I slowly sat up, still a bit groggy from the effects of the anesthesia. My eyes opened with difficulty, and as I began to look around, I saw Paulina watching me intently from a corner of the room.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, carefully approaching me, her face worried and tense.
"My nose hurts a little," I replied, squinting from the lingering pain.
"I'm sorry," she said, sitting on the bed and taking my hand gently, almost as if she were afraid it might break.
"It's okay, sweetheart, you didn't do it on purpose. Though it also would've worked if you had told me to stop or to wait," I smiled weakly, trying to make her laugh and ease the tension. She let out a small, nervous laugh.
"Could I leave today?" I asked in a pained voice, trying not to sound too weak.
Just then, a woman walked into the room.
"You won't be able to leave, Miss Vega," she said firmly, without wasting time.
She was a woman around fifty-nine years old, blonde and tall, about 1.69 meters. Her presence was so imposing that it was hard not to notice that, although she looked more like an authority figure than a doctor, her lab coat and badge confirmed she was in charge.
"We need to wait for the swelling to go down, and if there are no complications, you'll be able to leave tomorrow," the woman informed me, her expression clearly annoyed.
"Alright, thank you, doctor," I tried to read her name on the badge, but I couldn't make it out.
"I'm Dr. Scott," she replied, fixing her gaze on me with a seriousness that chilled me. "Dr. Paulina's mother," she added, leaving me completely stunned.
"Mom, what are you doing here?" Paulina asked, confused and somewhat irritated.
"What do you mean, 'what am I doing here'? I remind you that I own this hospital and I'm also a doctor here," her mother replied, adopting a defensive posture. "I have to go, Paulina. I'll see you tonight for dinner," she said quickly, turning her back on me and leaving the room, making me even more shocked.
"Mom, I won't be able to go today," Paulina warned her mother, who was already almost out the door.
"I didn't ask if you wanted to go, I'm giving you an order," Dr. Scott replied without turning around, and without another word, she left the room.
The whole situation left me speechless, but apparently Paulina's mother already knew about us. And judging by her reaction, she was not happy at all.
"Does your mother know about us?" I broke the silence, looking at Paulina, still a bit stunned by her mother's appearance.
"I haven't told her," she sighed, visibly exhausted. "But I'm sure she knows."
"I think so too," I said, wincing from the pain still throbbing in my nose.
"Don't talk anymore, get some rest," Paulina suggested, trying to help me relax.
I didn't argue, so I closed my eyes and tried to rest.
When night fell, after a long argument with Paulina, I finally managed to convince her to go to the penthouse, even if only to change clothes and then come back. But not even ten minutes had passed since she left when Paulina's mother returned to the room. Her face was far more irritated now, and she stood in front of me with a hard stare.
"I'll be direct. Stay away from my daughter. I know your kind and I know what you want. So tell me, what is it? Money? Or do you want a Green Card?" she spoke arrogantly, looking at me with disdain. "You can ask me for anything, I'll give you whatever you want," she continued, her voice irritated by my silence.
"Mrs. Scott…" I murmured, in pain.
"Mom, that's enough!" Paulina interrupted, rushing in and surprised to see I hadn't left.
"Weren't you gone already?" her mother asked coldly, her tone even harsher now. "Stop this. She's my girlfriend," Paulina added firmly, clearly upset.
"Girlfriend? Don't make me laugh, Paulina. This little girl is just a game. I could even say it's just a phase, something you're doing to explore new things…" her mother said mockingly, full of disdain.
"Of course not, Mom!" Paulina shouted, euphoric, raising her voice even more. "I won't allow you to insult her."
"Lower your voice, Paulina," her mother yelled, visibly furious. "How dare you raise your voice at me because of her?"
"You came in here insulting her," Paulina defended herself, refusing to be intimidated. "And I won't allow that," she warned her, defiantly.
"Well, look at you, so brave enough to challenge me. Then you'll also be brave enough to stand on your own, Paulina," she stepped threateningly closer to her. "Listen carefully, Paulina. Either you leave her right now, or forget about your inheritance—and about me," she threatened coldly.
