God, she's forgotten about me. That was the only thing I could think as my girlfriend's mother watched us standing in front of the camping tent. How could I have such bad luck? First, her mother saw me with my pants unbuttoned and my blouse lifted inside the tent, and now she hears that I slept with her daughter, without considering they were right next door. And now, what must she be thinking? Surely she believes I've corrupted her daughter.
"Do you still want me to go?" I asked, trembling with nerves.
"Yes," she replied simply, and walked away.
I was so red and embarrassed, just like my girlfriend, who simply threw herself to the side of the tent, wrapped herself in the sheets, and stayed there until the embarrassment passed.
However, I had to go out and face my mother-in-law. I walked almost trembling toward Paulina's mother, not knowing what to say, and I think I even forgot how to speak.
"Good morning, mother-in-law," I said automatically, very embarrassed.
"Daughter, can you help me make some sandwiches?" she asked, her voice relaxed.
"Yes, of course," I replied, still nervous. "I'm sorry about earlier."
"It's normal at your age, and since you're just starting your relationship, you must be very hormonal," she said, understandingly.
"It won't happen again," I promised.
"I doubt it, daughter, but at least you could control yourselves. You're not cavemen or animals," she teased.
That day we returned home because the rains were getting heavier, and we couldn't stay any longer for our safety.
The holidays passed quickly, including New Year's, which we celebrated again with the four of us in Paris. It was amazing to spend time and enjoy those family moments, something I hadn't felt in a long time.
We returned to our routine life. Paulina went back to her parents' hospital with them. As for me, I didn't have much to do, so I focused on researching to start a new business. Every day, from morning to afternoon, I visited restaurants in search of new dishes. However, nothing caught my attention.
I had to sign up for a gym because tasting so much food nearly all day was taking a toll on me. Four months passed with the same routine, and each day I felt more in love with Paulina.
But the day I had feared so much arrived: karma. Something that had been stalking me for a long time, waiting for the right moment to make me pay for what I had done, finally caught up with me.
On April 29, my in-laws celebrated their wedding anniversary. They held a modest party, and the whole family was invited.
That day, Paulina and I arrived late because my flight was delayed. We apologized to my in-laws, who, instead of being upset, seemed concerned that something might have happened to us. Amid so many people, I didn't notice someone approaching me.
Without realizing it, a person grabbed my face, turned me, and kissed me in front of everyone, leaving everyone dumbfounded, even the DJ, who stopped playing music for several seconds.
"I knew I would find you again, darling," she said, pulling away from me.
I was in shock, horrified to recognize the person in front of me.
"But what the hell, Valentina? Why are you doing this?" Paulina shouted, furious.
"Valentina?" I murmured, still in shock.
"Why are you kissing my girlfriend? Have you gone crazy?" Paulina yelled, as everyone watched silently.
"Your girlfriend?" Valentina said sarcastically. "She's my girlfriend," she stated. Looking straight into my eyes, she added: "Right, Shanti?"
Paulina looked at me, searching for an answer, or at least a word from me.
No one could believe what they were witnessing. I remained petrified, and the only people who kept their composure were my in-laws, who tried to calm the situation.
"We should talk somewhere else," my father-in-law intervened.
"Yes, let's go somewhere private," my mother-in-law agreed, guiding us to a room.
The faces of everyone present were full of surprise and confusion and didn't change at all, even as we moved away from the crowd.
"What's going on here?" Paulina's father asked me directly.
"You tell them, love, and they'll understand," Valentina said, grabbing my arm, but I quickly shook off her hold.
"It's not what it looks like," I assured.
"Do you know Valentina?" my mother-in-law asked.
"Yes," I confirmed, though I didn't know how to explain.
"Why do you know Valentina?" Paulina asked, visibly bewildered.
Her gaze reflected disappointment, and her question said it all. It seemed that my behavior and past life with Valentina weren't a secret.
Valentina was the type of girl who lived an excessive life. She was very liberal, and in short, she slept with anyone, caring only about her own benefit and pleasure.
It didn't take much intelligence to deduce how we met.
For me, it was impossible to think I met her by chance. The only explanation was that our lives of excess and uncontrolled fun had crossed paths.
"Love, I was going to tell you, but I was scared. I didn't want you to know this part of me, I swear, love," I said, taking Paulina's hands, but she avoided them.
