Episode 1

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.

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