Bonds of love

Chapter One

Liar!

Louis was a liar.

Elena was sitting in her living room, looking at the portrait of the family that used to be perfect. Her eyes were wet with tears that she refused to shed. She wasn't going to let the weight of betrayal destroy her that everything that was perfect now seemed to be a bitter reminder of what was once her perfect life. Sadness and anger throbbed in her chest as she remembered Louis's empty promises.

A year had passed since he left his family for another woman. Elena couldn't understand how a man who claimed to love his son so much could simply disappear from his son's life.

Louis had told him that despite leaving the family, he would never stop being a present father in little Peter's life. Elena believed in his words. It was too painful for her to accept that it was all lies.

While she struggled to rebuild her life, Louis was enjoying a new reality with his new wife. Photos on social media showed the couple smiling and traveling to heavenly places, as if there was no responsibility in leaving a child behind.

Elena felt as if she had been abandoned twice. First for Louis, who chose another woman over her and her son. And later, abandoned by the promises he made to always be present in his son's life.

Grief and sadness mixed, creating a storm of emotions inside Elena. She felt alone, responsible for providing enough support and love for her son, while Louis was absent and neglectful of his fatherly role.

She looked at her son, playing on the living room rug, and felt determination rise within her. Elena knew that she couldn't allow Louis's lies and absence to affect Peter's life. She would be everything he needed and then some.

From that moment on, Elena decided that she would no longer let Louis's shadow hang over them. She would be her light, her support, and foundation for her son.

In silence, she kept all the memories of the past, all Louis's empty words. She would not allow his presence, or lack thereof, to determine her and her son's happiness.

Elena took a deep breath and, looking at the family portrait that had previously been a source of pain, decided it was time to create a new portrait. A portrait of strength, love and happiness, where she and Peter would be the protagonists.

With that new determination, Elena hugged her son and whispered words of love and courage in her ear. She knew there would be challenges ahead, but she was ready to face them.

It no longer mattered what Louis said, as Elena discovered that his words were just words. What mattered now was her action in the present, her ability to be a loving and devoted mother.

— Mommy. — says Peter, showing his new toy, bought by Elena after so much effort working as a day laborer.

Elena was left with a good amount of money, which her ex-husband left in the account, but Peter ended up getting sick, and the money was used for the boy's treatment. Elena now saw herself in the midst of debts, but even so, none of that would leave her shaken. She would look for a steady job, where she would earn a good salary and thus pay off all her debts and be able to live somewhat well with her son.

— Did you like your new toy, love? — says Elena, taking Peter in her arms and kissing his cheek.

Peter was two years old when Louis abandoned them, little Peter was only one year old, so he had no memories of his father and had no idea what he did to him and his mother.

— I like. — says Peter, speaking wrongly.

Elena smiles and places several kisses on her son, making him burst out laughing.

— Today you're going to stay with Aunt Giulia, Mom is going out. — says Elena to her son, who, despite being small, is very intelligent.

— Gigi. — says Peter with a beautiful smile on his face.

— Yes, Aunt Gigi. — says Elena. — Shall we take a shower, so you can smell good?

— No Mom. — he says, shaking his head with a pretty pout on his lips.

— Yes, Peter. — says Elena with authority. — and no tantrums.

The boy laid his head on his mother's shoulder and sighed. So, Elena went up to her room where she shares with Peter, and they went to the bathroom to bathe their son.

The house where Elena and Peter live is simple, after Louis left Elena, and she had to pay for her son's treatment, she had to move to a simpler house. The house was basically a room with a kitchen, just a bar dividing it, and a bedroom with a bathroom. It was all simple and in an even simpler neighborhood. However, it was what Elena could afford, it was better than living on the street with a small child.

After the shower, Giulia arrived at Elena's house with her fiancé. Giulia and Elena met in a snack bar after their orders were exchanged. They laughed about it and ended up becoming friends. Giulia is not rich, she worked in a supermarket, her fiancé is a lawyer, his name is Heitor, the same despite being a lawyer, he is not rich, but somehow he lives well.

— Where's Auntie Gigi's baby? — asks Giulia, and quickly Peter covers his eyes as if he were hiding. Giulia walks over to him and removes her hand from his eyes. — Aunt Gigi found it!

Peter laughs and throws himself into Giulia's arms, they smile and soon Peter goes into Heitor's arms.

— I won't be long, it will be a quick interview. — says Elena.

— Okay friend. — says Gio. — Heitor and I will love to spend time with this little one, let's go for a walk in the park and eat ice cream.

Peter smiles when he hears Giulia's words.

— Okay, watch out for my baby. — says Elena. — bye, son, mommy loves you.

— I love Mom. — says Peter.

Elena smiles and says goodbye to Heitor and Giulia, who take Peter with them. Now Elena would go to the company Max Industries, which is a cosmetics company, Elena would do an interview to be part of the cleaning team at the place.