TU O NADIE FINAL EPISODE!!!!

This is the grand finale of this fantastic, action-packed telenovela. The first time we watched the ending, my family and I were excited but also sad it was wrapping up.

Posting the recaps from the beginning to the end was a real challenge because they were mostly drawn from memory, but I was happy to do it because Tu O Nadie will always remain my favourite telenovela, and I’m glad I was able to share it in this blog. 

To the visitors who left comments and encouraging words and have been here to the end, I thank you all very much and as a treat, look out for the juicy trivia and additional posts attached to Tu O Nadie. Now for the concluding part of Antonio and Raquel’s love story...

Evil Max stepped into the elevator and saw Daniel passing by just as the doors closed. Having given the written confession, the judge began packing his things. He answered the door and got the shock of his life when Max barged in. At gunpoint, he admitted what he’d done but lied that his signature was forged. Alas, that didn’t help because Max shot him in the stomach, using a pillow to muffle the sound. 

Back at the mansion, Camilla suggested the room down the hall be fixed up as a nursery since Baby would be coming home soon but Raquel objected to the idea of Minerva sleeping far away from her. Ramon recommended his niece to be Minerva’s nanny- as Raquel would be ‘distracted’ now and then. Raquel sarcastically wondered who and what could distract her now. She asked Ramón if he had seen Martha around and was told no. Exchanging a peck with Camilla, she went upstairs. Camilla asked Ramón about his odd remark to Raquel, what did he mean by it?  He shrugged,  smiling knowingly and said, ‘Well… you never know, ma’am.’

Footsteps were heard and Camilla’s eyes widened. ‘Antonio…’ she whispers in disbelief, before walking into her brother’s arms. Ramón formally welcomes his boss home and Tonio thanks him. Camilla said  Claudio and  Andres had told her he was alive but she hadn’t dared to hope. Tonio asked for Raquel and was told she was in her room.

But before he could go, Mummy Vicky appeared and ran into his arms, weeping with joy. Meche came out from the kitchen, filled with astonishment.

Vicky asked anxiously, ‘What’s going to happen to Max?’ Antonio stopped smiling and made no reply. 

‘It was he…wasn’t it?’

At Tonio’s solemn ‘yes’, she burst into tears and Camilla took her away to her room. Tonio turned to Meche and assured her Gabriel was safe; he escaped with Martha, according to Luis. Filled with relief, Meche asked what was now going to happen to them and was assured they would be protected.  Ramón told Tonio Max wasn’t in the house and hadn’t been seen all day. With that, Tonio went upstairs to the room he shared with Raquel.

Raquel saw him through the dressing table mirror and turned round,  Tonio smiling at her amazed face. Slowly she got up, touching him. Tonio held her arms, saying, ‘It’s me.’ Raquel threw herself into his arms, crying ‘My love! Antonio, my love!’

They kissed and hugged each other passionately;  Raquel sobbing with joy, unable to stop staring at her husband, back from the dead.

'Can't you say anything?' he asked her.

'Well... I'm speechless!' Raquel stumbled over her words, took his hand, and pressed it against her cheek. 'My love.' she murmured.

‘Did you doubt we’ll ever be together again?’ he demanded and she nodded.

‘I never did, Raquel!’ 

They held each other again, kissing.

    

If only Evil Max wasn’t skulking around outside instead of behind bars at that moment! Moving on...

 At the guest bungalow, Daniel told Chucho what went on between him and the judge but Chucho still wasn’t pleased he’d promised not to turn him over to the police. Daniel decided to hide the precious document under the carpet, reminding himself to tell Meche when Chucho pointed out she may come to sweep the place. Chucho went back to the mansion and was very surprised to hear the good news from Ramón and Meche. 

'You swear on the Holy Ghost?' he exclaimed. Meche assured it was true, "the boss" was back. Ramón happily declared it was the happiest day for the Lombardo family. "Well... not for all of them. Poor Mrs. Victoria," he added soberly. The three servants looked sad as they thought of the unfortunate woman upstairs. 

Upstairs, Raquel gave the whole gist of what happened after Tonio’s disappearance to the day she had to go to the hospital. She tells him  Victoria begged her to let Max stay at the mansion and manage the business on her behalf, and how she found out he was Roberto Aguirre the day she was taken to the hospital. 

