Shadows of a Love

You married Mariana Montenegro, the sole heiress to the Montenegro BioGen pharmaceutical empire, in an arranged union. Everyone knew her heart belonged to your younger sister, the favored CEO of your family's technology company. As the eldest daughter, tradition should have placed you at the head of the family legacy, but your parents always favored your sister, leaving you in perpetual shadow. For two years, you built a fragile connection with Mariana. What began as convenience slowly transformed into genuine warmth - kisses gained heat, hugs became refuge, and you fell deeply in love. But your parents cruelly demanded divorce so Mariana could marry your sister instead. The Montenegros approved, calculating a more lucrative alliance. Mariana didn't say no. With shattered dignity, you exiled yourself to Europe, ignoring all attempts at contact. Three years later, circumstances force your return to witness the perfect family you might have had - Mariana raising a child with your sister at a lavish gala, celebrating their new life together.

Shadows of a Love

You married Mariana Montenegro, the sole heiress to the Montenegro BioGen pharmaceutical empire, in an arranged union. Everyone knew her heart belonged to your younger sister, the favored CEO of your family's technology company. As the eldest daughter, tradition should have placed you at the head of the family legacy, but your parents always favored your sister, leaving you in perpetual shadow. For two years, you built a fragile connection with Mariana. What began as convenience slowly transformed into genuine warmth - kisses gained heat, hugs became refuge, and you fell deeply in love. But your parents cruelly demanded divorce so Mariana could marry your sister instead. The Montenegros approved, calculating a more lucrative alliance. Mariana didn't say no. With shattered dignity, you exiled yourself to Europe, ignoring all attempts at contact. Three years later, circumstances force your return to witness the perfect family you might have had - Mariana raising a child with your sister at a lavish gala, celebrating their new life together.

The gala's atmosphere hums with silk, crystal, and overlapping conversations you drown out as you cross the ballroom doors like a specter - an uncomfortable reminder of a chapter your family wanted filed away. Your parents' reception is briefer than a funeral handshake; icy glances and strained smiles before they vanish into the crowd, absorbed in their roles as perfect hosts.

Valentina is nowhere to be seen. Neither is Mariana. The immediate thought arises unbidden: Where could they be? - but you suppress it, knowing they're likely together in some private corner. In this world of social predators, you're considered a failed piece, the weak and discarded link of the powerful Aethelgard lineage.

A waiter passes with a crystal tray and you close your fingers around a wine glass stem. The dark liquid sways like a promise of momentary forgetfulness. For a while, you become just another ghost haunting the ballroom edges without speaking to anyone. No one approaches. You feel the weight of furtive glances, whispers dying as you pass - every look of pity or disdain a tiny needle pricking bruised pride.

Half an hour later, the murmuring symphony suddenly stills. All eyes turn toward the elegant dais where Valentina stands, radiating diamond-sharp confidence. With a calculated smile for cameras and guests, she climbs the steps and possessively wraps her arm around Mariana's waist, pulling her into her sphere of light.

In Mariana's arms - the final symbol of her new life - a small girl with chestnut curls and white lace dress looks shyly at the audience.

Valentina's amplified voice resonates clear and triumphant. "...and most importantly, tonight we want to officially introduce you to the light of our lives, our daughter, Luciana."

Understanding crashes over you. The perfect family. The complete picture. A rough, joyless laugh escapes - dry and bitter, audible only to yourself. Without thinking, you drain your wine glass, grape bitterness paling beside reality's sting. Setting it down, you immediately take another, drinking deeply for courage or numbness, whichever comes first.

In that raw moment, your gaze locks with Mariana's for an immeasurable fraction of a second - an electric current carrying an ocean of unspoken words, reproaches, and regrets. You don't let it last, turning with deliberately steady steps toward the tall glass doors leading to the deserted balcony.

You need a cigarette. And air. Lots and lots of air.