THE RICH ALSO CRY: THE REST OF THE STORY SNIPPET 7

Marisabel entered her Mummy's room one morning; wondering why she and Daddy were now sleeping in seperate rooms (Luis Alberto had moved to the guest room). After Marianna gave her a vague answer, the little girl expressed her wish to go to the park but Marianna didn't  feel up to it. Marisabel guessed rightly it was because Marianna wanted to go out looking for 'the boy she lost'.
Surprised, Marianna sat up. How did she know, who told her about him?
It turned out it was the malicious Nanny Sarah, who had told the innocent child that Mummy was crazy. There's anger on Marianna's face but calmly told Marisabel not to listen to Sarah.
But Marisabel told Mummy something else... she's been seeing Sarah and Daddy holding hands! Ah, Marianna got the picture now!
Luis Alberto refused to fire Sarah when she demanded she wanted Sarah out of their house, which led to a fight. Sarah brought Luis Alberto some coffee, entering his room much to his dismay. Very agitated, he told her to leave before Marianna or any one else caught them but she stood her ground. She wanted to know what he'd told his wife. Anxious to get her out of his room, Luis Alberto promised to get her an apartment, they'll have more privacy there. All of a sudden, he didn't seem to like Sarah's bold attitude.
Marianna walked in on them and is furious to see them kissing!
 "Get out of my house!" she ordered a scowling Sarah. Glancing at Luis Alberto, who made no move to defend her, Sarah haughtily left them alone.
NO WONDER... Marianna raged, he didn't want to fire Sarah! And history repeating itself, only this time it was NO misunderstanding. Luis Alberto accused her of cheating on him with Leonardo years ago, when the guy was only trying to revive her... but THIS, THIS was a real situation! He wanted to keep Sarah so they could have fun in their house, his way of getting back at her.
The whole time Marianna scolded him, it was like Luis Alberto had an epiphany and was now full of remorse. He was sorry, he said; he had no excuse for what he did, he hadn't planned it at all.
But Marianna, hurt and angry, declared it was really over between them now; her heart was broken. Luis stared after her as she left the room; anguish on his face- he didn't want to lose Marianna! (Of course not, not after what Esther put them through)

 For a whole month, husband and wife gave each other the silent treatment. The housekeeper, Maria, urged Marianna to give Luis Alberto another chance but Marianna felt he wasn't sorry for cheating on her. She coldly informed Luis Alberto she was ready to leave whenever he wanted her to, obviously she now bored him. Luis Alberto, really contrite, explained he'd been silent because he had no words to express his remorse, not because he wasn't sorry  for what he did. Marianna was his beloved wife, he needed her forgiveness. What happened with Sarah had been a period of madness, but he loved Marianna... she was the woman of his life.

At their usual meeting place, Sarah waited for Luis Alberto, pleased when he finally showed up. But Luis Alberto only came to tell her it was over between them. Sarah argued that Marianna didn't love him, they could keep meeting at the apartment he promised her. But Luis Alberto is firm, it was over and as Sarah was pretty, she will easily find someone else to love. Marianna has admitted what happened was her fault and promised to change; and also accepted his apology.
Sarah made a show of wanting Luis Alberto more than his money when he brought out his check book to write her a check. But she took it at the last minute (which made Luis Alberto smile bitterly) since she was no longer Marisabel's nanny. She tentatively tried to make Luis Alberto change his mind but he left, telling her never to call him.

More years pass and the household celebrate Marisabel's birthday again. Marianna figured her son was now a man but kept her sadness to a minimum this time; not wanting to put a

dampener on her daughter's special day.

