Chapter 391 - Divorced - mdfour
Roland
"Finish watching everything, Patricia," Gustavo said. She looked at her older brother. Simón continued showing short videos. When he moved into the apartment.
"Freddy and Kevin installed small cameras just to keep an eye on him," Miguel said. We had summarized him as a lonely, thoughtful, and subdued man who bought gifts for her that she never received, except for the bracelet she was wearing at the moment. Verónica had told me.
"We thought he was getting over it. He was in Colombia for Christmas, and everything seemed to be on track, but then Amín was born, and by the grace of God, he met his son. This is what happened."
We showed her the videos from the parking lot again, where he started hitting the car. When a guard approached, he got out and started hitting him, then another guard. It's clear when Aníbal arrived and separated them. Churrusco confronted him initially, then Daniel joined in. The two of them were hitting him, but he was still blinded by rage. Eventually, Arnold joined in. He offered to be his punching bag, dodged him at times, and started to tire him out. The other two understood they needed to exhaust him; it was essential to let out his frustration. We appeared, and our intervention is seen.
"How many times have they sedated him?" She couldn't stop crying, still clinging to her son's tiny body.
"Three. After the beating I gave him, where I sent him to the clinic because we were tired of pulling him out of bars."
"He doesn't drink!" I shrugged. "Why only now?"
"Because neither you nor he were ready to see each other. I don't know what will happen between you two, but we're sure that now you won't submit, and at least he's ready to fight for you."
"How do you know?"
"I've been his psychologist behind the psychologists," I said.
"We've been taking care of him since we got him out under his therapist's suggestion," Miguel said. "Now Lobo is with him. Initially, we did it secretly, but now we stay in the same apartment."
"We were just waiting for both of you to take the step. You did it this morning. Alfredo did it when he decided to send you the letter and the gift for his son."
"But now he's going to hate me for hiding his son from him."
"A consequence you must face tomorrow," Gustavo said. "You're not going to deprive us of Amín's first year. Besides, his two grandmothers are waiting for him at my house. Mrs. Judith knows everything. She knew he was her grandson from the moment she met him and almost blew it. We had to fill her in, and seeing it was to help Alfredo through shock therapy, she agreed to keep quiet. But she's dying to hold her grandson," I smiled.
"My mom?"
"Old Josefina has been jumping for joy since this morning when I told her. She said she knew Verónica was the messenger."
"He's going to hate me."
"And if he does, so be it," Gustavo commented again. The two siblings looked at each other. "You raise your son alone with our help, period! He can see his son when the court says so."
"It all depends on you two," Miguel spoke again. "Now, are you going to slap us like Shirly did?" Through tears and laughter, she handed the baby to Máximo.
"You're without a doubt the best friend. Forgive me."
"Nothing to forgive, darling." He kissed her forehead. Then she ran to hug her brother.
"Oh, Patico!"
We only heard Patricia crying while her brother consoled her. Then she hugged Miguel and kissed him on the cheek, doing the same with Simón. Finally, she hugged me tightly.
"Thank you, but I ask that from now on, you leave Alfredo and me to sort out our mess. I'll accept the consequences and his insults if he decides to throw them at me. But don't interfere anymore. If we get back together, only God will know. There are many things we need to say, discuss, and forgive as a couple. For now, I know we have a son, and he needs to know he is the father. What time is my flight?"
"First thing in the morning."
"Damn!" I looked at Miguel. "Those jerks went camping."
"It doesn't matter," Patricia intervened. "I'll travel and present myself at the clinic on Monday. I'll use the day to find a place to stay."
"Alright. Call me when you arrive," Gustavo said. "For now, sign your divorce papers." He looked at Máximo, hugged him, and signed.
"We'll file them on Monday."
"Now, everyone to La Reina!" I said. Gustavo looked at his sister with furrowed brows.
"Where is Alfredo?"
"In Kaneohe, Hawaii."
"If you reconcile, you'll be able to enjoy some great sex; both of you are abstinent."
"I don't think he..."
"He hasn't slept with anyone. His only slip was that morning you saw him. You know I have no reason to lie to you," I said. Patricia's eyes sparkled, but Gustavo still seemed strange.
