daniel, knew that everyone held a twisted view of her origins.

At that moment, all eyes turned to Lucy. She felt like a clown and regretted indulging her grandfather's wishes.

"You could have invited your family too," said Jose, Daniel's father.

"They live far away; they can't just travel for trivial reasons," Lucy replied absently while fidgeting with her phone. Just then, a friend messaged her, creating a small beep, she seized the opportunity to announce:

"Oh folks, not this time, Daniel sent a message saying, unfortunately, he's tied up at work. End of the month is when he has to do all the monthly reports, and it's kept him swamped," she said with a smile as she pocketed her phone. Silence followed, so Lucy continued:

"But we can't be disheartened by this, let's eat then, please help yourselves," she said, gesturing to the tables filled with snacks and sweets.

"Truth is I came because I wanted to hug my missing son. I can't indulge in sweets anymore, I'm too old for that," Consuelo said smilingly, and Jose nodded in agreement with his wife.

"And I don't want to gain weight, let's go home," stated Dayse, getting up and walking towards the front door.

After bidding farewell to her in-laws and sister-in-law, Lucy tried to call her husband – ten calls, all rejected.

"He's too busy to attend to you; you'll never win his love," she told herself as tears streamed down her beautiful face.

She sat back on the sofa, her thoughts revolving around her life and trying to make sense of her husband's behavior. Lucy glanced around the room: on the left, a table with a beautiful cake and on the wall, numerous photos of the couple, along with heartfelt phrases written on colorful paper in golden ink. It wasn't just a birthday surprise; it was also a desperate act to be noticed by her love. She had failed.

"Wishing a long life to the one who makes my heart race and who keeps me dreaming awake, I love you so much and wish you only the best, my love."

"Happy birthday my love, may God bless your life."

Those words now seemed a cruel joke. Lucy had complied with her grandfather's wishes and married Daniel, expecting it to be short-term, but she had fallen too deep and now struggled with love that burned in her chest – love that Daniel would never reciprocate.

The beautiful young woman, with long hair, honey-colored eyes, and a sculpted figure, now 28, had come from the countryside to become Mrs. Gonçalves but realized today it was her biggest mistake.

Tired of waiting for something that never comes, Lucy glanced at the clock and grimaced to see it was nearly midnight.

"Well, Daniel wasn't always this way, things are getting worse every day," she mused, recalling her grandfather's words.

"Marry him and help me fulfill my promise, be for him what you wish for yourself, give love, and you shall receive all in abundance."

Those words seemed even emptier in recent days. When Lucy married, she stepped back from her profession to take care of her husband, cooking and even cleaning their house despite having several employees – how ridiculous, Daniel didn't even bother to send a message that he would be late.

Already planning to dismantle everything adorning the living room, Lucy rose from the couch and started to pull down the decorative papers, just then the creaking of the door opening sounded– it was Daniel, entering. They stood practically face to face; she smiled at him, but Daniel walked past Lucy as if she was nothing, just another object in that luxurious room, seemingly drunk, making Lucy sigh in defeat – Daniel was deteriorating by the day.

With a lump in her throat, making it hard to breathe properly, Lucy coughed slightly and then spoke first:

"Where have you been, and why aren't you answering the phone? Darling, I was worried something had happened," she said as she walked toward him.

"I don't recall owing you explanations, but I'll say it anyway, I was working... and was unaware of this thing," he said, looking at the room decor.

She stepped back and stated:

"I invited your family to celebrate this special day with us; I was left looking like a fool because the guest of honor didn't show up. Smile, you managed to hurt me once more," Lucy said, trying to touch Daniel's heart, but he just gave a slight smile.

Seeing this, Lucy spoke again:

"Daniel, look at me, tell me what I am to you. I'm your wife, yet we're never together; at home, we're not even friends, and in bed, it's always me looking for you, and you turn me down almost every time just to humiliate me. If it weren't for the love I feel for you, I would have left long ago," she said before slowly ascending the stairs.

"I've already said I was working; it's hard to understand what I'm saying when you're completely reliant on others for survival," Daniel spoke angrily, nearly causing Lucy to choke on air, but she said nothing and continued to ascend, stepping up the stairs, distancing herself further from her love.

When Lucy married Daniel, falling for him was unexpected. Initially, he was somewhat kind, but instead of improving, with time everything vanished, leaving only a ravenous beast that used her occasionally, but never once kissed her or professed his love, rendering Lucy's marriage an utter failure.

Breathing steadily to maintain composure, she quickened her pace and soon entered the bedroom, going straight into the bathroom, looked into the mirror, and said:

"Who knew, from a woman of unparalleled intelligence, highly respected in every community and town I've passed through, I would become someone so mediocre, living humiliated, all because of this damned love," Lucy reflected on her own plight, too miserable, unworthy of her.