"Mrs. Scott, you're acting rashly…" I tried to intervene, but she cut me off.
"Don't you interfere!" she shouted, silencing me instantly.
"Stop yelling at her," Paulina demanded furiously, then turned back to her mother. "Fine, I'll make it easy for you, Mom. If that's your condition, then right now I renounce everything—even if that means renouncing you," she said firmly.
"Paulina, don't," I stopped her, afraid of what might happen.
Her mother confronted her, staring into her eyes with fury, her voice still cold.
"You're fired. Don't come back home, Paulina," she said before leaving the room.
Paulina tried to stay strong, but once her mother was gone, she couldn't hold it in anymore and broke down in tears. A few seconds later, Maddy walked into the room to comfort her.
I felt so useless, wishing I could comfort her, but I couldn't. I was connected to so many machines, with an IV in my hand and my nose in pain, that I felt incapable of doing anything for her.
Maddy gave me a look telling me to stay still while she became the support Paulina needed. She managed to calm down a few minutes later, though I could still see in her eyes that something inside her had broken.
"Mady, could you take her home and stay with her?" I asked, wishing someone would be there to support her.
"Of course," she accepted without hesitation.
"No, I'll stay with you," she emphatically refused, approaching me with concern in her eyes.
I didn't have the strength to argue. I simply gestured for her to lie down beside me, which she accepted without hesitation. Half an hour later, she fell asleep, her breathing calm and serene, though I knew that what had happened that night wouldn't leave her mind so easily.
Mady broke the silence, her tone slightly teasing.
"I told you to stop me, but not by breaking your nose," she laughed softly.
I teased back, trying to lighten the mood.
"That would have worked too. But we need to talk," I continued, with a small smile. "They're her everything, her parents, her…"
"I heard everything," Mady interrupted, her gaze wise and a little sad. "Actually, almost all the nurses heard it. I just want to tell you something, Shanti. She's choosing you, despite everything. And I'm not just talking about money or a privileged life." She sighed deeply. "I want you to be aware that, in her life, the only people she really knows are her mother, her father, Katy, her childhood friend, me, and unfortunately, her work. Paulina has never really been happy." She looked at me with sadness.
"Is that even possible?" I asked, puzzled, feeling I didn't fully understand what she was telling me.
"It is, Shanti. In our world, that's how it is. Unless you rebel like I did and like Paulina is doing now, for you." Mady looked at me, her tone now more serious. "It's shit, I know. Total shit. That's why I was so happy when she told me she found someone who makes her happy. So I want you to know that she doesn't just like you or care about you. She loves you and…"
"I love her too," I interrupted, feeling the weight of my own words. "But…"
"Don't you dare give me a 'but,'" she cut me off, looking at me firmly.
"I don't feel like it's right," I said sadly. "I want her to have experiences, to go out, to see the world, to meet other people…"
"You want her to be with other people? Is that what you're trying to tell me?" she said angrily.
"No!" I quickly denied, angrily. "I don't want Paulina to have regrets if she's only with me," I confessed sadly.
"Are you sure about what you're telling me? Above all, are you going to be able to see her with someone else, so that she…?" she left the question hanging in the air.
"No," I answered quickly, before she could continue.
"I haven't even told you the worst part," she said harshly.
"I don't want her, after a few years, to give me a tired look and regret not enjoying her youth more," I whispered, deeply sad.
"Are you afraid she'll cheat on you?" she asked firmly.
"I'm afraid of her look," I replied, distressed. "I couldn't bear that."
"Will you let her go?" she asked, clearly upset.
"No, I won't. I'm also selfish and possessive," I sighed in relief, looking at Paulina sleeping. "I want her with me. I know this sounds cliché, but I've never been in love with anyone. She's the first person I've liked in every way, and I'm not just talking about her body."
"Really?" she raised an eyebrow, surprised.
"Well, her body is a big distraction and an attribute… impossible not to notice," I added, smiling mischievously.
"I hope you have a 'but,'" she interrupted, visibly angry.