Tonio consoles Raquel as she sobs in his arms, assuring her it is all over. He tells her he loves her- more than he’s ever loved anyone; her and their daughter. 

She smiled, ‘You know about her?’

Smiling back, he says he went to see Baby Minerva at the hospital that morning. As she hugged him again, something hard pressed against her ribs. Pushing back his jacket, she saw the gun. Max, sheer murder on his face, entered the guest bungalow, but Daniel wasn’t there.

Andres and Claudio joined Vicky and Camilla in the bedroom. They told the two women that Luis and Rod were in custody, while Maura and Carla were presently giving their statements. The police were on their way. Vicky began weeping again, poor thing.

Martha and Gabriel finally get back, stopping at the guest bungalow first.  Daniel isn't there, and Martha is filled with terror over what might have happened to her father as they’d already seen Max on the grounds. Gabriel suggested she stay and wait while he go and find his sister and warn Raquel. Martha didn't want him to. Max would shoot him on sight, but Gabriel decided to take his chances. 

 Evil Max caught up with Daniel in the mansion and demanded for the written confession but for once the timid old man stood his ground and refused to tell him where he’d hidden it. Max started to punch him mercilessly. (Wicked Bastard!)

Ramón, Meche and Chucho found Martha at the bungalow. She is amazed at the news of Tonio's return but tells them Max is around and Gabriel has gone to the house as well. Ramón picked up the phone and placed a call to the mansion. 

Raquel pleaded with Tonio to let the police handle Max, not him. The phone rang and Tonio got the message from Ramón. After expressing his anger at not being told about Max immediately, he ordered everyone to stay where they were presently and hung up. Raquel watched as he locked the French windows and begged him again. Tonio assured her he wasn’t a murderer, but he had the right to be prepared to defend himself since Max was still bent on killing him.  He locked the door behind him over Raquel’s tearful protests; he didn't want Max breaking in and nabbing her while he was looking for him. 

Raquel bangs on the door, terrified and worried. 

 Downstairs in the living room, Evil Max was still demanding the document, this time his gun drawn. Daniel was now bleeding but still defiant. Gabriel appeared from behind and hit Max with his crutch, and both he and Daniel struggled with Max.  From the stairs, Tonio pulled out his gun, ordering Max to drop his. Without hesitation, Evil Max fired at him and Tonio dodged. 

They exchange fire, Max using Daniel as a shield, but Daniel struggles and pushes him right into the line of fire. Evil Max aimed at Tonio again but was flung over the couch when Tonio got him squarely on the chest. Tonio silently went down to bend over his step-brother as he bled.

The ruffian grabbed him by the shoulder and his last words were: ‘You’ll never love her ... as much as I did.’ He fell back and gave up the ghost.  You say such a thing at a time like that, you unrepentant sinner???

Chucho hurried in, exclaiming they had heard gunshots. He, Martha and Ramón gasped at the sight of Evil Max’s dead body on the floor, Meche immediately grabbing hold of her brother.  Mummy Vicky and the others came down the stairs and saw the gruesome sight as well. Everyone silently watched poor Vicky bitterly weep over her son after futilely calling his name, closing his staring eyes with her hand. Tonio stood apart from everyone, silent. 

Tonio went back upstairs to Raquel who embraced him, sobbing.

She looked at his pale face and asked, ‘You murdered him?’

‘I had to do it.’ was her husband’s reply.

'You shouldn’t have done that,’ she said and began to weep hysterically. Their marriage was over because of his action; they now both bore the guilt of Max’s death and how on earth would they be able to live happily when his death would always come between them? Tonio tried to console her but she continued to weep. Helpless, Tonio left the room, hoping she would calm down eventually. 

                   
                                       A YEAR LATER…

The scene opens in Guadalajara City. (to our amazement that night)

Raquel is feeding Minerva, a chubby-cheeked replica of herself, now a year old. After Daniel took the child to bed, the doorbell rang. It was Vicky and the two women embraced tearfully. After greeting Daniel, Vicky explained why she’d come; she could no longer bear watching Tonio suffer. He was devastated at what happened a year ago- time wouldn't let him forget- and in the present situation, he and Raquel are living apart. He couldn't bear the thought of losing his wife. Surely Raquel didn’t blame him for what he had to do?