With a mind whirling, pondering a solution for her life, Lucy took a quick shower, slipped into a nightgown and threw herself onto the bed, planning to sleep.

At that point, Lucy heard footsteps inside the bedroom, and knowing it was Daniel, she covered her body with the blankets and feigned sleep, yet secretly hoping he would come to her and apologize, though it never happened.

After his shower, Daniel lay down with his back towards Lucy, seemingly wanting to sleep, but in truth, he exchanged messages with his lover, while Lucy's eyes remained closed, thankfully oblivious to the nature of the conversation.

...

Lucy tried to drift off, but the weight on her heart and Daniel's snoring made it impossible, prompting her rise from bed to the balcony, where she sat in a chair, contemplating life.

The midnight wind was chilly, but undeterred, Lucy continued to marvel at the night's beauty.

"Would grandad be angry if I gave up trying to please him? Ah, but of course, it's different when it's not your eyes the pepper burns," she uttered the last words and let out a bitter smile.

Soon, the Moon and stars that lit the sky were replaced by the rising Sun, a new day with fresh hopes for a better tomorrow, but is such a possibility present in Lucy's life? She doubted it.

Lucy left the balcony and changed into a simple dress, discarding her white silk nightgown.

Daniel was still asleep; she didn't bother waking him, mocking in her mind, "if he drank on a Wednesday, he must not need to work today," then headed to the bathroom, washed her face, brushed her teeth, and left the room.

In the Gonçalves mansion hallway, Lucy encountered Nancy, the housekeeper. Smiling, she said:

"Good morning Nancy, have someone clean up the mess in the living room, don't worry about finding a suitable place for that, the nearest trash bin will do just fine," leaving the old lady dumbfounded, having seen the couple’s photos in the lounge but puzzled by Lucy's order to discard them.

Nancy planned to question her mistress, but Lucy vanished from her sight, leaving her to dust portraits of deceased Gonçalves family members, over thirty years gone, which unsettled her.

Lost in thoughts on why people keep photos of near strangers, Lucy reached the kitchen. Unlike before, she made only a black coffee, seated herself at the table, and reflected on life while sipping the bitter beverage, as bitter as her life, with each drop drawing her closer to reality. Daniel was hiding something, but what? Observing his recent behavior – nightly outings, always returning drunk – fueled her suspicion.

After her coffee, Lucy lay on the sofa, watching the morning news. Living far from town, friendless and neighborless, she consumed whatever appeared on TV, whether she liked it or not.

Around 11 a.m., Daniel descended the stairs, the aroma catching Lucy's attention. She glanced at him, stunning in an impeccably tailored blue suit, shiny black shoes, and cold eyes, gripping a black briefcase, likely off to work.

"Good morning," he said without glancing her way; Lucy, too, gave no response, instead turning up the TV volume.

Daniel, impatient with complaints, departed without a backward glance. At that, Lucy wept, reflecting on her own foolishness over the past two years; Daniel hadn't conceded, but she was sure he was not working.

"No matter how kind your heart, eventually you're forced to treat people in the manner they treat you," she murmured to herself, wiping away her relentless tears.

...

As night fell and Daniel remained absent without a word, Lucy sat sadly on the couch, head bowed, possibly weeping. At that moment, Nancy approached, coughing lightly to attract her mistress's attention:

"Good evening ma'am, I've left Mr. Daniel's dinner in the oven, as usual. I'll be spending the day at my daughter’s, it's been too long since I’ve seen my grandchildren," she said, exuberant, yet Lucy was too morose for interaction and simply nodded her okay.

Having grown fond of her mistress as one of her family members through witnessing the couple's union, Nancy tried again:

"I don't know what's taken your smile, but clasp onto God; He never abandons his children."

"Thank you, Nancy, you may go," Lucy replied, adjusting herself on the sofa, turning on the TV, as Nancy left and Lucy searched for a good film to watch.

By midnight, Lucy tired of love stories with warped views of relationships; love isn't only kisses, hugs, and warm smiles—it's also loneliness, sadness, and pain. She now despised the love searing in her chest, stripping her of dignity.

Turning off the TV and planning to retire, Lucy heard the noise of a car—surely Daniel. Rushing to the bedroom, she leaped into bed, feigning sleep.

Minutes later, the creaking door and footsteps in the room, Lucy, angered at her husband, kept her eyes closed until a loud thud, a body hitting the ground. She sprang up to find Daniel collapsed, a drunken smile on his lips as he said:

"I'm home, my love, please help me to the bathroom," extending his hand, sending Lucy's heart into a sudden flurry.

