Episode 1

Víctoria Santiago(Vicky)

Prologue

Hello! My name is Victoria Alanna Santiago Fisher, but my friends call me Vicky. Today, I am turning 18 years old, and my life so far has been a rollercoaster ride. I live in Venezuela, and my dream is to finish my degree in Physiotherapy. My mother is the light of my eyes, my inspiration, and my drive to succeed. She is a beautiful woman with gorgeous blue eyes, resembling the sea. My father passed away when I was a baby, but from the pictures I have, I can tell you he was handsome like a movie star. It's a shame I didn't get the chance to spend time with him; he would have been amazing and a great father. Physically, I am the female version of my father - with cinnamon skin, reddish-brown hair, and brown eyes. Although my father left me financially secure for the future, I haven't needed to rely on that money. I have always enjoyed working and studying.

My mother lives with her current husband, who, despite her denial, is a complete jerk. He always drinks excessively and gets drunk literally every day. He takes advantage of my mother's kindness, and although I've tried to help her and insisted on them separating, I can't seem to make it happen. She is seven months pregnant now, and I fear that this idiot might harm her and my little brother.

You must be wondering where I live. Well, ever since my mother started living with that drunken fool, I moved out of my house three years ago, right after finishing high school. I live in an apartment close to my university. I have been a very independent girl, and I strive for top grades in my studies. Thanks to all the effort I've put in, I am only one year away from obtaining my bachelor's degree.

My Father

My Mother Victoria

Monday, October 18th, 2010, at Mom's house.

Mom Victoria: Daughter, how wonderful of you to come. I made you a birthday cake. It's your favorite! Filled with dulce de leche and coconut. Congratulations, my child. Your father would be so proud of the wonderful woman you've become.

(Seeing my mother's smile brightens my gaze)

Vicky: Mom, thank you so much. You really didn't have to go through the trouble of making it. Not that I don't love it, of course. I have the best baking mom in the world. But look at you! You can barely manage with your big belly. By the way, are you alone?

Mom Victoria: Yes, dear. Samuel is at work, don't worry.

(Samuel is my mother's current husband. I don't like coming to see her much because we don't get along, and I know my mother is in trouble when she finds out that I visit her. She says I fill her head with garbage.)

Vicky: Ok, Mom! I just hope he hasn't hit you again. I swear, if he lays a finger on you or my little brother, I'll put him in jail.

Mom Victoria: Daughter, I've told you, Samuel doesn't hit me. I'm just clumsy and always bump into things.

Vicky: Yeah, right, Mom! And this time, you happened to bump into his fist. But let's change the subject; I don't want to ruin my day. Have you found the perfect name for my little brother yet?

Mom Victoria: No, not yet, dear. I haven't found the ideal name for this little prince. So, tell me, how are things going with university and work? Also, how did you like the cake?

(My brother hasn't been born yet, and even though I know his father is a jerk, I love him with all my life. I'm sure I would give my life for that little intruder inside my mom.)

Vicky: The cake, as usual, Mom, was delicious. I'll take half of it home with me. My classes and work are going great. In fact, I have to go now, Mom. I have a class at 9, and then I need to go to the rehabilitation center to work. Bless you, Mom! Goodbye. I love you.

(I said goodbye to my mom and went to my class, then to work. The truth is, I didn't choose the wrong career. I love this profession. I've always enjoyed helping others, and what better way than this? Here, the hours fly by.)

(It's almost 7 in the evening, and I'm on my way home when I receive a call.)

Unknown: Good evening, a family member of Mrs. Fisher. (I felt a chill run through my body and a strong pain in my chest)

Victoria: Good evening. I am her daughter. Who am I speaking to?

Unknown: This is Central Hospital calling. Your mother has just been admitted with multiple injuries. She is currently undergoing surgery, and we need you to sign the authorization.

(Oh no, not my mother. I felt as if a dagger had pierced my heart. Tears filled my eyes. What happened? I left her perfectly fine this morning.)

Vicky: I'm on my way there, sir. Thank you for letting me know.

