...CHAPTER 1...

"Oh my God, it's so late, I'm such a fool. Santi must be arriving soon" said Genoveva, looking at the watch on her wrist and finishing getting ready.

Today was her tenth anniversary and she was happy, she had prepared a delicious dinner and had put her little ones to sleep early, today she planned to surprise her beloved husband, who had been away for two months and she missed him very much, during all that time they had hardly spoken on the phone.

Genoveva had taken out her best dress, although now with her wide hips and somewhat drooping bust, it no longer fit her the same as before, but her husband loved her and that was the important thing.

She finished combing her hair, ran to the kitchen to turn off the stove, set the table, left everything ready and returned to her room, put on her last heels, which thank God still fit her well and sat down to wait, more than half an hour ago she had notified him that she was at the airport, according to the calculation of the journey, he should arrive in about ten minutes.

Genoveva felt very insecure about her appearance, when she met Santiago, she was a young model on the rise, she saw him in a fashion show and fell in love at first sight.

After that day they began to get to know each other, he was a sad and quiet man.

Santiago Santibañez was a middle-class businessman, but he had inherited a small fortune and was working to multiply it, he was a very intelligent and skillful businessman, but cold and arrogant.

As the days went by, Santiago enjoyed the company of the beautiful woman.

Genoveva loved him in silence, little by little she penetrated that hard shell and got into his heart. A year later they got married and at the request of her husband Genoveva quickly became pregnant, leaving aside her career.

To the couple's surprise, it was a multiple pregnancy, three babies were forming in her womb.

Santiago was more than happy with the news, he wanted a large family, he spoke of six children and Genoveva deeply in love, did not refuse to please him.

They lived in a large house in the city center, it did not have many green areas, but it was very comfortable for them.

When the triplets turned two years old, the stork knocked on their door again and again the blessing multiplied by three.

Genoveva almost fainted when the doctor informed her. She felt happy, she would never deny her little ones, but for God's sake, six children were a lot of responsibility, but fortunately her husband was jumping for joy, although Genoveva did not know if it was because of the children, or because of the fact that she could not go back to work.

She had given up trying, with the first triplets, she still took some photos or did some catwalks, but now this definitely buried her modeling career, with the previous birth she quickly regained her figure despite the complaints of her husband, who told her that she looked better chubby and that he did not want her to lose weight, that she should only take care of the children and attend to him.

She pleased him in every way by her husband's side, she lacked nothing, she wanted to work to feel useful, but it was becoming more and more difficult for her to organize her time, the little ones were very mischievous and one day to escape to a photo shoot, little Sebastian in a moment of carelessness of the nanny fell from the chair and they gave him three stitches.

Fortunately, the woman covered for her and did not tell her employer that she was not there, but all the same Genoveva was reprimanded by her husband. She was supposed to be attentive to her little ones all day long.

Anyway, after the birth of the other children, Genoveva asked the doctor to prescribe birth control pills behind her husband's back, with six children it was more than enough, they had four boys and two girls, but Santiago insisted that he wanted two more princesses, but Genoveva subtly refused, asked him to wait a while and with this excuse she has managed to be for four years without conceiving.

The little ones, Maximo, Santiago Jr. and Sebastian, were already six years old and Victoria, Camila and Esteban were four years old.

Birthday parties were a very beautiful event, her husband's family came, some friends from work and part of Genoveva no one attended, she had grown up in an orphanage and her only friend and manager had gotten upset with her for letting Santiago destroy her career and her life according to his verbatim words.

So she was a lonely woman, she only had her husband and her little ones.

But a new event came into her life, when they were at her little ones' birthday party. Genoveva fainted and was taken to the doctor.

When Genoveva opened her eyes, she realized that she was in a hospital room, she smiled when she saw her husband, asleep in a chair, his head resting on the edge of the bed.

"Honey" whispered Genoveva and her husband got up, approached her with a beautiful smile that melted her and kissed her.

"Honey, you just made me the happiest man in the world."

These beautiful words were a bitter pill for Genoveva. She wasn't sure, but she suspected she wouldn't like the answer.

"What are you talking about?" Genoveva asked, her voice cracking. While inwardly she asked God that it was not what she suspected.

"Honey, we're pregnant again."

Genoveva's face turned pale. This had to be a joke. Santiago saw the bewilderment in her eyes and approached her, taking her chin to force her to look at him. He whispered:

"My love, don't be surprised. I know you were planning behind my back. You're such a naughty girl. But maybe, just maybe, a naughtier little mouse switched your pills for some nutritious vitamins, and here's the result. Two precious babies are in here," Santi said, kissing her belly.

