Lisana

That morning, Lisana approached the terrace of her room as she did every sunrise. She admired the lush greenery that alternated with the orange rooftops of houses peeking through the foliage. In the distance, her gaze rested on Lucas's house. Though she didn't want to think about him, her mind betrayed her. Breaking away from her past was the best decision she had made in her young life; putting distance between them would give her the advantage she needed to save her marriage.

The sunlight had an unusual glow that highlighted the shine of her long hair. She wore an elegant silk robe. Even though she hadn't slept well, she was already made up, her hair done, and ready to change clothes and head to the airport. She was checking her husband's luggage for the fourth time when her mother entered the room.

"I thought you'd be asleep. Your flight is in the afternoon, my love. Why don't you rest a bit more? You both need to unwind, and your father and I will feel more at peace."

Lisana rolled her eyes toward the ceiling, showing the whites of her eyes.

"Mom, can't you see I'm busy? I want to pack the right outfits, especially to make sure my husband has everything he needs. I want him to feel comfortable in our new home. Everything has to be perfect."

"Yes, my love, I understand. I'll ask them to make you some tea to help you relax," Ana said, knowing that contradicting her daughter would accomplish nothing, so she tried to remain patient.

With a wave of her hand and pursing her lips, Lisana declined.

"Look, what do you think? I'm not sure if I should bring this dress," she said, pointing to the gray dress hanging near the mirror. "But, on second thought, it matches the suit I packed for him. Oh, it'll be wonderful to be far away from all of this, far from this nightmare!"

Her mother watched her, frowning, fully aware that Lisana wasn't as calm as she pretended to be. Her daughter couldn't fool her under that guise of normality.

"Everything looks good on you. You're so beautiful. When I first saw you, I knew you'd be a true princess, the apple of my eye."

The phone kept ringing, and Lisana could already sense who it was. Her jaw tightened, and her eyes fixed on the device as she willed it to stop buzzing.

Thoughts raced through her mind. Moments earlier, Mateo had left for Dana's grandfather's wake, which had put her in a bad mood and made her very nervous. She had warned him it would be the last time he'd see that woman, and now this-the untimely call. Her plan was to take Mateo far away, capitalizing on the fact that Dana had announced her engagement to Adán.

"Are you not going to answer the phone? Can I?" Ana asked.

Lisana harshly dropped the clothes she was holding and picked up the call.

"Hello," she said curtly.

"It's me. I want you to come here right now."

Her eyes widened further at the sound of the voice. Something stirred inside her as she confirmed it was Lucas.

"No, I won't go. You'll never see me again!" she shouted, her hands trembling.

"What are you talking about? You don't know what you're saying. You need some affection from me to calm those nerves."

She thought so quickly she was rendered speechless. She didn't want him to ruin her plans, much less suspect she was leaving the country for good.

His tone was soft and melodious, each word spoken with confidence.

Lisana's mother took the phone, pacing the room visibly distressed.

"Hello, this is Lisana's mother. Please leave my daughter alone. Don't call again," she said, clearly upset.

"Ma'am, you'd better stay out of our business. Your daughter and I still have a lot to talk about. Our story isn't over."

"Don't bother her anymore. Leave her alone. I won't let you ruin her," Ana managed to say, her voice trembling.

Ana was determined to protect her daughter from this man.

"Tell her I'm waiting. She has thirty minutes to be at my house."

"She's not going. She already told you she won't. Stop insisting; I forbid it."

"She'll come, ma'am, because Lisana knows what I'm capable of if she doesn't obey. If you don't believe me, ask her yourself. She'll confirm it. That secret she's been hiding-it's going to come out. I have no reason to keep quiet."

"No, you can't threaten her. She's not alone."

"Can't I?" he said with a sarcastic laugh so unbearable it made Ana nauseous. "Of course I can, ma'am. I don't care if it's revealed. In fact, I'd find it quite amusing to tell Mateo the truth to his face."

All Lisana wanted was to get away from everything, especially from Lucas's influence over her. She only wished to be happy with her husband in a distant country.

Ana collapsed onto the bed, dropping the phone, her face pale as Lisana focused on her mother's well-being.

"Are you alright? Mom! Answer me."

