Femicide novell: Shadows in the City

“For women like Julieta Prandi, the most devastating femicide is not distant or faceless—it comes from the hands of the ones they love. Slowly, a piece of their soul dies with every moment they endure, until the only choice left is to fight for survival.”

What I Think About Domestic Violence

“What shatters me most is when men finally show their true intentions and become the arrogant macho men they really are.

They start as sweet talkers, with gentle smiles and whispered promises of forever.

But one day, the mask slips.

Suddenly, the man who once held you tenderly has eyes full of contempt. His words become weapons. His hands follow.

I believe domestic violence is the silent war waged behind closed doors. It crushes souls, silences dreams, and leaves scars no one can see.

Love should never come with bruises, threats, or fear.

And yet too many women cling to the hope that the man they fell in love with will return.

But arrogance, control, and cruelty often lurk beneath the surface, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

I write because I want women to know: you deserve better. You deserve safety, respect, and peace.

And the first step toward freedom is recognizing that love should never hurt.”

— Gina María Paredes Cornejo

Ecuadorian Writer

Dedication

To God, my Heavenly Father—thank You for guiding every step of my journey and being present in each of my decisions.

To my grandfather, Jorge David, who gifted me the love of words and the dream of becoming a writer.

To my sister, Giannina, and my friend, Lorena Contreras, whose encouragement has been the wind beneath my wings.

To my boyfriend and future husband, my true soulmate, who stands beside me in every battle, inspires every page I write, and fills my world with love, hope, and light. You are my muse, my universe.

To my family, friends, my psychology, and my readers—thank you for your unwavering support and belief in me.

To Manuel Cueva and Antonio Martin, whose words reminded me never to abandon my dream of writing.

To Lorena Gallo, whose courage and resilience lit the flame that sparked this book.

To Thelma Fardin, whose bravery in speaking her truth became an anthem for countless women.

To Miss Margarita de Fioravanti, the entire Fioravanti family, Miss Margarita Guillén, Ángel Bolívar Hernández Pólit, and Mariela Vanessa Zambrano Saltos, who have inspired me to strive for excellence and grow both personally and professionally.

And above all—to all women who have suffered abuse: This book is for you. May it remind you that life can begin again, that beyond violence lies hope, and that you deserve a future free from fear. May these pages be your voice, your shield, and your light in the darkness.

Finally, to Volta Publishing, Grupo Dux, and Elara—thank you for making my dream a reality and helping me turn my words into a beacon of hope for those who need it most.

What is the book about?

Shadows in the City is more than a book—it’s a cry from the soul, echoing the silent screams of countless women who endure gender-based violence in the shadows. 💔

It’s a powerful reflection on pain, resilience, and the fierce courage it takes to say enough. Through raw, moving stories and real-life testimonies, Gina María Paredes Cornejo sheds light on the brutal realities of femicide, emotional abuse, and the relentless fight to end violence against women.

Yet amid the darkness, there is hope. 💪✨

Shadows in the City urges us not only to recognize the signs of abuse but to break free from the chains of silence and shame. It’s a call to raise our voices, to heal, and to reclaim our lives with dignity and strength.

With a special focus on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, this book empowers us to stand together and declare—once and for all—Never Again. 🗣️💥

Let this book be your guide, your companion, and your spark for change.

Purpose of the Book

November 25th: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Every November 25th, the world comes together to say: Not one more.

This day is a powerful reminder that gender-based violence is not a private issue—it’s a global crisis that steals lives, silences voices, and destroys dreams.

We must never forget: No partner, spouse, or life companion has the right to mistreat us.

Tolerating any form of abuse is never acceptable. From the very first warning sign, we must act—to protect our bodies, our minds, and our futures. That means reaching out for help, reporting the violence, and building the legal evidence that can save lives.

No woman, anywhere in the world, should have to endure abuse in silence. We must stand together, raise our voices, and refuse to accept a life lived in fear.

And when police intervention is not enough, there is hope. Countless organizations exist to help survivors escape the darkness of violence and step into the light of safety and freedom.

