After years of solitude, the mysterious man decides to “send a wife by mail” hoping to find happiness, but every time his prospective brides set foot in the strange house isolated in the wilderness, they all flee in terror — only one poor girl dares to stay, thus beginning a dramatic story where secrets are buried deep within

He saw a wife by letter and three women came from afar just to run away the same day when you see where he lived But the fourth, when he stepped that porch that creaked over the abyss, He didn’t run away. She stayed. You can imagine the desperation of a good man he sees a girlfriend get off for the third time the cart full of hope and climb turn around half an hour later with my eyes exorbitant with terror.

 He was not violent, he was not ugly, he was not poor, but His house was in a place that made Any outsider would feel chill This story occurred in interior of Castile in March 1A915 in a secluded property 8 km from the village of San Sebastián del Valle, where the wind cut the skin and the silence of the night was only broken by the sound of stones rolling down the ravine.

 Since you have come this far, [music] Let me ask you something quickly. write there in the comments from where are you seeing this, what city, what province or even what country you are from. I love knowing that these stories ancient ones reach so many places different. And if you haven’t yet subscribed to the channel, do there in the button, because every Sunday there is a new story of improvement, love and excitement of those times of yore.

[music] Now come with me so that this story It will move you from beginning [music] to end. Isabel Martínez was 30 years old when he took that letter from newspaper. I was sitting in the living room lowercase letter that I shared with three others women in Doña Remedios’ pension in Madrid, a city that grew too much fast [music] and had no mercy who was stumbling February afternoon came through the narrow window bringing [music] smell of dust and manure donkey Isabel held the diary open in the ads section, fingers

thin, marking the thin paper already yellowed by the sun. good man, 36 years old, carpenter established in interior of Castilla, looking for a wife good nature for honest life and company. Send letter to Rodrigo Valverde, village of San Sebastián del Valle, in charge of the local post office. It wasn’t the most beautiful advertisement.

 did not promise wealth or comforts, but he had a naked honesty that touched something inside of her. Isabel read it three times before of folding the newspaper. He thought about the word company, not love, not passion, no family, company, as if the man knew that life had already taken him any fairy tale illusion and I just wanted someone to share the weight of days.

 She knew well what It was that weight. 6 months earlier, Isabel Martínez was a respected teacher at Santa Teresa female school, where taught first letters to girls wealthy families. I earned little, but enough to rent one decent room and buy fabric for two dresses a year. I had students who They adored her, she had a routine, she had dignity, until Dolores de Castro, mother of a mediocre student, [music] decided that her daughter deserved better notes and that Isabel was favoring girls from wealthier families.

 The accusation was ridiculous. [music] Anyone with eyes could see that Isabel treated all the students with the same firm patience, but Dolores de Castro was the sister-in-law of the director of the school [music] and had a sharp tongue. Spread throughout the city that Isabel Martínez was selling notes, which accepted gifts from rich families, that she was dishonest and interested.

 Nothing of that was true. None of that mattered. The director, a weak man who feared his sister-in-law more than her own conscience, He called Isabel one afternoon in August and He said in a soft voice that it would be better asked for voluntary resignation avoid a major scandal. Isabel felt that the ground disappeared under his feet.

He asked to defend himself, he asked for an investigation, He asked for justice. He averted his eyes and He repeated that it would be better this way for everyone. Isabel left that school with cloth bag slung over the shoulder and eyes dry from being so burned inside. He tried to get another position.

 sent letter to five different schools. None responded. The story had already run Nobody wanted a teacher with stained reputation, although the stain it was a lie. Without a job, Isabel burned savings in three months. He sold the two good dresses. he was left alone with the mended work ones. He moved from the comfortable house to that pension where six women shared a bathroom and kitchen.

Everyone there had similar stories. Women without family, without husband, without luck. Women that the city spat out towards the margins. Isabel did not have real family She was the only child of parents who died of yellow fever when she was 16 years old. was raised by two spinster aunts who taught him to read, write, embroider and behave.

The aunts died too, one of them spill and another of sorrow. Before Isabel turned 22, she stayed alone in the world, clinging only to the teacher profession as table of salvation, and now he didn’t even have that. That one February afternoon, with the newspaper in the hand and stomach aching with hunger because I had skipped lunch to save, Isabel made a decision that it would change everything.

