Episode 2

CHAPTER 1

When I thought my life would be ideal, I discovered that my husband was betraying me. At first, I felt like the world was crashing down on me. . . but that was just the first blow of a series of humiliations that would mark my destiny. One morning, Dreiner showed up with Paloma Valencia, who carried within her the child I could never give him. Disregarding my suffering, he sent me to a guest room, far away from them. I loved him so much that I set aside my pride and accepted what he wanted, becoming the unwanted wife.

My sacrifice seemed insignificant compared to the love I felt for him. I told myself that, in time, everything would go back to how it was before. I decided to wait, clinging to that hope as if it were my only salvation in the midst of a whirlwind.

Living with Paloma became intolerable. Little by little, she began to make decisions in my own house, even changing the decor without consulting me. Every time I tried to stop her, Dreiner intervened, and I always lost. With a simple cry from her, he would take her side. . . then he would come to my room to ask me to understand her mood swings due to the pregnancy. My tears had no effect on him. To him, I was no longer important.

Those were the longest months of my existence. I watched them from a distance, organizing everything for the arrival of the baby, while I sought refuge at work to avoid falling apart. But every night, when I came home, reality hit me hard. Seeing them together, affectionate and completely oblivious to my presence, became my daily routine.

I don't know how I managed to endure for so long. The only hope that kept me going was the idea of being the mother of that child. . . and of getting my husband back.

Few people knew what was happening. I hid the truth from my parents and forbade the mansion's employees from talking about it. But one afternoon I arrived earlier than usual and found Paloma's parents in the living room. They were arguing heatedly.

"You're coming back with us right now!" her mother shouted, with tears in her eyes. "I didn't raise you to be anyone's mistress!"

"I'm not a mistress," Paloma replied arrogantly. "After the baby is born, Dreiner and I will get married. He promised me a big wedding, he's just waiting for Antonella not to get half of his belongings."

She showed an engagement ring as proof. Her mother, enraged, slapped her and left with her husband, disappointed.

I was listening to everything hidden behind the hallway. I couldn't believe it. I had to confront her.

I waited for her to be alone and approached, not hiding my fury.

"When did he promise to marry you? Since when?" I inquired, holding her arm firmly.

"Let me go, you're hurting me!" she complained, but I wasn't fooled by her tears.

"Don't give me that farce! Tell me at once!"

She suddenly freed herself from me and gave me a victorious smile.

"Ask your husband… He shouldn't be long."

That statement was the last straw. I slapped her with all my strength, tired of her hypocrisy.

"Now you're going to talk! Or do you prefer another one?"

Paloma, clearly scared, ran to the second floor. I couldn't let her leave without telling the truth. I reached her and grabbed her again in the hallway of the second level.

"Don't run away! Why did you tell your parents that you're getting married if we're not even divorced? What are you planning?"

"I told you I'm not going to say anything," she replied defiantly, although her gaze showed fear.

We were pushing each other. In a bad move, we fell down the stairs together. The last thing I heard was her screams. . . then, everything went dark.

I woke up in the hospital. I felt a sharp pain in my head and didn't quite understand what had happened, but something wasn't right. I tried to get up, but then I realized: I was handcuffed to the bed.

A nurse entered when she heard my screams, but she didn't come alone. A police officer accompanied her.

"Mrs. Bernal, you are under arrest for attempted murder. When you are discharged, you will be taken to court. You have the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer. If you cannot afford one, the State will provide one."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

As he said, they took me to a police station, where I was processed. I tried to contact Dreiner, but he didn't answer me. I called my parents, and they arrived with a lawyer. At that moment I knew: I was being accused of wanting to kill Paloma and her baby. The child had survived, but she was still in the hospital.

I assured my mother that I was innocent, that everything had been an accident, but the disappointment in her eyes broke my heart. Not only because of what had happened… but because I had hidden the truth from them for months.

That same day, I was released on bail. My parents took me back to the mansion to pick up my things. I understood that I couldn't keep living there. My marriage had come to an end. But with a broken heart and suitcase in hand, I didn't know that the worst was yet to come.

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