Now, I am divorced.

How could I be so blind?

Ana's POV

My life as Rogelio's wife has been a dream. I had never met a man so attentive and full of details. I remember when my father found out about my marriage and came to claim me for my decision, but there was my husband. He didn't hesitate to give me his support. Of course, my parents left angry, as his plans to keep receiving a monthly check from the Bercellis came crashing down.

I felt more and more comfortable, and two months passed like that when Will interrupted my room one morning.

"Ana!" he exclaimed, his face pale and terrified. "My lord... Mr. Rogelio doesn't wake up!"

My heart feared the worst, and without thinking, I uncovered my legs and got out of bed.

Indeed, Rogelio didn't wake up, and tears streamed down my cheeks, but when I felt his pulse, I ran for my cell phone to call an ambulance. He was transported and treated while I stayed in the waiting room, with Will accompanying me, trembling for the first time since I met him.

"We're going to pray that he pulls through."

But Will shook his head, tears shining in his eyes.

"It's the fifth time this year, my lord, is getting worse; I feel like the time to say goodbye is approaching."

I didn't know how bad Rogelio had been before, but I noticed that his health had been deteriorating these past months.

Suddenly, the doctor came out with a report, and I immediately introduced myself as his wife.

"Tell me, will he get better?"

But the doctor pressed his lips together and took off his glasses.

"I'm truly sorry, but nothing more can be done. The patient has entered an irreversible stage; he has very little time left."

Will and I embraced; the pain was mutual. This couldn't be real. Rogelio couldn't be going through this. A man as good as him should be eternal.

"How long?" I asked, fearing to hear the answer.

"One week, maybe two," he replied. "If you wish, leave him here; he will be well taken care of."

"Leave him? No way," I refused.

"I don't mean abandoning him; I mean that the nurses will attend to him, and you will have more time for yourself."

"Listen, I..."

"Excuse me, the patient is awake; he wants to see his wife."

"It's you, Ana. My lord needs you."

I looked at the doctor, and he nodded.

When I saw Rogelio, pale and with dark circles under his eyes, I was about to burst into tears, but that wouldn't do him any good.

"I'll leave you alone," said the nurse before leaving.

"Come closer, Ana," he asked me, showing me a tired smile.

"I'm here," I took his hands and smiled, containing my sadness, "and I'll be here."

But suddenly, he moved one of his hands and touched my still imperceptible belly.

"I wanted so much to meet the baby."

Placing my hand on top of his, I nodded vigorously.

"And you will, you will hold her in your arms; she will love you as much as I do," I sobbed, biting my lips.

"Don't cry, my dear," he begged. My time is up, and I know I will soon leave this world."

"Don't say that. They will do everything they can to heal you here, and when you're better, we'll go home."

"Ana, I'm aware of everything. I know about my condition more than anyone, and you know what? I'm not afraid of death, but I do want to choose where to depart from."

"Rogelio..."

"I want to spend my last days with you. I want to say goodbye to the house where I grew up and spent the best childhood days with my mother. Ana, help me fulfill that wish."

Leaning down slightly, I kissed his forehead, caressed his cheeks, and nodded.

...

With the limited mobility of his legs, Rogelio returned home in a wheelchair. We all tried to hide that everything was fine, but it was obvious that it wasn't. Will used to escape to the bathrooms, where he could hear him sobbing.

Of course, Rogelio noticed everything, but he never said anything and always smiled.

So, I dedicated the following days to caring for and not leaving him alone.

We took short walks on the large patio next to the flower garden, enjoying the warm spring sun and discussing simple but beautiful things in life.

"Now I understand where that aroma comes from," he smiled, picking a flower from his garden. "Gardenias, your scent is like that of these flowers."

That comparison brought a slight memory of someone who used to talk about my scent, too, Belial, but I quickly shook off my thoughts and focused on my husband.

"Do you think so?" I asked, sitting on the grass.

"It's very relaxing. I like you..."

I thought he had misspoken, thinking he meant he liked my scent and not the other thing, but his hands reached my shoulders.

"Ana, I like you," he said, and I knelt to stand up and respond, but he silenced my lips, placing a finger on them. "I'm not asking to be reciprocated; it would be crazy. But it's true, I'm not saying I love you because it's too soon to say it."

"Here, I bring you some refreshments," said Will, bringing the glasses.

When I tasted one of them, I felt the sweetness on my palate and immediately tried to prevent Rogelio from drinking it.

"It's sweet, it will harm you."

"It's okay; I have deprived myself of so many things since I found out about my illness, and now I just want to enjoy it one last time."

Will and I exchanged glances, and he nodded, leaving with the tray and empty glasses.

"It feels so good..." he sighed; let's do this always, at least for the remaining time.

How could I refuse? With all my heart, I accepted.

...

The days continued to pass, and a month had passed since Rogelio had come back home. Inside me, there was hope that the doctor had been mistaken.

So one afternoon, as we watched the sunset, his hand intertwined with mine, and I felt so comfortable.

I could hear the birds singing and the wind rustling the leaves of the trees; it was like music, so I stood up.

"I know, I have a great idea," I said enthusiastically, "Let's dance."

"Dance? But there's no music."

"Of course, there is; listen, it's nature giving us the melody," I smiled.

Rogelio shared my enthusiasm, and intertwining our fingers, we twirled in the courtyard. We looked like two children playing. It was beautiful, and he started laughing out loud until his cough ended our fun moment.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have made you exert yourself."