Genoveva felt a hole open up beneath her feet, yet she smiled at her husband. Seeing him happy was the most important thing to her. From that pregnancy, little Alana and Ricardo were born.

When the twins turned one year old, Santiago expressed the need to buy a bigger house. He decided to purchase a very large and beautiful country house on the outskirts of the city. It was a bit isolated, but the peace it offered was very gratifying.

Her little ones were already two years old, and with this event, she concluded the mental summary she had been making of her life as she continued to wait for her beloved husband. More than an hour had passed, and there was no sign of him.

Genoveva picked up her phone and dialed. On the third ring, Santiago answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi, honey. Where are you? I'm worried."

"I'm having dinner with a partner, but since you're still awake, wait up for me. I'm on my way. Don't go to sleep. I need to talk to you."

"Sure, honey. I'll wait for you here." Genoveva hung up and got up to put the food away. It was common for her husband to have dinner out, as he had been doing for the past three months before his trip. That's why she planned this magnificent idea, to rekindle the flame of passion between them, but it seemed her evening was destined to fail.

Twenty minutes passed, and Genoveva poured herself a glass of champagne. It was one of the few bottles she had for social visits, although since they moved, no one had come to visit them again, not even for the children's birthdays.

Of course, Santiago would excuse himself, saying he didn't want to share such special moments with anyone, and for this ambiguous reason, he didn't invite them, which is why it always ended up being just the four of them celebrating.

The sound of the gate announced her husband's arrival. She went to the mirror, touched up her lipstick, smoothed her hair with her fingers, and adjusted her dress slightly.

When she heard the door open, she walked towards him, hugged and kissed him in surprise. But Santiago pushed her away, wiping his mouth while looking her up and down with a scornful gaze.

"Hey, what's wrong with you? Are you drunk? What are you doing dressed like that? You look like a washed-up harlot in that old, faded dress. It's not even your size anymore! What kind of example are you setting for my children?"

Genoveva was in shock. She had barely regained her balance from her husband's shove. It had been a long time since she had walked in heels. But what she was hearing was worse than if she had fallen to the floor.

"What's wrong, Santiago? Why are you treating me like this? I know you don't like me wearing these kinds of clothes, but I put it on just for you. There's no one else here. It's our anniversary, honey. Ten years of marriage," she said, trying to hold back her tears while mentally justifying his behavior. Maybe he was startled by the hug, or perhaps he was tired, and it wasn't the right time. She understood all of that.

She tried to approach him again, but only extending her hand to take his. But Santiago stepped back and raised his hands to prevent her from touching him. Instead, he moved away from her, giving her a cold look as he spoke.

"Look, Genoveva. I don't have time for your melodrama. It's true, we've been married for ten years today, and I think that's a long time to be together. But it's not the same anymore. I don't feel complete with you. Genoveva, things between us have deteriorated a lot. That's why I've decided we need to take a break."

Genoveva was paralyzed. She felt her world collapsing. She felt as if there was an earthquake inside her, destroying everything in its path. She clasped her hands together against her lips, remaining silent, praying to God that this was a joke, a terrible joke by her husband. That any minute now, Santiago would burst out laughing, and she would lightly hit him for the fright he gave her.

But Santiago had already begun to destroy their marriage and was not willing to back down, but she thought quite the opposite. So she took a deep breath and although she didn't want to speak, knowing she would break down, she wanted to fight for her marriage or at least get a logical explanation. Because so far, what he was trying to explain was that their marriage was valid for ten years, and that time was up? But until death do them part is what the priest said.

"Santi, I understand you're tired from the trip. You're probably exhausted. Get some rest, and tomorrow, when you're calmer, we'll talk, okay?" Genoveva said, turning her back to him to go to her room.

"I want a divorce," Santiago stated, walking toward the table and placing his briefcase down to pull out a document as he took his pen out of his shirt pocket.

Genoveva continued to turn her back. But she clearly imagined what her husband was doing; she felt him walk to the table, heard his briefcase open, the sound of documents falling onto the table, and that unmistakable sound of the button on his pen being pressed to reveal the tip.

Deciding to ignore him, she quickly walked to her bedroom without turning around and shut the door.

"DAMN IT, GENOVEVA, COME BACK HERE" Santiago shouted from downstairs, but when he received no response, he hurried upstairs with the documents in hand.

He didn’t want to knock on the door, as eight crying children were the last thing he needed at that moment. So, he took his key and opened the door.

Santiago was surprised to see Genoveva undressing. He couldn’t deny that he loved those curves, so he decided to leave the papers on the table and walk toward her.

