Unexpected Revelation: The Husbands Betrayal
It was by chance that Ana learned of her husbands infidelity
As often happens, wives are the last to discover their spouses cheating. Only afterward did Ana understand the odd glances from coworkers 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 hit her that night when she suddenly returned home. Ana had worked for years as a doctor in a hospital and was scheduled for a night shift. At the end of her shift, a young colleague, Rita, asked for a favor:
Ana, could we swap shifts? Ill cover for you today if you take mine on Saturday. Only if you have no other plans. My sisters wedding is Saturday.
Ana agreed. Rita was friendly and helpful, and a wedding was a respectable reason.
That evening, Ana came home excitedshe wanted to surprise her husband. But the surprise was hers.
As soon as she entered the apartment, voices drifted from the bedroom. One voice belonged to Ricardo; the other was unmistakably Sofias, a voice Ana never expected to hear in that setting. What she heard left no doubt about the nature of their relationship.
Ana slipped out of the apartment as silently as she had entered. She spent the night sleepless at the hospital. How would she now face her colleagues? Everyone seemed to know everything, and she had been blinded by her love for Ricardo, trusting him completely. He was the meaning of her life; she would sacrifice anything for him. She had given up the dream of having children. Whenever she mentioned it, Ricardo would say he wasnt ready and that they should enjoy life. Now Ana realized he avoided children because he didnt take their family seriously.
That restless night, she made the only decision that felt right. The next morning she requested vacation leave, resigned, then went home. While Ricardo was at work, she packed her belongings and fled to the train station. She had inherited a small countryside house from her grandmother and headed there, believing Ricardo would never find her in that remote place.
At the station she bought a new SIM card and discarded the old one. Ana cut every tie to her former life and bravely stepped into a new one.
The following day she arrived at the familiar station. The last time she had been there was a decade ago for her grandmothers funeral. Everything was as she rememberedquiet, with few people. Exactly what I need now, she thought.
She hitchhiked to the village, then walked another twenty minutes to the house. The garden had overgrown with shrubs, making the front door hard to reach.
It took weeks to clear the yard and put the house in order. She couldnt have done it alone, but neighbors pitched in. Everyone remembered her grandmother, Dona Gloria, who had taught primary school for over forty years in the local school. Generations of village children had learned to read and write from her, and many now wanted to help Ana in the beloved teachers memory.
Ana hadnt expected such a warm welcome. She was deeply grateful to everyone who helped repair the house and settle her in the new home.
Word that Ana was a doctor spread quickly through the village. One day her neighbor Marina came running, 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 pain since morning.
Let me see her, Ana offered, 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, unsure how to thank her. Youre a doctor. The nearest medical center is sixty kilometres away. We had a nurse, but he retired a year ago and no one replaced him.
From then on, villagers kept seeking Anas help, and she could not refusethey had welcomed her so kindly.
When the local administration heard about the doctor, they invited her to work at the regional clinic.
No, I wont work in the region, Ana replied firmly. But if you trust me with a medical post in our village, Ill gladly accept.
The officials stared, doubtfula city doctor with so much experience wanting a rural post? Yet Anas mind didnt waver. Soon the village health centre reopened, and Ana began seeing patients.
One night someone knocked at her door. It was late, but she wasnt surprised; ailments didnt keep office hours.
She opened the door to a stranger, whose expression made her immediately sense something serious.
Mrs. Ana, Im from Setúbal, about fifteen kilometres away. My daughter is gravely ill. At first I thought it was a cold, but the fever has persisted for three days. Please, come with me, help my child.
Ana hurriedly prepared while the man described his daughters symptoms.
When they arrived, a tiny, very pale girl lay in bed, breathing shallowly. Her lips were dry, hair tangled, and her eyelids fluttered with each breath.
After examining her, Ana said:
This is serious. We need to take her to a hospital.
The man shook his head.
Its just me and my daughter. Her mother died shortly after birth. Shes everything to me; I cant lose her.
The hospital could treat her faster. I cant do much here. We need medication, and I dont have any.
Tell me what she needs, Ill get it. Just dont take her to the hospital. Theres a 24hour pharmacy nearby; Ill bring whats required quickly. But I have nowhere to leave her.
Seeing the father’s panic, Ana looked closer. He was her age, tall and slender, with beautiful chestnut hair. His eyes were dark green, and his long lashes could have jealous onlookers.
Ill stay with the girl, Ana said. Whats her name?
Beatriz, he answered tenderly, looking at his daughter. Im Miguel. Thank you, doctor!
Ana wrote a prescription, and Miguel rushed to town for the medication.
Beatrizs fever wouldnt break; she moaned in her sleep, crying for her father. Ana held the child, sang a lullaby, and rocked her until she calmed.
A few hours later Miguel returned with the medicine. Ana administered the injection and, with a tired smile, said:
Now we just wait.
They spent the night by the bedside. By morning the temperature began to fall, and beads of sweat appeared on the girls forehead.
Thats a good sign, Ana noted, exhausted but buoyed by the successful treatment.
Thank you, doctor, Miguel repeated gratefully.
A year passed. Ana continued working at the village clinic, caring for neighbors and nearby villagers. She now lived in a beautiful, spacious home 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 grew attached to Ana, and Ana loved her with all her heart, though she still mourned the lost chance of motherhood.
At night, Ana returned home tired yet happy, where the two people she cherished most awaited her. Volodia found her on the porch, embraced her, and asked:
So? Did they approve your leave? Ive already planned the itinerary; well take a family trip, the three of us.
Ana smiled mysteriously and replied:
They approved, but well travel as four.
Miguel stared in surprise for a moment, then hugged his wife and spun around the yard.
