She continued living in the apartment, but she redecorated everything, erasing any trace of that period. Sophia graduated in law and started to work in the office that helped to investigate Alexander. Richard expanded his businesses, more cautious, but also more secure after overcoming the attempt of fraud. One year after the disastrous marriage, Valentina was in peace.
She had learned to trust in her instincts and never. She would let herself be carried only by the feelings. She was in the shopping mall taking coffee in the same food court where she met Alexander when a young man well-dressed tripped with her spillingthe coffee. “Sorry, what a disaster,” said he with a charming smile.
“Let me buy you another coffee.” Valentina looked at him, observed his rehearsed smile, his expensive clothes, but something worn, his quick look around as if searching for something. It’s not necessary, responded she simply. I insist. It’s the minimum that I can do. No thanks, and Valentina went away, leaving the man alone in the food court, probably wondering why his tactic hadn’t functioned.
She had learned to recognize the signals. 3 years afterward, Valentina met Martin, a veterinarian who took care of the pets of the employees of her father. Martin was simple, honest worker. He didn’t have much money, but he had something that Alexander never had, character. They married in a small ceremony, only with the close family. Valentina used a simple dress.
They bought the rings with the money that Martin had saved working the weekends. It wasn’t the dream wedding that she had planned with Alexander. It was better. It was real. Alexander was released after fulfilling two and a half years of sentence. He tried to search for Valentina, but she had changed number.
She had moved from apartment. She didn’t want to see him. She knew through third parties that he came out of the city. He tried to start again another place. She hoped sincerely that he had learned to be honest, but she knew that probably Alexander would continue being Alexander, and it was okay. Already, it wasn’t her problem.