 He took paper, pen and ink borrowed from Doña Remedios, wrote a short and honest letter. Mr. Rodrigo Valverde, my name is Isabel Martínez, I am 30 years old and I went teacher in Madrid. I lost my position for false accusation and I have no family no prospects here. I know how to read, write, cooking and taking care of a house.

 I am not beautiful, but I am healthy and hardworking. Yes the Lord is still looking for a wife, [music] I agree to meet you. Respectfully. Isabel Martínez sent the letter the same day next and tried not to create expectations. Two weeks passed, three. Isabel had already forgotten it when one March morning, Doña Remedios called the door of the room with an envelope in the hand. “It has arrived.

 Answer for you”, the woman said with bad curiosity hidden [music] Isabel opened the letter with trembling fingers. The letter It was firm, inclined, of a man used to drawing projects. “Mrs. Isabel, I appreciate your letter. I don’t have a family either. I also know what is to be misjudged. If the Madam accepts, I send money for the ticket by train to Ávila and from there by cart to San Sebastián del Valle.

 Notify the date and I will be waiting. Sincerely, Rodrigo Valverde. inside in the envelope there were 60 reais in bills bent. It was enough money for him passage and still left over for new clothes yes she would like. Isabel held the bills carefully, as if they were made of glass. At that time not He felt love, he felt relief.

 He felt that Maybe I wouldn’t die of hunger a forgotten pension in Madrid. felt that someone somewhere had given him a second chance. He wrote of return marking the date. two weeks later, a cold autumn morning [music] that came early in the morning plateau, Isabel Martínez boarded the train with a worn leather suitcase had been from the aunts and a heart full of fear and hope mixed together.

 The train trip to Ávila lasted [music] 9 hours. Isabel spent time looking through the dusty window, [music] watching the plateau extend infinitely, the sun-scorched wheat fields, the solitary oaks like sentinels ancient. He thought of Rodrigo Valverde. He tried to imagine her face. It would be high, He would be kind, he would be a man of his word.

In Ávila he got off at the small station stone and looked for the cart that Rodrigo had [music] promised to send. He found the skinny carter with a mustache fallen who greeted her by taking off his hat. Are you [music] the girlfriend of Don Rodrigo? He asked more like confirmation that as a question.

 Elizabeth he nodded and he picked up his suitcase with careful, he helped her get into the cart and They rattled down the road land. The carter was not talkative, but he wasn’t rude. after an hour of silence, Isabel gathered courage and He asked how much was left. He scratched his beard before answering [music] which was about 5 more hours of travel.

 she He swallowed and asked what Saint was like. Sebastian del Valle. [music] The man He gave a short, humorless laugh. Village little one said. Good people, but distrustful [music] It’s at the foot of the saw. Nice place if the lady likes it He likes the mountains and the silence. Elizabeth He wanted to ask about Rodrigo, but he didn’t.

knew how. The carter seemed to read his thoughts because he said without her asked, “Don Rodrigo is a straight man, works well, pays on time, doesn’t get involved with no one, he has lived alone for a long time. The Lady is the fourth to come.” Isabel He felt his stomach turn cold. The fourth. he repeated slowly.

 the carter He realized that he had talked about more and remained silent, but Isabel he insisted. “What happened to the other three?” he asked with a firm voice despite of fear. The man sighed deeply and He decided she deserved to know. They came, they saw the house, they left same day three. The last one is gone crying.

 He said he couldn’t sleep in a place like that, not even if they paid him. The Isabel’s heart was beating faster. what place?, asked the carter. He looked at her sideways. Don Rodrigo’s house is at edge of a ravine. He explained slowly. There is a deep gorge just behind. The wind blows hard, the house It creaks and there is a sad story behind it.

[music] But it’s not my turn to tell it. The lady You’ll see it when you arrive. The rest of the Isabel spent the trip in silence, full of thoughts. thought about coming back, thought in asking the carter to give half back, but then he remembered the pension of Doña Remedios, the looks of pity of the other women, the hunger that pressed for the end of the month, the letter Rodrigo, who had been respectful and honest He decided that he was not going to run away before to see with your own eyes.

 the sun was starting to go down when the cart entered the village of San Sebastian del Valle. It was smaller than what Isabel imagined. a street main clay court, about 25 adobe and wood houses, small church single tower, [music] store with porch where some men were playing domino The carter waved to some people who looked at Isabel with curiosity.

