THE GLASS CAGE

Prologue

Prologue

​It was Saturday. Without even opening my eyes, I could feel the sun on my skin. I was beyond thrilled with the way these vacations were heading; I was happy to be here, and everything was unfolding exactly as it should. I opened my eyes and found myself in my room. Everything was in order—that was the one good thing about having money: you could always have someone behind you cleaning up your mess. I loved this. I loved my life, and I would love even more what was about to happen. I was a privileged person, and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

​"Caro, I'm glad you're already awake," my mother said, walking into the room without knocking, causing me to roll my eyes. "Leonardo called a little while ago; he’ll be here at noon, honey."

​She’s excited. I am too. It’s impossible not to be. Everything was finally making sense, and I was so happy—it was more than time to move to the next level.

My boyfriend Leonardo had organized these vacations with my family and his, and my mother and I were certain he was going to propose. The place was spectacular, I looked incredible, and I was thrilled at the thought of one day marrying the man of my life—because that’s what Leonardo was. He was perfect: a gentleman, handsome, elegant, from a good family. Together, we looked amazing, and I was more than sure we would have a wonderful life together. We had everything in our favor; we had everything we needed to succeed. I wouldn't trade him for any other man in the world.

We had been dating since I was fifteen—it was finally time to take the big leap. All our friends were talking about it, and I was wishing for that big day to come as soon as possible. I was in love; I was radiating happiness, and there was nothing that could put an end to that. It was almost impossible for anything or anyone to ruin such a wonderful day.

​"I’m going to get ready, Mom. I don’t know at what moment he’ll ask me, but I’m so excited!" I squealed.

​She laughed because she was happy too; she loved Leo as if he were another son. The truth was, she couldn't be happier with the man I had chosen to spend my life with.

Mom left the room, leaving me alone so I could get ready. I took a long shower, styled my hair, applied my makeup, and then put on a beachy yet beautiful and elegant dress. I looked at myself in the mirror and couldn't help but smile. I wasn't going to be humble—I was, and looked, truly beautiful. That was a reality I wasn't going to deny. I could be a model; I could be whatever I wanted to be, or at least that’s what everyone said. Not to be vain, but being pretty opens many doors in this world, and I wasn't just pretty—I was gorgeous and wealthy.

​The world was mine.

I went downstairs and walked toward the garden, where I saw everyone gathered by the pool area. We were in the Dominican Republic, far from home, but this place was magical. I didn't know Leo had this house; it surprised me, though I imagined it belonged to his family rather than just him. My boyfriend's family was also very financially stable—there were no hardships here, only luxury. I couldn't wait for us to get married and start building a family of our own.

​"Carolina, darling, you look lovely," my mother-in-law greeted me. I returned the gesture with two kisses. "My son is taking a shower; he’ll be joining us in a moment."

​She loved me dearly, just as my mother loved her son. There were no fights or conflicts here; everything was peace and tranquility, and I loved that. It was more than logical that we were destined to be together...

While we waited for the man I was sure would soon be my fiancé, we talked a lot. We all knew each other perfectly; we were very close and had known each other our entire lives. My family consisted of my parents and my two brothers, all of whom were single and highly sought after. Leo’s family included his mother, his older sister—who was already married with a beautiful six-month-old baby—and his two younger brothers. You could say we got along well; we were the typical "magazine-perfect" family.

​"Ah, everyone’s here already," I heard my boyfriend’s voice. I stood up and hurried to his side—I had missed him so much. But he didn't embrace me; he discreetly pushed me away from his body. I don't understand.

​"Ah, everyone’s here already," I heard my boyfriend’s voice. I stood up and hurried to his side—I had missed him so much. But he didn't embrace me; he discreetly pushed me away from his body. I don't understand.

​"Yes, we were waiting for you," his mother said with a smile, which encouraged me to try and hug him again, but he politely moved me aside. "What is it you have to tell us, son?" We all suspected what it was about, but that didn't take any of the excitement out of it. We were very anxious.

​I braced myself for the moment, so nervous. He was going to propose, and finally, we would be husband and wife, just as we had desired and wanted for so long. There was nothing I wanted more than this, than finally being together. I was already imagining the house we would buy, our wedding—which would be top-tier, with the best food, the best music, the decorations, everything—my dress, our vows of love, and above all, what our children would be like, what our family life would be like. I was so content, so happy, that I felt like no one could ruin this moment. This was going to be the most beautiful moment of my life.

​"I know it might have seemed strange to you all that I gathered you here, but just as I asked for your blessing for this relationship to begin, today I also..."

Before he can continue speaking, I hear the sound of high heels, and out of nowhere, she walks in—one of the women I despise the most in the world: Ashley. She was my boyfriend's classmate in school, something like his best friend, and she never left his side. We never got along; our lifestyles and personalities clashed deeply. She was loud, dressed very sensually, while I was more calm and polite, and although I was no saint, I was always well-dressed, as one should be. At times, she looked like a tribuera [loose/vulgar]. We weren't from the same social circle either; while she studied based on scholarships and handouts, I had everything I wanted. It sounds classist, but I felt she was everything that was wrong.

​"Hello everyone, sorry for the delay, Leo, love, I’m here," she says, approaching my boyfriend and hugging him, which causes me to burst with jealousy. She has no business being here during such an important moment; she was neither part of the family nor did we get along. She was redundant here, and in any place where I was present.

​"What is she doing here?" I ask my boyfriend, and he only lets out a sigh. "I thought this was a family vacation, Leo." She laughs and goes to sit down, and I just want him to propose to me right now and be done with it, because I didn't want to keep looking at that fool's face. I was sure that she was secretly deeply in love with my boyfriend, but she was forced to be a mere spectator.

​"Well, as I was saying, I asked for permission to start a relationship with Carolina, and you gave me all the confidence in the world. I will never regret the years I spent by her side, nor everything we were together. But just as I informed you that we were starting a relationship, today I have to inform you that this lovely relationship has come to an end."

​My smile vanishes; I don't understand anything. What is wrong with him? This is not the way I imagined he would propose.

​"What are you saying, Leo? I don't understand," I say, being the only one who dares to speak. He looks at me with pity in his eyes. Why isn't he happy? Isn't he going to propose? What is happening?

​"I know I probably should have done this in private, Carolina, but I couldn't. I'm sorry. It's better this way. You and I cannot continue being boyfriend and girlfriend. It’s not fair to you, because I don't love you anymore."

​I swear I could hear my heart breaking in the room. This wasn't... this wasn't possible. "I am in love with someone else, and that person is going to make me a father."

​I hear how everyone is shocked and whispering while tears fall uncontrollably from my eyes. This had to be a nightmare, and I just wanted to wake up.

​"Leo, that can't be possible. Please don't joke about this," I plead, trying to hold myself together, but he shakes his head. My mother stands up quickly and walks toward me.

​"Leo," I beg, and he shrugs, as if he didn't know what to say, or as if he just didn't care.

​"I'm sorry," he murmurs, and that's the last thing I hear before everything goes black.