THE RICH ALSO CRY: THE REST OF THE STORY SNIPPET 6

Luis Alberto walked into the study with Sarah, who needed an advance in her salary to go shopping. Luis Alberto wrote her a check; teasingly asking her if she was meeting her boyfriend. With exaggerated sadness, the cunning woman said she had no boyfriend, she was all alone. But she did have her sights on someone... who (alas!) only had eyes for his wife, who didn't love him. It suddenly dawned on Luis Alberto that Sarah was talking about him.
Seeing he'd caught on, Sarah passionately confessed her love for him, she'd been in love since the day he hired her as Marisabel's nanny- and hating the way he was suffering in silence at Marianna's behaviour. Luis Alberto (stupid man!) affirmed that Marianna didn't seem to  care how much she was hurting him and their daughter, nor did she understand him. He was tired of feeling unwanted... he looked at Sarah with new eyes. Sarah moved closer, tentatively suggesting they meet in secret. Marianna will never know.
Marianna soon noticed Luis Alberto was on the missing list, asking Ramona who was busy in the kitchen if she knew where her husband was. Ramona (who probably had her suspicions) warned Marianna that Luis Alberto was tired of being patient with her. Marianna protested defensively, she loved her husband! Ramona reminded her that she hardly spent time with him or Marisabel; instead she went everyday to the park to find the ticket vendor whom she gave her baby to. She should forget about the boy once and for all!
Marianna's face grew cold, of course she couldn't do such a thing- she'll keep looking!
'Even if it  costs you your marriage?' asked Ramona.
'Even if it costs me my marriage,' was the firm (and foolish) answer.  Ramona looked at her sadly. Meanwhile Luis Alberto is with Sarah, more than happy with her company and both refused to talk about Marianna.
 :::::::::::::::::::::
Luis Alberto found Marianna in their bedroom on his return; she immediately asked where he'd been- warning him not to try her patience. He sneered at her, who was she to talk about patience when that's what he'd been giving her for so long? Trouble between them again!
Luis Alberto and Sarah continue to meet in secret and Marianna gets more and more suspicious- wondering if Luis Alberto had started drinking again (We all remember how he is when drunk, no?) and felt he didn't understand her pain over their son. After confronting him about it, Luis Alberto suddenly felt guilty. He assured his wife he loved her but the ghost of their lost son was constantly standing between them. But instead of seeing his side of the argument,  Marianna angrily defended herself again, feeling she had the right to worry about their son. Angry with her again, Luis Alberto snapped that Marianna's obsession was the reason for her neglect and he was tired of her 'sickness' when she still accused him of not showing more understanding. Marianna might as well keep drowning but he had no intention of following her; she loved their lost son more than him and Marisabel. As for him, he will fall in love with someone else, drink and have fun instead of facing her tormented face every day. He stormed away angrily.

Who is right and who is wrong in this scenario?

THE RICH ALSO CRY: THE REST OF THE STORY SNIPPET 5

Marianna reminded herself she'll always go back to the place she'd encountered the ticket vendor and get back her son, Beto. Meanwhile Marisabel is anxious for the bicycle Daddy promised her ; Marianna said they would go shopping together for it.
Luis Alberto returned home from work and is reminded by Marianna about the bike he promised to buy for their daughter. However, he's exasperated when Marianna said she was also going to go to 'the usual place'- more than tired of her obsession over their lost son. Marianna pleaded for his understanding; she had to find their son. Luis Alberto was more than happy with Marisabel but Marianna apparently needed a son more. If she wanted a son, they could have another baby. But Marianna doesn't want a new son, she wanted their lost one back; stubbornly refusing to give up on him. Softened by his wife's emotional words, Luis Alberto drew her into his arms.

Beto is still with the ticket woman-Cleo- whom he thinks is his mother. He's a resourceful boy who bags groceries at the market after school as Chloe was currently affected with rheumatism. As they eat, he suddenly asked Chloe why their complexions were different in colour, some of his friends were saying he wasn't her son. She merely said she would tell him when he's older and he should simply ignore. He leaves for the market and a shadow passed over her face.

