The Battered Wife
My name is Rena Agoncillo, and my story begins with a life overshadowed by fear and pain. I was a mother of two wonderful boys, Marco and Luis, and I once believed in a love that could conquer all. But that was before I met Nilo Agoncillo. As I look back now, I can't help but remember the hopeful, starry-eyed girl I used to be. I met Nilo when we were both in our early twenties. He was charming, charismatic, and full of life. We fell in love, and I thought I had found my soulmate. We got married, and for a while, life seemed perfect. But slowly, the cracks began to show. Nilo's temper flared easily, and his once gentle touch turned into violent outbursts. It started with harsh words, then pushing and shoving, and eventually escalated to brutal beatings. I hid the bruises and scars, both physical and emotional, behind a mask of smiles. One fateful night, after a particularly brutal attack, I found myself sobbing on the bathroom floor, my children asleep in their rooms, unaware