 “The new girlfriend of Rodrigo,” shouted a toothless old man sitting on the porch. May God bless. You’re going to need it. The cart did not stop at the village. He continued along a path that went up the hill, ever narrower, ever more surrounded by mountains. The afternoon It cooled quickly. Isabel threw on her shawl on the shoulders.

 It smelled like wet earth, to a rotten leaf, to the fact that it could not identify. The carter [music] He led the donkeys with a firm hand, but Isabel noticed tension in her shoulders. After almost an hour climbing, the road turned a sharp curve and Suddenly it opened into a clearing. Isabel saw the house and understood everything.

 The house was made of wood and stone, solid construction and well done, [music] with a porch front and red tile roof, but was less than 25 meters from the edge of a gorge. Isabel could see the abyss From the cart, I couldn’t see the bottom, I only saw gray stones going down vertically and disappearing into the shadow [music] The wind that rose From below it brought a constant sound, like a deep, serious breath.

The house was on its side to the cliff, as if trying not to look directly towards him, but the proximity was terrifying. Isabel imagined waking up At night, she imagined walking sleepwalking, imagined one of the scared donkeys running in the wrong direction. He felt dizzy just thinking about it. The carter stopped the cart and got out slowly Isabel stayed seated, clinging to the edge of the bench.

 I couldn’t take your eyes off the gorge. The man took his suitcase and put it in the ground. Do you want me to wait? he asked with low voice [music] Isabel did not respond immediately. Part of her screamed to say, “Yes, wait, I’m leaving with you.” But then the door house opened. Rodrigo Valverde came out porch wiping hands on a cloth.

He was tall, broad shoulders, who worked with heavy wood, hair dark cut short, beard trimmed carefully, he wore cloth pants and linen shirt with sleeves folded up the elbows. He had an angular face, marked cheekbones, sunken eyes. It wasn’t handsome in the common sense, but there was something about him that attracted attention, a stillness, a solidity.

 He lowered the three porch steps slowly [music] as if he were afraid of scaring a surly animal. It stopped about 6 meters from the cart and took off his hat straw that he had on his head. “Mrs. Isabel,” he said with a grave and leisurely, “welcome.” Isabel forced the legs to move. He came down from the cart holding on to the side to avoid fall because I was dizzy.

 He stepped on the clay floor and stood still not knowing what to do with your hands. “Thank you, Mr. Rodrigo,” he managed. say. The voice came out hoarse. Rodrigo the He looked like he was memorizing [music] every detail. Isabel was too much thin. I knew it. The travel dress It was faded and patched at the cuff right.

 Brown hair, tied up in a low bun, she had loose strands fault of the wind of the trip. I was not a woman that would attract attention on a street busy, but he had clear eyes and intelligent, and there was dignity in the way he held his head up despite the visible fear. Rodrigo He returned to the carter and paid the agreed.

 The man thanked, wished Good luck to both of them and he got into the cart. Before leaving, he looked at Isabel once. more. “If you need anything, send a message the village,” he said. Isabel nodded. The cart turned and disappeared around the curve of the road. Silence fell between them. Only the wind rising from the gorge filled the space.

 Rodrigo He took Isabel’s suitcase. [music] It is “light,” he said, surprised. she He responded that he didn’t have many things. He he nodded as if he understood exactly what that meant. I’m going to teach the house said [music] Rodrigo. Isabel He continued to the porch. The tables They crunched under his feet.

 It wasn’t crunch rotten wood, it was the sound of wood new, pressed by weight, but it was constant and disturbing noise. To each step, the ground complained. Rodrigo opened the door [music] and let in Isabel first. Inside, the house was simple, but well cared for. Room with table solid wood, handmade chairs, iron wood stove in the corner, smell of sawdust [music] and oil linseed.

 Everything clean, everything organized, but cold Cold of the place where a person lives, but does not dwell. There are two rooms, Rodrigo explained, pointing two doors. One is mine, the other can be yours until we get married for real in the church. Father Vicente comes every 15 days. It arrives next week. If the lady wants to wait until then, no problem.

 Isabel she looked surprised. Rodrigo continued without find your eyes. I know that the lady has come from far away and doesn’t know me. I’m not going to force anything. Marriage is for everyone life and needs respect. The lady You can decide if you stay or go. Nobody is going to judge her. At that time, Isabel realized two things.

