sea of ​​malaise that had been raging for days. I was nine years old, and my mother took me to the nearest hospital – almost fifty kilometers away – worried about som

my father? – I asked

wered me without lo

spered again – why don't yo

more striking. She closed her eyes, ran her fingers over her temple. Though, today, I know she

ave been the one who has carried you, loved you, been always by your side and will always be

l to insist so much on that su

lower. When you grow up,

unde

r. A single conversation was enough for Elisabeth to know that the man who swore to love her had another life, other plans. His priorities and goals were many, but none of them described him as a father. He left, not only abandoning a pregnant woman, but denying the responsibility of a lifetime. It was an ordinary story, nothing extraordinary, nothing surprising. As I grew up, finding this type of abandonment was more common than I realized. But what I s

py to see me. His face, so downcast for a moment, seems to shine with that smile, sincere, I don't know.

oe, – h

etween the two of us – Why did you come

swer, I remai

thing in her ear. She nods. Then walks to t

blurry. She wipes away her tears, kisses

Decide whether I should talk to that man, or at least listen to what he has to say, but I don't care about

aves, whispering something that I know is not pleasant at all. I feel like crying. Running aw

ed me to drive

s who he is. I enter the church very furious, walking in a hurry towards that man that I once l

nd. Paulo is beside him, watching him. Richard has his hands clasped together, his eyes closed, the expression on his f

rom what is surely to come if you

kes the sign of the cross, b

Do you want me to start my prayers now,

h and rise into my throat. I'm irrita

though I shouldn't – demand your paternal righ

that you let

nce, twice. I reformulate a whole discourse of a protective mother, abandoned one day, pregnant, but who took care of her daughter alone for all these years, doing her best so that she wou

the regret in his voice – we can't rewrite

ot me pregnant, was a greedy boy, capable of going over anything and everyone to achieve his wildest goals. In fact, I never knew what he wanted

tart acting like a father Zoe never knew who he was. No phone cal

oon I was easy prey in his fatal trap. He swore to me of love. Promised me eternal love. I believed in his words and surrendered. Our case lasted a few weeks. I got pregnant and he disappeared. Aunt Judith, who took care of me after my parents passed away, also left months before my dear Zoe was born. And I found myself alone, at nineteen, without a job, without a family, without anyone. I faced the world, the criticism, and I won. I took car

ned pale, leaning against one of the pews in the church – but what I have t

d I even believe his words, but then

ng my back and starting to walk towards the exit – But I very much do

y chest. Paulo's hand affectionately hold my shoulder.

'm sorry, with my body still glued to his – I hope he for

a sigh as he kisses my forehead – the

's wha

revisits again

control myself, with his comment – ​​I know how much this s

mine. I try to keep my

ants with us now. Good thi

nto my eyes – don't impose himself if Zoe decides to talk to

ed myself to remain calm and forget about this whole mess for a moment. Now I'm a married woman, with a party awaiting us right now. I retu

need

le. Likewise, I exhale sharply into the chilly night air, and we are off leaving