"What?" she said with disappointment. "It can't be," she said, pacing back and forth.
"Love…"
"You slept with my cousin," she shouted, cutting me off.
I didn't know what to say to prevent her from being more disappointed in me. However, I couldn't hide the truth. The only thing I could do was stay silent, because the answer was obvious.
"Please, let me explain everything, and the…" Before I could finish, she slapped me, the sound echoing through the room.
"Daughter!" her mother intervened, preventing her from hitting me again.
"You're crazy, Paulina! Why are you hitting my girlfriend?" Valentina interjected.
"I'm not your girlfriend," I said, annoyed. "Could you leave me alone with Paulina?"
"I'm not leaving without you," Valentina refused.
"Fine," her parents agreed, still confused, taking Valentina with them.
They headed to the door, holding Valentina's arm as she struggled to break free.
"Enough, Valentina," my father-in-law said, trying to stop her from moving.
"Let me go, uncle, or I swear I'll forget we're family," Valentina yelled as she left the room.
Paulina was also heading for the exit. I stayed by the door, and after everyone left, I locked it, leaving us alone inside.
"You're not leaving," I said, blocking the door. "Paulina, you have to listen to me, please."
"Do you want me to hear where in the hell you slept with my cousin or how you slept with her?" she shouted, trying to push me away from the door.
"Paulina, please, listen to me," I begged again.
"Oh! I know, you want to compare who fucks better," she yelled, trying to push me aside.
"Paulina, stop, please," I said, taking her hands, but she leaned back further.
"Let me out!" she demanded abruptly.
I ignored her request and began my story.
"Four years ago, I met Valentina in a club in my city," I started to tell her.
"I don't give a damn how you met her," she said furiously.
"Enough, Paulina!" I raised my voice so she would hear me. "Now you're going to listen because I'm not going to lose you over this stupidity," I spoke desperately.
Paulina was shocked by my shout, and I took advantage of her surprise to continue.
"When I met Valentina, I wasn't entirely okay. I was still confused and had no control over my life. Paulina, after everything I went through, the depression and all the shit I endured for twelve years, I wasn't thinking clearly. I know that nothing justifies what I did. Sleeping with Valentina was one of the worst mistakes I could have made. That night I just wanted to forget everything, and I got drunk as if there were no tomorrow…"
"It was only that night?" Paulina interrupted, glaring at me with fury.
"No," I replied, shaking my head and with a lump in my throat. "It was several times," I admitted truthfully.
I saw the disappointment on her face. The hope that it had been a one-night mistake vanished before my eyes.
"Oh, God!" she exclaimed, bringing her hands to her face to cover it.
I wanted to move closer, but I had to finish this story, and maybe even pray for a miracle so she wouldn't leave me.
"A couple of weeks later, I ran into her at a mall. She asked for my number, and I gave it to her. That's how we started seeing each other. But two weeks later, I realized what I was doing wasn't right, so I decided to end it all."
"And then what happened?" she asked, furious.
"However, Valentina didn't want us to end it. So she forced me to stay with her. The day I told her I wouldn't continue these encounters, she threatened me, showing me several videos of us together, where my face was clearly visible. I couldn't deny what was evident."
"What?" said Paulina, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"Paulina, I was terrified. Valentina had recorded us. But it didn't end there. If I didn't continue seeing her, she would show the videos to my sister personally. She would tell her I was the other girl in the videos, that I was blackmailing her to keep sleeping with me. She would say it was me who was obsessed with her, not the other way around."
"How are you telling me this?" Paulina asked, bewildered and furious.
"Valentina tracked my family and found my older sister. She knew where she lived and worked. She showed me photos of my sister leaving her house, even while working. Valentina wasn't playing, and I got scared. That's why I agreed to keep seeing her, so she wouldn't show the videos. I had no choice but to comply with her demands," I finished, almost breathless.
Paulina stared at me, waiting for me to continue, but I didn't want to. I stayed silent.
"Because I feel like something is missing in this story… What aren't you telling me? I know you, and you're hiding something from me," she looked at me angrily, demanding that I continue.
I swallowed hard. I knew I was about to reach the part that would completely break her heart. Without much hope, I continued.
"At first, I slept with Valentina because of her threats, but I knew I could benefit from the situation. She gave me money or valuable things after each encounter. It was like a reward for fulfilling her fantasies."