Lucas's face lit up with satisfaction at the discomfort he was causing them, savoring the chaos he imagined was unfolding in that room.

Lisana grabbed the phone and hurled it against the wall, shouting, "Enough! Get out of my life! I hate you!"

Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she wiped them away roughly with both hands.

"I'll have to go. Otherwise, he might show up here, and it'll be worse. I can't take that risk."

"Don't risk it with so little time left. Think, daughter, think."

"I know how to handle this. It won't take long. Keep an eye on everything. I'll be back soon."

She flung her hair back in front of the mirror, put on a skin-tone jumpsuit, and accessorized with the jewelry in her dresser drawer.

"What should I tell your husband if he asks where you are?"

"Nothing. Don't say anything. Lucas's house is just a few blocks away. I'll go and be back quickly. He's probably waking up from another night of excess, who knows. I'm used to entering and leaving his chaotic world unscathed. Let me handle it."

With abrupt movements, she finished getting ready, grabbed her purse and car keys, and left the room.

As she walked down the hallway to the stairs, her mother's words echoed in her mind. Lucas refused to leave her life, becoming an obstacle to her happiness. Her parents had warned her from the moment she brought him home, and now she bore the weight of a wrong decision. Still, she couldn't deny that without his help, she wouldn't be Mateo's wife today.

Their complicity had crossed boundaries in their youth, starting with minor mischief. The adrenaline consumed them, and they wanted more and more. Complaints from neighbors had alerted others to their antics. Their irresponsible actions escalated to the point of committing a crime that bound them together-a secret they had sworn to take to their graves, one they laughed about when alone.

The day before, Dana's grandfather lay on his deathbed and had requested to see them. He needed to ask for forgiveness from Vicky and his beloved granddaughter. He pleaded so much with his son Ángel that he couldn't refuse to fulfill his father's last wish, even though he knew they might not agree to see him. His father had earned their disdain for the way he had behaved in the past.

"Forgive the hour, my daughter. My father is very ill, gravely so. I ask you to come, I beg you, Dana. Vicky is already on her way, but even though it's late, I doubt he will make it through the night. Tomorrow will be too late."

Although surprised by the terrible news, she didn't hesitate to fulfill her duty. Rarely had she refused to help others, and she couldn't allow herself to live with such remorse. Her heart was noble, always willing to forgive, and she had long since forgiven her paternal grandfather's disdain.

"Yes, yes, of course, Dad, I'll be there right away. Let him know I'll be with him in a few minutes."

"Thank you, my daughter. You don't know how happy it makes me that you'll be with me on such a depressing night."

Adán stood up as he observed what was happening.

"Let's go! I'll drive you. At this hour, traffic is light, and we'll get there quickly. Stay calm."

Dana had tried to hold back her tears. She took a few steps and approached her grandfather without taking her eyes off Vicky, who was staring at her intently. She leaned on the bed to hear the words he was struggling to say.

"I want to leave in peace. You must forgive me. Promise me, do it," those were his last words.

Emotionally shattered, she had just realized how much love she had for him in her heart, yet so little time remained to say goodbye. She reached out her hand, lamenting the years she had grown up away from her grandfather, rejected for a sin she hadn't committed.

Adán helped her stand up. He was there, as always, by her side, ready to do anything for her.

Ángel and Vicky exchanged glances-hers proud with a hint of emotion, and his as enamored as when he first met her.

When they returned home, it was morning, so Dana rested before attending the funeral.

Her sister Zoraida was getting ready for work when she was informed of the news. She immediately took it upon herself to notify friends and family about their grandfather's death.

When Mateo found out, he didn't hesitate to run to bid farewell to his beloved.

The phone wouldn't stop ringing, and Zoraida patiently answered all the questions from their acquaintances.

"No, my love, she wasn't alone. Adán went with her. Yes, I agree with you. That relationship will never work. Dana is resting a bit and told me Mrs. Vicky was there last night."

"Where?" asked Becky.

"At their grandfather's house. I don't know the details."

"It can't be. I'll go check on Vicky."

"Yes, and that they forgave each other. Let her tell you the rest."

