Magdalena
Alex was deeply compassionate toward her, recognizing the crushing, impoverished life she had endured.
Tragically, Magdalena mistook his professional mercy for a reciprocating devotion. She convinced herself that he was as consumed by her as she was by him. She gave no thought to the future, nor did she formulate any real plans; she simply believed, with absolute, tragic certainty, that Alex and she were destined to be together.
A few days before the operation, after putting her child to sleep, Magdalena slipped toward Alex’s room under the cover of darkness. She crept down the hallway quietly, pretending she had urgent medical business with the doctor at midnight.