"Oh, God!" Tears began rolling down her cheeks. "My parents were right all this time. You only cared about my money," she said, still in disbelief. "How stupid I've been! You've been pretending with me all this time, just for the damn money!" She brought her hands to her head.
"No, no, my love. I love you. Please, you have to believe me. I know what I'm telling you is hard to believe, but please, trust me when I say I love you. I could never pretend with you," I tried to take her hands, but she dodged, moving away.
"Don't touch me," she said, with repulsion. "Finish your damn story, so you can let me go," she shouted.
Her look of pain and disappointment was tearing me apart inside.
I took a deep breath, gathering the strength to continue, though it was hard not only to speak but also to breathe.
"One day, Valentina confessed that she loved me. She didn't just like me; she loved me. I was shocked by her confession. I tried to force my heart to love her, but I couldn't. I only managed to care for her. From that day, Valentina changed. She stopped going to parties, behaved well, started studying, and paid attention to me. It was like she became a different person…"
"Are you telling me… that the phase when everyone thought Valentina had matured was because of you?" she interrupted, incredulous.
"I don't know, love," I replied honestly. "I'm just telling you what I saw back then."
"I can't believe it," she murmured, incredulous. "How did you get rid of her? And tell me, I had nothing to do with this, right?" She looked at me furiously.
"No, love. You had nothing to do with it. I met you afterward, at the airport. I would never use you for something like that…"
"Really never? You used Valentina, played with her, and then discarded her," she shouted, reminding me of what I had done.
"Paulina, I love you. I never felt love for Valentina…"
"How did you get rid of Valentina?" she interrupted, demanding to know.
"I didn't get rid of her…"
"Anyway, tell me, why and how?" she interrupted again, shouting.
"One day, her mother intercepted me at a mall and told me I had to leave her, that she agreed. Valentina didn't want to see me again. So, without telling her mother, I agreed. And that's how I never saw Valentina again," I finished my story.
"If it weren't for my aunt, you'd still be with her, and maybe I would've met you as my cousin's girlfriend," she said, disturbed. "I would never have met you in London. Now I must thank my aunt for you breaking my damn heart," she shouted.
"Paulina…" I said, my throat tight.
"What kind of person are you to have such a twisted mind?" she looked at me, hurt.
"Love, please, believe me," I said, crying.
"Don't call me that," she shouted. "Stop pretending, damn it. I'm not Valentina to believe your lies," she said, disgusted. "Do you know what I saw? I saw how you left Valentina because my aunt gave you 150,000 dollars to disappear from her life."
My eyes widened in shock. How did she know? I hadn't told her nor intended to. I couldn't bear her look of contempt and repulsion any longer.
"I saw how Valentina drank every damn day without consolation. I saw how she sank, and no one could help her. And the only thing that gave her life meaning again was that she begged her mother to see you again. She did everything to see you again," she yelled at me. "That damn part you forgot to tell me, or did you want to leave it out, huh?" she screamed hysterically.
"Who told you?" I asked, pale, unable to comprehend.
"No one told me, damn it," she threw a chair nearby. "I heard it while Valentina begged her mother. I heard the whole damn conversation, until the day my aunt made the damn transfer." She screamed at me again. "And you know the worst… I bet that if the day hadn't come when my mother offered you the money, I'm sure you would have accepted it," she looked at me with disappointment.
With great force, she pulled me away from the door, almost throwing me to the ground. I stood frozen and just watched her walk away, leaving me alone.
I stayed in that room, completely shattered. I couldn't do anything, I couldn't hide that damn past, I couldn't escape karma. Even with my heart aching, I regained my senses and went after Paulina. I knew I wouldn't catch her in the parking lot, so I quickly took a taxi to our apartment. As I reached the door, I prayed that all of this was a nightmare and that she would be there. But reality hit me hard when I searched the entire apartment and couldn't find her.
I called her thousands of times throughout the night, only stopping when her mother sent me a message saying that Paulina was fine and that I shouldn't look for her. That message crushed the few hopes I had of talking to her, but honestly, I didn't know what to say. When I had her in front of me, anything I said wouldn't justify what I had done, and it would always come back to the same thing: I had slept with her cousin for money.
The damn night felt eternal. I kept thinking and remembering Paulina's face full of pain and disappointment. Around 6 a.m., I finally fell asleep from exhaustion, and more than anything, to try to forget what had happened.
