Episode 3

With a broken heart, Victoria sat on the edge of the sidewalk, feeling the world crumble around her. The anger and disappointment of her parents had left her with nowhere to return. Determined to find support, she took her small phone and dialed her aunt's number, her father's sister, hoping she would understand.

"Hello, Aunt, I need to talk to you..." she began, her voice trembling. "Help me, please," she pleaded.

But what she received was a cold silence and a discouraging response.

"Victoria, I can't help you. I don't want to get involved in your problems, much less have problems with Tomas. He already called me and told me everything."

Her aunt's rejection was another blow to her heart. Feeling that she couldn't count on anyone, she tried to contact her friends. However, upon hearing the news, they only offered responses of disdain and excuses.

"I'm sorry, Vic, but I don't know what to do. I can't help you."

"My parents would kill me if I helped you. I'm sorry."

Desperate, she made one last decision: she would call Martin. Hoping that, at least, he could listen to her, she dialed his number. However, her heart sank when she heard the tone that led her directly to voicemail.

"Martin, it's me..." she whispered, with tears in her eyes. "Please, I need to talk to you."

Victoria regretted a thousand times having believed Martin, for not listening to her mother's advice and her father's warnings.

She wanted to turn back time, but it was impossible, and now she had to face the consequences of her actions.

With her soul shattered, Victoria left her neighborhood and headed to the bus station. Night was falling, and the cold was piercing her bones. A lady, with a kind look, watched her and approached.

"Do you need help, dear?" she asked with a warm smile.

Victoria, feeling lost and vulnerable, nodded. The lady accompanied her to the ticket office and helped her buy a ticket to the capital. While they waited, the woman offered words of encouragement.

"Don't worry, dear. Life sometimes puts difficult tests in our way, but there is always a path to the light."

Victoria, feeling a little more comforted, sat next to the lady on the bus.

"I'm Azucena," she introduced herself, extending a hand. "And what's your name?"

"Victoria," she replied, smiling despite her sadness.

Azucena offered her salted peanuts and some water, and together they began to chat. The lady listened attentively to Victoria's story, without judging her.

"You know, dear, sometimes life surprises us with situations we don't expect. But God always finds a way to help us," she said, with a soft and comforting voice.

The trip lasted twelve hours, and as the bus moved forward, Victoria looked out the window, watching the landscape change. The idea of arriving in the capital filled her with anxiety and fear. It was an immense city, full of lights and noise, and she felt so alone and lost.

Upon arrival, the cold air enveloped her, and the bustle of the city overwhelmed her. Azucena, noticing her unease, helped her get into a taxi.

"Don't worry, Victoria. My sister Maria will receive you. She is a good person," she assured her, while giving her the address written on a piece of paper, then she sent a text message to her sister.

Victoria felt grateful for Azucena's kindness, they said goodbye with a warm hug and exchanged phone numbers. In the taxi, as the city lights flickered around her, a new feeling began to blossom inside her: hope. Although her life had changed drastically, she was willing to face what was to come. With each kilometer she traveled, she became convinced that, perhaps, there was a second chance waiting for her in the capital, instinctively and carefully caressing her still flat belly above her clothes, her heart felt something different with that gesture. She would have her child, she would love him, she would take care of him and she would show the world that, although she made a mistake, she was going to do it right, she would be different from her parents, they would love their child unconditionally.

The taxi moved at a good pace through the illuminated streets of the capital, and Victoria watched in amazement as life in the city swirled around her. The neon lights, the noises of the people, and the constant coming and going of vehicles created a vibrant and frenetic atmosphere that made her feel both fascinated and overwhelmed. It was a completely different world from the one she had known in her small town, a place that seemed so distant at that moment.

Arriving at her destination, the taxi stopped in front of a modest but cozy building, with a sign that read "Hospedaje Maria" (Maria's Lodging). Victoria felt a knot in her stomach when she thought about what awaited her inside. How would that lady react when she saw her? Would she accept her after everything that had happened? With a mixture of fear and determination, she took her bag and said goodbye to the driver, she didn't have to pay, Azucena took care of that.

"Thank you, sir," she said, her voice choked with nerves.

"Remember, child, there is always a path to hope. Don't give up," replied the driver, smiling warmly before driving away.

Victoria took a deep breath and headed to the door of the lodging. Upon pushing it open, a gentle tinkling of bells greeted her, and the smell of homemade food enveloped her. The reception was decorated with family photos and green plants that gave a homely air.

"Hello, welcome to Maria's Lodging. How can I help you?" asked a middle-aged woman, with a kind smile.

"Hello, I'm Victoria. I'm looking for Mrs. Maria," she replied, feeling anxiety overwhelm her again. "I come from Mrs. Azucena."

The receptionist frowned for a moment, then her face lit up upon recognizing the name.

"Ah, of course! Maria is in the kitchen. Let me call her."

Victoria felt as if her heart was beating harder as she waited. The seconds seemed eternal, and when she finally saw Maria enter, she felt a mixture of relief and fear, the woman was just as Azucena had described her, of medium height, light eyes, and graying hair.

"Victoria?" said Maria, with an expression of surprise and concern. "You are just as my sister described you."

"I need a place to stay, I have enough to pay for a room," replied Victoria, feeling the words get stuck in her throat.

Maria looked at her carefully, noticing the sadness in her eyes and the tension on her face.

"Let's go to the kitchen, we'll be more comfortable there, you look cold and hungry, I'll give you something delicious and hot," she suggested, guiding her to a small dining room where the aroma of stews and spices enveloped her.

Once seated, Victoria felt that anxiety oppressed her. It was time to open her heart and tell her aunt everything.

"Mrs. Maria, I'm pregnant," she finally said, her voice breaking.

Maria was silent for a moment, processing the news. Her soul ached when she thought about the situation a young girl was going through.

"Don't worry, God never forsakes us, you'll see that you'll get ahead, child," said Maria with a mixture of concern and compassion.

"I'm alone in this world, but I want to fight and get ahead."

Maria looked at her tenderly, realizing the magnitude of the situation.

"Daughter, the first thing you should know is that you are not alone," she pointed to her belly, "also that you are in a safe place," she said, taking her hand. "Here I will support you in whatever you need. You are not alone."

Victoria felt a huge weight lift off her shoulders. Maria's warmth and understanding gave her a little comfort in the midst of her emotional storm.

"Thank you, Mrs. Maria," she replied, feeling a little stronger.

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