The rich don't Cry

Chapter 16

"Hello, good evening," said the doctor, as he drew the curtain of the cubicle in the emergency room that had been assigned to Veronica. "Everything is fine, and the baby is better than ever, so you have nothing to worry about."

"Thank you, Doctor," said Veronica, looking accusingly at Alex.

"Don't look at me like that. Better to prevent something than worsen..."

"I told you it was fine."

"Even so."

The doctor smiled immediately. It wasn't the first time he'd seen first-time parents having this argument in his career. Used to such scenes, he told the patient that she could go home soon, gave her a few guidelines, and left to prepare the discharge form.

Alex was looking at his wife without even believing he had her in front of him. It had been a couple of months since they separated, and he had no hope of ever having her so close, and even less smiling at him so naturally. Although there was a time when he would have applauded Alvaro's exploits, having been so close to achieving his goal, this instance stirred his guts. He couldn't let this opportunity pass. He had her again with him and he would never let her go.

"Stop looking at me like that," scolded Veronica.

"I can't help it... I'm so sorry, you don't know how much..."

"I know, and maybe nothing happened with Rosa, but the lack of trust between us has to be overcome."

"I know, and it's going to be like that. When I saw you fall, I thought I would die with you. I love you, and you may not understand this, but... you are my balance... you and the baby... you are my balance."

"No, I don't understand," she said, smiling at him, "but I love you too."

They kissed tenderly. Not everyone present would understand what they had faced to reach that moment, but for them, it was the beginning. The reboot of their entire love story without burdens or secrets. At that moment, they began to relive their love.

As they left, Alex picked up his phone and prepared to call his wife's family and inform them about Veronica's and the baby's good condition. Veronica leaned against the wall and waited for her husband to take the phone out of her coat. As she watched the procession of nurses and patients passing through the corridor, she recognized Rosa among the people. The initial shock caused her to stick to Alex, who followed Veronica's gaze and recognized Rosa.

"Do you want me to tell her to leave?"

"No, leave her."

Rosa approached her friend wringing her fingers. The tears had left a trail of makeup, and she didn't seem to have changed the clothes in which she had slept.

"Your parents told me you were here," she said, trying to hide her sobs.

"Yes, what do you want?"

"To ask forgiveness. I don't know what I was thinking. I'm sorry. I didn't know I could do this to you. He attacked you."

"Well, he did."

"My friend..."

"Friend? Really? I almost lost my baby and then your boyfriend attacks me in his office."

"Yes, I know... He treated me so well that I let myself go."

Alvaro's words returned strongly to her mind, and Veronica felt guilty. It could be true that Alvaro had taken advantage of her lack of tact with Rosa and led her to commit these acts. Veronica sighed and approached her friend.

"Maybe we both haven't behaved well with each other."

"Yes. So, will you withdraw the charges against Alvaro?"

Far from getting angry, Veronica nodded kindly. She wouldn't need to withdraw the charges since Alvaro's family was important enough to file the case. The only useful thing about Rosa's request was that it confirmed their friendship would never be as before. She didn't feel the strength to judge her, for she knew what role she had played in Rosa's life, and it wasn't that of a best friend.

A FEW MONTHS LATER...

Francisco observed the terrace garden of his Monte Negro mansion in San Antonio. Veronica had decided to spend her entire period of pregnancy in the quiet town, which was greatly appreciated by the man because it allowed him to take long breaks to accompany his daughter.

While he waited for the iced tea that his wife had promised, he could hear the voices of his whole family gathered in the house. After a long time, he sensed the harmony in his house. He hadn't gotten over Alex's betrayal of his children, but he was sincerely trying to accept him again, which his daughter had earnestly thanked him for. Anyway, Francisco felt that it wouldn't be healthy for him to have only Juan as his son-in-law.

As he was looking in the distance, he heard a thunderous noise coming from inside the house. Frightened, he got up, but Helena suddenly appeared with the tea and made him sit down again.

"What's going on in there?" he asked, worried.

"Nothing, nothing... Alex is fighting with Juan."

"How? Why?"

"Nothing, sweetheart. I don't know why, but he caught him off guard for the first time. Don't worry, Diego is inside and he has everything under control."

"Diego? Alex's brother? Can he? I don't know. That kid is weird."

"Don't say that. He seems as handsome as his brother to me."

The patriarchal couple laughed and prepared to enjoy the iced tea. Diego crossed the terrace's porch, falling at the couple's feet. He then returned inside, asking for quiet without success. Francisco and Helena's laughter continued as they kissed and were grateful for their peculiar happy family.

THE END