I woke up to the sound of the doorbell and ran, thinking it was Paulina. My heart tricked me into believing it was her. But my mind brought me back to reality when I realized Paulina had keys. I opened the door, head down, and was surprised to see Paulina's mother standing there, very upset.
"We need to talk, and I hope you'll tell me the truth," she said, entering the apartment.
I agreed to talk to her and recounted everything that had happened with Valentina in the past.
My mother-in-law's face, full of disappointment and anger, was the same one I had seen on Paulina. I earned both deserved slaps as I told her the events, but I didn't complain or argue, so she would stop. I knew I deserved them.
"Did you accept the money my sister offered you?" she asked, her voice full of disappointment.
"Yes, I did," I confirmed, head down.
I heard the sound of the slap she gave me, but I didn't even feel the pain on my cheek because of the shame I felt.
"I deserve all the slaps you want to give me, and I know you won't believe what I'm about to tell you, but I've always wanted to return that money," I clenched my fists, feeling like the worst garbage.
"Tell me, please," she said almost pleadingly. "At least some of what you told us is true? Your mother? Your childhood or adolescence? How did you overcome it? Or was it all a lie just so we would accept you?" she asked, very angry and disappointed.
"I would never lie about my mother," I assured her. "Unfortunately, my childhood and adolescence were full of pain. My sister did give me the money to start a business, but I did more with the money Valentina's mother gave me," I confessed.
Paulina's mother frowned at my confession.
"You said… no, no, you promised me you wouldn't break Paulina's heart, you promised you would take care of her. I welcomed you as a daughter, we opened the doors of our home to you, and look how you repay me," she reprimanded me. "I empathized with your past; you lowered my guard because I thought you were different from the others," she yelled at me.
"You can blame me for everything and doubt me, but you mustn't doubt the love I feel for Paulina. I didn't know Valentina was her cousin, and I wanted to tell her, but with what face? How could I tell her something so serious?" I looked at her, my eyes filled with tears. "Mrs. Scott, I swear I wanted to tell her, but I didn't have the courage. I didn't want any of this to happen," I couldn't hold back anymore and fell to my knees, crying uncontrollably.
Paulina's mother got up and, without saying another word, lifted my face to give me another slap, then left the apartment, very disappointed.
It was incredible how I had lost all my happiness over a one-night stupidity and my foolish actions. The fear that had been chasing me since I fell in love with Paulina finally caught up to me, and I could no longer free myself from it.
That same morning, Paulina sent me a message. My heart raced, and I had a small hope. But, as always, it vanished when I read the message that said: "Get out of my apartment." I could feel all the fury and anger in that short message.
With a broken heart, I gripped my phone in frustration and had no choice but to obey Paulina's request. So I decided to leave immediately. I only grabbed what I had originally brought: my backpack, wallet, laptop, and a set of clothes. The rest had been bought for me by Paulina, so I left it. I left so sad and angry at myself that I didn't even know which hotel to go to.
.........................
How could she do all this to me? I had never met anyone like her, and it had all been fake. But what hurt the most was that she did it all for my money.
In my mind, I replayed every moment she said she loved me, every time we made love, how she treated me. How could she fake it so well? I couldn't understand how she could even fake that loving look she gave me every day for months.
How did I not notice that it was all a lie? I never saw any sign or behavior showing tiredness, annoyance, or that she didn't want to be with me. Am I so hopelessly in love with her that I didn't even notice these signals? I refuse to believe it was all for money. And if she really had even the tiniest feelings for me… if she at least liked me a little… Right now, I would settle for her loving me, even just a little. I don't want to believe it was all just for my money.
My father opened the door to my old room and came over to the bed, sitting beside me as I cried. He hugged me tightly, and when I couldn't hold it anymore, I sobbed uncontrollably in his arms.
"Why? Why, Dad? Why doesn't she love me? Why does she only want my money?" I screamed and cried.
"Sweetheart, I don't think that's the case," my father said, not fully understanding my questions.
"Dad, she slept with Valentina for money. Why do you think she's any different with me?" I shouted again.
My father froze at that confession, then his face filled with complete anger.
"Sweetheart, I'm so sorry. What can I do for you?" he asked, trying to comfort me.
"I want her to suffer, Dad," I pleaded, sobbing uncontrollably. "I want her to suffer more than I am. She doesn't love me, but she loves money. I want to leave her with nothing and make her suffer," I screamed. "Please, Dad, help me."