"But," I continued, "I could have slept with her, I could have left after getting what I wanted, but I don't just want her body. I love her gaze, her sweetness, her smile, her jealousy, her anger, her tantrums. I love everything about her."
Mady looked at me with a smile of approval, her eyes resting on Paulina.
"You have to fix this. I don't know how you're going to win over Paulina's mother and father, but you have to do it. Only then will she be completely happy," she said, giving me her support.
............................
A month has passed since the argument with my mother, the one that forced me to make a painful decision. The next day, my father came to speak with me, and like her, he told me not to return home. He wanted me to have children, to continue managing the hospital. I was devastated, with a deep emptiness in my heart. The only companionship and support I've had during this time have been from my girlfriend and Maddison.
For the moment, I am a young unemployed woman, abandoned by my own family. Despite everything, I try to move forward, to find peace. My girlfriend asked me to accompany her on a trip, and I decided to accept, hoping to clear my mind and escape a little from the reality that overwhelms me.
That's how we arrived in the city of Shanti, her hometown—the place where she spent her adolescence and a small part of her childhood. After that, we went to the city where I was born, where I spent my first years of life. The customs and traditions I found there surprised me, but what impacted me the most was seeing Shanti speak with such fluency and spontaneity. Her command of Spanish was impressive, but what captivated me even more was how she changed her tone of voice and her gestures, which made her look even more attractive, even if she tried to deny it.
When we arrived at her apartment for the first time, I was surprised by the light that filled every corner. Light colors dominated the space, and there was a corner Shanti called the "fun room," a place full of both modern and antique objects. The technology in her kitchen was impressive—I had never seen anything like it. She made space for me in her closet next to hers, which made me smile. Although her closet looked like a teenager's on one side, on the other it held much more formal and elegant clothing.
The next day, we went to visit her businesses. She introduced me to everyone without exception as her girlfriend, which caused mixed reactions among the employees. Some looked impressed, others uncomfortable, and a few simply smiled politely. Her restaurant was peculiar, since it wasn't a traditional restaurant, but a business dedicated exclusively to home deliveries. The speed at which the employees moved from one side to another left me amazed. They received 15 orders in less than 30 minutes—it seemed crazy, but it was clear that everyone was highly experienced and skilled.
We spent a good while observing, and after leaving the kitchen, I headed to Shanti's office. When I entered, Homero, one of her collaborators, immediately offered me a seat, with the same courtesy and nervousness he always showed.
"Would you like us to open another branch?" Shanti asked, making Homero even more nervous."Yes, boss, please," Homero pleaded, visibly worried."We know we need more staff, but this place is already at full capacity," Shanti added as she stood up to leave.
"You're right," she said, accepting his request.
She decided to open a new branch, which took her a week of paperwork, procedures, and arrangements. During that time, we went out to clear our minds. First, we went camping at a tourist park on the outskirts of the city. The cold was so intense that we were trembling, but we were together, which made everything more bearable.
"Honey, do you want more chocolate?" Shanti asked me sweetly."Yes, please," I replied, shivering from the cold.
She wrapped her arms around my waist while handing me her thermos with hot chocolate. It was the way her warmth surrounded me that comforted me the most at that moment. We were sitting in front of our campfire, trying not to burn the marshmallows.
"Do you want me to tell you a horror story?" she asked with a mischievous smile.
"Of course not," I answered quickly, frightened.
"You're such a scared little baby," she teased me.
"I'm not," I defended myself, though deep down I knew she liked making me laugh.
We stayed there for a while, enjoying the calm and the warmth, until I decided to kiss her. We stood up, and she invited me to go to the camping store, but her gaze was filled with something else. I couldn't help but follow her game.
"Come get me," she said in a seductive voice.
The memory of that moment made me smile, but I returned to the present when she asked me what I was thinking.
"Honey, what are you thinking about?" she asked me with concern."That it's been three days and your marks still haven't completely faded," I replied with a sad smile, pointing at the marks on my neck.
