November 17, 2026
In the heart of the city of Valoria, on the European continent, a twenty-four-year-old woman was giving birth. Her pale, exhausted skin reflected the effort of labor, yet in her hands she firmly held the rough, strong palms of her husband.
Both smiled with a mix of fatigue and tenderness as they waited to see their child for the first time.
"This is strange… there's no crying," murmured the doctor overseeing the delivery, holding the newborn in his arms.
The silence was complete. Not a sound escaped the baby's lips.
"Is something wrong, doctor?" the father asked, concern lining his voice as he noticed the physician hesitating to hand the child to his mother.
The doctor remained still for a few seconds, lost in thought. Finally, he forced a smile and brought the little one into the woman's arms.
"What will you name your son?" he asked, carefully avoiding mention of the missing cry. In his mind, he searched for a logical explanation: perhaps the child had been born prematurely.
"John… John Xentras," the mother replied with a faint smile, fatigue slowly washing over her.
Relieved at having successfully completed the birth, the doctor added kind words:
"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Xentras. You have brought into this world a boy who, I am certain, will achieve great things… just as you have done for this country and for the world."
As tears of pure emotion streamed down the parents' faces, the doctor decided not to dwell on one detail: the baby had not cried at birth.
******
Long before John was born, the surname Xentras already carried a weight that few could comprehend.
It was a family of renown, recognized for decades for the accomplishments of its members, ancestors, and descendants. Its name echoed through communities, cities, and even distant regions of the world, thanks to the countless contributions left by each generation.
The youngest of the Xentras, Camila Xentras, was a woman whose mere presence commanded respect. Not only did she bear the prestigious surname, but she had earned, through her own merit, a level of achievement worthy of her lineage. She held more than fifteen doctorates and was considered one of the brightest medical minds on the entire continent.
Since childhood, Camila had been disciplined and meticulous, determined to match—and surpass—all members of her family. Cold and calculating, with an unbreakable mind, she never allowed anything to distract her from her goal. She rejected without hesitation all that did not serve her purpose, accepting only what brought her closer to her objective: to preserve and elevate the prestige of the Xentras name.
******
A new member had joined the family: Romeo Xentras.
Before adopting that surname, he was Romeo Herrera, a young Latin American who had earned a university scholarship to study engineering in Europe.
In his home country, his family belonged to the middle class, though his childhood was shaped by hard work. From a young age, he accompanied his father on construction jobs, assisting as a laborer even without pay. Those experiences instilled in him remarkable discipline and a practical sense few possessed.
Romeo stood out for his talent in drawing and calculation; he could design houses, structures, and models with a precision that amazed his teachers. Thanks to his effort and impeccable grades, he secured the scholarship that would take him across the ocean.
His journey began at nineteen. Upon arriving at the university, he sought to integrate himself and earn the respect of those around him. It did not prove difficult: he was charismatic, optimistic, and possessed an energy that inspired everyone he encountered. Even his professors were drawn to his enthusiasm, and his grades remained as high as they had been throughout childhood and adolescence.
*****
Fate brought them together in the halls of the University of Valoria during a lecture on genetic advances in medicine.
Camila Xentras, recognized for her impeccable track record and unwavering demeanor, had been invited as the keynote speaker. Among the attendees, seated in one of the last rows, was a young man newly arrived from across the ocean: Romeo Herrera, a scholarship student in structural engineering.
During the presentation, Romeo did not look away. Not because he understood every technical term, but because something about this woman fascinated him. There was a calmness in her movements, a meticulous perfection that seemed unattainable.
At the end of the lecture, he approached under the pretense of asking an academic question, but his curiosity went beyond the topic at hand. Camila, accustomed to formality and silence, saw in him something she had not seen in years: sincerity without calculation.
It was not love at first sight, but it was a crack—a tiny fissure in the emotional armor of Camila Xentras.
From that day on, Romeo sought every opportunity to encounter her: in the hallways, in the libraries, in the laboratories. At first, she avoided him, seeing his enthusiasm as an unnecessary distraction. But slowly, his persistence and that incorruptible smile began to dismantle the perfection of the woman who did not allow herself to feel.
*****
Over time, love blossomed between them.
Romeo Herrera and Camila Xentras shared two years of a relationship built on effort, admiration, and mutual respect, until they finally decided to marry.
Upon marriage, Romeo made a significant decision: he relinquished his surname and adopted his wife's, becoming Romeo Xentras. It was not a difficult choice; he understood the prestige and weight that name carried.
Both graduated shortly thereafter, achieving remarkable success in their respective careers. Their love, as steadfast as their professional dedication, culminated in the birth of their greatest creation and treasure: John Xentras.
And although the world expected a cry, a first breath to break the silence, John remained still, silent… as if he had already seen too much for a newborn.