Twist of fate, Beto encountered Marisabel at the mall! She was admiring her new bike when he walked up to her, asking if he could help  her wheel it outside. Marianna smiled down at the boy when he asked her permission; taken in with him immediately. 'What's your name?' she asked.
'Alberto,' was the reply and Marianna is stunned. Could this be him???
'Alberto?' she managed to say.
'Yes but my Mum and everyone else calls me Betito.'
So close... Marianna is disappointed. (If only she knew this was the boy she'd been looking for for 7 years!)

Not noticing the expression on her face, the cheery boy told her he worked in the market, his mother was ill and they needed the money. Marianna smiled again and promised to come every week, he'll help her with her purchases. At that point, Luis Alberto came up, telling Marianna it was time to go home but she wanted to talk to the boy a bit longer. Luis Alberto is exasperated again; after all she had promised the boy she would come back every week.
Marisabel is friendly towards Beto, she told him her birthday was yesterday and the bike was her birthday present. Beto is slightly envious; he had no father and never got birthday presents... his birthday was in 3 months. Feeling sorry for him, Marisabel repeated what he told her to her parents. Marianna noted that the little boy was of the same age as their missing son. She asked Beto was he wanted most and the boy replied, a pair of shoes for school and skates. Marianna was prepared to buy both for him, plus a new shirt and pants- much to his astonishment and delight.
Luis Alberto isn't pleased at Marianna's interest in a boy she just met but Marianna pleaded with him to let her treat the nice boy, she will meet him and Marisabel at home. Luis Alberto grudgingly left with their daughter. True to her promise, she bought the things for him, plus giving him money to take to his mother.
Chloe is dismayed at the shopping bags and Beto had to swear on the Holy Virgin that he didn't steal them, a rich lady had befriended him and bought them all for him, including giving him a wad of money to give to her. He commented that the lady had the face of a saint and she'd kissed him on the cheek before she left. Chloe is relieved.
Marianna found Luis Alberto in his study, apologising for coming home late. Luis Alberto commented at how Marianna seemed to be more interested in other kids and their missing son than him and Marisabel. She always seemed indifferent and distant towards their daughter even though she professed to love her. Marianna accused him of being unfair to her.
He was just being honest, and he was afraid Marisabel will notice Marianna's attitude towards her when she's older. He urged his wife to show more enthusiasm with Marisabel, just like she showed with the little boy at the mall. Feeling sorry, Marianna asked Luis Alberto to forgive her.
Luis Alberto leaned down to kiss Marianna passionately; while Sarah- Marisabel's nanny, who wanted

Luis Alberto for herself- watched them balefully.

All this time Marianna's been searching for Beto, she finally encountered him! But while she thought he was the wrong boy still found herself drawn to him. But Luis Alberto got me puzzled, one would think something about the boy would draw him too. How could he be so dense?! 
And now there's a new schemer in their house...

THE RICH ALSO CRY: THE REST OF THE STORY SNIPPET 4

After a few weeks, the doctor informed Marianna her husband wanted to see her. Marianna looked confused at first as though she’d forgotten she was a married woman. ‘My husband?’ she said.

The doctor affirmed that, explaining to her he’d been coming to see her and waiting for her to get better s he could take her home. Marianna’s face then lit up as she then remembered Luis Alberto. The doctor was pleased she seemed to understand and she did; she remembered Luis Alberto, her past and their son. The doctor asked if her son had died, thinking it was the reason behind her severe nervous breakdown. Marianna dimly remembered what she had done with the baby; handing him over to a complete stranger and looked very sad again.

Luis Alberto stared at Mariana, remorse all over his face. Marianna’s eyes lit up  as he walked up to her, his arms going  round her. He asked her to forgive him for the terrible way he’d treated her; now realising it was all a misunderstanding. Marianna was only too happy to, very glad to see him again. As far as she was concerned, the ‘misunderstanding’ never happened.

