For several minutes he could not speak. He only hugged the pillow in his room as tears fell uncontrollably.
Carlos, his father, received the call shortly after.
His reaction was different.
He sighed deeply, as if an invisible weight had been removed from his shoulders.
“It was inevitable…” he murmured.
The funeral was held two days later at a small funeral home in Coyoacán.
The sky was grey and heavy.
Sofia sat in front of the white coffin, her eyes red from so much crying.
Inside, Maria Fernanda seemed to sleep.
They had placed some flowers around the coffin: white lilies, sunflowers and roses.
Flowers.
Just like the ones she had always loved.
Charles arrived with.
But it didn’t come alone.
Daniela walked beside her.
He wore black, wore dark glasses and feigned a sad expression. Some people in the room murmured upon seeing her. It was not appropriate that he be there so close to Carlos, especially when everyone knew the rumors.
Sofia saw them come in.
His heart squeezed tightly.
He didn’t say anything.
He just looked away.
After the religious ceremony, when most attendees were beginning to retire, an older man in a gray suit slowly approached.
He was a lawyer, Ricardo Herrera, the family’s trusted lawyer.
“Mr. Carlos,” he said in a calm voice. Mrs. Maria Fernanda left very clear instructions. We must meet today for the reading of his will.
Carlos frowned slightly.
“Today?”
“Yes. She insisted that it be immediately after the funeral.
Carlos thought for a moment.
Then he nodded.
In the back of his mind, he already imagined what would come.
The family home.
The bank accounts.
The little apartment they had bought years ago.
All of that would surely come under his control.
After all, he was the husband.
An hour later, everyone gathered in the lawyer’s office.
The room was elegant, with dark wooden booksellers and a large mahogany table in the center.
Four people were present.
Charles.
Daniela.
Sofia.
And the lawyer.
The atmosphere was loaded with tension.
The lawyer slowly opened a sealed envelope.
“This document was signed by Mrs. Maria Fernanda exactly two weeks ago,” he explained.
Charles settled into the chair.
Daniela crossed her legs with a slight hidden smile.
The lawyer started reading.
“I, María Fernanda López Ramírez, in full use of my mental faculties, declare this as my last testament…”
The words resounded in the silence of the office.
At first everything seemed normal.
The family jewels would be left for Sofia.
Some personal memories too.
Charles was beginning to get bored.
Until the lawyer came to the most important part.
—“As for my main heritage…”
Charles raised his head slightly.
The lawyer continued.
“I declare that the house located in Coyoacán, as well as all my bank accounts, savings, investments and the land inherited by my father…”
Charles smiled discreetly.
“…they will be destined for the creation of a foundation.”
The smile disappeared.
“A what?” Carlos interrupted.
The lawyer looked up calmly.
“A foundation.
He continued to read.
“…which will be named after the Flower of Hope Foundation.”
Sofia raised her head surprised.
The lawyer kept reading.
“This foundation will aim to support women with cancer who cannot afford their medical treatments.”
The silence became heavier.
Charles began to worry.
“And… what about the house?” he asked in a tense voice.
The lawyer responded without raising his voice.
The house will be sold. The money will go directly to the foundation.
Daniela frowned.
Charles gently hit the table.
“That doesn’t make sense. I’m her husband.
The lawyer opened another page.
“Mrs. Maria Fernanda left an additional clause.
Everyone was silent.
The lawyer read slowly.
“I thank my husband Carlos for the years shared. However, because of the decisions I made during my illness, I believe that I can no longer be the person in charge of caring for what we build together.”
Charles got stiff.
The lawyer continued.
“For that reason, he will not inherit any of my goods.”
Daniela opened her eyes with surprise.
Carlos was completely still.
“What…?”
But there was still more missing.
The lawyer went to the last page.
“The administration of the foundation will be in charge of my daughter Sofia Lopez.”
Sofia was speechless.
“In addition, I leave a special fund intended exclusively for your university education and your future projects.”
The young woman’s hands began to tremble.
The lawyer finished reading the last line.
“I hope those who read these words remember something important: life is too short to betray love. But it’s also long enough to learn to be better.”
The silence filled the room.
Carlos was pale.
Daniela was looking at the ground.
Sophie had tears in her eyes.
The lawyer closed the document calmly.
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