"Alright, sweetheart," he agreed immediately. "I'll make some calls, I'll help you. But stop crying like this, please," he tried to calm me. "I'll take care of everything, but first I want to ask: Are you sure you want to do this, sweetheart?"
I took a few seconds before answering, doubting whether I really wanted to go through with it. But when I saw my phone light up by accident as my finger brushed the screen and I saw the photo of the two of us on the lock screen, anger and hatred filled me again. I just nodded, letting him take charge of everything.
I was more than sure I wanted to see her suffer, so, with a broken heart, I sent her a message telling her to get out of my apartment. I didn't want her to keep mocking me or taking advantage of me.
The moment I sent the message, it didn't even take a second for her to read it. It seemed like she had been waiting. And, as if that weren't enough, my stupid heart, as if it had amnesia, raced uncontrollably at this insignificant gesture from her.
But, like any coward, she hid out of fear and didn't face her actions. She didn't reply at all and only read the message.
More than three months have passed, during which I've spent every weekend more drunk than sober. Every day of the week, I see Shanti from afar, always looking toward the hospital.
The first time she came to the hospital, they let her into my office, and there were many screams. I even ended up hitting her face to make her leave, but when she didn't, I had the guards escort her out. Even after that confrontation, she didn't give up and kept insisting.
The second time she managed to get in was thanks to sweet-talking a nurse into letting her through. And, as she's good at it, she succeeded. That time I slapped her three times to make her leave me alone. That day, I didn't even need to call security, as it seemed she finally understood that I didn't want to see her again and, more than anything, she seemed to have given up on trying to persuade me.
My father has been doing everything he can to bring down her businesses, but from the beginning, I knew it was going to be difficult.
I have to admit, she's pretty shrewd in business. She's a genius in the market and investments, much to my dismay.
My father, along with several experts in the field, hasn't been able to bankrupt her businesses. However, this wasn't the only problem I've faced these past months. In fact, another big problem came unexpectedly from my mother, who, two months ago, asked me to talk to Shanti. For a second, I thought everything was going to be resolved.
I agreed to my mother's request, so that same day I went to her hotel room with her. The surprise I got was seeing Valentina, in a robe, opening the door instead of Shanti.
I almost ran out of there. I couldn't take it anymore, and now, more than ever, I wanted Shanti to suffer.
I thought furiously and came to the conclusion that the reason her businesses weren't bankrupt yet was because she was getting help from Valentina.
Of course, she was involved with Valentina; that's why she was in her room. She was paying back a favor she owed her. Right now, she was probably rolling around with her in that hotel room.
"Damn you, Shanti! Why did I fall in love with you? Why can't I rip you out of my heart? Why do I keep loving you? Not like the day I realized I loved you. I keep loving you more every day, even when you keep breaking my heart into a thousand pieces!" I screamed, full of helplessness.
That same night, my mother asked me to talk to her, saying it was all a misunderstanding. But for the first time, I told her not to interfere. I warned her that if she kept forcing me to talk to Shanti, I would never speak to her again.
The only thing I want from her is for her to come, begging on her knees, so I can forgive her. I know she'll lie, claiming she loves me, just to get back her precious money. But I'm ready to hear her lies and her false promises.
...........................
It's been more than three months since I last saw Paulina. I know she hates me with all her being, because she's tried to bankrupt my businesses repeatedly, and she's been doing it even more frequently this past month, ever since she thought I had been with Valentina.
I've never been with Valentina again, and I never will. That day I wasn't even in the city; I was watching, precisely, those attacks on my businesses. I wasn't even in the country for four days.
That day, Paulina left hating me more than she already did. However, my mother-in-law, with a calmer head after seeing Valentina in the room, called me on my cell. I didn't answer, and after she made six consecutive calls, she quickly used my foreign number and I answered on the first ring. That's when she realized that Valentina had set them up.
I had no idea how Valentina had gotten into my room, nor how she knew Paulina would be visiting me that day.
My mother-in-law didn't mention this problem to me until I returned to the country. Paulina and her father were doing everything they could to leave me with nothing. I felt very sad when she told me because I knew her hatred was already going too far. I would have collapsed if it weren't for Paulina's mother, who has treated me like a mother.