Instead of blushing, she stepped closer and began kissing each of the marks, as if she wanted to heal every ache they caused me. She told me she could do it better, that she didn't care about anything else—only about me. I felt so special in those moments, so cared for, though also a little embarrassed.
That night, after hours in bed, I surrendered to her tireless desire. She made me feel so alive, so loved.
The next morning, we went out to explore the city again. She showed me all the places she used to go when she was younger, but something inside me began to wonder how many times she had been in those places with other people.
"How many times have you been here?" I asked, trying to hide my growing annoyance.
"I don't know, a few times," she replied casually.
"So you've come here with different partners?" I insisted, more irritated now.
"I haven't come with any partners," she denied, clearly displeased. "I wanted to have fun, not be dragged into a jealousy scene," she added seriously.
"Excuse me?" I asked, turning to look at her.
She was laughing, openly enjoying the situation. It was clear she had been teasing me this whole time.
"It's a joke, honey," she tried to reassure me, unsuccessfully. "I only went out with my friends."
"Yeah, sure… friends," I replied angrily.
She sighed and looked at me tenderly.
"Honey, my friends will only ever be that to me, because I've never liked them in any other way," she assured me firmly.
"I was your friend before being your girlfriend," I reminded her, feeling increasingly upset.
"Of course not," she replied confidently. "Do you think I would have let my friends bathe me? I'd rather stay dirty for the rest of my life."
She paused and then continued with a mischievous smile.
"I allowed it with you because, well, I didn't know you and I saw you as someone helping me recover… besides, because you're a doctor," she reminded me playfully.
"And because you tricked me," I added, still unsettled.
"Excuse me?!" I exclaimed, confused.
"You said it yourself—you've seen so many people naked…" she argued with a teasing smile. "And well, it's true, you are a doctor."
"But I didn't trick you," I defended myself, offended.
She laughed softly before replying:
"I don't know…" she continued, enjoying herself at my expense. "But, honey, don't get confused—now you're my friend… and also my girlfriend."
She smiled at me in a way that inevitably managed to calm me down.
....................................
"Shanti," I heard a familiar voice.
"Hi, Cris," I greeted my friend Cristina, surprised by her sudden appearance. "How are you?"
"Good, and you? Wow, it's been so long since I last heard from you," she replied, also surprised.
"Yes, it has been quite a while," I agreed, uncomfortable with the situation. "You've been very busy, I think," I commented.
"Yes, actually I am," she replied with a smile, apparently just as surprised. "By the way, this is Paulina, and Paulina, this is Cristina, an old friend," I introduced the two of them.
"Nice to meet you," they said in unison, although I could notice the awkwardness in Cristina's voice.
"Well, we have to go. It was nice to see you, take care," I said quickly, guiding Paulina forward.
"You too, take care," Cristina replied, still confused.
A few blocks ahead, Paulina looked at me, clearly surprised by my seemingly inconsiderate attitude. It didn't take long for me to realize what she was thinking, so I decided to tell her what had really happened between Cristina and me.
"I met Cristina at the factory where I worked," I began, knowing my story would surprise her. "We were good friends, but when I left for my internship, we stopped seeing each other as often as when we worked together. It was a difficult time, you know, because I was going through depression, and I distanced myself from everyone. When I started feeling better and tried to resume my life, I realized she was going through the same thing. So, she distanced herself from me. Since then, we haven't spoken." I finished my story.
"So that's why you were uncomfortable?" Paulina asked, still with a curious expression.
"Yes, honey," I confirmed. "It was the same with another friend; we drifted apart. And although I still have Madelyn, we talk little, but we're still friends," I added with a smile.
Paulina stood in front of me for a moment before stepping closer and kissing me softly. I was surprised by the sudden show of affection but let myself be enveloped in the kiss until I was out of breath. We pulled back, and she rested her forehead against mine, smiling with an expression that conveyed all her support and love.
"I understand you, honey," she murmured before we began walking together, hand in hand. But as if fate had intervened, a familiar figure appeared running toward us a few steps ahead. It was Gisell, my friend, the same one I had mentioned to Paulina before, when I said we didn't have much in common.
