And she said yes. She slipped on the ring. Tears streamed down her wrinkled cheeks. He embraced her. The world around them blurred, but in Raúl’s mind, a question gnawed at him like poison. “Would I love her if I were poor?” He tortured himself, but deep down he knew he did, that he loved her.
One day he decided to introduce her to his family. His mother, now recovered, lived in a house Raquel had bought. Raúl’s sisters were excited.
“Our brother’s fiancée is here. Our sister-in-law will be beautiful.”
The car stopped. Raquel stepped out, elegant as a queen, and suddenly, silence.
Raúl’s sisters froze. “Who is she?”
Raúl smiled awkwardly.
“No. I present to you Raquel, the woman of my life.”
“What?” his younger sister cried.
“Are you crazy? You’re bringing us an old woman as your fiancée? Disrespectful!”
Raúl shouted. “She deserves better than your insults.”
But she continued.
“You can’t even have children. We want nephews and nieces. You’re ruining your life, big brother.”
Raquel left the house crying, got into her car, and disappeared.
Raúl tried to catch up with her, but it was too late.
He called her, but she didn’t answer. He went to her house, but she wouldn’t let him in.
Then he got a message. “This is over. Thanks for everything. You can keep what I gave you, but get out of my life.”
Raúl fell to his knees, overcome with grief.
He pounded on Raquel’s door until she opened it. She didn’t even look at him.
“Why didn’t you warn me? Why did you let me suffer like this?” she said, her voice trembling.