First, Rodrigo Valverde was a man of honour. Second, he was so scared like her. Thank you,” Isabel said in a voice firmer. “I will stay until I meet him better.” Rodrigo nodded and something similar relief passed over his face. taught him the room that would be hers. [music] It was small with a single bed covered with patchwork quilt, comfortable dark wood, window facing the side of the house, not to the abyss.

“Isabel put the suitcase on top of the bed. “I’m going to make coffee,” Rodrigo said. [music] “The lady must be hungry.” Isabel realized that she was hungry I had only eaten stale bread on the train He followed Rodrigo back to the room and sat in one of the chairs as he moved by the stove. He looked at his hands, big hands, calloused, with small scars knife and no cell phone, hands that knew do things Rodrigo prepared strong coffee in metal cup, cut slices thick cornbread, fried chorizo in butter, put everything on the table without

ceremonies. “Eat while it is hot,” said Isabel. She ate slowly at first, [music] then more fast, because the food was good and She didn’t know when it had been last real meal. Rodrigo ate silently, looking at his own cup. After cleaning the dishes in the basin of water, Isabel [music] He gathered courage to ask what he they choke him in his throat since arrived.

 “Why is the house so close of the ravine?” asked Rodrigo. He remained motionless for a long time. Elizabeth He thought I wasn’t going to answer, but then he sat down again, supported his elbows on the table and intertwined his fingers. Because I’m stubborn and an idiot, he said with voice without emotion. This property was mine. I had another house here, about 18 meters more forward. It was a good house.

 lived with my wife and my little daughter. [music] That was 11 years ago. Isabel held back breathing. Rodrigo continued. In April In 1907 it rained three weeks in a row. [music] The ground was soaked. I was in the village working on an assignment big. When I returned at night, the half [music] of the land had been slipped. The house was gone with him.

I found my wife and daughter the day next under the earth and stones. The silence that followed was heavy as stone. Isabel felt the tears His eyes burned, but he didn’t let them. fall “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. Rodrigo nodded slowly. “The people of the village told me to leave the place.

 They said it was dangerous, could slide again, it was damn, but I didn’t want to leave. I built this new house in what was left of the terrain, further back, where the rock is solid. I hired a master builder of Segovia to guarantee that the foundations were firm. The house is not It’s going to fall, but it’s close to gorge and the wind rises from there [music] and it makes noise and people have fear. Isabel understood everything.

 understood why three women had fled. He understood why Rodrigo lived alone. She understood the pain he carried like weight [music] on the back. and understood that this man was not looking for love, I was looking for someone who didn’t would abandon The night fell quickly. Rodrigo lit the lamp wantosene that shed yellowish light in the room.

 [music] Isabel helped wash the dishes. They worked side by side in silence, which was not uncomfortable. When finished, Rodrigo said he was going to sleep early because he woke up with sun. If the lady needs anything during the night, my room is there”, he pointed out. “Can you knock on the door?” Isabel thanked and went to her own room.

 He closed the door, sat down the bed and finally let the body tremble I was afraid. I was afraid of gorge, fear of the house that creaked, afraid of the sad story that lived in the walls. but also I had something else. I was sorry for Rodrigo, [music] had respect for his stubbornness and had a strange curiosity to know who the man was behind the pain.

 He changed his clothes, blew out the candle and went to bed. The bed was hard but clean. The sheet smelled of soap ash. The wind came up from the gorge bringing a constant sound that seemed a moan The house creaked from time to time when, adjusting [music] to the cold of the night. Isabel closed her eyes and tried to sleep.

 He woke up in the middle of the night with a different sound. It wasn’t wind, it was drowned crying coming from the other room. [music] Isabel remained motionless, heart beating strong. The crying continued. No He was tall. It was the sound of a man who did not I wanted to be heard, sound of ancient pain that had no cure. Isabel stayed wake up until the crying stopped.

 alone then he managed to sleep again with the strange feeling that there was entered into a much larger story of what I imagined. The days began to follow a rhythm. Isabel woke up early, made coffee, took care of the house. Rodrigo worked in the workshop until the light went out. They ate together in silence, that was becoming less uncomfortable with every meal.

 At night, Rodrigo sometimes stayed on the porch smoking paper cigarette, looking at the nothing. Isabel stayed inside mending his clothes that he found torn or just sitting near the lamp with a book that he had brought from the capital. One night, five days later Before she arrived, Rodrigo entered and saw reading.

