Lahat ng Kabanata ng Mr.X: Kabanata 91 - Kabanata 100

The days went by... turning into weeks... which became my two trimesters of pregnancy. I can safely say that this pregnancy is very different from the previous one. Since the first trimester, I've been getting all possible exams, including identifying any anomalies in our baby. A normal prenatal has a monthly consultation, starting as early as possible until the 32nd week. However, in the beginning, I had weekly check-ups. Now that I've entered the second trimester, my obstetrician said we could switch to biweekly appointments.During this pregnancy, I experienced much less morning sickness. When I reached the tenth week, the nausea subsided and was replaced by some strange cravings, but nothing impossible. My cravings included lasagna with Nutella at 2 a.m. on a Monday or bologna with strawberry jam. I even had white chocolate with soy sauce as part of my diet. Carlos patiently indulged all my whims, being with me every step of the pregnancy journey. After everything we've been throu

We get into the car, and Carlos starts going over the entire route: First, he needs to inform my parents to head to the hospital since they insisted on being there for the birth. He calls my parents, who get ready and also let us know that Valéria will accompany us and stay with Juan."You know, there's a silver lining to your whole family showing up today," Carlos says as he drives."Oh really? And what would that be?" I ask, seriously."Your sister will stay with Juan, your mom will go with you to the delivery room, and your dad will take me to the airport.""Seriously? When did you think of all this?""Love, it's the only way. Of course, if Marisol is born in two hours and thirty-five minutes, I can make it to the delivery," my husband says, looking at his wristwatch. I look at him incredulously."Do you really think I have control over that?" I ask, annoyed."I know I don't, love, but it doesn't hurt to try.""Oh sure, and you want her to start crying at what time? Should we time

I slowly open my eyes, blinking for a moment as I try to orient myself. I look around and realize that I am no longer in the shared room; there's only my bed, a chair, machines around my headboard, one of which is connected to the electrodes on my body, and a breathing apparatus in my nose. On the other side of my bed, there's a small crib. I try to raise my body, but my arm is tangled in the IV, or whatever I believe it to be. I attempt to get up and walk towards the crib where my daughter could be, but to my disappointment, I can't.As I slide my hand to remove all those wires, I hear the door open, and my husband walks in... without Marisol. Something doesn't feel right to me."Hi, love, how are you?" my husband asks, approaching me."Where's Marisol?" I manage to ask him."The nurse will be here soon," my husband replies, helping me lie back on the bed."With our daughter, right?" I inquire, concerned about my husband's evasive response."Yes, of course," my husband says. "But Rúb

"... This financial crisis is being compared to the one in 2008 that erupted in Spain almost in the same way and for the same reasons as in the United States: the burst of the real estate bubble, which artificially leveraged wealth. At that time, one-third of Spanish workers had temporary contracts. They were massively laid off."That's what the economic commentator invited to the news program Carlos was watching in our living room explained when I got home from work. I left my bag on the hall table, hung my coat in the closet, and then entered the room, stopping behind the sofa where my husband was, turning his head to give me a quick kiss."Can you believe it?" my husband asks, turning back to the television, where the commentator continued elucidating the subject, answering the journalists' questions:"Well, the difference between these crises is that this one is caused by two economic problems that afflict the country the most: unemployment and public deficit. Unemployment jumped

" No."That is the only thing that comes out of my lips before I turn around and walk in the opposite direction of X. I stride away with forceful steps towards the gardens, but I can still hear his footsteps, undoubtedly following behind me. I reach the garden when I feel my body being spun around and then pushed toward one of the huge bushes. X holds me by the arms, making me face him again, confirming that he is real and present. I push him away with all my strength and continue walking, but he pulls me back again."Dália, please, let's talk," he says."I have nothing to talk to you about!" I shout, releasing my arm."Dália, please," X walks behind me again. "I need to talk to you.""I don't want to know," I reply, walking on. "You lost the right to talk to me when you left me alone at the airport!""Dália, I explained it to you back then," X says, running and stopping in front of me. "I told you...""No need to repeat it, as your words are well-preserved in my mind," I interrupt, p