Episode 6

RODOLFO

_Sir, excuse me but I must tell you something very important.

_Yes, tell me Bettina.

_Last night, young Markus took Miss Christiane to jolones.

_What are you saying? She left before I went to rest.

_No, sir, she went upstairs to the bathroom before leaving.

_What are you trying to tell me? She slept with my grandson?

_No, sir, Miss Christiane is not like that.

_Then tell me.

_One of the maids entered young Markus' room and found a piece of Miss Christiane's dress and a large bloodstain on the bed. Judging by the way she was last night, I can assure you she was abused by him.

_My grandson has no forgiveness from God - I say, slamming the table with my fist.

_My poor Christiane, she didn't deserve this treatment. Call my grandson right away - Bettina approaches, handing me the phone.

_Tell me, old man, I'm quite busy.

_How could you harm my granddaughter?

_Oh... Harm wouldn't be the word.

_According to you, what would you call an act of violence? She didn't deserve that, Markus.

_For me, she's an opportunist who's taking advantage of your generosity to see what she can get.

_She's not like that.

_Think whatever you want.

_Someday you'll regret causing her so much harm.

_I don't believe it, I would never regret a moment of pleasure. - He hangs up.

My anger was palpable. I never thought my grandson would be capable of such a horrible thing. I did not raise a miserable man.

I considered reporting my grandson many times, as I knew Christiane wouldn't do it because he's my grandson, but I couldn't do it. I cared deeply for my granddaughter, but I felt it wasn't the right way. I spent several days thinking about how I could punish Markus.

I called my lawyer. I wanted to make some changes to my will. Two weeks had already passed, and my Christiane still hadn't come. That hurt me, I missed her. From the moment I first saw her, it was as if I were seeing my dear daughter Brigitte, that girl with an innocent face who, despite having so many problems at home with an alcoholic father and so many debts, worked and studied and helped her sisters, always standing tall with a smile on her face.

Over a year ago, I asked a friend to investigate her, not because I distrusted her, but because I felt that something was bothering her. And I realized she wasn't an ordinary girl. Many times, I told her she could count on me for anything. I wanted her to trust me and tell me her situation, but she never did. That made me proud, so I decided to go and see her at her university.

When I arrived, I saw her leaving. She didn't seem the same. Her insecurity was more evident, and her face reflected sadness. She didn't seem like the vibrant girl I had known.

CHRISTIANE

I saw my brave sir waiting for me outside the university. It had been a long time since I last saw him. I didn't want to go back to the house where that monster attacked me.

_Hello, my brave sir.

_Sir, why don't you call me grandfather?

_I am not your granddaughter.

_But to me, it's as if you were.

_Well, as you wish, but I must go.

_Daughter... Why don't yo... - I didn't let him finish what he was about to say.

_I shouldn't go to your house anymore. - I said it in a very cold manner. It hurt so much, but it was for the best.

_No, daughter, don't say that. You are my life.

_I'm sorry. - I turned my back and kept walking without looking back. I wanted to get home fast. My grandfather's face kept replaying in my mind when I told him I wouldn't visit him anymore. It broke my heart. I knew it wasn't his fault, but something told me that he knew and didn't do anything. Throughout all this time without going to see him, he never called me. That hurt even more. He would protect his grandson no matter what.

MARKUS

I was in my office when my phone rang. It was my secretary. She told me that my grandfather had suffered a heart attack and had been urgently taken to the clinic. That news hit me like a bucket of cold water. I ran out and called Mauricio to accompany me. When we arrived at the clinic, Leni, my grandfather's driver, was there. I asked him how my grandfather was, and he simply lowered his head. I saw a doctor coming out, and I asked him.

_I'm sorry, sir. We did everything we could to save him, but he couldn't withstand the heart attack. Your grandfather passed away.

That crushed me 5 years ago, I had lost my father, and now my grandfather had no one, he was alone in this world. Mauricio approached me to hug me, but I pushed him away. I can't bear the pain, the last person I truly loved is gone.

"Grandpa, no," I thought he would be with me for longer... - I express my sorrows amidst the tears.

"Markus, my friend, you know you have me. You're like a brother to me. I'll be here to support you. Your grandfather may not be with us anymore, but he has undoubtedly left his legacy, and that's you," Markus says.

"I know, Mauricio, and thank you," I reply.

CHRISTIANE

It had been a few days since Mr. Rodolfo Meyer had come, and it still hurt me to have treated him like that.

"Christiane, did you hear?" Angelika asks, confused.

"No, what Angelika?" I inquire.

"Friend, Mr. Rodolfo Meyer passed away a few days ago... they announced his death last weekend," she says.

"No, friend, that can't be possible," tears start to flow from my eyes.

"Yes, friend, I'm sorry. I know how much you cared for him."

I couldn't continue being at the university. I ran towards my house and called Mr. Rodolfo's house, hoping Bettina would tell me it was a lie, but it wasn't so.

My pain increased as I remembered how our farewell had been. He had told me that I was his life, but I didn't care. Now my grandpa had left... without me having told him how much I loved him.

My mother enters my room.

"Daughter, my girl, what's wrong?" she asks.

"Oh, Mom, Grandpa Rodolfo has died," I run into her arms.

"Daughter, I'm so sorry. You cared for him a lot."

"He was like a grandfather to me. He always treated me with so much love and affection. The last time I saw him, I treated him horribly, and now..." I can't bear so much pain.

"Calm down, my girl, I understand what you're feeling, though I don't understand why you were angry with him. I can assure you that he knew perfectly well how much you loved him."

I never told my parents the truth about how I had met Mr. Rodolfo, let alone that he was rich, and especially that his grandson had abused me. Now I am filled with suffering.

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