 He stood still in the door threshold. What are you reading the lady? Asked. Isabel le [music] showed the cover. It is a book of Becker’s poems. Rodrigo made a face who didn’t know. Isabel asked if I liked to read. He let out a short laugh. no humor I barely know how to read well, he confessed. I learned the basics, but I was never skilled.

My thing has always been to work with hands. Isabel closed the book. I can read out loud if the Lord wants. Rodrigo He hesitated. I don’t want to bother. Isabel denied with the head, it doesn’t bother. I like to read for someone Rodrigo sat on the chair on the other side of the table. Elizabeth He opened the book and started reading poetry about love, about nostalgia, about suffering.

 His voice was clear and firm, used to teaching children, but He had softness when he pronounced the verses. Rodrigo remained motionless listening to eyes fixed on the lamp, but she knew she was paying attention. When he finished the poem, Rodrigo remained silent. Then he said bass, “It’s [music] nice. It has hope in those words.

” Elizabeth he agreed. “Sometimes it’s just that what we have,” she said, “Hope that things can get better.” Rodrigo looked at her. Then he looked at her true. And the lady still has Hope? he asked. after losing your job, your reputation, having to come to a forgotten place, marry a stranger, [music] Isabel held his gaze.

 Yes, I have, because giving up is dying before [music] time and I’m not ready for die yet. Something changed in the face by Rodrigo. It wasn’t a smile, but it was less weight. Me neither, he said. So, I think we have that in common. That night Isabel did not hear crying coming from his room. the week The next brought more changes.

 Elizabeth He started planting herbs in the bed abandoned. Fixed the hole in the chicken coop roof. Washed all the clothes bed and spread it on the clothesline improvised Rodrigo noticed, he did not speak a lot, but Isabel saw in the little ones gestures. He brought good soil from the stream for her terrace.

 fixed the chair from the kitchen that was lame. left wild flowers on the table tomorrow without saying anything, just flowers tiny yellow ones that grew nearby of the mountain Isabel took the flowers and He felt something press against his chest. It was a simple gesture, but coming from a man who had been living in his own pain for years It meant a lot.

 One afternoon, Rodrigo He came back from the workshop earlier. Elizabeth I was in the corral trying to fix the chicken coop fence. He approached. “Let me do that,” he said. Elizabeth He protested saying he could. Rodrigo he smiled slightly. first smile truth that she saw in him. I know that you can, but it will be better if we do it together. They worked side by side.

 Rodrigo He held the boards. Isabel hammered the nails. He taught her the way Correct way to hit so as not to twist. The Their hands touched when They took the hammer. At the same time, They both froze. Rodrigo did not withdraw the hand immediately stayed there calloused skin touching the thin fingers of her. Time stretched.

 Sorry he said him finally removing his hand. Elizabeth felt the lack of contact immediately. You don’t need to apologize, he responded with lower voice than intended. They finished the fence in silent silence of things unsaid. That night, After dinner, Rodrigo did not go to the workshop as he always did. stayed inside the house.

 Isabel was washing the plates when he approached. can i help dry? Asked. Elizabeth he nodded. They worked together. Elizabeth I washed, passed the wet dishes. Rodrigo dried with the kitchen towel patched. His arm brushed hers. her from time to time. Each rose was a spark. When they finished, Rodrigo did not know. walked away immediately stood still his side. “Isabel,” he said slowly.

She turned her head to look at him. They were very close. She could see the gray threads that began in his temples, the small wrinkles on the corner of the eyes, the thin scar above the left eyebrow. I wanted thank you,” Rodrigo continued, “for having stayed, for not having fled, for make me feel like maybe I’m not there completely alone in the world.

” Isabel felt that the heart [music] was beating more fast. “You are not alone and neither am I I am.” He already hesitated and then put the hand on his arm. He felt that the muscles tensed under his shirt of cotton. “We’re together now.” Rodrigo looked at her hand on his arm. as if it were a treasure. covered hand of hers with his.

 The big fingers and callouses wrapped hers with careful, as if she were made of porcelain. They stayed like that for a long time moment. Neither of them moved. Neither of us wanted the moment would end. It was Isabel who withdrew her hand first with a hot face. It is being Getting late, he said. Rodrigo was I agreed in a hoarse voice.

