Lucia Serrano
1483 Words
“Happy birthday, Lucia!” the sharp voices shouted in unison, causing the woman standing at the podium to smile brightly. Her expression perfectly conveyed happiness—that the moment meant everything to her. Or at least, it did.
A soft whisper reached her ears, her husband’s voice vibrating against her hearing.
“Happy birthday, my sweet wife. Don’t worry—I have a very special gift waiting for you.”
His eyes glistened with affection, easily convincing the crowd that he was madly in love with his wife. But only a few knew it was all a charade—a sham to fool the public.
Chuckling softly, Lucia’s heart melted at her husband’s words. Today marked her twenty-third birthday. She was happily married and an expectant mother. To the public eye, she had it all—life’s perfection shining brightly on her.
Fermin leaned in and placed a delicate kiss on her cheek, prompting the whole audience to cheer at the beautiful couple. Envious eyes watched them, but it was true—there was more than met the eye.
“A toast to my beautiful wife and soon-to-be mother of my child,” Fermin raised a glass, and Lucia picked up hers. The clink of glasses followed, and they drank.
The hall buzzed with important guests. Today was a special day for the Danilo family. Some people were there with genuine hearts to celebrate, while others were simply trying to please the powerful family. The Danilos were one of the top families in Italy—so wealthy that even the world’s elites couldn’t quantify their resources. Hotels, clubs, schools, banks—nearly everything was under their name.
Carefully, Fermin supported Lucia as they climbed down the steps, her baby bump clearly visible—she was seven months along. She couldn’t wait for her little one to arrive.
“Happy birthday, dear,” her mother-in-law said, pecking her cheek gently. “I see my son is taking very good care of you, honey.”
“She’s my wife, Mother. Of course I take care of her. What do you expect? That I’d be torturing my own wife?” Fermin replied carelessly.
Lucia tensed. She kept her smile from fading, even as his hand slightly pressed harder against her back. Nothing ever escaped his sharp gaze.
“You don’t need to worry, Mother. His love for me is enough—I wouldn’t even think of leaving him in this lifetime,” she said sweetly, earning an approving nod from Fermin’s mother.
“Have you seen your father?” Hanna asked, scanning the crowd. “I’ve tried to find him, but he seems to have disappeared.”
Lucia and Fermin both looked around. He turned back to his mother.
“I’m sure he’s around, Mother. Today has been tiring, and Lucia must be exhausted.”
Lucia smiled and chimed in, “You see, Mother? He’s always so worried about me. I’m sure you and Maddy can take care of the guests while my husband takes me to our room.”
“Of course. Take care of yourself.”
The chattering and noise faded as they walked to their room. Fermin opened the door, and Lucia stepped in first, followed by her husband. Once the door shut, everything dropped—along with Fermin’s well-practiced façade.
He loosened his tie, peering down at his wife with a smirk as he saw her body already trembling. She kept a distance while pretending not to notice. If there was one thing he excelled at, it was making her uncomfortable.
“Did you enjoy yourself, birthday girl?”
Lucia swallowed hard, her chest tightening. She still managed to maintain her sweet expression. Only the two of them knew how long she could hold onto it.
“Yes,” she replied. She knew better than to say too much. Choosing her words wisely was the only way to keep him somewhat civil. Though she wasn’t looking at him, she could feel his gaze—filled with madness—fixed on her.
“I want to use the restroom,” she added, even though it was their shared room. Informing him was necessary.
It was her cue to escape, hoping he’d let her be. But Fermin wasn’t stupid—he knew her tricks. Still, just for tonight, he might let her be… or not. Something crossed his mind.
Lucia had just sighed in relief and taken two steps toward the bathroom when her heart nearly stopped at the sound of his voice.
“Diego told me something very interesting this morning,” he said calmly, though she knew that tone wasn’t real. Her eyes caught his approaching footsteps. She tried to stay composed, but she failed.
He reached her, and she shut her eyes for a moment before turning to face him. She silently begged for mercy. Her swollen feet were barely able to hold her weight—he had forced her to wear heels as punishment.
“That you took a guest’s phone. Let me guess—you called that useless father of yours?” His brow arched slightly. Her throat tightened.
“I didn’t—I swear I just—” she stopped, knowing it was useless to lie.
Fermin saw through her efforts to remain unaffected. Her breathing gave her away. The mere thought of lying had awakened something dark inside him.
“What would people say? That the wife of Fermin Danilo had to borrow a guest’s phone? They’d probably think I’m mistreating my pregnant wife,” he said lowly, and his hand moved, causing Lucia to flinch. Her heart pounded wildly.
But instead of hitting her, he gently caressed her face. “Am I mistreating you, Lucia?”
It was a trap.
“No, my lord, you aren’t. I’m blessed—”
He suddenly yanked her hair, forcing her head back. A muffled sound escaped her lips. He seethed.
“Don’t f*****g lie to me, you flirty bitch.” His rage was palpable. Her hands instinctively covered her stomach.
“You think I’m a monster, right? You probably hate me so much you wish I’d die, so you and your lover can run off together, right? Isn’t that what you wish for, Lucia?”
Tears welled in her eyes. She choked on her words.
“N-no, my l-lord.”
Before she could finish, he struck her hard across the cheek. She stumbled backward, landing heavily on a chair. The pain hit her, but she was used to it. Her back throbbed.
“Once I find that fucker, I’ll burn you both alive. You and that bastard in your stomach. You disgust me, Lucia.”
He moved toward her. She pinned herself to the chair, wrapping her arms around her stomach, powerless to stop him.
He yanked her hair again, and she moaned in pain, pressing her lips together tightly, eyes wide and shaken—but he didn’t care.
“You cheated on me. You betrayed me. We could’ve had something sweet, but you just couldn’t keep your cunt in one place. Just like your f*****g sister. Bloody whores!”
He shoved her, her head hitting the chair. The pain radiated through her. Thankfully, he stopped. There were guests downstairs—bad timing if she died in his hands tonight.
“I won’t let your defiance slide, so gather yourself.”
He spat on her face. She flinched at the saliva.
She was used to his disrespect. He didn’t see her as a human being.
Silently, she cried. He slammed the door, leaving her behind. She wondered what she had done to deserve such hatred from the world. Her muffled sobs filled the room.
Yes, she was carrying someone else’s child. To him—and to the world—it looked like she had cheated. That she was a w***e and a disgrace. But was it her fault?
It wasn’t in her control.
She was a victim.
She had been r***d, and it was his sister’s doing. Yet he paraded her as if she were a cheap woman.
Lucia’s gaze softened as she looked at her stomach. Even though she didn’t know the father, even though this pregnancy had destroyed her marriage and turned her into Fermin’s punching bag, she never once hated the child.
In fact, she admired the baby’s strength. Even after everything, it hadn’t left her.
She was thankful.
Caressing her stomach, she whispered, “Hold on, baby. And don’t even think of leaving Momma. I promise—I’ll get us out of this.”
Though she didn’t know how she’d escape Fermin’s grip, not when he refused to divorce her just to keep his spotless reputation.
I guess today wasn’t such a happy birthday after all, she thought, finally able to breathe properly as she gently rubbed her stomach. Soon, she began humming softly to herself.
A habit she had picked up to survive.
- Writer