These organizations remind women:

You are not to blame.

You deserve to be safe.

You are not alone.

They offer the resources, shelter, legal support, and compassion that empower survivors to rebuild their lives free from violence and fear.

This book is my contribution to that fight—a voice that joins the global chorus demanding a world where every woman can live with dignity, freedom, and hope.

Together, we can—and must—say: Never again.

Clarification: Why I Chose This Topic

I chose this topic because any one of us could find ourselves in these situations—and far too often, we don’t know where to turn for help.

Shadows in the city, which explores gender-based violence, seeks to show that any woman—whether a survivor or a victim—could be one of these stories. This is a profoundly sensitive subject, as it touches on the abuse many women suffer at the hands of their partners. It’s not just about physical violence; it includes beatings, humiliation, degradation, intimidation, and abuse in all its forms. Each of these acts strips us of our dignity and integrity as women.

There were several reasons that compelled me to write this book. First, the harrowing experience of Lorena Gallo, former wife of John Bobbitt, whose prolonged suffering pushed her to make the drastic decision to mutilate her abuser. Second, the powerful lyrics of Ricardo Williams—especially in his song Arenas movedizas (“Shifting Sands”)—and Gloria Trevi’s Ellas soy yo (“They Are Me”). And finally, the alarming and ever-increasing rate of femicides, which must be stopped.

This book is also tied to November 25th, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Through these pages, I hope to offer strength to women who are living this nightmare—to help them find the courage to free themselves from situations that can no longer be called “life.” I know it’s easier said than done, and I acknowledge that, not having lived through this myself, I cannot fully understand their pain. But as a woman, I know that we all have rights—and none of us deserves to suffer in silence.

We must thank God for the gift of life and trust in Him to guide our decisions and give us the strength to move forward with dignity. At the same time, we must find the courage within ourselves to say no and walk away from toxic and dangerous relationships. I also have nieces, and I feel a deep sense of responsibility to take action and do my part to help end this epidemic.

No man can truly understand the pain we feel every time we are abused. It breaks my heart to know that so many women remain trapped in these circumstances. And although I sometimes feel deep frustration toward men because of this, I know that hatred is not the answer. On the contrary, the answer is to stand firm and say:

“I will never allow you to hurt me again—not ever, and not before it’s too late.”

Thought of the writer

November 25th marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

On this day, we must take to the streets, raise our voices, and shout at the top of our lungs:

“Stop killing us!”

“We deserve to live!”

“Not one more!”

“Don’t abuse us!”

“Our bodies are not your opinion!”

“Let’s respect each other—as human beings and as women!”

As women, we must never diminish or betray ourselves in the name of any man’s love. We must always put ourselves first and never allow anyone—partner or not—to raise a hand against us. Abuse in any form is intolerable, and it is crucial to report it to the authorities. Fear must not silence us. We cannot quietly endure mistreatment, humiliation, beatings, biting, or rape. That is not life—it is a degrading existence we must refuse. Now is the time to speak up and demand the respect we deserve.

Let us be clear: they do not own us. On the contrary, we are the ones who hold power over our lives and our bodies.

If a woman is experiencing domestic violence, her first step must be to escape the toxic relationship and seek help—from family, friends, and the authorities. If children are involved, it is even more urgent to break the cycle of cruelty. Silence in the face of abuse legitimizes it—and it can cost lives. We must stop this horror before it consumes us, because that is exactly what abusers count on.

Let’s also recognize something essential:

Genocide is the systematic extermination of a group based on race, ethnicity, religion, politics, or nationality.

What is happening to women across the world echoes that same systemic violence. We must not allow anyone to mistreat, devalue, or silence us. We are human beings. We deserve the same dignity, respect, and rights as men.

If you are in a toxic relationship, the best thing you can do is leave—before it’s too late. There is nothing more dangerous than normalizing abuse and believing that what you’re experiencing is somehow acceptable. It is not. I have always believed that true peace and happiness can be found within ourselves—even without a man by our side.

