3

Natalia listened to the laughter and murmurs coming from the living room. It seemed incredible to her that, after everything that had just happened, there was something to celebrate. 

She walked slowly down the stairs, still carrying the weight of humiliation, but feeling a growing sense of determination.

When she arrived, she saw Simón’s mother and Aunt Cristina, both surrounding Isabella with beaming smiles, as if they had welcomed a movie star.

 

They were all laughing and chatting happily, but when they noticed Natalia’s presence, their smiles vanished instantly.

“Look who decided to show up,” said Simón’s mother with a venomous smile. “The shameless Natalia.”

“I’m not the shameless one here,” Natalia replied, her voice trembling but firm. “It’s that woman,” she pointed at Isabella, “my husband’s mistress. How can you have her here as if she were a guest of honor?”

Simón’s mother snorted, crossing her arms while his aunt nodded with a stern expression.

“You’re the only shameless one,” retorted Nelly, Simon’s mother, in an icy tone. “You married my son through lies and deceit. Isabella would never have let you take her place at the altar if you hadn’t betrayed her in such a horrendous way.”

Natalia felt a growing rage burning in her chest. 

She was tired of repeating the same story, one that no one seemed willing to believe. Isabella had orchestrated everything, asking for her help and then betraying her. But, as always, Natalia was left looking like the villain.

“How long will they keep believing her lies?” Natalia snapped in frustration. “Isabella was the one who asked me for help because she wanted to run away with an old flame. It was all a trap!”

“Shut up already!” Simón’s voice thundered from the doorway, where he stood leaning against the frame, watching her with disdain. “Go back to your room, Natalia. I don’t want to see you down here.” 

“What?” Natalia looked at him, incredulous. “Now you’re going to kick me out of my own house too?”

Simón took a step forward, his face grim.

“I warned you I didn’t want you here,” he hissed angrily, clenching his fists. “If you insist on staying, I’ll throw you out onto the street like a mangy dog. Don’t make me do it.”

Natalia felt a chill run down her spine. It was winter, and it was freezing cold. Didn’t he care if she froze?

“It’s snowing, Simon…” she replied, trying to control the tremor in her voice. “You can’t do this to me.”

“That’s not my problem,” he replied coldly. “Behave yourself or leave. And don’t forget to apologize to Isabella for breaking her nose.”

Natalia let out a sigh of disbelief.

“Apologize to that lying bitch?” she snapped, clenching her fists.

Simón’s slap was so fast she didn’t have time to react. The blow echoed through the room, and the humiliation burned more than the pain. 

Natalia froze for a second, feeling everyone’s eyes on her, but then something shifted inside her chest. The lump in her throat dissolved, and in its place, a surge of resolve flooded her.

“All right, Simón,” she said, lifting her head, her cheek still burning. “You don’t have to worry anymore. We’re getting divorced tomorrow.

A deathly silence fell over the room. Open mouths and incredulous stares filled the space.

Everyone knew how much Natalia had loved Simón for years, how she had endured every humiliation hoping that one day he would truly see her. But now, that love was fading away.

Simón looked at her with a mixture of surprise and contempt.

“Are you sure about what you’re saying?” he asked her with a threatening hiss. “Because once we’re in court, there’ll be no turning back.”

“I would never go back to you,” Natalia replied, her words laden with a resolve she had never felt before. “You’re no longer worthy of that.”

She turned on her heel and headed for the door, head held high and her dignity restored. Just as she was about to step out into the garden for a breath of cold air, she heard Simón muttering under his breath.

“Fine. I hope you don’t regret this later!”

Natalia didn’t respond. She knew, with every fiber of her being, that she would never regret leaving him. 

Natalia sank onto the garden bench, feeling the cold winter wind sting her cheeks, still red from the slap. Despite the courage she had shown in front of everyone, now that she was alone, she couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.

 

She had stayed strong, but reality hit her with full force: she had loved Simón for years, a love she now had to tear from her heart.

“How do you get over a love that’s lasted so many years?” she thought, covering her face with her hands.

Tears fell onto her trembling palms, and every sob made her feel more vulnerable. 

How do you move forward when everything you’ve ever dreamed of crumbles before your eyes? 

She had endured two years of abuse and humiliation, hoping he would change, that one day he would look at her with love. But that day never came.

“Why was I so stupid?” she chided herself over and over. “I should have left sooner; I should have walked away when I still had some dignity left.”

Now, the pain was crushing her, and even though she had taken the brave step toward divorce, she couldn’t help but feel the emptiness in her chest.

Simón had been her life, her hope, and now, having decided to leave him, she felt as though she had lost a part of herself.