Vicky arrived home and asked the maid to prepare a strong coffee. Without stopping, she went to take a bath, replaying her daughter's words in her mind.

When she left her room, she found Becky sitting on the couch, waiting to offer her condolences.

"Friend, thank you for coming to keep me company. Imagine, Becky, everything happened so suddenly. What a tragedy for the family. I swear this was the last thing I expected."

"I know, I was just as surprised. Nothing less than that man who hated you his entire life calling for you on his deathbed. What a shock."

"I was frozen. When I got there and saw him so frail, so broken in that bed, I couldn't speak. I was left speechless. He was always so strong and relentless, never one to give up."

"I think, deep down, he cared about you. After all, you're very much like him. Perhaps that's why he held you responsible for his son's weakness."

"If it hadn't been for Ángel, I'd have never set foot in that house. You know that. He's always been so weak. I don't even know how I fell for him. Of course, I was very young then."

"The most important thing is that you've reconciled with your daughter. I don't want to see you so down, so pessimistic. You have a lifetime to fix what's happened."

"She's my reason for living. The only thing holding me up is faith. Finally, after so many years, Ángel, Dana, and I can sit at the same table as a family. I haven't lost hope of achieving what I desire most deeply."

"And where does Alejandro fit into all this?"

A sigh filled with melancholy preceded her words.

"With Alejandro, I'm more disillusioned every day. I don't know what to think. I believe he has a lover. And with Dana, I still haven't managed to get close to her at all. She hasn't even forgiven me, much less called me 'Mom.' What happened last night was pure emotion. We'll see if our relationship has any resolution. I don't believe in rushed reconciliations."

She knew about Alejandro but didn't dare tell Vicky.

"Give her time. Dana is still traumatized by her abandonment in childhood and what she's gone through with Mateo. Take advantage of the fact that life brought you together at that man's deathbed. Things happen for a reason."

"At that moment, Dana broke down in tears and sought comfort in Adán's arms, not mine. How do you think that made me feel? I'm her mother."

"You and I both know she would have preferred to throw herself into Mateo's arms. But he was at home with his wife, Lisana. Adán is a good friend to her. She'll never love him. He's just someone who's there, that's all."

A long silence followed as the maid cleared the dishes and remnants of breakfast. The large living room brightened even more when she opened the curtains.

"We'll see what happens, my friend. Now comes the hardest part-attending the funeral and meeting everyone's expectations during these moments. If it were up to me, I'd sleep all day. I'm exhausted. I feel like doing nothing."

"Be strong, my friend. Let's take my car. I won't leave you alone now that I know you need me."

Vicky gently squeezed Becky's hand and smiled.

"I've never doubted your friendship, and I'm grateful you're by my side until this bitter moment ends."

Tears filled Becky's eyes. Hearing her friend's words brought out those emotions. Seeing such a strong, proud woman asking for help was something she hadn't expected.

Dana entered the funeral home and went to the lounge to leave her belongings. She stopped in front of the mirror, looking confused and sleep-deprived, though impeccably presented. Dressed in a black ensemble, she exuded elegance.

Zoraida had always felt a hint of resentment seeing her sister, slim and stunning from head to toe. The comments were always the same, wounding her deeply. There was always someone who, upon meeting them, would remark that they looked nothing alike. Nevertheless, Zoraida carved out her own space to shine. Always with a book under her arm, she built an image of an intelligent and cultured woman, which lent credibility to her opinions and comments.

"Sister, how are you feeling? I know perfectly well this isn't the time to reproach you, but honestly, you need to make a decision about your life. It's not healthy for those two men to keep chasing after you. Look, my hands tremble just thinking about the possibility of them crossing paths right outside, fighting, calling your name, both wanting to see you at the same time and refusing to back down."

Her soft, measured tone made Dana feel a bit ashamed. She knew she needed to make a decision soon.

"Don't worry, this will end," she stated with determination.

"Well, I think so, too. It has to end," Zoraida repeated, feeling a relief she hid as best she could.

"I've thought about it carefully, and I've finally made a decision," Dana said, looking at her.