We must prioritize our well-being instead of putting men—especially those who disrespect us—first. Violence is never the answer. What we need are solutions rooted in respect, equality, and sisterhood. Let’s support one another. Together, we can build a world where all women feel safe, valued, and empowered.

At the same time, I firmly believe that women should be empowered to defend themselves—like Lorena Gallo, ex-wife of John Bobbitt, who found the strength to end her abuse and has become a powerful symbol of resilience and courage.

And finally, let us always be thankful for being alive. If we truly want to remain that way, we must never depend on any man for our survival. Instead, we should place our trust and our future in God’s hands, so that He may guide us, help us make wise decisions, and give us the strength we need to move forward with dignity and hope.

Story logline

“When María Fernanda López, a vibrant young woman in Latin America, is brutally murdered, her family’s grief ignites a relentless fight for justice, exposing systemic femicide, corruption, and societal indifference, and sparking a movement that transforms a city, a country, and an entire region.”

Book Blurb

In the bustling streets of San Alejo, life pulses with color, laughter, and hope — but beneath the city’s vibrancy lurks a silent menace. María Fernanda López, a bright, passionate young woman, navigates her dreams with courage and determination, unaware that danger shadows every step she takes.

Her story is not just one of loss, but of awakening. When her life is brutally taken, her family, friends, and an entire city are forced to confront the grim reality of femicide, systemic neglect, and societal indifference. Through heartbreak, relentless advocacy, and a pursuit of justice that spans borders, María Fernanda’s legacy ignites a movement that transforms laws, cultures, and communities across Latin America.

This is a powerful, unflinching tale of grief, courage, and resilience. It is a story of one life lost and thousands of voices awakened — a story that will linger long after the final page is turned.

Introduction

San Alejo woke to the sound of traffic, street vendors calling out their wares, and the distant hum of buses weaving through crowded avenues. The city was alive, chaotic, and beautiful in its contradictions: vibrant markets, colorful murals, and colonial architecture standing alongside crumbling buildings and neglected alleyways. But beneath its vibrant surface, shadows lingered — shadows of fear, silence, and stories that were never told.

María Fernanda López was eighteen, bright, curious, and full of dreams. Her laughter could light a room; her words carried conviction, intelligence, and warmth. She was a student, a sister, a daughter, a friend — a young woman with the world ahead of her. Her room, painted in shades of teal and gold, was cluttered with books, notebooks filled with scribbled ideas, and posters of inspiring women: activists, writers, and artists who dared to speak against injustice.

Yet even as the city pulsed with life, María Fernanda felt the undercurrent of danger. She had experienced subtle warnings, fleeting moments of fear that she tried to dismiss: a shadow following her home from school, a stranger’s gaze that lingered too long, controlling messages from someone she had once trusted. She learned to navigate the city’s streets carefully, avoiding alleys after dark, sharing her location with friends, and keeping a wary eye on those who seemed too attentive.

San Alejo, like many cities in Latin America, was a place of beauty and peril, where women walked daily on the edge of caution, and where stories like María Fernanda’s were far too common — even if they rarely reached the light of justice. Her city had its own rules, its own rhythms, and its own indifference to the quiet suffering of women.

Her family, the Lópezes, were proud and protective, yet unaware of the growing danger surrounding their daughter. They saw her bright smile, her determination, and her passion for life. They saw a future full of possibilities — but they could not see the threat silently stalking her.

María Fernanda’s story begins here, in the heart of San Alejo, where life’s vibrancy and its shadows coexist. It is the story of a young woman whose life was stolen too soon, a story that would awaken a city, a country, and an entire region to the harsh reality of femicide. It is a story of grief, courage, and the relentless pursuit of justice — a story that would change lives, laws, and hearts forever.

Every chapter that follows bears witness to her life, her death, and the enduring legacy of her name. This is not just a story of loss. It is a story of awakening, of solidarity, and of a society forced to confront its darkest truths. María Fernanda López lived, loved, and inspired a movement that no darkness could erase.