The first time she came to my hotel room, I stood at the door, closed my eyes, and waited to hear the thud and sting of the slap I thought she wanted to give me.
From the start, I told her I deserved all the slaps she wanted to give me.
To my surprise, she didn't do anything. She just entered my room, and instead of insulting or threatening me, as I thought she would, she asked me to tell her about my life to see if she could understand me. I had a feeling she wasn't a bad person; rather, I was sure she was a very unfortunate person.
That day I told her everything about my childhood, up until the day I was completely happy. Then I spoke about how living with my family and other people I didn't even know became a torture, and how they always attacked me over anything. They made me feel that no one would ever love me fully as I wanted.
I told her how my own father, when he came back into my life, began imposing his misguided ideologies on me. Unconsciously, he planted those ideas in my mind. For him, since my mother died, happiness could only be achieved with money, and for me, it was a complete annoyance to hear the same story every day.
I told her how I succumbed and lost my way in the pursuit of ambition he himself had instilled in me.
I told her how my mother's absence affected me, leading me to make these terrible decisions. I had no one to talk to. My sisters worked in another city, and I didn't see them to get their advice, and my grandmother was no longer with me to advise me not to do such foolish things.
If only my father hadn't planted those ideas in my head, I wouldn't have done anything I did with Valentina. My mother couldn't correct that terrible lesson my father taught me, because she wasn't with me.
Even so, I was aware that in the end, I was the one who made the decisions. I was the one who thought about taking advantage of the situation. I was the one who accepted the money from Valentina's mother, and I was the one who was weak and let myself be carried away by ambition. There were no excuses for having been the horrible person I became.
No one forced me to do anything, and that's what causes me the most remorse: because the weak one, the one who turned her back on her morality, was me. The one who forgot how to be a good person was me. The one who disappointed and betrayed her mother's teachings was me.
When I opened my eyes and tried to recover my morality, my values, and rebuild the foundations of being a good person, another temptation came my way, and I fell again.
Even so, life helped me by pushing Valentina away from me, but my stupid way of thinking found a benefit in that help life gave me.
And because of all of that, I am paying for all my mistakes with the love of my life. It hurts, and I blame myself for everything. My heart breaks more and more every single day, because I know Paulina doesn't deserve this pain.
This pain is something only I deserve, but my disaster splashed onto Paulina, and now she is suffering because of me.
Paulina's mother simply listened to me as I told her everything, and as if it were a miracle, she managed to understand me—to understand what had happened and why I made those decisions. She was also indignant with my father and even furious with him. Not only for putting those ideas in my head, but also for coming back into my life as if nothing had happened after several years, poisoning my mind, and then leaving again without even warning that he was going away.
"What kind of father does that?" my mother-in-law muttered, pacing around the room, furious.
I knew that what I suffered did not justify my actions. However, my mother-in-law understood me and gave me a second chance to fix my entire mess and be happy with her daughter. I couldn't have been happier after hearing those words.
That same day, she told me what Valentina had done to both of them in the hotel room. I cursed my luck for not having been there that day to explain everything to Paulina. If only I had been there, maybe that day I would have gone back with Paulina, and now I would be with her again.
My mother-in-law gave me her support and calmed me down, then handed me the keys to an apartment so I could move there. She was worried about the obsession Valentina had with me and wanted to prevent her from having any excuse to get close to me.
Of course, I refused the offer, because it didn't seem right to me. However, she showed her firm side and threatened to never speak to me again if I didn't accept the keys, because if I didn't, it would mean I was still seeing Valentina.
Automatically, I took the keys and agreed to move into the apartment.
After agreeing to live there, I asked the obvious question: how much was she going to charge me for the rent? She looked at me very seriously and told me—or rather, demanded—that I go back to her daughter, marry her, make her happy, and make her a grandmother to many grandchildren.
I didn't refuse her demands. I nodded quickly, smiling at the idea, and told her I would do it no matter what, and that I wouldn't fail or disappoint her after the trust she was placing in me.
We continued talking about Paulina, and we agreed that she had been drinking too much. So, for some time now, I had been making sure she made it back to the apartment safely.
Every day I followed her, like a stalker, making sure she got home safely. However, that Saturday night was not good for me at all, because I saw Paulina being forced out by a girl who was pushing her into her car. Being very drunk, Paulina didn't put up much resistance. I ran over immediately and approached the girl, telling her to leave Paulina alone.