"I'm sorry, but it's the right thing to do, my dear. It's not about whether it looks good or bad to have two suitors, especially when one of them is married. No, it's just that Adán and Mateo's constant pursuit of you isn't good for you, my dear. It unsettles you, distresses you, makes you nervous, doesn't it? I can see it's taking a toll on you."

"Yes, it's true. I can't focus. I can't forget. My life is a mess."

"That's why I advise you to get married. That way, you can organize your life and emotions."

"That's what I'm going to do. I won't go back on my word to Adán. Even if it's not what everyone expects. The problem is, things are getting more complicated. They just told me the process will take much longer. I'm missing some documents, and the requirements are excessive."

"How much longer?"

"Two or three months, maybe. I'm not sure."

"That long? How can that be?"

"Yes, that's what I'm saying. I think the process could be expedited, but I don't know. Let's go to the hall; we can talk about it later."

Mateo arrived with Vicky, and they entered the wake together.

"What are you doing here? When are you leaving?"

"The flight is in a few hours. Lisana wanted to leave today. You know how she is, always impulsive."

"So, you've definitely given up on Dana. Does she know?"

"What choice do I have? What else can I do? I've fought, I've tried everything to fix this, but I have no choice but to give up. I have to accept that Dana and I are simply impossible."

"Settling for less is heartbreaking; it's even more painful than suffering. I know how you feel, Mateo. I've also come to accept that there's no hope left."

"I wish there were some hope, but there isn't. What can I do-torment myself? Or worse, torment Dana? In the end, I lost her because of my own mistakes. I'm the only one to blame. The only thing left for me is to go far away, face the consequences, and stay away where I won't hear or know anything about what's happening."

"Lisana has everything ready and is probably waiting at home while I'm here," he murmured, running his hand over his head.

The truth was, Lisana was already back, having settled matters with Lucas. She looked disheveled, and her mother immediately noticed that something more had happened between them.

"You're back so soon? You have no idea how worried I was. I'm so relieved you're finally leaving with Mateo. I think it's best for everyone. Did that scoundrel suspect anything? Did you tell him anything?"

"No, don't even bring it up. Did you see? Did you see how I managed? Oh, I'm so happy, so excited about this trip! I think now I can finally win Mateo back. Once we're far away, just the two of us, surrounded by different people, in a new environment, away from all this... Yes, I think we'll be happy."

"Are you going to change? Your husband shouldn't see you like this," Ana said, eyeing her from head to toe.

"Yes, I suddenly feel hot," Lisana replied, feigning nonchalance.

At the funeral home, Mateo decided to speak with Dana, though she hadn't been left alone for a moment. Leaning in close, he whispered in her ear, "I need to tell you something important. Come with me."

Their eyes met, and Dana stepped aside to get a few minutes alone.

Zoraida kept an eye on them until her phone rang inside her bag.

"It's me. Step outside for a moment, please."

"I can't. I'm surrounded by people. What am I supposed to say?"

"Come out. I'm at the café down the block, just a few steps from the entrance."

"All right. Wait there; I'm coming."

The onlookers were focused on Dana and Mateo, so few noticed when Zoraida slipped out to speak with Adán.

"Dana, are you with someone?" he asked, glancing around and referring to her fiancé.

"If you mean Adán, he should be here soon. This isn't the place for a scene. Please, keep your composure."

"Just for a moment. I need to tell you something important, something you have to hear from me. I didn't come to your house earlier because I didn't want to disturb you."

"What is it? What's this mystery, Mateo?"

"I came to say goodbye. I'm preparing for a trip. I'll be away for a while."

Dana's heart raced at the news. This time, it felt like she had lost him forever.

"Well, yes, that's the best thing you can do," she said, immediately regretting her words.

"I'm a coward; I know. Honestly, I don't want to be here when you marry Adán. But I know you have every right to move on with your life."

Dana looked him in the eyes with determination and said without hesitation:

"I'm not going to marry Adán. Is that what you want to hear?"

"What are you saying? What's changed? You announced the wedding-what happened?"

Mateo stared at her, confused and incredulous. Her words changed everything, reigniting his hope.

"I'm not marrying Adán. That's my final word. There's not much more to say about it."

"Dana, are you serious? Are you playing games with me?"

"No, I'm very serious. I've thought it through, and I can't marry another man while loving you."