Pablo decided not to stay long at the meeting, so he said goodbye to everyone and went home.
"You’re here!" Jimena greeted him excitedly.
"Did you spend the whole day locked in the room?" he asked, looking at the bed where his wife lay.
"I don’t feel well," she excused herself, her eyes full of sadness.
"Depressed again?" He sat down beside her.
"I don’t know." Two tears rolled down her cheeks, but she wiped them away in a flash. "I’m fine, don’t worry." She faked a smile. He nodded uncertainly and headed to the bathroom.
After a refreshing shower, Pablo fed the baby and put him to sleep. Then he carried him to his room and laid him down in his crib. He stayed for a while, gazing at him. A smile spread across his face as he gently caressed his son’s cheek, admiring him with pride.
"You weren’t planned, but you’re the most beautiful thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re the best version of me. Did you know you got your father’s good looks, Little piece of me? My mini-me! You’re lucky to be a Mars since Mars men have a special charm with women. What will we do with you, little rascal? You’ll be the apple of discord among the girls, but you’ll choose the smartest and prettiest one." He smiled. "Rest, little one." He kissed his soft cheek.
Pablo left the baby’s room and entered his own, but he froze when he saw Jimena lost in her thoughts as she slipped on a white satin robe. He stood there, admiring his wife’s sculpted body, now that she had regained her weight. However, she still felt bad about her body.
'She didn’t even inflate like a balloon,' he thought. 'Jimena can be so exaggerated sometimes.'
From Pablo’s perspective, the pregnancy had suited her well—her muscles had toned, making her look curvier and more attractive.
At that moment, he realized just how beautiful she was and regretted the lack of attention he had given her. He loved how she looked in that white robe, with her long, messy blonde hair, giving her a wild, sensual allure.
She glanced at him, but he didn’t move. Instead, he got lost in those blue eyes that had a sparkle that drove him wild. He felt like the biggest fool in the world for noticing another woman when he had such a beautiful wife at home—one he had been neglecting.
She quickly lay down and covered herself with the thick blanket, as if trying to hide from him. He, however, took off his shirt and stared at his reflection in the mirror.
"Do you like my muscles?" he asked, flexing his arms and chest. Jimena laughed, entertained.
"You’re so childish!" she exclaimed, giggling.
"At least you’re laughing," he smiled and kept making his silly gestures, causing her to burst out laughing.
Pablo sat down in front of Jimena, took the blanket from her up to her neck, and she looked at him, surprised by his actions, especially when he took her hand and pulled her toward him, sitting her on his lap.
"What are you doing?" she asked suspiciously. She didn’t remember the last time he got so close to her.
"You’re beautiful, Jimena," he whispered, gently caressing her cheek as he stared directly into her eyes. She looked at him incredulously, sadness in her blue eyes.
"I’m not beautiful anymore, Pablo." Her eyes filled with tears. "I’m sorry..." Tears streamed down her face. "I shouldn’t have pressured you into marrying me; I... was scared. I didn’t want to be alone in this. Now you have to deal with a wife you don’t love. I understand if you’re unfaithful; I know you have your needs... needs I can’t fulfill because I disgust you." She let out a sob.
"What the hell are you talking about, Jimena?" He looked at her offended. "I’m not unfaithful, and you don’t disgust me."
"If you’re not unfaithful, then how have you been all this time? We haven’t had sex in over a year. We’re not a couple; we’re roommates who share the responsibility of being parents."
"I’ve endured it just like you," he lifted her chin. "You have your needs too."
"I think I should set you free, Pablo," she suggested, her voice trembling. "There’s no point in us staying together."
"Do you want to leave me?"
"No, but you want to leave me. You don’t love me, Pablo. I know it. You... don’t see me as a woman anymore."
"Forget that, please. I spoke without thinking. I’m an idiot who only knows how to say stupid things."
"But... I disgust you..."
"Of course not..."
"When you kissed me... you..."
"Jimena, I was in a hurry."
"Just excuses. You don’t touch me, you don’t kiss me, and we stopped making love, Pablo. That’s not healthy in a marriage. You don’t desire me anymore, and that’s why I feel guilty for keeping you trapped in this hell."
"Don’t say that, Jimena." He took her chin and kissed her on the lips passionately.
She responded immediately. She clung to him and stroked his hair as he bit her lower lip with passion, beginning to caress her body until the robe that had entranced him was gone.
Feeling her soft, warm skin on his chest drove him mad. He kissed her again, their tongues danced together, and their breaths became chaotic. Pablo lay her on the bed to have better access, able to kiss and touch every inch of her skin.
Her moans were music to his ears, and it was then that he realized how much he missed being so intimate with his wife. After he delighted in making her gasp with pleasure with his mouth and hand, he entered her with slow thrusts that gradually intensified as the pleasure became more delicious, and his body demanded more. After so long, both trembled with their bodies intertwined, drenched in sweat.
"Wow!" He pulled away from her, lying on his back as he tried to recover his breath. "That was... " He looked at her playfully. "Why did we stop doing this?"
"Because we’re idiots!" she answered with a playful exclamation, and then they both burst into loud laughter.