"It's okay, calm down... I got choked by the wind, that's all."

We took a few seconds until he regained oxygen in his lungs; it was difficult for him to sustain the same energy.

"I enjoyed dancing with you; I haven't had this much fun in years," he confessed.

"You've never danced before?"

"I used to. My mother was a great dancer. Her name was Vera. She liked the show and the lights, but after she died, I didn't have the desire to do what I used to enjoy. I had a bad life and made many mistakes until this came to me. My life has had many ups and downs, Ana. But thanks to you, I have had the stability I sought. You and your baby have brought joy to my life."

"The baby and I are happy to have met you, and tomorrow I have my ultrasound. I'll show you how it's growing. Do you want to come with me?"

"I would love to, but what about its father?"

"He is right in front of me."

Rogelio showed me a broad smile, bringing his fingers to my cheek.

"I would love to give him my last name, and I would be thrilled for him to call me father, but remember not to neglect yourself. Be strong, give your best, and don't be afraid of loneliness."

"Why do you say that?"

"Just promise me that you will never give up. Life can be tough, Ana. I know it. It's easy to have friends when you have everything, but when you are in ruins, those friends disappear, and you only have yourself. You are strong, Ana. Never forget that."

...

In the end... The doctor's prognosis came true. Rogelio passed away the following day; his eyes never opened again, and my life, which was beginning to make sense, weakened.

At the funeral, I realized Rogelio had experienced loneliness; only his doctor friend was there, the lawyer who gave me the address of a place I shouldn't forget and told me we would soon meet again as he resolved some legal matters.

And just as if Rogelio had sensed what would happen, the morning after his funeral, some ladies arrived accompanied by many men in suits.

Who were they? Rogelio's aunt and cousins, along with lawyers, claimed my late husband's house and other properties.

Anger blinded me, and at that moment, I was so rude that even Will was surprised. None of them had appeared during my husband's illness; now they came like vultures to take what they believed they had the right to have.

Of course, they were even ruder. Using tricks, they presented me with a document in which they credited themselves as the rightful heirs, regardless of my being the widow.

In the blink of an eye, my things were once again outside. I moved into a small house that was in my name. It was the address the lawyer had given me, but the difference was that Will was with me. Rogelio was right about his loyalty. I swear I had every intention of fighting, but my illness, combined with the pregnancy, was beating me down and making it difficult to continue.

I was only four months pregnant, and my appearance was deteriorating.

I was thinner and pale, with dark circles under my eyes; depression was making things worse, and Will noticed it. There were nights when he had to take me to the bathroom to vomit the food I couldn't ingest.

Those were terrible days, but I had to keep going. After my classes at the university, I would go to places where workers were needed. Still, when they saw my condition, many rejected me. I was in the middle of nowhere, and as if destiny continued to test me, I had to come face to face with the last people I wanted to see. I was leaving the doctor's office with news that my illness was taking a turn for the worse, and it was true. I was so sick that I feared losing my baby. I wore dark and loose clothes so that no one would notice my appearance, even covering my eyes with sunglasses to maintain an air of mystery.

But in my weakness and exhaustion, I stopped to rest outside the hospital, witnessing the presence of Belial, getting out of his car with Ratja. Immediately, I covered my eyes and pretended not to know them. I wasn't going to let them see me in this state; I wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of seeing me sick.

Belial walked past me without noticing me, leaving Ratja waiting. That's when I saw her nervously biting her nails and pulling out her phone to call someone. I don't know what she was plotting, but it no longer mattered. All I did was walk towards the exit, thinking she wouldn't recognize me, but when I passed her, she grabbed my shoulder.

"Are you following us?" she said, her brow furrowed and her hand trembling.

"Why should I be following you?"

"Listen, I don't want you near us. Belial will marry me soon, and nothing will stop it."

"Perfect, you're a match made in heaven but don't expect me to congratulate you. Unlike you, I'm not a hypocrite."

I turned around, intending to leave her presence, but she refused to leave me alone.

"All pale and without grace; now I see why Belial sought in me what he couldn't find in you."

"Oh really? And should that make me feel bad? Maybe I may be pale, but this is just external. You may be beautiful, but inside, you're horrendous, and no makeup can change that," I said. Just then, Belial came out of the hospital, and as soon as Ratja saw him, she doubled over in pain.

"Ouch!" she complained, touching her stomach. "Belial!" she shouted.

Upon realizing my presence, he rushed to her side and looked at me with surprise.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"Belial, our baby, something is wrong with our baby," she said, writhing and complaining.

"How? But you were perfectly fine a while ago."

"Ana attacked me; she said hurtful things. I don't want to lose our child; please keep her away from me."

"I only spoke the truth; my conscience is clear. I didn't attack her, besides..."

"Shut up!" Belial exclaimed angrily. "If anything happens to my child, I swear I will never forgive you, and the death of an innocent being will be on your conscience. Pray that my child is okay."

"I didn't do anything, I never..."

"Surely it wasn't enough for you to ruin your husband's life; now you want to destroy Ratja..." His hands squeezed my shoulders tightly, leaving probably bruised marks. "But I will protect her; you mean nothing to me anymore."

"Let go of me!" I freed myself from his grip on my shoulders.

I no longer cared what he said, but accusing me of being a murderer, I would never allow that. So, I turned my back on him.

"Where do you think you're going?" he dared to ask.

"I'm sorry, but I don't know you," was my response as I walked away from the two of them.

How could I have been married to such a man? My God, how blind I had been to be his wife.