Chapter One: A new beginning
Susana Perdomo Alvarado stood on the balcony of the rented house in Buenos Aires, feeling the summer breeze tangle in her hair. Below her, the city buzzed with life. Taxis honked. Someone played tango on a violin.
This is my chance, she thought. A new country. A new life.
Her friends—María Teresa, Leonora, Luisa, Marco, Roque, Cristóbal, and Fernando—sat crowded around the dining table, laughing as they plotted weekend trips. They'd all come to Argentina on scholarships for Foreign Trade. It was the dream of a lifetime.
When Susana finally sat down with them, Marco nudged her with his elbow. "So, Susy… when are you going to admit you've been eyeing that Argentine guy from our business law class?"
Susana rolled her eyes. "Please. Federico Donato is arrogant. And a complete know-it-all."
María Teresa raised an eyebrow. "You have noticed how he looks at you."
Susana hesitated. Because, yes—Federico Donato looked at her. In a way that made her stomach flutter. But she'd also caught him sneering at the cleaning lady in the university hallways, and she'd heard whispers about how he talked about women.
"Forget him," Susana said finally. "He's not my type."
Chapter two: The charismatic stranger
A week later, Susana found herself paired with Federico for a class project. He arrived late, his hair slicked back, wearing an expensive leather jacket and that trademark cocky smile. "Sorry, hermosa. The traffic was murder."
Susana bristled. "We've been waiting for half an hour."
He leaned closer. "You look beautiful when you're angry."
Despite herself, she felt a tiny thrill. Maybe, she told herself, the rumors were wrong. Maybe Federico was just misunderstood. By the end of the semester, he'd wormed his way into her life: helping her carry books, inviting her to coffee, brushing his fingers lightly against her arm until her skin tingled. He made her laugh. He told her he admired strong women. When he asked her out, Susana said yes.
Chapter three: Warning signs
One chilly afternoon, María Teresa cornered her outside class. "Susana, I need to talk to you. Alone."
Federico, who'd been waiting nearby, gave María Teresa a cold glare. Susana glanced at him, torn, then followed her friend around the corner.
"Susana, please listen to me," María Teresa began. "Federico and his friends… they're not what they seem. They brag about hurting women. About humiliating them."
Susana swallowed. "You're exaggerating. You don't even know him."
"I do know him," María Teresa said. "Cristóbal and I heard him talking about you like you were some prize he was going to win."
Susana shook her head. "He's not like that with me."
"Of course he's not—yet. That's how they get in. They pretend to be perfect. And then one day…" María Teresa's voice cracked. "Don't make the same mistake I did."
Susana pulled away. "I'm done with this conversation."
That night, she lay awake replaying María Teresa's words. But when she thought of Federico's warm smile and how he held her hand, she decided her friend was just jealous.
Chapter four: A family performance
Months later, Federico took her home to meet his family. The Donato residence gleamed like a palace, marble floors reflecting crystal chandeliers. His mother kissed Susana on both cheeks and called her "tesoro." His father told jokes and poured expensive wine.
Susana felt like Cinderella. But behind the polite laughter, she sensed something cold and watchful in their eyes. When she tried to shake the feeling, Federico squeezed her hand and whispered, "Don't worry, they love you."
A week later, he asked her to be his girlfriend. She said yes.
Chapter five: The wedding
A year later, Susana stood in white lace beside Federico at a small church in Rome. Her family flew in from Venezuela. Her friends came from scattered corners of the world.
As they exchanged vows, she caught sight of María Teresa and Cristóbal sitting stiffly in the last row. María Teresa's eyes glistened with tears—but Susana couldn't tell if it was happiness or something else.
Chapter six: Honeymoon in Rome
At first, Rome was perfect. Federico booked luxury hotels, five-star restaurants, moonlit walks past the Colosseum. Until the day Susana found the lipstick-stained shirt.
She confronted him in their hotel room, voice trembling. "Whose lipstick is this, Federico?"
He stared at her, expression darkening. "Why are you snooping in my things?"
"Answer me!" she cried.
The slap cracked across her face so hard she tasted blood. She stumbled backward, crashing into the bedside table. Federico advanced, eyes blazing.
"You're nobody to question me," he hissed.
"I'm your wife!" she screamed.
He backhanded her so violently that the world went black.
Chapter seven: A cycle of violence
Susana woke hours later, sprawled on the bathroom floor, her mouth swollen, bruises blooming along her cheek. She stared at her reflection—eyes red, lip split.
My friends were right, she thought. God… why didn't I listen?
The next day, Federico showed up with red roses and chocolate.
"Please, Susy," he begged, kneeling in front of her. "Forgive me. It will never happen again."
She wanted to scream. Instead, tears spilled down her cheeks. And despite the voice screaming run inside her head, she nodded.
"Okay," she whispered.
Chapter eight: Escalation
For a few weeks, Federico was kind, attentive, almost gentle. Susana dared to hope. Then one night, back home, he came home drunk, reeking of alcohol. She was ironing clothes in the living room when he staggered in.
"Get in the bedroom," he slurred. "Now."
"Federico… you're drunk. Not tonight."
He lunged at her, grabbed the iron, and smashed it against her face. A scream tore from her throat as searing pain exploded across her skin. She crumpled to the floor, clutching her face, sobbing uncontrollably. Federico left, slamming the door behind him.
Chapter nine: Betrayal
Desperate, Susana went to his parents. Federico's mother listened in stony silence, then leaned forward, her eyes cold.
"All this is happening to you because you're an idiot," she spat.
Susana staggered out of the Donato mansion, tears streaming down her face. She felt utterly alone.
Chapter ten: Fight for survival
When Susana returned home, Federico was waiting. He lunged at her, fists flying. She screamed, trying to flee. He caught her hair, yanked her back, pummeled her until her vision went red.
In a blind panic, she stumbled into Federico's office. She flung open a drawer, found his gun, felt its cold weight in her trembling hands.
Federico burst into the room, roaring, "PUT THAT DOWN!"
She pointed the gun, sobbing. "Stay away from me."
But he kept coming. She pulled the trigger.
Chapter eleven: Aftermath
Federico fell backward, a red bloom spreading across his chest. He gasped, eyes wide, then stilled. Susana dropped the gun and sank to her knees, shaking violently. Police sirens wailed in the distance.
Chapter twelve: The trial
The courtroom was packed for Susana's trial. The Donato family glared at her, faces twisted in rage. Her own parents sat behind her, clasping each other's hands, pale with fear.
Testimonies were read. Bruises were photographed. Tears were shed. When the jury returned, the forewoman stood.
"Not guilty."
Susana burst into tears. Her mother rushed to embrace her.
The Donato family erupted, screaming curses. Police intervened. In the chaos, the judge ordered the Donatos arrested for contempt of court and assault.
Chapter thirteen: Healing
Susana returned to Venezuela. Her friends gathered around her, silent and tender.
"I'm so sorry I didn't believe you," she whispered to María Teresa.
Her friend squeezed her hand. "You survived, Susana. That's what matters."
Years passed. Susana never remarried. Her scars remained, both visible and hidden. Yet she raised her children with fierce love—and taught them that no one ever had the right to raise a hand against them.
On quiet nights, she would stand under the stars and remember Federico's smile—and the monster hiding behind it. And she vowed that her story would not be in vain.