care for Don Rafael.”

Lucía’s heart froze.

She ran to her father-in-law’s room.

When she opened the door, the smell hit her immediately.
Don Rafael was dirty, uncomfortable, and clearly distressed.
His eyes looked at her desperately, begging for help.

— My God… Lucía whispered through tears. I can’t leave him like this…

She knew Daniel would be angry, but she chose to act from her heart.

She prepared warm water.
Clean towels.
Fresh clothes.

She approached him gently.

— Don’t worry, sir… I’m here. No one should have to go through this alone.

With trembling hands, she began to help him.
She cleaned him carefully, with respect, with tenderness.

But when she needed to remove his shirt to clean his back…

Lucía froze completely.

The world fell silent.

Because on Don Rafael’s shoulder…
among the deep scars…
there was something she would never forget.

A tattoo.

An eagle holding a rose.

Her body began to tremble.

Because that tattoo had lived in her memory since she was seven years old.

FLASHBACK – 20 YEARS EARLIER

The orphanage where Lucía lived was on fire.
Screams.
Smoke.
Flames everywhere.

Little Lucía was trapped.

— Help! Please!

Suddenly, a man rushed through the flames.
She didn’t know him.

He wrapped her in a wet blanket and held her tightly.

— Don’t let go, little girl! the man shouted.

Lucía felt the fire burning the man’s back…
because he was taking all the pain to protect her.

Before she lost consciousness, she saw the tattoo on his shoulder:
an eagle with a rose.

When she woke up in the hospital, firefighters told her that a “good Samaritan” had saved her and left without giving his name.

TO CONTINUE READING THE STORY PLEASE SEE PAGE 2