Unexpected Revelation: The Husbands Betrayal Uncovered
Ana learned of her husbands infidelity by chance
As is often the case, wives are the last to discover their spouses affairs. Only later did Ana grasp the meaning behind her colleagues odd glances and the whispers behind her back. It wasnt a secret that Anas best friend, Sofia, was involved with Ricardo, but Ana had never suspected it.
The truth came to her that night when she suddenly returned home. Ana had been working for years as a doctor in a hospital. That day she was scheduled for a night shift, but at the end of the day a junior colleague, Rita, asked her for a favor:
Ana, could you swap shifts with me? Ill cover yours tonight and you can take mine on Saturday, if you have no other plans. My sisters wedding is Saturday.
Ana agreed. Rita was friendly and helpful, and a wedding is a respectable reason.
That evening Ana went home feeling upbeatshe wanted to surprise her husband. Instead, she was the one who got surprised.
The moment she stepped into the apartment, she heard voices coming from the bedroom. One voice belonged to Ricardo; the other, she recognized instantly, though she never expected to hear it in that settingit was Sofias. What Ana overheard left no doubt about the nature of their relationship.
She slipped out of the flat as silently as she had entered and spent the night sleepless at the hospital. How could she now face her coworkers? Everyone seemed to know everything, and she had been blinded by her love for Ricardo, trusting him implicitly. He was the center of her world; she was ready to give up everything for him. She had even shelved her dream of having children. Whenever she brought it up, Ricardo would say he wasnt ready yet and that they should enjoy life. Now Ana realized he avoided children because he didnt take their future seriously.
That restless night led her to what felt like the only right decision. The next morning she requested leave, then quit her job, packed her things while Ricardo was at work, and fled to the train station. She inherited a modest country house from her grandmother and headed there, convinced Ricardo wouldnt chase her to that remote place.
At the station she bought a new SIM card and discarded the old one. She cut every tie to her former life and bravely stepped toward a new beginning.
The following day she arrived at the familiar stationthe last time she had been there was about ten years ago for her grandmothers funeral. Everything was as she remembered: quiet, with only a few people around. Exactly what I need right now, she thought.
She hitchhiked to the village, then walked another twenty minutes to her grandmothers house. Overgrown shrubs nearly blocked the doorway.
It took weeks to clear the yard and put the house in order. She couldnt have done it alone, but the neighbors pitched in. Everyone remembered her grandmother, DonaGloria, who had taught primary school for over forty years and had taught generations of local children to read and write. In gratitude, many now wanted to help Ana, honoring the beloved teacher.
Ana was astonished by the warm welcome and felt deeply grateful to those who helped remodel the home and settle her in.
Word that Ana was a doctor spread quickly through the village. One day her neighbor Marina knocked on her door, panic in her voice:
Ana, Im sorry, I cant help today. My youngest daughter is sick; she must have eaten something bad and has had stomach pains since this morning.
Let me see her, Ana replied, grabbing her medical bag and following Marina.
Little Bia suffered from food poisoning. Ana inserted a nasogastric tube and instructed Marina on how to care for her.
Thank you, Ana, Marina said, unable to find the right words. Youre a doctor. The nearest medical center is sixty kilometres away. We had a nurse, but she retired a year ago and nobody replaced her.
From then on, villagers began seeking Anas help, and she could not turn them away after they had welcomed her so kindly.
When the local administration learned of the physician, they invited her to work at the regional clinic.
No, I wont work in the region, Ana answered firmly. But if you give me a medical post in our village, Ill gladly accept.
The officials stared in disbeliefa city doctor with her experience wanting a rural posting. Anas mind didnt waver. Soon the village health centre reopened, and she began seeing patients.
One night someone knocked late at her door. Illness doesnt keep office hours, Ana thought, and opened it for a stranger whose face showed urgent concern.
Mrs. Ana, Im from Setúbal, about fifteen kilometres from here. My daughter is very ill. I first thought it was just a cold, but her fever has lasted three days. Please, come with me, help my child.
Ana hurried to gather her supplies while asking the man about his daughters symptoms.
When she arrived, she found a tiny, pale girl lying in bed, breathing with difficulty. Her lips were dry, hair tangled, eyelids fluttered with each breath.
After examining her, Ana said:
This is serious. We need to take her to a hospital.
The father shook his head.
Its just me and my daughter. Her mother died shortly after birth. This girl is everything to me; I cant lose her.
A hospital could treat her faster, but we have no medicine here.
Tell me what you need; Ill get it. Just dont take her to the hospital. Theres a 24hour pharmacy nearby; Ill bring the drug quickly. I have nowhere to leave her.
Seeing the fathers fear, Ana noted his appearance: a tall, slender man of her age, dark brown hair, deep green eyes, long lashes that could make any woman jealous.
Ill stay with the girl, Ana said. Whats her name?
Beatriz, he replied tenderly, looking at his daughter. Im Miguel. Thank you, doctor!
Ana wrote a prescription, and Miguel drove to the city for the medication.
Beatrizs fever wouldnt subside; she whined in her sleep, cried, and called for her father. Ana cradled her, humming a lullaby until the child calmed.
A few hours later Miguel returned with the medicine. Ana administered the injection and, with a weary smile, said:
Now we just wait.
They spent the night by the bedside. By morning the temperature began to drop, and beads of sweat appeared on the girls forehead.
Thats a good sign, Ana remarked, exhausted but buoyed by the relief of overcoming the illness.
Thank you, doctor, Miguel repeated gratefully.
A year passed. Ana continued at the village clinic, treating locals and residents of nearby hamlets. She now lived in a beautiful, spacious house with Miguel. They married six months after that harrowing night when Beatrizs life hung by a thread.
It took a few more weeks for Beatriz to fully recover. The girl formed a deep bond with Ana, and Ana loved her with all her heart, yet each embrace reminded her of the motherhood shed never experience.
At night Ana returned home tired but happy, where the two people she cherished most waited. Volodia found her on the porch, hugged her, and asked:
So? Did they approve your leave? Ive already planned the itinerary; well take a family tripjust the three of us.
Ana smiled enigmatically and replied:
They signed off, but well travel as four.
Miguel stared at his wife for a moment, then embraced her and twirled around the yard.
