Episode 2

Hugo got a part-time job, he doesn't earn much, but it helps us pay rent and food. I make some money helping at a supermarket, which also helps us. I was four months pregnant when my baby started moving strongly. Hugo was thrilled and showered my belly with kisses. We were happy, and I thought it would always be this way, but I was wrong.

When I reached five months, everything started to change. We didn't have enough money, and Hugo was always in a bad mood, so he would leave the house upset. There were nights when he wouldn't come back, and it started to worry me.

At six months pregnant, he started disappearing for days, spending less and less time with me, and he stopped caring about the baby. Until one day, everything ended.

"I've been seeing my parents; I stay with them on the days I'm not with you," Hugo confessed.

"What made them change their minds? Why do they want to help you now?" I questioned.

"My parents proposed something that I think is best for everyone," Hugo commented.

"What is it?" I asked suspiciously.

"They proposed paying for our education. We can live with them again and, once we finish our studies, they'll support us in getting married," Hugo spoke.

"In exchange for what?" I asked fearfully.

"In exchange for giving the baby up for adoption," Hugo answered, surprising me.

"I won't leave my baby with a stranger," I responded.

"Think about it, Sol. We are too young to raise a child, and we have nothing to offer. We can find a good family with money who can truly take care of him. He won't lack anything," Hugo said.

"He'll be missing me, his mother. I won't leave my son," I stated firmly.

"Is this your final word?" Hugo asked.

"Yes, I prefer my son a thousand times over your family and their money," I replied.

"Then this is goodbye, Sol. Because today, I'm going back to my old life. I love you, but I can't handle this poverty," Hugo expressed, leaving the pension where we lived.

That night I cried like never before. I didn't know what to do. I was six months pregnant, with almost no food and very little money. Fortunately, we had paid the rent just two days ago, so I had time to get the next month's rent, but I didn't have enough money for my prenatal check-up. Well, I guess I won't go. The doctor told me last time that everything was fine, a bit underweight but normal for teenage mothers like me. But he recommended that I try to eat better and consume red meat. That's what I did this month, I hope it worked because I won't be able to attend my next appointment.

Time went by, and I couldn't afford to stop and cry. I kept going to the supermarket, now working all day to earn more money. But even with that, I still couldn't afford to pay the rent, so I was evicted from where I was living. With seven months of pregnancy, I started sleeping in parks. I knew it was dangerous, but I had no other option.

That's how I lived for three weeks, in the streets and eating with the little money I earned at the supermarket. Until one night in the park, I felt a sharp pain in my belly. When the pain passed, I decided to walk to the nearest public health center. But to get there, I had to pass by many private hospitals, where they would never attend to me for not having money. So, I kept walking, trying to ignore those places. When I passed by one of those hospitals, the pain returned but even stronger this time, so much that I fell to the ground while clutching my belly.

"Oh, God, help me," I pleaded through tears.

"Are you okay?" a well-dressed man asked. The pain was so intense that I couldn't see him clearly.

"It hurts so much," I replied, crying.

"We are in front of the hospital, let me help you in," he commented, and I refused.

"I don't have money, this place is too expensive," I responded, in great pain.

"Don't worry, a friend works here, I'll help you," the stranger comments, and before I can speak, he takes me in his arms and we enter the hospital.

A doctor looks at us surprised, apparently she is his friend. I can't hear what they say because the pain intensifies, and I start screaming. The pain becomes unbearable, but she quickly asks for a stretcher. They take me to a room. The pain is so intense that I can't bear it, and suddenly everything turns black for me. The pain is so strong that I lose consciousness. I don't know what will happen to me or my baby. I am alone, with no one willing to help me.

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