 Luis Alberto told Marianna he left Mr. Duarte in charge of their project when she asked about his work in Brazil; he wasn’t leaving Mexico again. He assured her they will find their son very soon; pleading she shouldn’t worry about anything, she needed to get better soon.

As Marianna continued with her treatment and counselling, her doctor told her he had ordered a search for the ticket woman but advised her not to tell Luis Alberto she gave their son away; that would surely put a dampener on their marriage and end it for good. Marianna’s reluctant to lie to Luis Alberto but the doctor felt it was best she didn’t say anything to Luis Alberto about it for now, that wasn’t the same as lying. When their son is found, then she can tell him the truth.

Luis Alberto finally took her home when she was better; Ramona and Maria filled with joy at her return. A blonde woman was present and she was introduced to her; her name as Sarah, recommended by Don Alberto and Mrs. Elena to be their child’s governess. Thinking their son was now found, Marianna hugged him; very happy and anxious to hold their baby. The three women looked very worried as Marianna and Luis Alberto went upstairs. Sarah was sure there would be trouble once ‘the nut’ realised the baby in the nursery wasn’t their son. Ramona scolded her sharply; angry she was addressing the mistress of the house in such a disrespectful way.

Luis Alberto watched Marianna apprehensively as she bent over the baby in the cot. It wasn’t their son; to put Mariana’s mind at rest and help her stop fretting he had adopted a baby from an orphanage, a baby girl. The three women entered the room, watching Marianna as she held the child in her arms. Then Marianna stared hard at the baby, noticing the tiny studs in her ears... it wasn’t Beto!

Luis Alberto hastily took the baby before Marianna could drop it, begging her to listen to him when she started getting hysterical again, shouting that wasn’t her son. The baby was an orphan and he felt he could make up for their lost son by presenting her with this baby girl. Marianna had fretted for their son so much that he feared for her sanity. This was a baby to love and take care of but she didn’t want her...

Marianna didn’t want him returning the baby but she simply couldn’t forget their son either, crying out loud and blaming herself for giving him away. Luis Alberto urged her not to say that again, but Marianna kept crying as the baby’s crying was tormenting her. Luis Alberto begged her to take the child, certain the child will stop crying if she held her. 

As he spoke, the innocent baby girl stared up at Marianna and Marianna calmed down, taking her from Luis Alberto and rocked her in her arms, promising to look after her but she turned down the idea of formally adopting her.

Some days later, Marianna and Ramona went back to the same corner where Marianna had run into the ticket seller but of course she wasn’t there. Ramona is worried about Marianna but Marianna stubbornly vowed she wouldn’t rest until Beto was found, even if it took years.

Some years later...

Marianna, Luis Alberto and Ramona sing a happy birthday song to their adopted daughter, now named Marisabelle. Marisabelle blew the candles on her cake, to a round of applause. Marisabelle is hugged by her parents; Luis Alberto first then from Marianna but there’s a little hesitancy from the girl at first as though she felt Marianna wouldn’t hug her, but Marianna did, warmly.

Marianna loved her daughter but her  obsession for her lost son was still strong. 

THE RICH ALSO CRY: THE REST OF THE STORY SNIPPET 3

Weeping and half demented, Marianna wandered about and then she collapsed on the street. Some good Samaritans called an ambulance and she was taken away. Meanwhile, an exhausted Ramona returned home, unable to find Marianna whom she’d gone out to look for. At the Red Cross Marianna is very ill, refusing to eat anything given to her. The doctor urged her to think of the baby she’s expecting but in her dazed state, Marianna was cold, not wanting the baby to be born.  Left alone, she kept seeing Luis Alberto’s face and hearing his cruel words.

Ramona and Maria are very worried about Marianna. Ramona decided to call the hospitals and the police stations.

At the Red Cross, Marianna was operated on and her baby delivered, a baby boy. As the hospital was overcrowded, Marianna doesn’t stay there long even though the doctor tried to get her to stay longer; she is frail and clearly suffering from a nervous breakdown.

