During their divorce, a rich husband decided to give his wife an abandoned farm, isolated in the middle of nowhere. Yet a year later something happened that completely took him by surprise.
Nicolás, you know I dont need you here, right? María said firmly. I suggest you go back to the city.
Which city are you talking about? he replied, exhausted. He had been betrayed by the person he trusted most and no longer had the energy to argue. They had started over from scratch, sold their flat and poured everything into the business. Nicolás contributed only a tiny room in a shared apartment, while María drove the venture to success with her cleverness and dedication. They lived modestly, moving from one rental to another, until they finally achieved some stability.
Eventually, however, Nicolás began to act like a true owner. He cleverly transferred all assets into his name, making sure María would receive nothing after the split. With everything under his control, he filed for separation.
Does that seem fair to you, Nicolás? María asked, disappointed.
He shrugged indifferently.
Dont bring this up again. You stopped contributing a long time ago. I do everything while you do nothing.
It was you who told me to take a break and look after myself, she replied calmly.
Nicolás let out an irritated sigh.
Im tired of these useless arguments. By the way, do you remember the old farm I inherited from my former boss, Mr. Rodríguez? He died and left me that worthless land. Its perfect for you. If you dont want it, you get nothing.
María smiled bitterly, fully aware of his game. After twelve years together, she realized she had been living with a stranger.
Fine, but on one condition: the farm must be officially transferred into my name.
No problem. Ill save on taxes, Nicolás answered with a sarcastic grin.
María said nothing more. She packed her belongings and checked into a hotel, determined to start over, regardless of what awaited her a ruined farm or just an empty plot. She would find out upon arrival. If it proved worthless, she would return to the city or look for another chance to rebuild her life.
She loaded the essentials into her car, leaving everything else to Nicolás and his new girlfriend. If he thought she could still rely on her experience and wit, he was gravely mistaken. The new partner, whom María had met only a couple of times, seemed more arrogant than intelligent.
Nicolás handed her the papers with a mocking smile.
Good luck.
Same to you, María replied evenly.
Dont forget to send me a photo with the cows, he laughed.
Without answering, María shut the car door and drove away. As she left town, tears began to roll down her cheeks. She didnt notice how long she cried until a gentle knock on the window pulled her from her reverie.
Are you alright, dear? My husband and I have seen you standing out there for a while, an elderly woman asked kindly.
María glanced at the woman, then at the rearview mirror, where a bus stop appeared. She gave a faint smile.
Im fine, just felt overwhelmed.
The woman nodded sympathetically.
Were coming from the hospital. Our neighbor is alone there, no one visits. By any chance are you heading to Seville?
María raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Seville? Thats where the farm is?
Yes, although calling it a farm now is a stretch. The owner died and nobody looks after it. Only a few people still care for the animals out of love.
María smiled slightly.
What a coincidence, Im heading that way. Hop in, Ill take you.
The elderly lady sat in the front seat, her husband in the back.
Im María, she introduced herself while driving.
Im Carmen Fernández, and this is my husband, Antonio, the woman replied warmly.
During the ride, María learned about the farm: who stole, who still tended the animals, and the sorry state of the place. When they arrived, she saw empty fields and a barn on the verge of collapse, sheltering only twenty cows. Still, she decided to stay and fight for a fresh start.
A year later, María watched proudly as eighty cows grazed peacefully on her green pastures. She had turned the derelict farm into a thriving enterprise. It hadnt been easy: she sold jewelry to buy feed and spent her last savings. Now sales were climbing, and her products were in demand even in neighboring regions.
One day, a young woman named Laura brought her a newspaper article advertising refrigerated trucks at a good price. María recognized the phone numberit belonged to Nicoláss company. With a cunning smile, she asked Laura to call and request a 5% discount, on the condition that the trucks werent shown to other buyers.
When María went to inspect the trucks, she found a stunned Nicolás.
Are you going to buy them? he asked, incredulous.
Yes, for the farm you gave me. Its become a great business and were expanding, María replied calmly.
Nicolás had nothing to say. As he watched his own life crumble, María had already left the past behind.
In the end, María found true love with Juan, a mechanic who helped her improve the farm even further. Together they celebrated the baptism of their daughter, while Nicolás could only watch from afar as his own world fell apart.