"Pablo..." Jimena suddenly sat up, giving him a full view of her bare torso, a sight that delighted him, thanks to the sensual image she presented.
"Yes?" he responded, still staring at her in awe.
"We didn’t protect ourselves," she said, terrified. He sat up in a single motion and turned pale.
"Aren’t you on birth control?"
"No... We never had sex after we got married, so I didn’t see the point in it."
"Shit!" He scratched his head, nervous. "Not again."
"What do we do?"
"I don’t know, Jimena, but I can’t handle another kid. If you get pregnant, I’ll throw myself off a bridge!" he said, his eyes full of horror and a huge knot in his chest.
Jimena woke up bursting with energy, cheerful and renewed. A shiver ran through her every time she recalled that Saturday night. After so long without intimacy, she felt all her stress melt away. Of course, it wasn’t all happiness—she had to deal with Pablo’s nerves and reassure him that the morning-after pill would prevent a pregnancy. It wasn’t entirely foolproof, but surely, they couldn’t be that unlucky… could they?There was one thing that left her anxious: the matter of planning. Pablo hadn’t brought it up, and she was afraid to ask for some reason. She didn’t know if what had happened that night would become a regular part of their marriage—like it should—or if it was just a one-time release that wouldn’t happen again.Insecurity and sadness wrapped around her once more. Since when had she become a fearful, uncertain woman? How was it possible that she saw intimacy with her husband as something unattainable? Would it be a mistake to talk to him about it? Should she?These thoug
Jimena woke up early, and after tending to the baby’s needs and feeding him, she decided to shower in her room. Pablo must have already been on his way to work, after all. As she stepped into the bedroom, she let out a sigh.When she finished freshening up, she sat on the edge of the bed and started to cry. Like a scene from a movie, memories of her past happiness flooded her mind. A soft smile crept onto her face as she recalled those moments by the beautiful lake, the silent witness to their summer love, which now filled her thoughts:"Isn't it too late to be here?" Jimena asked nervously, shivering slightly from the cold. Pablo noticed her trembling and draped his black jacket over her shoulders."Better this way. No one will bother us," he replied with a mischievous smile. "Isn't it beautiful?" he asked, gazing at her tenderly. They sat together at the water’s edge, immersed in the beauty of the place.The deep blue of the lake, the flickering fireflies, the soft glow of the small
Pablo woke up, surprised to find Jimena gone from the bed. He let out a long sigh and ran a hand through his hair, frustration knotting in his stomach. Guilt gnawed at his peace. He longed to mend what was broken between them, but how could he face her after what he’d done?Jimena entered the room carrying their baby and gently placed him on the bed. The child crawled towards Pablo while she avoided his gaze, silently heading towards the bathroom. It was Saturday, and it seemed Jimena had plans, freeing him from the need to find some excuse to escape and avoid her.Jimena emerged wrapped in a towel, her skin damp and her hair pulled back. She couldn’t help but glance at her husband as he played with their baby; he looked utterly endearing, like a little boy himself.“Who’s this gorgeous blonde, Adrián?” he cooed to the baby, mimicking Donald Duck’s voice. Jimena tried to suppress a smile, feigning indifference. “What’s such a pretty lady doing in here? Who let her in?” he continued in
On a bright, beautiful morning filled with laughter and warmth, Jimena, Pablo, and the baby played on the bed. Even though the sunny day invited them to go out and appreciate its beauty, they decided to stay home and enjoy each other’s company.“Say ‘Da-da,’” Pablo repeated, staring intently at Adrián.“It doesn’t matter how hard you try, it won’t change the fact that he said ‘Mama’ before ‘Dada,’” Jimena said, amused. Pablo frowned at her in mock disagreement.“You manipulated him,” he accused her with a dramatic expression.“Yeah, right,” she scoffed sarcastically and stifled a giggle. “Face it, he loves me more than you,” she said with a chuckle before kissing his lips quickly.“‘He loves me more than you,’” he mocked, making a face.The baby nestled against his mother’s chest and began grabbing at her breasts.“Hey!” Pablo gently removed the baby’s hand with a grin. “Those belong to Daddy; your turn was long ago, young man. I lent them to you for a while, but now I’m taking back w
By the time the sun rose, Jimena was still clutching Pablo’s phone. Her face was blank, lost in her deepest, most painful thoughts. She hadn't slept or cried; she simply remained there, the phone in her hands.The alarm rang, and after turning over in bed a few times, Pablo sat up, rubbing his eyes. He looked at Jimena curiously as she stared sadly at the device. She unlocked the screen, and the message appeared before her. Silently, she passed the phone to Pablo. He took it, confused, and went cold as he read its contents. He looked at her in horror, unable to find the right words to face her.“Jimena… I…” Hearing his trembling voice was the trigger. The trapped tears burst forth like torrents, and her chest began to shake. Then he understood that a great sob was trying to erupt violently. “Let me explain, it was a mistake… a slip…” Jimena couldn’t bear the pressure in her chest. She threw herself at him, hysterical, hitting him with fury and pain.He held her arms and looked at her
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