Episode 5

༺Narrates: Leopoldo ༻

"When Ignacio left, the atmosphere in the room became tense. My wife, Carmen, turned to me, reflecting deep concern."

"And what will we do now?" "she asked, her voice trembling". And with the guests? What will I tell them?

"Before I could respond, Giselle tried to intervene."

"Dad, I..."

"I didn't let her finish. I approached her, with anger building inside me, and gave her a strong slap. The sound echoed in the room, causing her face to turn sharply due to the force of the blow."

"Carmen, visibly worried, quickly approached me and took my arm firmly."

"Leopoldo, you're not going to solve anything this way!"she exclaimed, struggling to calm me down". You can't keep hitting her like that."

"How could you commit such a stupid act!?"I shouted, letting my fury overflow". Do you even have a brain? Do you really know how to use it!?"

"Giselle, with her eyes full of tears, showed her true face. I saw her transform before me, and what emerged from her lips left me completely frozen."

"Just to keep the company afloat, you've decided to sell your own daughter to a complete cripple!"she exclaimed, her voice filled with contempt". I never told you I wanted to get married, I don't even feel attracted to him, Dad!"

"Her words were like a direct punch. Disbelief washed over me, and in a matter of moments, I felt the rage turn into deep despair."

"Is that how you perceive the situation, Giselle? This engagement is not just a business transaction. It's about our family, our reputation. Do you really not care about any of that?"

"No!"she exclaimed, defying me". I never said I cared."

"Carmen, still holding me, tried to intervene."

"Giselle, this is not the right time. Your father is very upset."

 —You didn't say anything about that back then, when you longed for him to invest in you, whether in clothes, shiny jewelry, or luxurious cars!.

"Since he's not useful for satisfying my sexual needs, I should at least take advantage of him in some other way, don't you think?"she comments with a frank and daring attitude. "What did you expect, Dad? That I would accept it simply because?."

"I hope you don't regret your decision, Giselle"I exclaimed.

"She looked at me firmly, her gaze full of defiance."

"I assure you I won't, Dad. But if you want someone to marry that useless man so badly, then? You marry him."

"Disbelief took hold of me at that moment, and a frenzied wave of rage invaded my being."

"You're an ungrateful wretch!"I shouted with disdain". But, in reality, all this is my fault. I shouldn't have spoiled you so much, or let you do whatever you wanted."

"Giselle, on the other hand, let out a laugh full of sarcasm."

"Spoil me? Ha, ha... You know very well that I'm not your spoiled little girl, Dad... And I think you understand that perfectly. I've made a decision and I won't let you manipulate me at your whim."

"Manipulate you?"I exclaimed, feeling the frustration begin to turn into despair". I only want the best for you. This marriage could bring you opportunities, give you the stability you need."

"Stability?" "she replied, her voice filled with sarcasm". I'd rather marry a gigolo than a paralytic.

"The words she spoke were like buckets of cold water, suddenly, rage took hold of me, making me feel a little dazed. Noticing my condition, my wife quickly approached and took my arm, worried about my reaction."

"Shut up once and for all!"she shouted angrily". Don't you realize your father is dealing with health problems? I don't want to see you here! Get out!"

"Tenderly, I touched my chest, feeling the emotional burden that had accumulated inside me."

"You were the one who wanted to marry him from the beginning. I warned you and told you it wasn't the best thing, but you just kept insisting. I tried my best to support you and to let you be by his side... However, since he suffered that tragic accident and is now in that wheelchair, now you say you don't love him anymore."

"She tilted her head slightly, taking a moment to reflect before responding."

"You said it, Dad. That was before... Now I don't want to be with someone who is destined to remain in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. I'm young and I still have a lot to live."

"With those words, she turned on her heels and left."

"Calm down, honey"she said in a soft and calm voice". Take a moment and breathe deeply."

"Carefully, she helped me settle into the armchair, trying to make me feel more comfortable."

"Your daughter is going to be furious with me, I assure you"I commented, feeling the tension and weight of the situation rest on my shoulders.

"She didn't say anything immediately, but she sat next to me, conveying a sense of companionship that was comforting. Just at that moment, the phone rang, breaking the silence that surrounded us."

"With a sigh of resignation, I picked up the phone and answered the call."

"Yes?"

"Sir... The young lady has returned."

"I felt a deep surprise and quickly got up from where I was."

"How is that possible? Where are they?" "I asked, with a mixture of anxiety and intrigue in my voice."

"We're leaving the airport. We're already on our way there"the person on the other end of the line replied.

"Okay, please, return carefully"I asked, trying to stay calm.

"Yes, sir"he replied firmly.

"After hanging up the phone, I noticed that my wife was watching me with curiosity, her eyes full of questions."

"What happened?"she inquired as she stood up, evidently interested in the information I had received.

"Apparently, our daughter has returned"I replied, experiencing a mixture of relief and joy.

"Wait... my little girl is back!?"she exclaimed, visibly excited, with a smile that lit up her face."She didn't even let us know she was coming back; I don't have anything prepared to receive her"she added nervously.

"Calm down, dear; I'm as excited as you are. This is unexpected, but it's positive news in the midst of this chaos."

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