"Hi, friend!" she greeted me, both surprised and happy.
"Friend, how are you! It's been so long," I replied with a smile.
"Likewise, friend. I haven't heard anything from you," she said, looking at Paulina inquisitively.
"I'm sorry, this is Paulina, my girlfriend," I introduced her quickly. Seeing Paulina, Gisell finally removed the surprise from her face.
"Paulina, this is Gisell, a friend from many years ago," I introduced her as well.
"Nice to meet you," Paulina said, trying to sound natural.
"The pleasure is mine," Gisell replied.
"My girlfriend doesn't speak much Spanish, but she understands it perfectly," I clarified, noticing Paulina smile slightly.
"Oh, I see, she's a foreigner," Gisell smiled, clearly happy to meet Paulina. "Hey friend, I'm going back to work, but would you like to meet tomorrow for coffee? I'm free tomorrow, and of course, Paulina can come too," she invited with a nostalgic smile. "It's been so long since I last heard from you; I want to know what you've been up to," she added curiously.
"Sure, no problem," I replied, happy to see a friend after such a long time.
"Can I have your number?" Gisell asked.
"Yes, of course," I agreed, taking out my phone to exchange numbers with her.
"Great, I'll send you a message to confirm tomorrow," she told me. "Friend, I have to go, or my boss will kill me—goodbye, friend, take care, Pau!" she said hurriedly, running off quickly.
My girlfriend looked at me intently, raising an eyebrow, showing slight discomfort.
"You didn't say you had nothing in common with her," she commented inquisitively.
"Now we do," I replied with a hint of annoyance.
"What do you mean?" she asked, clearly confused.
"You, my love. My friend liked you," I answered with nervous laughter, feeling a mix of jealousy and frustration.
Paulina stayed still for a moment, surprised by my confession. We looked at each other before she gave me a kiss on the cheek, still smiling mischievously.
The next morning, I woke up because of the pain in my arm, as Paulina was lying on top of it, still asleep. I kissed her lips softly before getting up to look for my pajamas that had fallen to the floor along with my phone. I went to the kitchen for a glass of water, and as promised, Gisell had sent me a message to meet in two hours. After confirming with her, I had to return to the bedroom to wake my beautiful girlfriend, who was still sleeping deeply.
"Honey, wake up," I murmured, leaning toward her lips. "Honey," I insisted, gently holding her by the neck.
She turned in bed, stretching, and with her eyes closed, grabbed me by the neck, pulling me underneath her. She looked at me with a desire-filled expression, biting her lip while her hands explored my torso and stomach.
"So soon you want to go again?" she asked in a seductive voice, challenging me.
I swallowed, trying to control my impulses.
"Honey, you need to change," I managed to say, pushing her hands away. "My friend wants to meet us for coffee in two hours," I reminded her.
"Two hours is enough for me," she replied, lunging at me and biting my lips urgently.
I scolded myself internally: I had created a true sexual predator. Paulina tore off my pajamas with such force that it surprised me, almost frightening me. I couldn't help but laugh, knowing that after a night like the one we had, I was exhausted while she showed no sign of fatigue. The advantage of being younger, I thought. After the intense session, we arrived half an hour late to meet Gisell. Paulina didn't want to stop, but in the end, I managed to run to hide in the bathroom and give her time to get changed.
"Hey, friend," she raised her hand to greet us, already seated at the table.
"Hi, friend," I replied, leaning in to kiss her cheek. Paulina did the same.
"Sorry for being late," I apologized, pulling out a chair for Paulina to sit down.
"It's fine, friend," Gisell smiled teasingly while running her fingers along her neck in a suggestive way.
We were talking about many things: work, family, our lives in general. The conversation flowed with the comfort that years of friendship give you.
"Honey, I'm going to the restroom. Excuse me," Paulina said before walking away.
I followed her with my eyes until she disappeared around the corner. Right at that moment, Gisell made a comment that made me turn my head sharply.
"I never thought you'd be with a girl… and much less that she'd leave you those marks," she said, pointing at my neck with a mischievous smile.