"Max, this apartment is yours..."
"Actually, it's yours," said her ex-husband. "Your brother bought it for you, and it's a gift for his nephew."
"What else do I need to know?"
"That's all from our side. Go get the things for the guest," Patricia said, smiling, as she left with Máximo and the baby. We stayed in the living room. "What's wrong, Gustavo?"
"I have no idea, but I see my sister looking troubled. It wouldn't be good for her to travel."
"Are you starting with your witchcraft again?" Miguel commented.
"I'm not a witch," Simón, who had been silent all this time, spoke up. "But everything was too easy. Patricia took it very calmly."
"I don't know," Gustavo looked scared. "I have a bad feeling."
……
Patricia
I see my son being held by Mrs. Judith, and my heart fills with joy. My baby wore his bracelet with his full name, Amín Alfredo. Once I arrived at this grand celebration, complete with fanfare for a one-year-old, I couldn't help but think that some things never change. They always loved throwing big parties, just like typical mobsters.
The first thing I did was hug Verónica and thank her for stepping in when I couldn't see the big mistake I had made. All because of jealousy, disappointment, and not valuing myself like before. What my mother told me over the phone kept me calm.
"We often make mistakes, sometimes huge blunders. You did the latter. But when everything falls into place, it creates peace, and you feel a tranquility that only harmony can give. When you achieve it, you'll feel it. Now you must be aware that Alfredo might send you off, but this time, give your point of view and wait. You acted based on an unfounded act on his part. They must understand that everything in life is cause and effect. Do good, and you receive good. Do bad, and you'll receive bad. Be honest with your feelings, but firm. If he doesn't seek you out, remember, it's his loss."
That's what my mom told me when I poured my heart out to her. Then they arrived like divine intervention, and it seemed everyone knew. They were just waiting for us to react. Tomorrow, I arrive in Hawaii, but I'll see him on Monday. Finally, I was going to see him, to face him. Máximo arrived with a cup of ice cream.
"It's not Oreo," I smiled. During my pregnancy, I only wanted that ice cream. "How do you feel? You look very calm."
"I am, and also grateful. I'm sorry for hurting you."
"You didn't, Precious. I was going to hurt myself. I forced myself to put aside what I felt for you and let our friendship prevail. A couple of times, I wanted to do the wrong thing, but Verónica's words kept echoing in my mind. Then I got so involved in their cases, I was so happy when they..."
He pointed to my family, this big family created by the brotherhood of those men, up to now. Although they were seven in the past, the core was those three who were now sitting at the other end of the mansion.
"They were the ones who saw the changes in you. Little by little, you were becoming yourself again, and I think something began to change. Almost two years later, I can tell you that I care about you a lot, but I don't feel the same as before."
"Are you really in that specialization in Canada, or is it a lie?"
"It's true, and it was your brother who asked me to stay away, to avoid the temptation of your insistence if you decided to consummate the marriage."
"I wasn't going to do that. Honestly, when my anger passed, we were already married. I tried a thousand ways to visualize myself with you in bed, but I couldn't."
"Not that I'm ugly, don't offend me!" I burst out laughing; with Max, I always smiled.
"I hope you find the right person for you."
"Me too. For now, since I'm free, I'm going to try with a Canadian woman I met a couple of months ago."
"Thank you, Max. For being my best friend."
"I'll always be there, Precious. I hope tomorrow, when you're in Hawaii and see him on Monday, love prevails in him."
"He's going to be mad for hiding the child from him. But oh well, I'm not going to beg this time."
"I hope so, don't throw away the work that took me a year and eight months," I laughed again and hugged him.
"You're the best friend in the world. Thank you."
"That sounded like goodbye."
"Melodramatic."
The day was incredible. For my son's first year, only his father was missing. That was another thing he would complain about. Dead tired, at night after saying goodbye to everyone, with Amín in my arms and his grandparents in the back of the car. They would stay a few days, waiting for me to return with their son. They would stay in my apartment. Máximo was driving.
We arrived, and while I set up the guest room for Mrs. Judith and Mr. Ramón, who were lovely, Máximo was packing his things in the other room.
"He never slept with you?"