“Why? Do you want to save your mother?”
“Just one night is enough.”
“No, I’m not that kind of man. Excuse me.”
And he left. His rejection struck Raquel to the core. She had always been courted for her money, never for who she was. Divorced four times, humiliated, betrayed, and robbed—her last ex-husband had stolen all her belongings on their wedding night. And now a young stranger, poor and desperate, was rejecting her. That very night, she called him.
“Good evening, Raúl. It’s Raquel.”
“Good evening, ma’am.”
“I’d like to invite you to lunch.”
“I’m sorry, I’m not available. I can pay you. Tell me how much you want. It’s not about the money.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
And he hung up. His friend Esteban heard it and was furious.
“Are you crazy? Your mother is in the hospital. You’re rejecting the help of a rich woman. Perhaps God is sending you a blessing.”