Flashback
— Leave her alone. Can't you see she doesn't want to go with you? — I grabbed her by the shoulder so she would turn around.
— And you, shorty, where did you come from? — she mocked. — Can't you see I'm with the lady? — she said triumphantly.
— She's my girlfriend. Let her go, — I replied, furious.
— Her? Your girlfriend? — she laughed sarcastically. — I doubt it, considering I almost fucked her in the bathroom. She was grinding on me less than a minute ago, — she said mockingly.
Anger filled me completely, and I couldn't help but punch her in the face, making her only slightly turn her head.
"You'll be my new punching bag," she said, letting go of Paulina.
Immediately, she threw a right hook so hard that it shattered my cheekbone instantly. I was stunned and confused by the blow. I tried to defend myself, but after that first punch, she started hitting me with fury. I managed to land three more punches on her, but then she struck me in the stomach, making me fall to my knees. Then, with her knee, she hit me in the face, sending me to the ground. She struck my ribs forcefully.
I covered my head with my arms, listening to the gut-wrenching sound of my ribs breaking, like little tree branches snapping.
In the distance, I heard the sound of a patrol and two more people arriving, though I couldn't recognize them because of the blood covering my eyes.
The woman ran to her car, leaving Paulina behind and almost running me over as she reversed. I heard the noise of some women trying to stop the vehicle, but it was already gone. I continued to hear footsteps approaching until someone grabbed my head, as if examining me.
"Paulina first…" I murmured three times in a row before losing consciousness.
End of flashback
The next day, I woke up in the hospital. Desperately, I called the nurse to give me my cellphone, but she refused, saying she had to follow protocol in assault cases. I insisted several times, but she refused and went to consult the doctor.
Once the nurse left, I realized how they had left me. I was bandaged, my broken ribs hurt even when I breathed, my face was so swollen I could barely recognize myself, and I felt the bandages wrapped around my head, along with a brace on my left arm.
Shortly after, the nurse returned with a doctor, who informed me of my fractures: I had seven broken ribs, a head contusion, multiple blows to my stomach with bruising, and a significant wound on the left side of my face, although it didn't require stitches. I also had large bruises on the same side of my face, and my left arm had a small crack in the bone that needed to stay immobilized to heal.
The doctor told me that the people who had brought me to the hospital had gone to file a complaint against my attacker and that the police were outside to take my statement.
Within minutes, I gave my statement to the officers, who proceeded with the arrest of the woman, since they had her car's license plate.
Once the procedure was over, I needed to know how Paulina was doing. I asked for my cellphone again, and after insisting, they gave it to me, as they had initially refused due to the severity of my injuries. To get it, I lied, saying I needed to call my relatives. Finally, they accepted and handed me the phone, which had also been damaged during the beating.
I called my mother-in-law, trying to make my voice sound as normal as possible so she wouldn't notice the pain I was in. I asked about Paulina, and she told me she had arrived safely, though very dirty. She explained that Madison had left her at her house. I relaxed knowing she was okay. However, before I could tell her I was in the hospital, she started telling me what Paulina wanted from me.
Paulina wanted me to get back with her, but by crawling, begging for forgiveness on my knees. The only way she would allow me near her was if I gave her everything I had. Then, I understood my answer and solution. I would do it without thinking twice.
The only thing I had to do was change the owner's name and give it to her, so no one would be harmed. My employees would continue their work, even if I ended up with nothing.
I thanked my mother-in-law for the information and hung up to leave the hospital.
I removed all the wires and got ready to leave. I needed to get to the apartment as soon as possible. Basically, I discharged myself and slipped past hospital security. In less than an hour, I arrived at the apartment. I made a few calls and handed everything over to Paulina. Now, I only had to wait about four hours before visiting her at the hospital, and those minutes would be perfect to rest a bit, since the painkillers no longer worked and the pain in my ribs was rapidly increasing.
................
"Hello, Dad," I replied, with a terrible headache from the hangover."Daughter, we managed to take everything from her," my father said, with a tone of satisfaction.
I quickly sat on the bed, a crooked smile forming on my face. Now my true revenge was about to begin.
"Thank you, Dad," I said. "I'll change and head to the hospital, because that's where she'll beg me." I spoke with a triumphant air.
I hung up on my father and went straight to take a shower before heading to the hospital.