I blinked a couple of times before understanding her insinuation. Instinctively, I looked around for a mirror, trying to see what she was talking about.
"I thought you already knew," I replied sarcastically. "And stop looking at my girlfriend like that."
"I'm looking at her normally," she said innocently, though her teasing expression gave her away. "And of course I knew, but… didn't you like men too?" she asked curiously.
I sighed and looked at her, exhausted.
"Do you know how many people want my girlfriend? I know that look. And in case you hadn't noticed, I'm bisexual."
"And passive, from the looks of it," she teased. "Alright, I won't look at her anymore," she laughed, making me laugh too.
"This isn't what you think," I said, pointing at my neck, though she only looked more amused.
"Whatever you say, friend… but you're already ruled," she teased.
"I'd say conquered," I defended myself.
"Same thing," she laughed knowingly.
We laughed together until the mood turned more serious.
"She's the best thing that's ever happened to me," I confessed, lowering my voice slightly. "I know it sounds cliché, but… now I'm afraid she'll leave me."
Gisell frowned at me.
"Why would she leave you?" she asked, clearly confused.
I stayed silent. I didn't have an answer I wanted to share at that moment.
"What did you do, or what did you do to her?" her tone shifted from confusion to suspicion.
I shook my head immediately.
"I would never hurt her," I assured her. "But… I did something very bad. Something I'm not proud of, and I know someday karma will come for me. I'm willing to pay for it, but I don't want it to be with her."
"You're worrying me, friend," Gisell admitted sincerely.
I lowered my gaze and sighed heavily.
"Someday I'll tell you… although I hope that day never comes."
"I hope that sigh was for me and not for some ex-girlfriend you were remembering with your friend," Paulina's voice interrupted us suddenly.
I looked up and saw her sitting beside me, her brow furrowed.
"Actually, no…" I replied cautiously.
"So the sigh wasn't for me," she reproached me, clearly annoyed.
Gisell burst out laughing. Seeing that the situation could get out of hand, she decided to intervene.
"Paulina, I can assure you I never knew her to have any partner before you. You're the first one she's ever officially introduced."
Paulina looked at me with narrowed eyes.
"Before me, you only went out with b#tches," she accused bluntly.
I almost choked on my own saliva and felt the urge to run away.
"No, love," I said nervously.
"No, Pau. She didn't date anyone, I give you my word," Gisell insisted in my defense.
Paulina sighed and lowered her gaze.
"I'm sorry, love… I don't like thinking that you've been with others," she said, embarrassed.
When we returned to my apartment, we finished packing and getting everything ready for our next destination.
"Honey, I rented a car so we can tour the whole country if you want," I said with a smile.
Paulina kissed me tenderly.
"We have two months before returning, so we can take it easy," she whispered in my ear, her arms wrapping around my neck.
Our trip began with excitement. Every time Paulina saw the landscapes through the car window, her amazed expression was priceless. The same happened when she tried local dishes: her happiness was contagious.
But her biggest surprise came when I started singing in the car.
"This is new," she said, eyes wide. "Shanti singing… I've never seen that. You surprise me, love."
I smiled, amused.
"And is there a reward for surprising you with my singing?" I asked, hoping for a prize.
"Mmm…" she pretended to think. "I know from very reliable sources that Latinos dance amazingly and very sensually," she bit her lip, teasing me. "Not to mention their 'uff' hip movements that kill."
I raised an eyebrow.
"That reliable source is Google, right?"
"Exactly," she laughed, showing me her phone.
Looking at her screen, I saw her last search: "What do Latinos do best?" Among the answers were dancing and drinking.
I rolled my eyes, amused.
"I have good hip movements," I bragged.
"So are you going to dance for me?" she asked excitedly.
"Mmm… okay, but first you give me about seven shots, and then I'll do it," I demanded seriously.
Paulina looked at me incredulously.
"Why?"
"Because I'm embarrassed," I confessed.
She laughed out loud.
"Latinos feel embarrassed?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't we?"
"Well… you do a lot of stupid things," she said bluntly.
I laughed heartily.
