Fear choked Jimena as she stood before that room, the sounds of shouting seeping through the door. From her father, the cries were harsh, full of anger and demand; from her mother, pleas, and whimpers of pain. She even heard the sickening thud of blows.A tremor ran through her, tears welling up and blurring her vision. She was so terrified. Only five years old, she couldn’t grasp the turmoil that often erupted in her home. One mystery, in particular, haunted her: why her mother always cried when her father shut them both inside their bedroom.Suddenly, a pair of comforting arms wrapped around her shoulders, offering a sanctuary amidst the confusing, agonizing chaos. It was her older sister! She was always there, a steady wall of protection, even though she was just a child herself. More often than not, when their parents were neglectful or fighting, Claudia took charge, caring for Jimena and their little sister, Cecilia.Jimena’s eyelids fluttered open, slowly adjusting to the light

Jimena lay asleep in her room. Though it was midday, she hadn't yet risen. At night, she would wake up searching for Pablo, only to cry when she didn't find him by her side. She missed him so much!And she wasn't the only one. Adrián would wake up early, crawl to their room, and call for him in his sweet voice:"Da-da!"The boy would point to Pablo's empty side of the bed, a gesture that would shake Jimena to her core, and she couldn't hold back the tears. She had never been so depressed. She felt like her world was ending, and all she could do was watch it crumble, in a lethargy that was slowly destroying her.Pablo's lawyer had already spoken with hers, and the divorce was moving forward. The judge had given them a month to try to fix their relationship, but they hadn't even seen each other since he left. Nor had Pablo come to visit the boy, as he'd promised.That day, someone knocked on the bedroom door."Who is it?" Jimena asked. Her voice was hoarse and weak."Can we come in?" sh

Jimena wept in her room, inconsolable. Since the divorce was mutual and there were no disputes, her marriage would end in two months."Jimena, stop crying over that jerk," Claudia said softly, rubbing her back.Every time the lawyer contacted her, she relapsed. This time, the pain of knowing that soon she and Pablo would no longer be legally married was too heartbreaking, so she had been crying inconsolably for hours."I wish I could, Clau, but I can't help it," she replied between sobs. "I love Pablo, I miss him so much."Claudia swallowed the words that were itching to come out since she didn't want to upset her sister more. It bothered her that she was so weak with a man who didn't value her, but given her own troubled past, who was she to judge her?After a few hours, Jimena calmed down. She and Cecilia watched Claudia curiously since their older sister had been acting very strange lately."By the way, Clau..." Cecilia approached her, noticing her dejected look, "did something hap

When Pablo arrived at the party, the cheerful, childish music set the tone for the colorful scene. The laughter of the invited children, along with the voices of the clowns and the entertainment crew, brought the celebration to life.There were only a few guests, just a handful of close friends with their young children and family. Pablo immediately became the center of attention, and Adrián greeted him with pure joy. Seeing his happy little face and feeling his enthusiastic embrace was the recharge he needed to keep going, yet also a stark reminder of what he had lost.Jimena, for her part, kept her distance, her eyes glistening, revealing the turmoil of seeing her son so happy and lively after his father's arrival. She felt a mix of relief and sadness, as Pablo's presence stirred up the emotions she struggled to suppress. However, she was comforted that he had the decency to share these kinds of events with his son. It reassured her that, although their marriage had ended, the bond

On a cold night that evoked sadness and nostalgia, Jimena stared at the empty side of her husband's bed, tears wetting her face. Memories of their relationship visited her, reminding her of what she no longer had, but this time she welcomed them with warmth and a smile. In her mind, she heard her own voice and saw the image of herself with Pablo, before they were married:"I like your room." Jimena looked around, excited. Apparently, Pablo was tidy; he also had good taste, as the room was well decorated. There were several posters of martial arts masters and Chinese and Japanese symbols plastered on the wall."I like you." Pablo approached her seductively.Jimena threw herself onto the bed and closed her eyes, savoring the delicious scent of the sheets."I missed you so much these past few days, you bad boyfriend." The blonde pouted."I missed you too." He leaned over her. "But my father gave me no respite and filled me with work since we arrived. Even my uncle, who supposedly had ret