 Good night, Elizabeth. [music] It was the first time He said his name without the Lord. Go ahead. “Good night, Rodrigo,” she replied. Lying in bed later, Isabel She stayed awake looking at the ceiling. I was thinking about Rodrigo’s hands holding his. I thought about the way he had looked at her. I thought how in two weeks that man silent had begun to occupy a increasing space in their thoughts.

 It wasn’t love yet, but It was the beginning, it was the possibility. and For the first time in a long time, Isabel I was not afraid of the future. The morning The next brought a change in the air. Isabel woke up [music] feeling a different weight in the atmosphere. The sky was gray, clouds low and heavy accumulating on the saw.

 The wind had changed direction. Now it came from above instead to climb from the gorge, bringing smell of distant rain and wet earth. Rodrigo was already in the kitchen when she left the room. I looked for the window with a worried expression. Good morning,” [music] Isabel said. He He turned and his face softened as he see it. “Good morning.

 It’s going to rain hard today. Spring storm, the worst.” Isabel approached the window. The More distant trees were already swaying with the force of the wind that came. “Is there danger?” Rodrigo asked. He hesitated before answering. “Not for the house. The foundations are solid, but the gorge becomes dangerous. They can stones are released and the noise, the noise comes back high.

 Prepare a coffee in silence. Rodrigo ate quickly and rose. I will check everything before let the rain come. Close the workshop windows, tie up what can fly The lady stay inside home when it starts. Okay? Elizabeth He promised yes. The morning passed preparing food. closing well house windows, putting buckets in the places where the roof leaked [music] when it was raining hard.

 Rodrigo had shown those places some days before. The house was good, but it was 11 years and time took its toll. The first drop fell around noon, fat, heavy, hit the roof like stone. [music] Then came another and another and then the sky opened. The rain fell with a violence that Isabel had never seen. Curtains of water so dense that they cannot be I could see the workshop there in the background.

 The wind howled hitting the walls. The house creaked louder than normal, wood groaning under the pressure. And of down the gorge came a sound that chilled the blood, a deep and hollow echo, like If the earth were screaming. Rodrigo He entered soaked, water dripping from the hat and clothing. He took off the boots at the entrance so as not to wet the ground. [music] Isabel brought a towel.

He wiped his face and neck, but he was still tense. Ears attentive to sounds of the storm had lunch with him deafening noise of rain around. Lightning tore the sky grayish, thunder shook the windows. With each strong lightning bolt, Isabel shrank. Rodrigo realized [music]. “The Lady, are you afraid of lightning?” he asked.

 Isabel [music] admitted that yes, since I was a child. Rodrigo extended his hand above the table. “You can hold on “If it helps,” he said simply. Isabel looked at the big, cay hand of him. He didn’t think much, he simply put his hand in him. Rodrigo’s fingers closed around hers, firm and warm. They stayed like that, hands intertwined on the table while The storm was raging outside.

 The afternoon It was long, the rain did not subside, the The wind was blowing stronger and stronger. Rodrigo let go of Isabel’s hand eventually, but it stayed within house with her, strange thing. I was walking up to the window, looking outside with concern, which I tried to hide, but I didn’t get it completely.

 

 Elizabeth I tried to read, but I couldn’t concentrate. The noise was constant and oppressive, and there was something else, a tension coming from Rodrigo that she felt, but I didn’t fully understand. he had fear, not of lightning, of something else deep. When night began to fall, The rain had eased a little, but the wind continued furious.

 Rodrigo He lit the lamp earlier than normal. The yellowish light projected dancing shadows on the walls. Elizabeth He prepared a simple dinner, bean soup with bacon and cornbread warmed in the stove They were eating when they heard different sound. It wasn’t wind It wasn’t rain, it was [music] a roar deaf coming from the direction of the gorge.

 The house shook slightly, The plates on the table rattled. Rodrigo turned white, he got up so Quickly the chair fell back. If stood listening to [music] body whole taut like a guitar string. Isabel also stood up. heart shot. What was that? he asked. “Slide,” Rodrigo replied with a voice snore Still small. But if it continues raining, it won’t end.

