Daniel released a long sigh, intending to voice his thoughts, but at that moment, the sound of a car pulling into the courtyard was audible. Daniel hastened to the door, his face lighting up at the sight of Beto.
"Good morning, Beto, glad you could make it," he said, embracing his friend before ushering him into the mansion.
"Morning, Lucy, you look beautiful," Beto remarked, musing over the enigma of why women often dressed up more on divorce-signing days—was it perhaps to flaunt what their exes were losing? Beto's mind tangled in this thought until Lucy's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Thanks for the compliment, but I'm focused on something else," Lucy said, her gaze fixed on the black briefcase in Beto's grasp, prompting a smile from him at her words.
"Let's get down to business then. I've already sent a draft of the agreement to Lucy, and she's in agreement. Now, Daniel, it's your turn—read and sign," Beto stated, handing the document over to Daniel.
"Let's see if I can endure the cut..." Daniel's speech faltered at the shock of seeing Lucy wanted nothing, not even a bit of money for her journey home. It made no sense—she hailed from the countryside, a girl of meager means. Why this disdain for money? Was it merely a ploy for Daniel's attention, or was she not who he imagined?
Thoughts spiraled in his head, recollecting the times he accompanied her shopping at Dayse's store, where the expenses were astronomical, often necessitating installments due to their magnitude.
"You sign first," Daniel suggested, a hopeful smile crossing his face, though that smile vanished when Lucy signed without hesitation.
"Now it's your turn, my friend," Beto urged, stifling a laugh at his friend's dumfounded expression.
"I like him, but he must learn that not everyone prioritizes money like he does," Beto reflected inwardly, watching Daniel sign his name slowly, trying to grasp Lucy's inexplicable behavior. He even considered altering the agreement, but then thoughts of his dear Juliana consumed him.
"All set, you can now move on with your lives. I'm off to tend to mine," Beto announced with a smile as he reclaimed the papers, though the humor was lost on the former couple.
"This will hurt, yet I'm sure I'll overcome it," Lucy mused, still loving him and loath to leave, but unable to swim against the current.
Ignoring Daniel's piercing gaze and devoid of the kisses and hugs customary of a farewell, Lucy grabbed her purse and made for the door. It was then that Daniel noticed she'd forgotten a bag and, upon discovery of its contents—a man's gift—he felt an unexpected pang. Wasn't he the love of her life?
"Oh, what a scatterbrain I am; always forgetting things," Lucy chided herself with a smile, retrieving the bag, and then asked Beto, “Could you give me a lift to the nearest bus station?” The request made Beto smile thinly, contemplating the looming task of explaining this to his jealousy-prone girlfriend, who would certainly react with a romantic strike if she knew.
Beto was about to speak when Daniel's phone interrupted, culminating in his sudden tears, a pallid face, and trembling hands. Snatching the phone, Lucy saw it was Jose calling. "Good morning, Mr. Jose, what did you say to Daniel? He's ashen and can't stop crying; what's happened?" she asked, fraught with concern at seeing Daniel in tears for the first time—whatever it was must be grave.
"My mother-in-law just passed away; she was Daniel's primary caregiver, which explains his distress. Additionally, Consuelo's had a turn, and I'm at the hospital with her. Please come when you can," Jose conveyed before the call ended.
Lucy informed Beto of Isabel's fate, then seated herself close to Daniel, poised to offer support. He clung to her in his intense grief, pleading, "Don't leave me alone right now; I don't know how to cope with this pain."
At that moment, thoughts of anything but his sorrow escaped Daniel—only tears remained.
"Of course, let's go. Your parents need you. The pain of loss is profound, but you must stay strong," Lucy said. She stood, ending the embrace, and reached out to dry her ex-husband's tears—an odd term, given their proximity as though they were still a couple.
"I’m truly sorry for your loss, but try to stay calm," Beto said, then pulled Daniel into a hug.
"When I was young, my mother traveled to France to chase her dream of modeling, which left me in my grandmother's care. She was there for me through it all—holding my hand at the dentist for the first time, teaching me to ride a bike, accompanying me through stormy, dark nights. Grandpa left us over three years ago, and now Grandma too; it makes me want to follow them," Daniel spoke, moving Beto and Lucy deeply.
"Don't cry like that. Isabel would be saddened to see you suffer so," Lucy said, standing and extending her hand to Daniel.
Though her tone may not have been the gentlest, Daniel did not chastise her. Instead, he grasped her hand, and they walked hand in hand towards the main door—an unprecedented sight that left Beto stone-still with awe.
"I'll drive," Lucy declared, seizing the car keys, locking the doors behind them, and promptly departing. As they left, Beto scratched his head, questioning, "Where are you going now?"
"From what I gather, everyone's at the hospital, so that's where we're headed," Lucy replied, then dove into the car and sped off, with Beto trailing behind, unable to keep pace with Lucy's driving.
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