Back on the streets again, Marianna carried her baby about. Again she kept remembering Luis Alberto’s words and seeing his face. Upset again, Marianna moved to sit on a park bench next to a woman in a shawl. The woman was a lottery ticket vendor and she was not having a good day, having not sold a ticket. She offered a cigarette to Marianna but Marianna absently turned her down. The baby began crying and the woman asked if she could hold him. Still looking blank, Marianna allowed her to take him; the ticket vendor cooing over him, exclaiming how pretty he was. Marianna stared at her, asking if she liked her baby. The ticket vendor said she loved children but never had any. Marianna said she could have the baby and the ticket vendor chuckled, thinking Marianna was joking- she said the baby would be a very expensive toy. But Marianna didn’t appear to be joking (actually it was due to her illness she was talking that way); she said the woman could have him.

The woman stared at Marianna, wondering why she was saying such nonsense. Marianna said she didn’t feel well so the woman asked if Marianna would like something to eat. Instead, Marianna asked her to look after the baby while she went to get something.

‘What’s his name?’ the ticket vendor asked, still rocking the baby.  

‘Alberto,’ was Marianna’s reply as she blindly wandered off again. ‘Just like his grandfather, just like his father.... his father...’

The woman rocked the baby, noting his name. ‘Little Beto,’ she cooed at him.

Marianna was sinking further and further into her acute depression as she began hallucinating again, his words echoing in her ears again.

The ticket vendor was astonished to see Marianna was gone, looking here and there for her; baby Alberto still in her arms. She decided to wait for her.

At home, Ramona informed Father Adrian Marianna was still missing. Father Adrian reproached her for not locating him in Rome about the situation as the order would’ve given her his address. But Ramona had been so anxious about Marianna that she never thought of it. She had already called the police stations and hospitals to find her but not information. She was very worried Marianna must have had an accident. Father Adrian felt that if that had happened, she would’ve been taken to a private hospital or the Red Cross- the one place Ramona didn’t call. Immediately, Ramona brought out the phone book...

The ticket vendor, Chloe, was still waiting for Marianna to return. Her friend Felipa-another ticket vendor- came up, surprised to see a baby with Chloe. Chloe explained what happened, not wanting to leave the spot to look for ‘the girl’ in case she suddenly came back. Felipa jokingly remarked that maybe the mother had decided to give the baby to her.

Marianna suddenly sees a woman with a baby and gets hysterical, claiming the child to be his. People gathered as Marianna started screaming.

Ramona had called the Red Cross and she’d gotten info Marianna had given birth there. To her amazement, Luis Alberto entered the house; unexpected and fully bearded. He had business in Mexico so he decided to use his free days. He asked Ramona to call Marianna down; he wanted to talk to her. (Monster)

Ramona nervously told him Marianna was missing and explained in detail how ill she’d been since his quarrel with her. Luis Alberto was very disturbed to hear that Marianna hasn’t been seen in three days but he still didn’t, or didn’t want to believe the baby was his after Ramona told him about his son’s birth. Ramona begged him to listen, Marianna wasn’t Esther- the baby was his. If he chose not to believe her then he should speak with Father Adrian. There was nothing between Marianna and Leonardo, she swore on Esther’s memory she wasn’t lying to him.

At the psychiatric hospital Marianna was taken to, she could only give the doctor her first name; she couldn’t remember anything else about herself. The only thing she said was about her ‘lost son.’ She didn’t even know where she was.

Father Adrian gave Luis Alberto a good talking to and in the end, Luis Alberto realised he had accused Marianna on the basis of past lies and betrayals from Esther. He was now going to look for her and their son and ask for her forgiveness. Meanwhile, Chloe the ticket vendor is looking after Beto as she called him but felt she might still run into his mother. Her neighbour and friend Lupita decided to pawn her chain and ring so they could buy the baby a crib.