I didn’t need to. Another roar close. This time the house shook more strong. The lamp swung hanging from the roof. Isabel grabbed the edge of the table Rodrigo whispered with real fear in the voice. Now he turned to her. His eyes were wild, scared, but when he saw the fear in Her face, something changed.

 breathed deep, forcing calm. “Come here”, He said extending his hand. [music] Isabel went to him without hesitation. Rodrigo He pulled her close, strong arms wrapping it. Isabel rested her face on his chest and heard his heart beating accelerated under the wet shirt. “The house is going to hold up.

 said Rodrigo with firmer voice. Now the foundations are in solid rock. It’s not going to happen the way it is stopped. Isabel knew what he was going to say, How happened with the other house with Catalina and Laura. They stayed embraced while The storm was attacking outside. Rodrigo It smelled of sweat, sawdust and rain.

 Elizabeth she felt the heat of his body passing through wet clothes. felt the strength of his arms holding her like If it were the most precious thing in the world, and he realized that he didn’t want to be nowhere else, another roar. The The house shook, but Rodrigo did not let go. They held on to each other as the earth moaned and slid down there in the gorge, while the rain hit the roof, while the wind I was trying to tear out the walls.

 I don’t know how much time passed. They could have been minutes or hours, but eventually worse happened. The rain decreased to drizzle, the wind died down, the rumblings stopped, the silence that followed was almost deafening. Rodrigo He loosened his arms slowly, but not He let go of Isabel completely. she She raised her head to look at him.

 The Their faces were very close. Isabel could feel his breathing. in your face. I saw every detail of the brown eyes of him. I saw the specks gold that I had never noticed before. “Isabel,” Rodrigo whispered. His voice She came out hoarse, full of emotion. “I know He stopped, swallowed, started again. [music] I can’t pretend anymore.

Not after today, not after feeling how I was terrified of losing you.” Isabel’s heart was beating so hard I was sure he could hear it. Rodrigo raised his hand and touched the face of her with infinite care, as if I was afraid that she would disappear. You have brought life back to this house. You have brought light.

 You have brought a reason so that I wake up in the morning with desire to live the day. not only survive. And I’m falling in love with you. Maybe I’ve been in love for a long time time and I just didn’t have the courage to admit it. [music] Isabel felt that Tears burned her eyes. No They were tears of sadness, they were relief, [music] of joy, of something big and scary being born inside the chest. Me too, he whispered.

 I don’t know when It started, but it is here in the heart. Rodrigo closed his eyes as if the her words were absolution ancient sins. When he opened them again, there was decision in them. can i kiss you? He asked quietly. Isabel nodded. without being able to speak. Rodrigo bowed slowly, giving her time changed her mind, but she didn’t change.

His lips touched hers with a softness that belied the strength of his body. Kiss, delayed, tender, full of promises. Isabel felt that the world disappeared. Only they existed two. The warmth, the connection, the certainty that he had found a home not in the walls, but in that man. When they separated, Rodrigo supported the forehead on hers.

 “I’m going to get married with you really,” he said. with cure, with a party, with a ring, I want you to be my wife, not only on paper, but in the heart Do you accept? Isabel smiled tears falling. Now I accept. I accept everything to you, this house, this life. I accept. They kissed again, deeper this time.

 Years of loneliness on both sides dissolving in that friction. The months following brought changes. Rodrigo started working on a project memorial for Catalina and Laura, small garden in the area where the old house had been, with carved wooden cross with your own hands and stone bench where he could sit and remember. When it was ready, Isabel planted flowers around, white roses and yellow ones that bloomed in spring.

Isabel [music] started teaching the village children, first informally in one’s own home. Later, Father Vicente managed to small room next to the church. Five students became 12, 12 became 18 returned. [music] Isabel was making a difference again and this time no one could take it away. Rodrigo expanded the workshop.

 The orders increased when people saw that he I was more present, happier, more open. He started collecting money for a new ground. I was looking for more options near the village. 8 months after wedding, Isabel discovered that she was expecting a baby. he told Rodrigo one night after dinner. He He was speechless.

 [music] Afterwards He picked her up and spun with her, laughing. and crying at the same time. A son. He repeated in wonder. Let’s have a son. The pregnancy was calm. Elizabeth continued teaching until the seventh month. Loñar Remedios, who had come from Madrid after retiring, became a second mother, teaching him everything about childbirth and baby care.

Rodrigo became super protective, he didn’t I let him do anything heavy. It ended I work in the workshop and I ran home to make sure she was okay. In June 1916, On a full moon night, Isabel entered in labor. Doña Remedios wine with the midwife. Rodrigo was left out from the room walking from one side to another, praying, sweating with nervousness.

