MARIA MINERVA

Chapter 3

The days had grown shorter, and with them, the tension that clung to Maria's heart. It had been weeks since she last had her monthly cycle, and the feeling inside her had grown undeniable. She was pregnant—Miguel's child was growing inside her. A mix of fear, joy, and dread washed over her. While part of her wanted to celebrate the miracle, another part of her knew the gravity of what this meant. The child inside her was a secret she couldn't keep for long.

She waited for the right moment to tell Miguel, rehearsing the words in her mind over and over again. But how could she tell him, knowing that this news would not only alter their lives but ignite the full wrath of his family?

One evening, as the sun dipped low in the sky and bathed the countryside in a golden hue, Maria waited anxiously by the riverbank—their secret meeting place. The meadow that once seemed peaceful now felt like the edge of a storm. She paced back and forth, her hands shaking with nerves.

Finally, she saw Miguel approaching from the distance. Her heart skipped a beat as he smiled, but the weight of the news she carried felt heavier than ever.

Miguel (approaching with a grin): "There's my beautiful girl. I've been thinking about you all day."

He reached out, pulling her into a warm embrace. But Maria, though comforted by his presence, couldn't find the same joy. She pulled away slightly, looking at him with worried eyes.

Miguel (concerned, noticing her unease): "Maria? What's wrong?"

Maria took a deep breath, her hands instinctively resting on her stomach. The words stuck in her throat, and for a moment, she thought she might break under the pressure. But she had to tell him.

Maria (nervously, her voice shaking): "Miguel... I have something to tell you."

Miguel's brow furrowed in concern, sensing her hesitation. He gently took her hands in his, urging her to speak.

Miguel: "What is it, Maria? You're scaring me."

She looked into his eyes, her heart pounding in her chest. Then, with a trembling whisper, she finally spoke the words she had been holding onto.

Maria: "I'm pregnant."

The words hung in the air, heavy and undeniable. Miguel froze, his face shifting from surprise to disbelief. For a few seconds, he said nothing, the gravity of the revelation sinking in.

Miguel (in shock): "You're... pregnant?"

Maria nodded, biting her lip as tears welled up in her eyes. She wasn't sure how he would react—whether he would see this as a blessing or a burden. But before she could let her fears take hold, Miguel's expression softened into one of joy. He took her face in his hands, a wide smile spreading across his lips.

Miguel (with awe and joy): "Maria... we're going to have a child."

His happiness was infectious, and for a brief moment, Maria allowed herself to feel the joy she had been suppressing. They were going to have a child—something she had always dreamed of. But that joy was quickly overshadowed by the reality of their situation.

Maria (her voice cracking with worry): "Miguel, what are we going to do? Your family... they'll never accept this. They'll never accept me."

Miguel's smile faltered as the weight of her words hit him. He knew she was right. His family had already made it clear that they had plans for him, and those plans did not include a child with a woman they considered beneath them. The consequences of this revelation would be severe.

Miguel (thinking quickly): "We'll leave, Maria. We'll leave this place and never look back. We'll find a way to be together, far from here."

Maria (her voice filled with uncertainty): "But where will we go? How will we survive?"

Miguel squeezed her hands, his voice filled with determination.

Miguel: "We'll figure it out. We'll go somewhere they can't reach us—somewhere we can raise our child in peace. I promised you, Maria, I would never let them tear us apart, and I meant it."

Maria wanted to believe him. She wanted to believe that they could simply pack up and run, leaving behind the chains of his family and the judgment of the town. But something deep inside her whispered that it wouldn't be that easy. His family was powerful, and they had eyes and ears everywhere.

Maria (whispering, her fear surfacing): "What if they find us, Miguel? What if they try to take the baby away from us?"

Miguel pulled her into a tight embrace, his voice firm as he spoke.

Miguel: "They won't. I won't let them. We'll leave before they have a chance to do anything. We'll disappear."

Little did they know, it was already too late. The town had started whispering about Maria's frequent meetings with Miguel. The rumors had reached the De La Cruz household, and Don Sebastian's suspicions were growing. That very night, as Miguel and Maria shared their dreams of escape by the river, a figure watched from the shadows—a loyal servant of Don Sebastian. The news of Maria's pregnancy would soon make its way back to the De La Cruz estate, setting off a chain of events that would change their lives forever.

Later that evening, as Maria made her way back to her modest home, her mind was racing. Could they truly escape the clutches of Miguel's family? Could they build a life together away from the looming shadow of Don Sebastian's influence?

Meanwhile, back at the De La Cruz mansion, Don Sebastian sat in his office, a dark scowl forming on his face as his informant whispered in his ear.

Informant (quietly, with urgency): "It's true, sir. The girl, Maria Minerva, is pregnant with your son's child."

Don Sebastian's jaw clenched as he absorbed the news. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the arm of his chair, his fury barely contained.

Don Sebastian (coldly): "I knew that girl would be trouble. She's already started to destroy everything I've built for this family. We must deal with this before it's too late."

He stood, walking to the window and gazing out at the estate, his mind working quickly. He couldn't afford a scandal—certainly not one that involved his only son and an illegitimate child with a girl from the lower class. It was time to act.

Don Sebastian (darkly, to the informant): "Make sure no one else finds out about this. We'll take care of it quietly."