Luis Alberto finally tracked Marianna down and talked to her doctor. The doctor advised him not to ask Marianna about the baby just yet; Marianna’s dementia was probably caused by the baby’s birth- her condition could be post-partum depression. It was either someone has the baby or the baby died, hence the depression. Luis Alberto didn’t want to believe his son was dead but the doctor advised Marianna should be allowed to get well before she’s asked about the baby. 

THE RICH ALSO CRY: THE REST OF THE STORY SNIPPET 2

Ramona asked Marianna if she was glad she was having a baby. Marianna admitted she was but very sorry it had come about now; with  Luis Alberto so enraged with her. Ramon was confident that Marianna’s pregnancy would bring them back together and Marianna wondered if she should tell Luis Alberto right away. Ramona replied, as soon as possible and she would phone the best hotels in the city to locate him.

However she couldn’t because Luis Alberto had already left Mexico so Ramona sends a telegram. Luis Alberto is in Brazil with his partner, Mr. Duarte to begin their construction project. Mr. Duarte hands him a telegram that had arrived for him. Opening it, Luis read the message: Marianna is pregnant and she needed him. But Luis Alberto’s face hardens instead and doesn’t bother replying.

A few weeks go by and while Luis Alberto is resting on a hammock, he opened his eyes to see Marianna standing over him, looking very pretty in her white suit. Luis Alberto is not pleased to see her, demanding to know what she was doing in Brazil; to tell him in person about the baby.

Marianna actually came because she assumed he didn’t get Ramona’s telegram so she was very hurt by his words, didn’t he care about their unborn child?

‘Why should I?’ was Luis Alberto’s cold question.

Mariana said it’s his baby but he rudely interrupted her, saying it was a lie; what she had in her womb was not his baby but another man’s, just like with Esther when she claimed her baby was when it fact it was Diego’s. Marianna just wanted him to believe otherwise. Marianna should simply take the child to Leonardo after it’s born!

Marianna, some of her old fiery spirit returning, demanded that he listened to her for once but Luis Alberto stubbornly maintained he was not the father and Marianna was only trying to trick him. Twice, Esther had tricked him; a fake pregnancy and then a pregnancy that wasn’t his- two lies. Now Marianna was coming up with the same story. Mariana snapped that her own pregnancy wasn’t fake, they can go to the nearest hospital and he will know. But Luis Alberto said then it must be that imbecile’s child, not his; the imbecile she betrayed him for. Marianna said she never cheated on him, how could he think that of her? Luis Alberto asked, what was Leonardo doing in their bedroom, holding her like that?

Marianna kept insisting it was all a misunderstanding; Leonardo came by to wish them well but alas, Luis Alberto still didn’t believe her, really certain she was carrying Leonardo’s baby and said he hated her and she shouldn’t come looking for him again. (Poor Marianna!)

Summoning one of his workers, he instructed him to take Marianna to the airport and again telling her he didn’t want to see her again; she mustn’t come back. Marianna left, weeping pitifully.

 Luis Alberto sent a telegram to his parents; informing them his work in Brazil was going on well and he’ll be there for another 5 months.

Back in Mexico, Ramona and the other servants take care of Marianna who was having a rather difficult pregnancy; along with stress and worry and she’d lost hope of Luis Alberto returning to her. She is very sad Luis Alberto denied his own child. Ramona consoled her, at least Marianna was wealthy; she had enough to see to the child’s needs. Ramona went upstairs and Maria hands her a letter delivered by the mailman.

It’s a letter from Luis Alberto; he has decided to file for a divorce and suggested that Marianna asked Leonardo to take care of her child since he’s the ‘real father’. Filled with sheer anguish, Marianna fled the house. 