Struggling to contain the euphoria in her chest from finally being called love, Lucy approached him and said:

"Are you talking to me?" she asked with a smile, thinking Daniel was pulling a joke, but he pulled her closer, causing her to fall into his arms, and like a couple in love, they kissed wildly.

The fact was, the smell of alcohol made Lucy quite uncomfortable, but for love, she didn't pull away and reciprocated all the love she received.

After the kiss ended, Lucy got up and with great effort, helped Daniel to stand, and they went to the bathroom together. She helped him take off his clothes and even to wash his body, as Daniel struggled to even keep his eyes open.

After giving her husband a bath, Lucy asked him to return to the bedroom first, after all, she was all wet and needed to shower herself and so he did, stumbling into bed.

After taking a shower and dressing in black lace nightwear and red panties, she applied some perfume and also lay down, thinking that Daniel was asleep. But with a magic touch, he was soon pressed against her.

"We missed you so much," he whispered in her ear, pressing his body against her back, causing her to shiver.

Not knowing how to react, Lucy remained silent and surrendered to the love, turning to face him and then kissing him with urgency.

The whole situation felt like a dream, especially since kisses were forbidden whenever they made love, but this house seemed rule-free today, leaving Lucy to enjoy her husband's lovely body.

As they kissed, Daniel's large, skilled hands roamed Lucy’s body, and every touch made her feel alive as never before.

Soon Daniel began to remove Lucy's nightgown, pulling down the right strap and then sucking her right nipple while caressing the left, and then reversing the process, plunging Lucy into intense pleasure.

It wasn't long before Daniel had taken off Lucy's nightgown, leaving her only in red panties. He positioned himself between her legs as if to have a close look at her, pushed aside her panties, bit his lip with pure desire, and then began to kiss her intimately, his tongue moving from bottom to top, then making circular motions on her, causing Lucy to moan loudly.

Using his thumb and forefinger, Daniel spread her petals, providing a clearer view of her beautiful flower and resumed kissing it intensely and eagerly.

Completely surrendered to the overwhelming pleasure, Daniel discarded his towel and entered her powerfully, causing her to scream. She enjoyed it, but couldn't stop thinking about how potent the drugs must have been for Daniel; he would never call her love in his right mind.

After making love in various positions, Lucy and Daniel lay on the bed, breathless. Lucy was smiling beautifully, as if she’d seen a green bird, while Daniel was sprawled on the bed, breathing irregularly. Then, tenderly taking Lucy's hand, he said:

"Love, you were incredible as always, I love you so much, my princess... my Juliana," he said slowly, shattering Lucy's heart into a thousand pieces.

"So that's it, he called me love thinking I was someone else? He made love to me thinking he was with this Juliana?" Lucy reflected inwardly as she tried to muster the strength to get up. She locked herself in the bathroom, looked in the mirror, and said:

"I'm sorry, Grandpa, but I won't tolerate this; it's too humiliating," she told herself while thinking of what to do.

Lucy had lost her parents as a child and in an attempt to protect her granddaughter, Leonardo had taken Lucy to the countryside. He raised her with much affection and attention, so Lucy had accepted her grandfather's request, but her heart was not made of steel, and she had reached her limit.

...

Lucy spent the entire night in the bathroom, crying, and recalling the past. She took a journey into herself, navigating through her memories, searching for a reason to love Daniel so much, finding none—only recalling the times she slept on the couch waiting for him, the times she woke up early and prepared a special breakfast for her husband, only for him to humiliate her by saying she only made that type of food so she could have the chance to feed herself well, given that she came from the countryside and surely had never tasted such things. Foolish, for Lucy was much more than she appeared.

After yet another sleepless night, Lucy rose from the cold floor, did her morning routine, took a shower, then left the bathroom and went straight to the closet. She put on high-waisted white pants and a leaf-green blouse, applied a bit of perfume, took her cellphone, and then left the bedroom to head for the living room, where the table was already set.

"Good morning, ma'am. It's been a long time since I've made breakfast, as you always prepared it your way. I hope you like the food I've prepared with all my care," said the cook, beaming, trying to win the favor of her lady, but Lucy said nothing and idly played with her phone.

Ana left, and at that moment, Daniel arrived and sat down in silence, beginning to serve himself. Seeing him so close made Lucy vividly recall the events of the previous night, her heart painfully tightened as if pierced by sharp knives, and words tore through Lucy's throat:

"Valentine's Day, Christmas, birthdays, New Year's, our wedding anniversary, when I was sick—I spent all of them alone. So, it is proven I'm perfectly capable of moving forward alone, Daniel Gonçalves. I want a divorce," Lucy declared, then sipped some coffee, trying to maintain her composure and focus.