(I took the first taxi I found and immediately arrived at the hospital.)

Vicky: Good evening, nurse. I'm Victoria Santiago Fisher, and I was told my mother is here.

Nurse: Good evening, young lady. I was the one who called you. Your mother was admitted in critical condition. She received multiple blows, and at the moment, everything possible is being done to save her and her baby's life. I need you to sign here, please.

(I didn't know what to do. I felt helpless. My mother and my brother hanging between life and death, and here I was, unable to do anything. I took the papers and signed.)

Victoria: Nurse, I'm sorry, could you please tell me who brought my mother or who made the call?

Nurse: It was the police who brought her, actually. In the waiting room, there's an officer waiting for a family member to give all the information.

Victoria: Thank you!

(I walked towards the waiting room. I needed to know what had happened.)

Victoria: Good evening! I'm Victoria Santiago. I was told you could give me information about what happened to my mother.

Officer: Good evening, Miss Santiago. Indeed, I was waiting for you. We received an emergency call reporting that loud screams for help from a woman were heard in one of the apartments in your residence. We immediately responded to the apartment, where we found your mother with multiple bruises and cut wounds on her face and back. Given her state, it was evident that she had only tried to protect her pregnancy. We quickly transported her to the hospital. On the way, she managed to say that her husband was the one who inflicted the harm and pleaded for her child to be saved if she didn't make it. She asked us to hand the child over to you before losing consciousness.

Victoria: (I couldn't speak, the words wouldn't come out. Hearing the officer recount what happened to my mother felt like dying) Please tell me that they have caught that bastard and he's in custody.

Officer: Indeed, Miss. We located him at a nearby bar, heavily intoxicated. I highly doubt he remembers what he did. However, I don't want to lie to you; this man has no criminal record. So, at most, we will only be able to secure a three-year sentence.

(Tears filled my eyes, and hearing what the officer told me hurt even more. What an injustice! My mother and my brother fighting for their lives, and this miserable man will only get a short sentence, like a vacation.)

Officer: I understand how you feel, Miss Santiago, but this is all we can do.

Victoria: No, Officer. You have no idea what I feel. My mother and my brother are everything I have in this life, and this damn wretch will take them away from me without any consequences.

Officer: Don't lose faith, Miss Santiago. Pray to God that both of them make it through this. If you excuse me, I will wait here with you. I must know how your mother and brother come out of the operation. In some way, I must fulfill her wishes before she fainted.

(The officer and I stayed there waiting. My mother had been in surgery for five hours, and I had no updates on either of them. At that moment, the doctor came out.)

Dr. Figueroa: Good evening, family of Mrs. Victoria Fisher.

Vicky: I'm here, doctor. Please tell me they're both okay.

Dr. Figueroa: I'm sorry to say that we did everything we could for your mother. Before starting the cesarean section, she asked us to save the baby, but unfortunately, due to the cuts and cranial trauma, I don't think she will make it past the next 72 hours. She's currently in the intensive care unit.

Vicky: No, not my mother! (I cried like I never thought possible, my light, my star was fading in this world) And what about my little brother?

Dr. Figueroa: The baby, despite being premature, was born within the normal weight range, weighing 2800 grams and measuring 49 cm. However, he will remain in an incubator for several days to monitor his lungs and ensure his well-being. I will give the order for you to have a room so you can be with the baby.

Vicky: Thank you, Doctor. Can I also see my mother?

Dr. Figueroa: I will allow you to see her for only 5 minutes. Meanwhile, you can go and see the baby.

Vicky: Thank you, Doctor.

Officer: Miss, remember that your mother said that if she were to die, you would be the legal guardian of the child.

Vicky: Officer, even if she hadn't said it, I would never abandon my brother. He is all I have left!

(An nurse came out and gestured for me to meet my little brother. Seeing him so tiny and vulnerable in that incubator hurts, knowing that my mom may not survive for us. He is so tiny.)

Enfermera: Miss, you can now come this way to see your mother. I need you to put on the protective kit and you can enter.

Vicky: Okay, thank you!

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***