"Well, yes… but not always."
"Okay, okay," she surrendered. "All to see you dance."
After twelve hours of driving, we arrived in my hometown. I was excited to show her the local cuisine, but first we checked into the hotel and went for a walk. We had to return quickly because Paulina stood out too much among the people, and the sun was burning her like a shrimp.
While she showered, I ordered room service. Minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
"Good afternoon, room service," a young waitress announced.
"Good afternoon. Please, come in," I stepped aside to let her enter.
"Has the food arrived, honey?" Paulina asked from the bathroom.
"Yes, love, it's here," I responded.
She appeared in the living room wearing shorts and a light blouse, her hair still wet and messy. She looked simply beautiful.
"Wow…" the waitress murmured, completely mesmerized.
I smiled proudly, crossing my arms.
"Yes, right?" I said with a possessive smile. "She's my girlfriend."
The girl blushed immediately.
"Enjoy your meal and your stay," she stammered before quickly leaving.
I closed the door and turned to Paulina, who was already looking at the food.
"What?" she asked, puzzled, noticing my fixed gaze on her.
I couldn't take my eyes off her.
"Love, you're so beautiful, and you don't even realize how you affect others," I complained with a sigh.
Paulina smiled with an air of self-satisfaction.
"Of course I know," she said with a hint of narcissism, "but I only love you." Her voice softened before she kissed me tenderly, leaving me more dazed than I already was. "Now go shower, or you'll only eat once." She bit her lip with intent, sending shivers down my spine.
That same night, in the middle of a long session of passion, her phone rang insistently. At first, she tried to ignore it, but the persistence was such that she ended up answering the Skype video call. Her aunt appeared on the screen with a worried expression.
"Paulina, you need to come immediately. Your father had a car accident. He's in the hospital, and his condition is critical."
The color drained from Paulina's face. I quickly got up to handle returning the rented car and organize our trip back. Although we wanted to leave that night, it was impossible; we had to wait for the first available flight in the morning.
Paulina was desperate. She tried to call her mother, but her calls went unanswered. Only her aunt had information about the situation. Her distress pierced my heart, but there was nothing I could do at that moment except hold her hand and reassure her that everything would be okay.
When we arrived at the hospital, I saw her mother sitting by her father's bedside. The man was covered in bruises and had a cast on one leg. Paulina ran to him, surprising both her mother and father with her sudden appearance.
I stayed at the door, not wanting to intrude but ready if she needed me.
"Dad, what happened to you!" Paulina began to cry.
Her father looked at her coldly before turning to his wife with contained anger.
"Did you tell her?" he snapped.
"No," her mother quickly denied.
Paulina frowned, hurt.
"Mom hasn't told me anything, Dad. I know you're upset with me, but that doesn't give you the right to hide that you're in a hospital."
He scoffed with contempt.
"Why would we tell you, Paulina?" he growled. "You already chose the life you want to live, and we are not included in it."
The blow landed cleanly. Paulina swallowed hard, trying to remain steady.
"How can you say that to me?" Her eyes filled with restrained tears. "You were the ones who excluded me from your lives just because I didn't want to marry a man," she continued, her voice trembling, "because I didn't give you an heir who carries your blood, like you wanted so badly."
"Leave, Paulina," her father ruled coldly.
She trembled, but she did not step back.
"I'm not leaving unless security removes me." Her voice cracked, but her determination remained unbreakable. "Even if you don't love me, I'm still your daughter, and I will always look out for you." She took a deep breath and, with renewed strength, wiped away her tears. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to check your medical file."
She took my hand and we walked away down the corridors. Once we made sure no one was around, she stopped and began to shake. I turned and wrapped my arms around her, letting her take refuge in me.
"It's okay, let it out, I know it hurts," I whispered.
She collapsed into my arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"How did we get to this? It hurts so much…" she whispered between sobs.
"I know, love…" I held her tighter, kissing her hair.
A nurse approached us, concerned.
"Dr. Scott, are you okay?"
Paulina quickly wiped her tears and turned to her.
