Chapter 2

Sofia's POV

My body aches so much that I can barely stand due to the injuries I sustained from Gab last night. I'm here in our room, and the doctor he called to observe my condition just left. I was lying weakly on our bed when he came out of the bathroom after showering. He showed no expression when he saw me awake, only heading to his closet to pick something to wear for the office.

I remained silent, staring at the ceiling, until he finished getting dressed and was ready to leave. He pulled several thousand pesos from his wallet and placed it on the bed.

"Get some rest, and if you need anything or want to buy something, use the money," The words feel hollow, like an afterthought, as if he’s already forgotten the chaos of last night. As if the pain I’m in doesn’t matter. Without waiting for a response, without even glancing at me again, he turns and leaves, the door clicking shut behind him, leaving me alone in the deafening silence of the room.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, I couldn’t hold it in any longer. Tears poured down my face uncontrollably, my body trembling with the weight of it all. The physical pain from the night’s wounds was nothing compared to the emotional devastation he had caused. I sobbed loudly, unable to stop, feeling as if my body and heart were shattering in two.

The betrayal, the violence, everything he’s done—how could he be so indifferent? I feel like I’m suffocating, trapped in a life that no longer feels like mine. For so long, I told myself things might get better, that we could fix it, but now it feels like there’s nothing left to hold onto.

I can’t stay in this marriage any longer. It’s slowly destroying me, piece by piece, and I don’t know how much more I can endure. Every day is a struggle, and every moment spent in this house is a reminder of how broken everything has become. This isn’t love anymore—it’s pain. And I can’t keep pretending I’m okay when I’m not.

For five years, even after losing my memory, I loved him. I couldn’t remember the moments we once shared, the happiness we had in the beginning, but my heart still held onto him. The first year was filled with love, but slowly, he changed. He became a monster. He would hurt me, just occasionally at first, but last night was the worst. I never imagined I would be here—broken, lost, and unsure of how to escape.

With a heavy heart, I broke the news to Sabrina and Marina that I wouldn't be able to continue with the competition. I made up an excuse, saying I fell down the stairs and injured my lower body. They were devastated for me, for the dream we had worked so hard for, and their concern made me feel even worse. I apologized to them, but they reassured me, telling me that there would always be a next time. But deep down, I knew there wouldn’t be another chance for me.

After two days, I went to the hospital, and the reality of the situation hit me hard—the damage to my legs was far worse than I’d expected. The pain was unbearable its still hearts a little when I walk, and it hasn’t gone away. I requested my medical records, because I knew I had to take action. I was planning to file for an annulment of my marriage because I couldn’t keep living this way. I needed to be free from this nightmare.

I went to my father’s office to ask for help, hoping he would understand and support me, but his response was devastating. He didn’t believe me. He told me to stop acting like a brat and making up stories. He couldn’t believe that Gabriel—someone he trusted, a close family friend—could ever hurt me. Instead, he told me to stop causing a scandal, to think about our family’s reputation, and how this would tarnish our name.

I felt so helpless, like I was fighting a battle alone. I left the office, my heart heavy with disappointment. As I walked out of the building, I spotted a law firm on the other side. Something inside me told me to go there, to seek help from someone who might understand my pain. I walked in and asked for legal advice, desperate for any hope that I could escape this life.

"Sorry, I want to be honest with you. Based on your story, it is impossible for us to win this case. These medical records won’t be enough to annul your marriage, Mrs. Romano. Given the fact that your husband is an influential man, if you file for a VAWC case instead, it will cause a huge scandal for both your family and the Romano family, which I believe you wouldn’t want." Attorney Vegas told me, his words blunt and clear.

I felt my heart sink with each word he said. It was like all the hope I had left slipped away, one word at a time. I stood there, in that cold office, feeling smaller and more defeated than I ever had before. The thought of facing another roadblock, of not being able to escape this nightmare, was unbearable.

I left that office without hope, the weight of my situation heavier than ever. The truth was clear now—I was stuck. Stuck in a marriage that was slowly killing me, trapped in a family that couldn’t—or wouldn’t—help me. And no matter how much I tried to fight for my freedom, the world around me seemed to push me further into silence.

I went back home, the weight of the day pressing down on me, my heart heavy with sadness. The thought of having to return to Gabriel, to that house, felt like a punishment. Every step closer to home felt like I was walking deeper into a prison of my own making.

"Where have you been, hon?" he greeted me with that soft, sweet voice of his. It was the same as always—after he hurts me, he becomes overly affectionate, as if nothing had happened.

"I went to the studio. I’m already looking for a buyer for the place," I explained softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

I saw a wide smile on his face as he walked toward me. "I’m glad you’re finally waking up to your senses, hon. By the way, I want to work things out, and I can get you a position at the university," he said, wrapping his arms around me in a hug.

I froze, feeling the warmth of his embrace, but it did nothing to comfort me. Inside, I was a mess. I fought back the tears, my throat tight with the urge to cry. I couldn't let him see my vulnerability, not again. The fear that he might hurt me once more kept me stiff in his arms, holding my emotions in check.

I forced a bitter smile, my heart sinking with every word he spoke, knowing it was just another act—another empty gesture. I nodded, my mind numb, trying to suppress the pain.