Runaway Bride

One month later

I smile as I see my reflection again in front of the full-length mirror. The dress Darío asked Donatella for is beautiful. He’s like a madman. Crazy in love. It fascinates me and lets me know that everything will be fine. We will be fine, more than fine. In him, I have found a partner, a friend, and a true husband.

“Wow...” Dawson stands in the doorway and watches me with sad eyes. “You are without a doubt the most beautiful bride I have ever seen.”

I don’t know what to say to him. I can almost feel his pain. He fell in love with my sister. And she... she’s not ready to be with him.

“Come in and let me give you a hug.” Even though he’s older than me, when I see him looking at me so sad, lost, and ruined, it makes me feel like I’m twenty years older.

“I’m fine,” he tells me without coming closer.

“You’re going to be. You’ll see.” I’m not going to play along with his game of making me think he is. He’s almost as stubborn as his brother. He doesn’t like to show how much situations affect him.

“I am,” he repeats this time. At least his voice sounds more confident. “How about my nephew?”

“Or niece,” I add, and a smile tugs at my lips. The pregnancy goes from strength to strength. I feel good, happy, and enormously grateful to life for putting Darío in my path. “It will be a long time before we know what it is.” I put my hands on my flat belly.

I know I’ll be round in a few months, but that instead of scaring me or making me anxious, it just cheers me up and puts me in a good mood. A baby grows inside me. It is my own family. Darío’s baby is growing inside me, and I know he will be by my side forever.

“You really are in love.” He approaches and slowly enters my room.

I set up, together with Donatella, a kind of make-up studio where I can do my hair and dress without any problems. No one interrupts me. More than anything, I feel at ease.

“I am,” I affirm without hesitation. It’s something you can tell. You can see it a mile away, miles away. It shows above my skin.

He smiles for the first time in weeks. Even so, the gesture still doesn’t impact his gaze.

Oh, Teresa! What have you done with this man?

“It’s good that my brother found a good woman who really loves him.” I sense he wants to tell me something else, but he stops.

walk toward him. I

own. It looks elegant and sophisticated. The fabric is magnificent.

my mother and Donatella, I must do it right this time, for love and feel

you want to

me with his gray-blue eyes, as clear as two drops of water. However, now because of the pain and anxiety that consumes him, they reflect

happy,” he whispers. I don’t know if his personal pain from the separation from my sister is what keeps his voice from

love him, and I feel like he loves me. Even though our relationship didn’t start out conventional, I know he loves me. Despite what happened with

brother has always been the best.” He releases my hands and slips

is dressed in a dark gray three-piece suit. His shirt is white, and his hair is

a letter, and I grab it immediately. I know it’s not for me long before he tells me, “It’s for Teresa. Give it to her

yourself?” I suffer for him and her.

you and Darío get

“Dawson...”

nothing you can do about it. I need time to think. I... I tried, this whole month I tried.” He walks away toward the door and

Someone close to her tried to abuse her.”

me! Do you think I don’t know that? She was happy by my side! Then, all of a sudden, she decided she couldn’t go on. But I was already

loves you...” I whisper. I can’t help but let out a tear. “I

love won’t be enough.” He clenches his fist and impacts it against the door frame, not so much to break it but

chest as I watch

a muffled scream and run in terror to find Darío. I throw the letter on the bed and forget

find him kneeling on the floor. He has his suit on, and his hair combed back. He has let it grow a little longer, and I

the tulle of the dress surrounds my

my hand on his cheek. “Darío,

understand what’s going on. He’s all dressed up, dressed from head to toe. I even see the bow tie in his left pocket. He

doesn’t speak to me. His eyes are closed, and his head

did before he was blind, but seeing him fixed makes it hard for me to understand what could

you love me, and it doesn’t matter that our marriage was for convenience. I forgave my father for that. Besides, I will always be grateful because, had it not been for him, you and I would not be as much in love