THE RICH ALSO CRY: THE REST OF THE STORY SNIPPET 1

The first telenovela to hit Nigerian T.V was 1979 Los Ricos Tambien LLoran; what we know as The Rich Also Cry; starring Veronica Castro as Marianna and Rogelio Guerra as Luis Alberto. It’s a telenovela we’ll never forget; Marianna and Luis Alberto almost forced apart for good no thanks to his awful cousin who trapped him into marriage- Esther, played by Rocio Banquells; the real-life daughter of the show’s director, Rafael Banquells- who was also in front of the camera as Father Adrian, the family’s priest.

After several months of angst, the telenovela ended with Marianna and Luis Alberto’s wedding. Or, so we thought.

The Rich Also Cry is one of the oldest and longesttelenovelas so maybe NTA decided to end the story there so as to move on to the next one, which was Tu O Nadie; No One ButYou. But we are entitled to know the rest of the story; long or not. Hence, I’ll be posting snippets of the remaining part of The Rich Also Cry and draw your own conclusions! 

After the wedding reception, Luis Alberto and Marianna spent their honeymoon at the cabin he bought specially for her. Over dinner by candle light, Luis tells her how very happy she’s finally his wife after all the trouble they’d experienced, it felt like a dream. They toasted each other and enjoyed the rest of their time together.

Sometime after they return from their honeymoon, Luis Alberto had to go on a business trip and at the same time, Don Alberto and Mrs. Elena are moving to Europe. But Marianna couldn’t see them off at the airport as she’s not feeling well. Luis Alberto offered to postpone the trip a few days but she urged him to go, she would be well soon. He kissed her goodbye while Don Alberto and Mrs. Elena do so as well; wishing her speedy recovery.

A few minutes after their departure, Marianna is informed she has a visitor and she gives instructions to the servant to send whoever it is up; she’s too weak to go downstairs.

Her visitor turned out to be Leonardo, her ex fiancé; who came by to see how she was doing and to give her his sincere congratulations on her recent wedding and asked for Luis Alberto (Give me a break, seriously?  How do we know he’s not just using a ruse to see the woman he’s clearly not over one more time? And he never liked Luis Alberto!)

Marianna thanked him graciously, exchanging pleasantries but all of a sudden feels very dizzy and collapses; Leonardo caught her just in time, calling her name anxiously as he lowered her on the bed.

Unfortunately, Luis Alberto walked in and, needless to say, absolutely furious on seeing his former rival holding his wife. (How many Nigerian fans remember this guy’s very hot temper?). He glared at Leonardo and then at Marianna who was slowly coming to and surprised he was back. Luis Alberto didn’t fly to Brazil because the flight was cancelled due to bad weather. Luis is very angry, accusing them both of using his absence to sneak around behind his back. Refusing to listen to Leonardo’s explanations, he threw him out. Marianna tried to follow but another wave of dizziness stopped her. Ramona (Esther’s mother and now Marianna’s personal maid) hurried in anxiously and Marianna tearfully told her what just happened. Ramona is dismayed and advised her to convince Luis Alberto it was a misunderstanding. Luis Alberto came back, ordering Ramona out. He coldly told Marianna that he didn’t want to see her in the house when he came back from Brazil. Marianna protested her innocence but he still wouldn’t listen to her; as he’d heard Leonardo address her as ‘my love’ when he was trying to wake her up. Marianna protested she’d fainted, she didn’t know the reason.

But Luis Alberto is adamant, saying she was a liar like Esther! Marianna was even more upset; reminding him she broke up with Leonardo to be with him. The stupid man told her he was going to sleep at a hotel that night and he never wanted to see her again. He walked out, leaving poor Marianna in tears.

She was unable to sleep that night, Luis Alberto’s words running through her mind.Ramona and the housekeeper Maria came up to console her, assuring her Luis Alberto would come round and apologise to her. Marianna suddenly began wriggling about as though in pain and Ramona told Maria to call the doctor.

The doctor arrived and after hearing about Marianna’s weakness and fits of dizziness, told her what was wrong with her.

Marianna is pregnant!