Chapter 1
Divorce Petition
I stared for hours at that sign, unable to make a decision now that I was standing in front of it. It was the same marriage office I had gone to on my wedding day. A signature on the paper, and not even a glance or a word from my husband—and so it had been for the two years of marriage we had endured. I thought that maybe, with time and living together, we might at least become friends. But it was foolish to imagine that someone like him would ever want a woman like me.
Without further hesitation, I walked into the building. The receptionist looked at me and, with a smile, asked:
“Good morning, how can I help you, miss?”
“Hello, good morning… My name is Genoveva Romero, and I want to file for divorce.”
“Romero? Y-you mean the Romero family?” The girl typed quickly, and upon seeing the photo of my husband, she blurted out:
“Are you… sure you want to start a divorce process?” I swallowed hard.
“Yes, I want the divorce.”
A Few Months Earlier
That day, at the gathering, I didn’t seem to fit in… in fact, I never fit in anywhere. But if it weren’t for my aunt helping my mother sneak me into these social events to find me a husband, I would be just another ordinary woman working at a noodle stall drowning in debt.
From afar, I saw George with his group of snakes. I had known them since school, and I knew that running into them was always a mistake. I rushed to the bathroom, my breathing heavy, wishing to be invisible for just a second. I splashed water on my face and, when I looked up, the reflection of my chubby face disgusted me. I quickly grabbed some paper and dried off. I had to calm down and get back to that party, but today, more than ever, I couldn’t stand people’s criticism. I took a deep breath and, when I stepped out of the bathroom, George and Ester were waiting for me with their arms crossed.
“I knew I smelled a pig wallowing in the mud. Don’t you think so, Ester?”
“Yes, apparently, they let any barn animal in. What are you doing here, you boar? And dressed like you just robbed your grandmother’s trunk.” I swallowed with difficulty and muttered:
“I just… I was invited.”
“Liar. Your beggar mother must have knelt for an invitation. Don’t you get tired of always begging for crumbs?”
“My mother is no concern of yours, Ester… if anything, the debt is with your father.” She grabbed my neck, pinning me against the wall.
“When something rotten keeps trying to get into my house, I get rid of it.” Groaning, I grabbed her hand to stop her from squeezing while George made sure no one came.
“L… let me go…”
“How many times do I have to warn you not to spread your foul stench with that noodle stall in the neighborhood? Or did the lesson I gave you the other day not get through your thick skull? You reek of cooking grease. I can’t stand your fat face.” Terrified, I kicked her leg, making her let me go. I coughed, stumbling away as they chased me, my eyes filling with tears.
“You filthy pig, come back here!” I heard George shout. My heart raced—and then, faintly, I heard it: the sharp crack of a gunshot. I wasn’t imagining it… it was real. I froze, and within seconds, men in immaculate black suits stepped out of a room. One of them caught my attention as he wiped his hands with a handkerchief.
“Stop running from your responsibilities, and choose a woman already!”
“That’s not how things work, Father.” He pulled a lighter from his pocket to light the cigarette he had in a crumpled pack.
“Hey, fatso, I’m not done with you!” George shouted again. Panicked, I turned to run, but accidentally collided with that man. Without thinking, I clung to his body. When I looked up, his jet-black eyes bore into me. With his other hand, he moved the cigarette away from his lips, exhaled smoke, and frowned.
“Where did you come from?” Hypnotized by his dangerous beauty, I stammered nervously:
“I… I just… I was…”
“Seducing men in such a disgraceful way, Gipsy? Have some respect for what little dignity you have.” His cold words snapped me out of my trance. Embarrassed, I bit my lower lip. When Ester looked up at the man, her face paled.
“You… you know this man?”
“He and I… we are…” I glanced sideways at him, only to hear him firmly declare:
“Yes, we’re engaged.” My eyes widened. He took my hand, pulling me closer.
“What? No… you must be joking. This is a joke, right? Don’t tell me you’re pathetic enough to invent fantasies about being with a Romero.” She covered her mouth, laughing with her brother.
“But it’s true! He comes to my mother’s restaurant after work to eat!” I shouted, pushed to the brink by their mocking. My eyes brimmed with tears.
“It’s okay, Gipsy, don’t worry. Daydreaming is allowed too,” George said, patting my shoulder mockingly as he shoved me aside.
“Where are you taking my fiancée?” The man’s voice stopped Ester in her tracks. She turned, forcing a tense smile.
“I thought you were just playing along, sir… I just…”
“I never play games.” He yanked me back toward him.
“But… but that doesn’t make sense. Have you even looked at her? Are you trying to drive me insane?” Ester shrieked, trembling with a nervous smile. Her brother quickly placed a hand on her shoulder.
“He’s not… That family is untouchable, Ester. Let’s go.”
“But…”
“Let’s go!” He glanced back at the man and muttered, “Our apologies, Mr. Romero.”
“Just go along with it,” the man suddenly whispered as he grabbed my hand to walk with me.
“W-what? Where are we going?”
“Just follow me…”
About to step into the ballroom, I froze, my heart pounding.
“Nooo!” I yanked my hand away from him. He turned to me, and I muttered weakly:
“I don’t know if this is some kind of joke… but please, I’m begging you, stop.”
He looked at me with cold arrogance, his beauty almost unshakable.
“Didn’t you just hear me say I don’t play or joke… about anything? Didn’t you claim I go to your mother’s restaurant? Fine. I’ll follow your lie, but by my own rules. Who’s to say you can’t be useful bait for my interests?”
“Bait…? What family are you from?” He laughed bitterly, then met my eyes again.
“Do you want to know if I’ve got millions in my pocket?”
“No…” I stammered in shame.
“Don’t lie. They all want the same thing: a rich husband to drag them out of poverty. And what better than a Romero? Even if my family doesn’t exactly have the best reputation.”
When he said his last name again, I swallowed hard. Of all the families my mother dreamed of reaching, never did she imagine one of the most powerful and wealthy ones.
“I never thought someone like you would even talk to me. I don’t even know what I’m doing here…” I whispered, lowering my gaze. Suddenly, I heard his deep laughter. I looked up and saw him run a hand down his face, almost in exasperation.
“If you don’t know, then I’ll give you a new reason for being here: marry me, and I’ll solve all your problems.”
“M-me…? Marry you? I don’t think we’re on the same page, nor will we ever be. Find someone who better fits your expectations.” About to walk away, still in disbelief, he grabbed my hand again.
“Do you think I give a damn? The expectations people have of you will be the same as those for any stranger I don’t know. What’s the difference between her and you?”
“At least they’re pretty. What do you think people will say when they see you with… a fat woman like me? It’s simply ridiculous…” For the first time, his eyes scanned me from head to toe. A smile flickered on his lips, one I couldn’t interpret.
“Now I feel like finding out what will happen. Let’s get married.” His gaze locked firmly on mine.
“Have you been drinking or something…?”
Without letting me answer, he grabbed my hand and walked with me toward the ballroom. All eyes turned to us. My feet didn’t want to move. Then he leaned close to my ear and whispered:
“Just look at me.”
I lifted my gaze, and at that moment, I felt consumed by fire. He was flames… And I think I fell for his arrogant expression and overwhelming confidence. He seemed to dazzle with every step he took. And yes, he had dazzled me—so much that I couldn’t see the danger he was.
