That night, Hern\u00e1n woke Luc\u00eda and said in a low voice,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’m leaving.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“What?” she murmured, still half asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’m leaving with someone else. I don’t need you anymore.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Are you serious? What’s going on?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It’s simple. I met someone younger and prettier than you. I fell in love.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Well, congratulations,” Luc\u00eda replied sarcastically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sleep vanished from her. She sat up in bed, stunned by what she had just heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“And don’t get your hopes up about the apartment. I’ll be staying with some friends for a while, but then the division will come. So file for divorce. We’ll divide everything legally.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“And where do you want me to go with our son? On the street?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Why the street? Rent a place; you’re not the only one in this situation. The boy goes to school, you work, and you have a decent salary.” They’ll manage. I’ll pay the alimony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How generous. He even seemed to be saying it with pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“And all your promises of eternal love? What became of them?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Back then you were different. Young, slim. Now you have wrinkles, your body isn’t the same\u2026”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“And when I asked you for money to take care of myself, you said it was nonsense!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Botox doesn’t make you younger, it’s just temporary.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luc\u00eda remained silent, holding back tears. Hern\u00e1n continued speaking calmly, as if nothing were wrong:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“With her, I feel alive. With you, it’s like being in a swamp. I’m tired of feeling old by your side.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“How long do I have to pack my things and leave?” she asked softly, gritting her teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“A couple of months. However long the trial and divorce take. In the meantime, stay here. I’m leaving, the taxi is waiting for me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As she left, she turned and uttered one last cruel phrase:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Don’t get your hopes up. After thirty-five, no one will want you. Live your life, if you can.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The moment the door closed, Luc\u00eda couldn’t take it anymore. Tears flowed freely. She wanted to scream, to smash everything, but she held back. Her son was asleep in the next room. How could she explain to him what was happening? She didn’t know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next day, Hern\u00e1n went to see Cristina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Honey, it’s all over now. We can be together now.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He went to hug her, but she pulled away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Don’t rush things. We need to talk about a few things.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“What do you mean?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I like you, Hern\u00e1n. But\u2026 there are some details.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“What details?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“First: you’re divorced, you have a son, and you have to pay child support.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“That can be arranged. I’ll declare a minimum wage, the rest in cash. The ex won’t see a thing.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Fine.” Second: your salary. I’m embarrassed to tell my friends how much you earn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’ll look for a side job. I can take on more responsibilities.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“And lastly. Where’s the car you promised me?”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hern\u00e1n shuddered. He’d completely forgotten about it. Maybe she’d gotten him drunk that night on purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I was drunk\u2026 I didn’t know what I was saying.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“It doesn’t matter. You promised, you keep your promise. Or say goodbye to me.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Fine. I’ll sell my share of the apartment and we’ll buy it.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I’ve already picked it out. Look.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cristina showed him a picture. Hern\u00e1n froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“That’s all my savings\u2026” he thought, but there was no going back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be continued in the comments \ud83d\udc47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
That night, Hern\u00e1n woke Luc\u00eda and said in a low voice, “I’m leaving.” “What?” she murmured, still half asleep. “I’m leaving with someone else. I don’t need you anymore.” “Are you serious? What’s going on?” “It’s simple. I met someone younger and prettier than you. I fell in love.” “Well, congratulations,” Luc\u00eda replied sarcastically. Sleep […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":32974,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32973","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advices"],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"\n