"Rosmary, I'm fine. But please, could you help me with my father's file?"
"Doctor… that's…"
"I know I don't work here, but I'm asking you as a favor," she said, taking her hands.
The nurse hesitated, but finally nodded.
"Love, I need to make a call," I said carefully.
Paulina tried to smile.
"It's okay, love. Go."
I wasn't going to make any call. I headed straight toward Paulina's father's room. Without asking for permission, I entered with determination, ready to speak to him. However, as I took my first step inside, I was surprised not to see Paulina's mother.
"Didn't anyone teach you to ask for permission?" Paulina's father raised his voice angrily when he saw me enter without warning.
"I apologize for entering so abruptly," I said respectfully, "but I need to speak with you, Mr. Scott."
"And who told you I want to talk to you?" he replied with disdain, clearly irritated. "Not only do you go around entangling my daughter, but you also make us the laughingstock of everyone. Listen to me carefully! If you're with my daughter just for her fortune, believe me, little girl, I won't hesitate to leave Paulina without a single cent before you lay a hand on any of it," he threatened, anger dripping from every word.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room for a moment as my thoughts settled and I prepared myself for what I was about to say. Finally, with a mix of calm and firmness, I responded.
"Mr. Scott," I began, my voice calm but full of emotion, "never in my life have I valued the little things. Gestures of affection, beautiful landscapes, they all seemed boring and irrelevant. Even a rose felt insignificant. Yet, when you find the right person, the one who makes you see the world differently, everything changes. That landscape that once seemed dull now looks beautiful. You fall in love with the small gestures, the little details you never noticed before. Your heart bursts with joy at a simple act of kindness, and all you want is to protect that person, because that person has shown you life in all its colors. Now, everything makes sense. Mr. Scott, your daughter is not a phase that I will someday outgrow. She is not an experiment, nor my next fortune. Your daughter is my colors, and I have no intention of living in only white ever again," I assured him firmly.
Paulina's father let out an ironic, almost mocking laugh at my declaration.
"Do you really think I'm going to believe that cheap speech?" he said with disdain.
"I don't expect you to believe me," I replied without hesitation. "But… do you want to find out otherwise? If you separate us, would you be able to live the rest of your life with the guilt of watching your daughter's eyes lose their sparkle day by day? Of seeing it fade slowly while she suffers?"
He looked at me, a mixture of fury and skepticism in his gaze, and yelled:
"To me, you're just a phase for my daughter. Don't think you're that important."
My voice remained steady as I responded.
"Then let her finish her phase, Mr. Scott. When Paulina tells me she doesn't want to be with me, I will leave quietly, without resisting. But only if no one forces her to leave me. I give you my word," I assured him, looking him straight in the eyes.
Paulina's father, furious, shouted again:
"Are you negotiating with me over my daughter? How dare you treat her like an object?"
"I would never negotiate Paulina," I answered calmly, defending myself with the same firmness. "It is you who sees her that way, not me."
Despite his anger, I could see his expression beginning to shift. Although still a stubborn man, his stance seemed slightly more flexible than his wife's. There was something in his eyes, perhaps a glimmer of understanding. But it couldn't be that easy. I had to reach an agreement where Paulina would not get hurt.
I took a deep breath and, my voice softer but still full of determination, spoke again:
"I only ask one thing, Mr. Scott. Do not sever ties with Paulina. As long as I am with her, I will never interfere in your lives again. I'm only here because I want her to be part of her family again, to reconcile. That is all I wish for," I said, letting my words hang in the air. I turned and began to walk toward the exit, but before leaving, I paused and looked back.
"Please, think about it," I continued, my voice softer, almost pleading. "You and I will always agree on one thing: Paulina is our greatest treasure. We will protect her and do everything possible to see her happy. I don't want Paulina's life to be a battlefield. I just want to see her calm and surrounded by her family's love. That's all."
With those final words, I left the room and headed to where I had left Paulina, feeling a mix of hope and anxiety. I knew I had given everything I could, but I wasn't sure if it would be enough to change the opinion of the man in front of me. All that remained was to wait.