That morning, Jimena woke with an energy and enthusiasm that felt like the previous storm had broken, leaving the sun to blaze warmly on a new path. She was itching to work out! She grabbed her long-neglected gym clothes and headed to the gym. The sensation of sweat trickling down her skin, the contraction of her muscles, and the surge of energy and adrenaline gave her an indescribable sense of pleasure and satisfaction. She finished her routine and showered. On her way out, she ran into a familiar face."Jack?" she asked, hesitant in her recognition, while scrutinizing him."Jimena!" he exclaimed, thrilled to see her. He ran a hand through his short, blond hair, then approached her cautiously, as if to make sure he had the right person. After a few seconds of scrutiny, he embraced her with euphoria, kissed her cheek, and looked her over again, this time with a different intention. "Wow, you look amazing!"Jimena blushed instantly. She couldn't help but return the favor, openly admiri

That crescent moon night, under a dark sky that contrasted with the glittering stars, the atmosphere at Jimena's house was thick with excitement, uncertainty, and the fear of the new. While her sisters shared knowing giggles and laughter, Jimena was a bundle of nerves, having not been on a date in ages."You look stunning!" Claudia squealed, her eyes sweeping over Jimena with pride."Do you think I should call him and cancel?" Jimena replied, her hands trembling and fidgeting to keep from biting her nails."Jimena Gutiérrez!" Claudia exclaimed, her voice sharp with disapproval. She planted her hands on her hips. "I didn't design this gorgeous dress, style your hair, and do your makeup for nothing.""I think you might be exaggerating a bit, Clau. It's just a date," Jimena replied, still wavering."It's not just a date, Jim. It's the date!" Claudia countered dramatically, gesturing with her hands as if painting in the air. "It's the gateway to your new life, the opening act of your roma

After saying goodbye to Pablo, Jimena took Adrián to his room and tucked him into his crib. She was awash with mixed feelings, yet couldn't suppress the little smile that kept creeping onto her face.She went to her room and collapsed onto the bed, grinning like a love-struck teenager. Just then, her phone vibrated, and she picked it up to read the incoming message.Jack (8:00 PM): "I'll be at your place in twenty minutes."Jimena sprang from the bed after reading it. She'd forgotten!"Damn!" she exclaimed in exasperation, rushing into the bathroom.Jack took her to dinner at a beautiful, elegant restaurant. That's how most of their dates went. He loved talking about his work and how he'd set aside his passion to dedicate himself to the family business. Jimena found herself entertained listening to him.After several hours, he drove her home."Everything alright?" he asked, concerned, as she'd been lost in thought all night."Yeah." She faked a smile. "Just a little tired.""Then I'll

The Saturday morning sun blazed with a breezy swagger over the bustling, cheerful city, radiating that vibe of relaxation and carefree fun. At a café in a shopping mall, the Gutiérrez sisters had gathered, as Claudia had news to share. Jimena seized the opportunity of Pablo taking Adrián to his parents' house, granting her a free day to meet up with her sisters."Girls, I have something to tell you," Claudia began, visibly nervous."Spit it out, Clau. You're making me anxious," Cecilia complained, impatient."Girls, I have a boyfriend," she blurted out, thrilled, with a special sparkle in her eyes. Cecilia and Jimena exchanged worried glances."A boyfriend?" Jimena asked, incredulous, unable to conceal her distress."Yeah..." Claudia looked at them apologetically."But..." Cecilia didn't know how to inquire without offending her sister. "Is it a real boyfriend? What I mean is... how do I put this... does he reciprocate your feelings?"Claudia smiled and then burst into laughter. Jimen

Pablo stormed into his apartment, sparks practically flying off him. Rage, disappointment, and a deep sense of betrayal consumed him. He felt pathetic. He knew Jimena had every right to move on with her life, but it hurt like hell. And she was doing it with Jack, which made him burn with anger and jealousy. Why him?He glanced at the time on his watch and realized he needed to get ready for work; however, he wasn't going to the office that day—he just didn’t have it in him. Instead, he felt like drowning his sorrows in alcohol, and that's precisely what he did.Hours later, Pablo opened his eyes, dizzy and disoriented. Night had fallen, and it seemed he'd passed out after the third bottle of whiskey. His eyes burned, and the nausea in his stomach made him feel like he was about to puke, though he'd eaten nothing all day, so it would just be stomach acid.He turned on the shower and, still fully clothed, stepped under the cold stream. The icy water made him shiver, and a heartbreaking