They stopped pretending that love would make every difficult question disappear.
Instead, they began discussing those questions honestly.
They talked about their age difference, the future, family expectations, financial independence, and the possibility that one of them might need more care as they grew older.
Raquel insisted that she would not marry a man simply because he made her feel young.
Raúl insisted that he would not marry a woman simply because she made him feel secure.
They had to decide whether they could build a partnership in which neither person became the other’s rescuer, possession, or obligation.
Several months after their separation, Raquel agreed to meet Amina again.
This time, she came without a crowd of guests or the pressure of a formal family introduction.
Amina welcomed her warmly.
“I am sorry for what happened in my home,” she said. “I should have done more to stop it.”
