The next morning, Lucía didn’t come.
She left only a note on the table where her flowers used to be:
“Please don’t worry about me, Mr. Doval. I’ll always be grateful for our talks. But I’d rather leave before becoming another shadow in your life. Take care. — L.”
Alejandro searched for her everywhere, but she had vanished.
Months later, while traveling through a small coastal town, Alejandro noticed a little bakery with a hand-painted sign that read “Lucía’s Daisies.” He stepped inside.
Behind the counter stood Lucía—her hair tied back, her eyes glowing softly as she kneaded dough. The moment she saw him, her hands froze, and the rolling pin slipped to the floor.
“I thought I’d never see you again,” he said, his voice trembling.
“Me too,” she whispered.
He walked closer, took a dried daisy from his pocket—one he had kept all those months—and placed it on the counter.
“You never took anything from me, Lucía,” he said quietly. “But you took away my fear of opening my heart.”
Tears filled her eyes. And for the first time, Alejandro didn’t pretend to sleep. He stood there, fully awake, looking at the only person who had ever truly made him feel alive.
Note: This story is a work of fiction inspired by real events. Names, characters, and details have been altered. Any resemblance is coincidental. The author and publisher disclaim accuracy, liability, and responsibility for interpretations or reliance. All images are for illustration purposes only.
