Hello, and welcome to my second fic! I am very happy to start it, since I had that idea in my head for months, and Elizabeth is a very special character to me.

I am a true fan of the Twilight saga, and decided to create a story that fits in it, so this fiction can be read as part of the Twilight universe without any mismatch. (That's not the case of my fic Starlight )

I really hope you'll like it and let me know any comment you have with a review!

I will be posting once a week- probably on a week-end day.

And I also would like to apologize for the horrible format mistakes I didn´t check. Thank you to all of you who did read it anyway.

All is said now... Good reading!

- L.T.

Prologue

Pale skin, of a hard rock. The beautiful shape of a hand. An arm. Inviting me to hold them. I reach for them like my life depends on it. My life. I let out a sob, tighten my grip. The coldness makes me shiver, but I don´t care. I am already freezing inside. I have been crying for a long time.
It's dark. I don´t know how long I've been here, in the edge of this fountain, draining my sorrow, letting it melt with the water. I am disoriented and scared. The statue I'm holding is so white it seems to glow. Anywhere else is dark. I hug it. Oh, how I wish this man was real. His tender pose, his solid refuge, his quiet respect. A rock. I am holding St. Anthony, in the clergy-reserved part of Saint Anthony's Church. I came here because I am lost in my life. Everything I have dreamed with has gone away, and I am living a nightmare. My days are flooded with sadness since I married. Last week was my first aniversary, and my husband didn´t come back home. He came in the early morning, at two, very drunk. It was after the trial, he said. To celebrate his victory, he invited his friends to a few drinks. And time flew, he said. God knows what else he did, because his cheek was slightly marked with lipstick. Then, a few days later, his mother came. She criticized every aspect of my house, of my food, and my clothes. She said I was unable, a mediocre wife. And that I didn´t even give him kids. Like my only purpose is keeping her satisfied. That night, my husband, who said nothing to defend me, came to me. He is about to apologize, to tell me everything will change, I thought. I was so wrong. He took me by surprise. He closed the door well, he had it planned. He said men were the ones with the last word, and that, if I wanted him and his mother to be pleased, I had to obey. I was frightened. He did it briskly, painfully, and forced me to respond. To obey. To keep him satisfied, like a good wife would do.
To my husband, his career comes first. He is frustrated after his work, but that doesn´t give him permission to act the way he does. Only, I can´t say it outloud. It would ruin his reputation, and mine. Because a wife needs to keep these things secret. So I must just do chores and serve him. And sit looking at the window the rest of the day. But where is love? Where is the passion of the man that made my heart beat? Where are his kindness and his funny ways of making me laugh? He disappeared, he changed. And my family not being in this world anymore, I have no one to help me. I must be strong, I know, but I just feel so bad...
Suddenly, it moves. The statue moves. I must be dreaming. It moves and faces me really quickly, and I find myself staring at the handsomest face in this world.

- Please, don´t cry, young lady.

Oh my God. If this is how a dream feels, then there is no difference with reality.

- Who are you?

A smile appears on the rocky face.

- I'm Anthony.

- Saint Anthony!- I exclaim.

There's no other explanation. A saint...

He smiles wider.

- No, I'm only Anthony. I'm not a saint by far.- his eyes seem to lose their light as he says it.

I feel confused, and don´t know if I should believe him.

- What are you doing here?- I ask, to change the subject. Whatever he is, he must have a reason to be here.

- Well... I came here trying to find peace- he pronounces in a sad voice- but I found you instead, heavy with sorrow... Why is that?

He looks straight into my eyes. His are caramel-gold. How beautiful. Breath-taking.

- Lady... Em... Lady... -he calls me.

I have lost myself for a moment. I am in his arms. I fainted.

- I'm sorry...

- How do you feel?

- I'm fine, I'm fine.

- You must be tired.

- I am.- I confess.

- Why were you crying?

- Oh, that. I just couldn´t bear it anymore.

- What?

- My life. - I answer shyly.

He looks at me deeply, like he cares about me. Like what I have to say is important. Like he will listen. And I am tired of staying silent.

- I.. I am married to a lawyer that only thinks about his job. He went out all day in our aniversary, and came home drunk. He cheated on me. He makes me feel I am forsaken and useless. And when he is home, he wants me to do everything he wishes, the way slaves do and apparently, good wives too. He disposes of my body the way he likes. I feel so tired of my life, of the rules and the men imposing them, of the lack of freedom, of love...

Anthony is seeing me with concern, and guilt.

- That is horrible. You shouldn´t be forced to do what you do not agree with. You have to take charge of your life, not them. It is unfair the way women are treated. But it will change, I promise you.

I am amazed. He is on my side. A man. And he doesn´t blame me for divulging the secrets.

- Really, is that what you think?- I make sure.

-Yes, it is. You don´t have to be afraid of me...because of that. I respect you, young lady.

- Elizabeth. My name is Elizabeth.

He smiles to me.

- Elizabeth. What a beautiful name.

My cheeks become rose, and I reply:

- Thank you.

I notice I am still in his arms, and try to move away. He lets me go.

- There's nothing to say thank you for.

I look at him, brave. He is amazing. His beauty is stunning me, and his heart is pure, as he just proved me. My heart beats faster.

- There's a lot, actually. You made me feel better.

His face lights up.

- Are you sure?

- Of course.- my voice is strong now.

- I am glad to hear it. I will do whatever is in my power to keep doing it. You can count on me, Elizabeth.

I smile at his weird promise.

- I love that smile.- he comments.

I am pleased for the compliment, but try to change the subject before turning rose again.

- Are you sure you aren´t a saint?- I ask him.

- Sure.- he seems amused.

- Then, what are you?

His smile vanishes, and he takes a hand to his black hair, a sign of stress.

- I am sorry, but I cannot tell you. - he says. His voice is sad, his eyes in a distant shadow. Whatever his secret is, it must hurt.

- Well, you don´t need to worry, then. I won´t ask again.

- Thank you.- he mutters.

We stay silent. Wind rises, making me shiver.

- Where are you going now, Elizabeth?

- To my house, I guess. I have nowhere else.

- Do you feel ready for it?

We look at each other and I sigh.

- I think so.

- You are so brave. Don´t care of what they tell you. You are a very intelligent and strong woman, and anyone who do not see it do not deserve you.

- Thank you.- I say.

- I'm not finished. You will face more situations like these you lived, but tey shouldn´t put you down. Be stronger, and raise your voice so it will be heard anyway you can. And when you need someone, remember I made a promise to you.

- That is nice. - I smile.- Thank you for all. I 'm coming back now.

I take his hand between mine, to say goodbye.

- It was a pleasure to meet you.

He looks into my eyes and for a moment, the world seems to stop.

Time passes. His stare is so strong and deep he seems to be in trance. I start worrying.

- Anthony?

He blinks, and sees me like I wasn´t there before: with surprise... and wonder.

- Anthony, are you all right?

- Better than ever before.- he answers with warmth.- Thank you, Elizabeth. The pleasure is all mine.

He kisses my hand softly. I blush, but keep looking at him with concern. He seems normal again, only a bit dazzled. He'll be fine, and I must go.

- Goodbye.- I tell him, trying to dive in his eyes one last time.

- Goodbye.- he answers- And good luck.

I walk away, making my way into the church and then out on the streets of Chicago, moving confident in the night. I don´t feel alone anymore. Maybe destiny exists, after all.

Thank you for giving a chance to my story. That means a lot to me.

Have a good week!

- L.T.