“Tomorrow I will marry Laura, the woman who patiently waited for me for three years. Everything is ready; both our families have carefully prepared the wedding. But deep in my heart, there is still an indelible shadow: the memory of Mariana, my first wife, who died in a car accident four years ago.”

That day remains etched in my memory like a scar. Mariana left early for the market to prepare the meal for the anniversary of my father’s death.

And then, that call shattered my life:

“Your wife was in an ac:cident… We did everything we could, but she didn’t survive.”

When I arrived, her body was lifeless, and her face still bore the sweet smile I knew so well.

I felt like the world was crumbling beneath my feet. I lived like a ghost for a year.

The house we had built with so much effort became a cold and empty place. Every time I opened the closet and smelled her fabric softener, I collapsed.

My friends and family urged me to rebuild my life, but I just shook my head. I believed I no longer deserved anyone and could never love again.

Until Laura came into my life.

She was a new coworker, five years younger than me. She wasn’t pushy or invasive.

But her silent affection slowly showed me that my heart could still feel warmth. When I thought of Mariana, she would simply sit next to me and offer me a cup of tea.

When the noise from the street brought back memories of the tragedy, she would hold my hand until I calmed down.

For three years, she never asked me to forget the past; she just waited with infinite patience until I was ready to open my heart again.

And that’s why I decided to marry her.

But before taking that step, I felt the need to visit Mariana, clean her grave, and light incense on it. I wanted to believe that wherever she was, she would also want to see me happy.

That night, it was drizzling lightly. The cemetery was empty, only the wind through the eucalyptus trees broke the silence. I carried white flowers, a cloth, and a bunch of candles. With trembling hands, I placed the chrysanthemums on the grave and whispered:

“Mariana, tomorrow I’ll marry another woman. I know that if you were alive, you would also want me to find someone by my side. I won’t forget you, but I need to move on… I can’t wait any longer for Laura.”

A tear fell without me realizing it. As I was cleaning the tombstone, I heard very soft footsteps behind me.

I turned, my eyes still red.

In front of me stood a thin woman in her thirties, dressed in a light beige coat. Her hair was moving in the wind, and her eyes had a sad gleam.

“Forgive me, I didn’t mean to scare you,” she said in a trembling voice.

I nodded as I wiped my tears.

“It’s no use… Are you here to visit someone?”

She was silent for a moment, looked at another grave, and replied:

“I came to visit my sister. She d:ied in a car accident… four years ago.”

My heart stopped. I read the tombstone:

Gabriela Ramírez – 1992-2019.

The exact same date as Mariana’s d:eath.

“Your sister… d:ied the same day as my wife.”

She opened her eyes, surprised, and stared at me:

“Your wife also d:ied that day?”

I nodded and told her what happened.

Her eyes filled with tears as she placed a bouquet of white lilies on her sister’s grave.

“That day, Gabriela was traveling with a friend… I didn’t think it would be her last trip. She told me, crying.”

The silence of the cemetery enveloped us. I felt a strange connection, as if the grief of two strangers had met by chance.

When he said goodbye, he said,

“My name is Isabel.”

“I’m Daniel,” I replied.

We talked for a long time about those we’ve lost. He told me about Gabriela, happy, hopeful, passionate about music. What I was talking about was Mariana, her kindness, her altruism. There was sadness in our eyes, certainly, but also a caring affection as we recalled happy memories.

The next day, my wedding to Laura took place, surrounded by family and friends. She shone white, and everyone congratulated us on finding happiness again.
But deep inside, the image of Isabel in the cemetery still resonated.

Fate, uncertain and doubtful, crossed our paths again.

I learned she worked for a company that provided for me. In a meeting, she barely whispered,

“Daniel…”

We had coffee after work. Isabel told me:

“Since Gabriela d:ied, I’ve taken refuge in work. But there are nights when I cry for no reason. That day at the cemetery, I felt I wasn’t alone in my sadness.”

I listened to her and realized there was an invisible bond between us: shared grief.
But I also knew that bond was dangerous. I was married; I couldn’t give in to confusion.

We saw each other several times. Our conversations grew longer and deeper. I shared things with her that I hadn’t told Laura. And it consumed me.

Until one night, I couldn’t hide it anymore and decided to confess everything to my wife.

I told her about the meeting in the cemetery, about Isabel, about our conversations.

Laura was silent for a long time. I thought she’d get angry, but she finally said:

“Daniel, I’ve waited for you for three years. I’m not afraid of Isabel. Because I know that love isn’t pity or coincidence: it’s a choice. I just want you to have the courage to choose what you truly want. If you’re happier with her, I’ll let you go.”

Her words pierced my heart like a kn:ife.

Then I understood: true love isn’t just sharing wounds, but also showing sacrifice, trust, and faith.

From that day on, I limited my encounters with Isabel strictly to the professional sphere.
I chose to stay with Laura because I understood that the past must stay where it is, and that the woman who truly helped me rebuild myself was always by my side.

Sometimes, in the silence, I remember Isabel’s sad eyes and her question:

“Are you with someone who only reminds you of your wounds, or with someone who helps you heal them?”

And I understood that that encounter in the cemetery wasn’t meant to open a new love story, but to remind me that I don’t need to carry my sadness alone.
I am with Laura, and with her, I must learn to live fully.

Since then, my life truly changed.

Not because of a love triangle, but because I learned to value the present, let go of the past, and move on.