During their divorce, a rich husband chose to give his wife a deserted farm, hidden far away in the wilderness. Yet a year later, something happened that completely caught him off guard.
Nicolás, you know I dont need you here, right? María said firmly. I suggest you head 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 anew, sold their flat and put everything into their venture. Nicolás contributed only a tiny room in a shared house, while María drove the success with her wit and dedication. They lived modestly, moving from one rental to another, until they finally reached stability.
Eventually, however, Nicolás began to act like a genuine proprietor. Cunningly, he placed all the assets in his name, making sure María would receive nothing after the split. Once he had everything under his control, he filed the separation suit.
Does that seem fair to you, Nicolás? María asked, disappointed.
He shrugged indifferently.
Dont bring that 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 sighed, irritated.
Im tired of these pointless arguments. By the way, remember that old farm I inherited from my former boss, Mr. Rodríguez? He passed away 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 to my name.
No problem. Ill save on taxes, Nicolás answered with a sardonic 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 seek another chance to rebuild her life.
She loaded her car with essentials, leaving everything else to Nicolás and his new girlfriend. If he thought he could still rely on her experience and intelligence, he was sorely mistaken. The new partner, whom María had only met a couple of times, seemed more arrogant than clever.
Nicolás handed over 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 closed the car door and drove away. As she left town, tears began to stream down her face. She didnt know how long she cried until a gentle knock on the window snapped her out of her reverie.
Are you alright, dear? My husband and I have seen you standing here for a while, an elderly woman asked kindly.
María looked at the woman, then at the rearview mirror, where a bus stop appeared. She gave a faint smile.
Im fine, just felt a bit overwhelmed.
The woman nodded understandingly.
Were coming from the hospital. Our neighbor lives there alone; no one visits. By any chance are you heading to Seville?
María raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Seville? Where the farm is?
Yes, although its hard to call it a farm now. The owner died and nobody tends to it. Only a few people still care for the animals out of love.
María smiled slightly.
What a coincidence, Im going that way. Hop in, Ill take you.
The elderly lady sat in the front seat, and her husband took 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 a great deal about the farm: who was stealing, who still looked after the animals, and the miserable state of the place. When they arrived, she saw barren fields and a nearly collapsed barn housing 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 verdant pastures. She had turned the abandoned farm into a thriving business. It hadnt been easy: she sold her jewelry to buy feed and spent her last savings. Now sales were rising, and her products were in demand even in neighboring regions.
One day, a young woman named Laura brought her a newspaper ad offering refrigerated trucks at a good price. María recognized the phone numberit belonged to Nicoláss company. With a shrewd smile, she asked Laura to call and request a 5% discount, on the condition that the trucks not be shown to other buyers.
When María inspected the trucks, she ran into a stunned Nicolás.
Are you buying them? he asked, incredulous.
Yes, for the farm you gave me. Its become a sizable operation and were expanding, María replied calmly.
Nicolás could say nothing. 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.