When he heard the baby’s cry, he fell down knees thanking God. I was a child, strong and healthy, powerful lungs, dark hair just like his father. Rodrigo He entered the room afraid of break the son, just by looking at him. Elizabeth, [music] exhausted but radiant, put the baby in his arms. look what “we did,” he whispered.

 “Look at our miracle.” Rodrigo looked at his son with reverence A tear fell down her face. “Let’s call him Miguel,” he said. I snore, because it is a gift from God. Elizabeth he agreed. Miguel Valverde, our child When Miguel turned a year, Rodrigo finally found the perfect terrain. [music] 7 hectares a only 3 km from the village.

 Plain, safe, with small stream passing in the corner. Fair price. They bought. They started to build a new, bigger house than the old one, with three rooms, large living room, large kitchen, porch [music] all around, own workshop in the background. The move occurred when Miguel was 14 months old, sunny day spring of 1917.

Friends from the village helped. The father Vicente blessed the new house. Mrs. Remedios prepared a party. The house is filled with laughter, food, music. Before close the old house permanently, Rodrigo and Isabel went there one last time time. They walked through the rooms empty.

 They remembered the moments they lived there, the initial fear, the discovery of love, storms [music] faced together. Thank you,” he said. Rodrigo to the empty walls for protect me when I needed it, bring Isabel to me, to be a bridge [music] between my past and my future. But now it’s time to move on. Isabel held her hand. They came out together, they closed the door, left the key hanging on the nail of the [music] porch in case any traveler needed temporary shelter, and they went home new, to the new life, to the future that They built together. 4 years later, in

1920, Miguel had a little sister. They called her Carmen because that was exactly what she brought, more light, more joy, more love. The new house had a garden Isabel cared for him with affection. I had a garden [music] that provided vegetables. had organized chicken coop. I had a workshop Rodrigo always with orders.

 I had a classroom improvised where Isabel taught alphabet and numbers to children village. Rodrigo never forgot Catalina and Laura. visited the memorial regularly. It counted Miguel and Carmen about the older sister than ever They met and the mother that the father loved before, but he spoke without pain, he spoke with love of good memories and always I ended up thanking because that love past had prepared him to recognize and value present love.

 Isabel never he forgot the house at the edge of the gorge. times when I passed by the old road going to the village, he looked up and I saw the structure still standing, resisting time, and was grateful for that place that had been the scene of his transformation, the place where there was found courage to stay when everyone had fled, the place where two lonely hearts had learned to beat together.

 [music] On a warm summer afternoon in 1923, Isabel was on the porch of the house new rocking Carmen who had just turn 5 years old. Miguel, already 9 years old, I played in the garden with the dog stray they had adopted. Rodrigo came from the workshop and sat next to him in the rocking chair that he had made himself.

He looked at his wife, at his daughter sleeping in her lap, her son running free and happy to the house full of life and said softly, “Sometimes I still don’t believe all this is real, that I have achieved this life, this family, this peace.” Isabel looked at him with deep love and true, that only grew with the years.

It’s real. And we both deserve it because we did not give up, because we had the courage to stay when it was easier flee. Because we believed that there was light end of the tunnel, even when only we saw darkness. Rodrigo took the hand hers, silver [music] ring shining in the afternoon sun. You have been my light, Isabel, at the most dark of my life you appeared and you stayed and taught me that it’s worth it live again.

 I love you today, tomorrow, always. Isabel smiled, eyes shining. And I love you. Today, tomorrow, always. The sun began to go down painting the sky orange and pink. The Valverde family stood there on the porch together while The day was dying and the night was soft. There were no more abysses, there was no more fear, There was only love and future.

 and the certainty that they had found the one in the another the only home that really it mattered. Three women had fled to see the house, but Isabel had left. And by staying he had won no only one husband, had gained life, family, purpose, healing love old wounds and created hope new. And in the end he discovered that the true home was never made of walls, was always made of courage, of choice and someone’s heart willing to hold your hand and say, “Stay. Let’s build this together.

” and they built brick by brick, day after day, love after love. A life that worth every moment of fear faced, every storm survived, every step given towards the light, because in the end the love always wins, always worth it sorrow, always transforms and always build homes where before there were only loneliness. M.