The seventh-floor room of a private hospital was strangely quiet. The heart monitor beeped constantly, white light illuminating the pale face of Sofia, the woman who had just undergone thyroid tumor surgery. As soon as she had come out of anesthesia, Sofia saw the face of her husband, Juan, standing at the foot of the bed, holding a wad of papers. “Have you woken up yet?” Okay, sign here. His voice was cold, without a trace of compassion.

Sofia, stunned, asked: “What… What roles are they? Juan pushed the papers dryly: “Divorce. I’ve already written it. You just need to sign and you’re done. Sofia was paralyzed. Her lips moved, her throat still ached from the surgery, she couldn’t utter a word. His eyes filled with pain and incomprehension.

–¿Are… Kidding? “I’m not kidding. I already told you, I don’t want to live with a weak and sick woman all year round. I’m tired of carrying everything alone. You too should let me live according to my true feelings. Juan said it calmly, as if he were discussing changing a phone, and not abandoning the wife with whom he had shared almost 10 years of his life.

Sofia smiled bitterly, tears rolling down the corner of her eyes. –¿So… You waited for the moment when I can’t walk, I can’t react… to force me to sign? Juan was silent for a few seconds, then nodded: “Don’t blame me. This had to happen sooner or later. I have another person. She no longer wants to live in the shadows. Sofia pursed her lips. The pain in his throat didn’t compare to the pain screaming in his heart.

But he didn’t scream, he didn’t cry loudly, he just asked softly, “Where’s the pen?” Juan was surprised. “Are you really going to sign?” “Didn’t you say it yourself?” This had to happen sooner or later. He put the pen in her hand. Sofia’s trembling hand took it, and she slowly signed his name. –Ready. I hope you’re happy. –Thank you. I will send you the agreed part of the property. Goodbye.

Juan turned around and left. The door closed behind him, gently and eerily. But less than 3 minutes later, it opened again. A man entered. It was Dr. Arturo, Sofia’s best friend from college, and also the person who had operated on her. He was carrying a medical file and a bouquet of white roses in his hand. “Did they tell me Juan was here?” Sofia nodded, smiling slightly: “Yes, she came to divorce. –Are you ok? “Better than ever.”

Arturo sat down next to her, placed the flowers on the table, and then silently handed her an envelope. “This is the draft of the divorce papers your lawyer sent me. You told me last week that if John presented you with the papers, to give you this to sign as well. Sofia opened it and signed it without hesitation. He turned to look at Arturo, his eyes shining brighter than ever: “From now on, I won’t live for anyone else.” I don’t need to pretend to be a “good enough” wife, or pretend I’m okay when I’m feeling bad. “I’m here.” Not to replace anyone, but to walk by your side if you need me.

Sofia nodded softly. A tear rolled down his cheek – but it wasn’t from pain. It was a relief. A week later, Juan received a package by courier. They were the divorce papers with the full signature. It came with a small handwritten note: “Thank you for choosing to leave, so that I would no longer have to hold on to someone I had already let go. The abandoned person is not me. It’s you – who forever lost the person who loved you with everything they had.” At that moment, Juan understood: the person who thought he was in control, in the end was the one who was mercilessly abandoned.