One: Nighttime Encounter

Diego had always been Antonio's best friend, more like a brother. But as Antonio sat there, the revelation felt unreal, and a storm of questions raged within him. Could Diego truly betray him in such a way? Could his best friend be the one to have a relationship with his girlfriend, leading to her pregnancy?

The thought of Diego's betrayal cut deep. Antonio acknowledged that Diego came from a more privileged background, but the idea of his best friend being part of this deceit was hard to comprehend. His anguish was less about Sofia and more about the deep sense of betrayal by someone who had grown up alongside him, who had witnessed his struggles without ever extending a helping hand, and had now chosen to add to his misfortune.

Antonio's heart raced, and he felt a sharp, piercing pain deep within his chest. He lay down in front of Sofia's door, his eyes heavy with weariness, yet he fought back the tears threatening to escape. After a while, he summoned the strength to stand, though still in physical and emotional pain, and began to wander through the dimly lit streets, his appearance was a reflection of the agitation he felt within him.

As he wandered through the dark streets, his thoughts distracted by his heartache, he suddenly stopped when he heard voices. A gang of teenagers was menacingly robbing a woman, and as soon as they spotted Antonio, they scattered in haste.

Despite his pain, Antonio couldn't ignore the fear in the lady's eyes. She approached him and offered her gratitude, recognizing the sorry state he was in.

Antonio, still unable to find his voice, merely gazed at her. The lady took in his messy appearance, remarking, "What's happened to you? You look like you've been through a lot."

Antonio remained silent.

"Alright, alright, let's get you to a hospital," she said, a hint of disgust at his appearance. She led him to her car, meticulously arranging a rug and spreading a towel on the back seat before gesturing for him to sit. "You can get in now."

Antonio obediently settled into the back seat, still wrapped in silence, as the lady took the wheel and drove away into the night.

The car was filled with an uneasy silence as Maria glanced repeatedly at the rearview mirror, trying to engage Antonio in conversation.

"What's your name?" she finally asked, but Antonio remained silent.

"I'm Maria Montague," she introduced herself in an attempt to coax a response from him. The name Montague caught Antonio off guard, and he couldn't help but be surprised.

Could this be the same Montague he knew? His eyes widened, and his decision to stay silent wavered. "I'm... Antonio," he managed to utter.

Maria, taken aback by his response, wore a surprised smile. "You talk?" she asked, still smiling. "Alright, Antonio, we're almost at the hospital," she added, and Antonio nodded.

Upon their arrival at the hospital, Maria conversed with the nursing staff, and it was clear she was familiar with the place and its people. Antonio was directed to a ward that resembled a VIP lounge.

"Don't worry, I've instructed them to take good care of you," Maria reassured him. "You're Antonio, right?" she confirmed, and Antonio nodded.

"Great, I'll be back tomorrow to check on you. Thanks for tonight, and bye for now," she said before departing.

Although Antonio received the best treatment he had ever experienced in his life, he couldn't shake off the emotions he had been wrestling with. He was still angry about the events of the day, but, for a while, he managed to find some solace and get a good night's rest after receiving medical attention.

The next morning, Antonio woke up feeling a noticeable improvement in both his physical condition and his emotional state. As he glanced around the room, it struck him that it didn't resemble a typical hospital ward; it felt more like a luxurious hotel room, exuding an air of high-class elegance.

His contemplation was interrupted by a nurse's entrance. "Good morning, Mr. Antonio," the nurse greeted with a warm smile that blended seamlessly with the morning sun streaming in.

"Do you feel better?" she inquired while taking his temperature.

"Yes, I do feel better," Antonio responded.

The nurse couldn't help but express her curiosity, "May I ask, without prying too much, how did you come to know Miss Montague?"

Before Antonio could respond, Maria entered the room, and Antonio had a chance to observe her more closely in the morning light. She radiated a bright presence.

"Hey there," she greeted Antonio with a warm smile, causing the nurse to tactfully excuse herself and leave them alone.

Do you feel better?" Maria asked as she settled on a nearby couch next to Antonio's bed.

"Yes, I do feel better. Thank you, Miss Montague. I didn't get to properly thank you yesterday for your kindness. Thank you so much," Antonio expressed his gratitude sincerely.

"It's nothing; you did something for me too," Maria replied, downplaying her actions. She leaned in, her curiosity piqued, and asked, "So, what's your story?"

“It's quite a long story," Antonio admitted.

Maria responded with a reassuring smile. "No story is too long, and I have some free time today. Please, share it with me."

Antonio paused for a moment, wrestling with the decision to reveal his personal history to a relative stranger. However, buoyed by the kindness Maria had already displayed, he chose to share a glimpse of his story. He offered a concise account of the events from the night she discovered him in his dire condition: his overwhelming debt to loan sharks, the painful betrayal by his closest friend, and a bit of the stormy challenges he had been dealing with.

Maria listened attentively throughout his narrative, and when he finished, she let out a heavy sigh. "You see, that's life. I'm so sorry you had to go through all of this," she empathized.

She then added with an inviting smile, "I mentioned you to my father, and he's eager to meet you."

Antonio's face brightened when Maria mentioned her father. "You told your father about me?" he inquired, trying to hide his excitement.

"Yes, you know the Montague, right? That Montague. He's my dad," Maria revealed.