It took me about two hours to get changed and leave, because the headache from the hangover wouldn't subside. I wondered if Shanti had gotten involved with Valentina again, needing her help. Why is she taking so long? I thought, as the fury inside me grew stronger. How dare she leave me as the last option?
"Dr. Scott," Mary called, concerned. "Ms. Vega is here asking to see her, but I think it would be better to take her in for treatment."
I ignored Mary's suggestion, because the only thing that mattered to me at that moment was that that wretched creature begged me for forgiveness.
"Send her in," I ordered, my voice tense.
I stood with my back to her, waiting for her to call me. I could only hear the sound of the door opening and closing forcefully.
"Hello, Paulina," she greeted me.
I hated that wretched voice that had promised me a life of happiness but had only brought disappointment and heartbreak.
"Ms. Vega, what do you want?" I asked, turning to look at her.
I was shocked to see her so beaten. Her head was bandaged, her arm immobilized, and her face still swollen. I was about to run to her and hold her, when I saw her fall to her knees in front of me.
"Forgive me, please," she said, her voice broken by pain. "I'll do whatever you want, just give me everything back."
Those words only made the anger inside me flare even more.
"Wow, you've got quite a few tricks up your sleeve. I never thought you'd even throw yourself in front of a car to make me feel sorry for you," I said, ironically. "You always surprise me, but this one you do well—it's for your beloved money." I added, approaching her and lifting her chin to force her to look at me.
She said nothing, as always. That enraged me even more.
"Tell me, Valentina couldn't help you, so that's why you crawled to me?" I asked, turning her face with my fingers. "Don't you think it would have been easier to roll around with her, like you've been doing these past months, instead of throwing yourself in front of a car to make me feel sorry?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, making a great effort to speak because of her injuries.
"Did you leave Valentina again because she couldn't keep protecting your business?" I asked, annoyed.
She said nothing, her head down, because she knew everything I said was true.
At that moment, my mother entered and saw the scene: Shanti on the floor and me standing.
"Oh my God! Darling, what happened to you?" she exclaimed, running to Shanti. "Mary, call the nurses, but how did you let her in like this?" my mother yelled, holding that wretched girl in her arms.
The nurses arrived quickly, and that's when I realized Shanti had fainted. Wasn't she pretending? I thought. But what kind of idiot comes in so badly injured? And what kind of hospital allowed her to leave in that state?
I followed my mother as she requested oxygen, X-rays, painkillers, and more. They attended to her immediately. The only thing I could think was that, despite the accident, she loved that damn money so much that she didn't even care about her health and came to beg me desperately not to take everything away.
"Paulina!" my mother shouted, seeing that she wasn't responding.
I heard she was stable and would be under observation, but that it had been very stupid and irresponsible to leave the hospital with such severe injuries.
After the doctor finished the report, my mother took my hand and led me to the office.
We were there, and I could see total anger in my mother's eyes.
"What's wrong with you, Paulina? How can you stand there without attending to an injured person—or, according to you, someone you love?" she yelled, furious.
"You want me to believe she was hurt?" I said, ironically.
"Paulina, for God's sake, react. Shanti almost died in front of you. She almost went into shock from her injuries. How could anyone fake that?" she looked at me, disturbed.
"People who love money more than their own lives," I replied, without emotion.
"What?" my mother said, bewildered. "Paulina, you're making a terrible mistake, and it's even more serious than what Shanti did. You need to react now," she said, concerned, while I frowned at her words.
"Did I sleep with my girlfriend's cousin for money and then trick her too to get that money or benefit, as she calls it?" I reminded her. "Or did I keep sleeping with my ex's cousin after breaking up, just so she would protect my business?" I shot at her, furious. "How can you compare me to her, Mother?"
My mother remained silent, looking puzzled.
"What are you talking about, Paulina? Shanti hasn't seen Valentina again," she defended her.
"Only you believe that, Mother," I said sarcastically.
"You know she got beaten up last night, thanks to you not controlling yourself with alcohol. A professional boxer hit her, just because she stopped them from taking you God knows where," my mother told me.
"What?" I said, confused.
"If it weren't for her, God knows what they would have done to you, Paulina. And if you don't believe me, ask Madison. She told me everything, which is why I came to the hospital. She ran out of that other damn hospital because, knowing her, she thought that if she gave you everything, you wouldn't even speak to her again," my mother recounted before storming out and slamming the door.