He knelt down next to his mother and wiped the blood from her face with a handkerchief.
“Son, I already forgave you even before you asked,” said Doña Marta, with unconditional love. “God never abandoned me. I pray every day asking Him to protect you, and today He answered.”
—Get out of my house, Barbara. And if you ever go near my mother again, make sure everyone knows who you really are.
Barbara tried to speak, but Rafael wouldn’t allow any discussion. For the first time, she didn’t seem perfect; her smudged makeup and wrinkled clothes revealed how empty she was inside.
In the following days, the truth came out. Barbara’s reputation crumbled, and her contracts and friendships vanished. Three months later, in the small community church, Rafael was preparing to marry again. This time, by his side was Marina, the nurse who had always been there—faithful, discreet, loyal, and with a huge heart.
Marina’s dress was simple, bought at a local shop, without crystals or long trains, but when she walked down the aisle accompanied by Doña Marta, Rafael felt a love deeper than ever before. The ceremony was simple, with flowers from the community garden and a children’s choir singing.
—Rafael Almeida, do you take Marina Silva as your wife?—the priest asked.
—Yes, today and always—Rafael replied, looking into Marina’s brown eyes, the same ones that had tried to protect his mother.
Doña Marta, her bruises now healed, wept tears of genuine joy. The ring that Bárbara had tried to steal from her grandmother now adorned Marina’s finger.
At the simple reception, Doña Marta raised her glass and said:
Rafael hugged his mother and then Marina, understanding that sometimes everything must crumble so we can find what is true. Because in the end, good always triumphs over evil, and God never fails those who have faith.