Genoveva was ignoring him. But when she felt her husband’s hands caressing her back, it made her shiver, and her skin tingled. The five months without sex worked against her; besides, she thought this was an opportunity to save their marriage.

Santiago gave her a wicked smile and a lustful look; he began undressing and approached her, kissing her lips, then her neck, and continued down to her breasts, which were sagging but still large. He reveled in them, sucking, biting, and gently squeezing them with his hands while he thrust in and out of her again and again. His thrusts were strong and precise, drawing moans from his wife’s lips.

Genoveva had her heart shattered; she was aware that he was saying goodbye to her, and he showed it with his attitude.

Santiago, though kissing her, closed his eyes. He didn’t look her in the face, but she didn’t mind. If divorce was a fact, she would spend a long time without sex, so using her husband one last time to quench her pent-up desires wasn’t wrong, although the truth was that it tore her apart inside.

They had sex in many ways. Santiago had never felt her so insatiable; she was completely receptive to everything he wanted to try.

But Genoveva made a mistake; as Santi groaned and released inside her, she whispered in his ear,

"I love you, Santi" she said it from the bottom of her heart, but it seemed to have offended him.

He pulled away, began to dress, and didn’t hesitate to disappoint her.

"Don’t get confused, Genoveva. Just because you were a good lay doesn’t mean this changes my decision to divorce you."

Genoveva could only show a bitter smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"A lay that lasted ten years. Santiago, be a man and just tell me the truth; I think I deserve that" she said, getting up from the bed and putting on her bathrobe.

"Fine, I didn’t want to hurt you, but you never take anything well. Camila is back, and I want to be with her."

"Camila? Who is Camila? An ex? Damn, did you make me name my daughter after your ex?" she asked, standing in front of him.

"She’s also my daughter, and Camila is the love of my life. She’s back, and she wants us to try together. We spent these past two months together, and with her, I feel complete and happy. She is a beautiful, refined, and elegant woman."

Every word from Santiago stabbed Genoveva’s heart; she felt as if she was beginning to struggle for breath.

"She is what I used to be before I met you. But if you want to have a mistress, go ahead; I won’t oppose it. But I’m not getting a divorce. If you want to, go be with her."

"No, understand this, Genoveva. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. Camila is pregnant, and my child will not be a bastard."

"Ah, and mine will be? I remind you that we have eight children, eight little ones who need their father and that each one of them was a result of your great desire for a large family. It’s not fair that my little ones grow up without you."

“Genoveva, my children will never be bastards; they were born into marriage, they are my legitimate children. It is you I want to separate from, not them. For God's sake, have some dignity and sign the damn paper,” Santiago said, with a look of disdain, offering her the pen.

At that moment, Genoveva understood that she had lost him, and she bit her lips to prevent her tears from flowing. She was broken inside, wishing she could tell him to his face that he was destroying her, that he was finishing her off, but what difference would it make? He loved another person, and she had only been his substitute. The owner of his heart had arrived, and Santiago discarded her like an old piece of furniture. But Genoveva remembered something—Oh God, what an idiot she was! How could she have forgotten?

She took the pen and let out a loud laugh from the depths of her heart.

“Ha, ha, ha. Ha, ha, ha. Why don’t I have dignity? For wanting to keep you by my side? But you do have dignity? You, who are leaving your home for a woman who abandoned you at the altar eleven years ago? Ha, ha, ha, how foolish I am! How could I forget that it was I who rescued you from the abyss, who pieced you together when she left you? But now, since the woman got tired of sleeping around and returned to look for the idiot she mocked all those years ago, I must simply step aside. Fine.”

“Don’t talk about her like that, you don’t know everything she’s been through,” he said.

“No, and I’m not interested in knowing,” Genoveva expressed, holding back the storm inside her.

Santiago’s gaze was fixed on her; apparently, her words had hurt him. But nothing would stop him now. What angered him most was that Genoveva’s demeanor had changed; she wore a wicked smile, occasionally looking at him with pity, like one would look at a pig heading to the slaughterhouse.

“I hope you don’t regret it, Santiago. Because the moment you cross that door, you are dead to me,” Genoveva said as she signed the divorce papers, not bothering to read anything; nothing mattered to her anymore.

“I’ll come to visit my children. Don’t worry; they will lack for nothing,” he said, trying to meet her gaze. But she turned her back to him.

Santiago had little left to collect. He had been preparing for this moment before the trip, gradually taking his things away. So, he simply opened the door, took one last look at his wife’s back, and left.

When Genoveva heard the door close, she sat on the couch, brought both hands to her face, and let out the tears she had been holding back.

Santiago, on his part, reached the car and started it, but he felt strange, experiencing a void in his heart. Had he really divorced Genoveva?