Raquel replied she didn’t, she realised he had no other choice but she wished he had not been the one to do it.

Vicky said she had told herself the same thing... many times, but she gradually accepted it, and right now, Tonio was like a ghost of his old self; he loved Raquel and missed her very much- he couldn’t go on without her. Raquel said she loved Tonio too but reminded Vicky that Max had been her son, her biological son. Vicky took Raquel's hand, reminding her that Tonio was very much her son too. 

Raquel was still filled with guilt over Max’s death; if only she’d stood up to him at the very beginning and had the courage to tell Vicky and Tonio the truth on time…

But Vicky begged her to stop blaming herself, what was the point of wishing what could have been? She, his own mother, had been forced to accept long ago that the real person to blame for the whole tragedy was Max. But right now, she didn’t know what would become of Tonio if Raquel continued refusing to see him. Raquel asked if Tonio had asked her to come over to Guadalajara to talk to her. Vicky said no, he asks for nothing these days but goes around very silent and miserable; all he thought about was Raquel and their Minerva.

Tears running down her cheeks, Raquel told Vicky to tell Tonio to come for her, that she missed him and loved him very much; she could no longer live apart from him. The two women held each other, sobbing.

The next scene showed Minerva toddling around the garden. Raquel reads a magazine, keeping a sharp eye on the child at the same time; calling out to her, 'Don't go too far away!' She didn’t notice someone coming along. She did’t notice Minerva toddling up to her Daddy who picked her up, lovingly cradling her in his arms.

 

 Raquel finally looks up and sees the moving sight of Tonio (his moustache shaved off, enhancing his handsome face further) carrying their daughter.

There’s a look of peace in Raquel's eyes as she got up from the grass. Tonio puts the child down, picking up the doll she left on the grass, before moving towards Raquel. They regard each other for a second before Raquel placed her arms around her husband’s neck; his arms encircling her tightly.

Little Minerva Lombardo watches with innocent interest as her parents exchange loving looks and another  kiss.

What else can we assume, after the final shot? Tonio took Raquel and Minerva back to Acapulco and moved on with their lives, Max's ghost no longer between them. 

                                                            TRIVIA

- Dominican-Mexican actor Andres Garcia, who played the main character Antonio Lombardo, was 44 years old at the time- 14 years older than Lucia Mendez. 

- Andres Garcia was cast as Antonio after  Venezuelan actor,  Jose Luis Rodriguez, turned down the role. 

-The young actor who played Gabriel was Lucia Mendez’s (Raquel) real-life younger brother, Abraham Mendez.

-The soundtrack played at the final few minutes of the episode was sung by Lucía Méndez (Raquel), “El amour sin ti ni vale nada” which means, “Love is worth nothing without you.” Lucia sang most of the tracks in the telenovela as well, including the main theme song, Corazon Di Piedra (Heart of Stone). 

-Tu O Nadie currently has three remakes: Acapulco Bay, Acapulco Cuerpo y Alma and Sortilegio. 

-Tu O Nadie aired in Italy under the title, Cuore Di Pietra ( "Heart of Stone" in Italian) with Italian voice overs. Antonio was named Alessandro, Raquel named Elena, Victoria named Lorenza, Max's full name Massimo, Martha named Marta and Tonio and Raquel's daughter Minerva was named Melania. 

MORE TRIVIA IN MY NEXT POST! IN THE MEANTIME...

 A VIDEO BY A TU O NADIE FAN: 

                              

CRIMINALS' ROUND-UP!!!

Luis flings Martha down on the couch. Covering her with his gun, he called the mansion to speak with Max. Tonio had been told by Gato on the island that it had been Maura and Carla who had made up Roberto Aguirre as a joke to wreck his marriage.

Andres tells Tonio that Camilla and Raquel had gotten along like sisters since her and Claudio's return from Rome and formally congratulates him; his daughter was as beautiful as Raquel, making  Tonio grin happily. Andres asked if he would have preferred a son, to continue the family name.

Tonio replied,  their boy will come eventually. Andres isn’t pleased when Tonio still refuses to talk to his wife; when Raquel calls again, anxious for news, she is suffering. Tonio said he was more than anxious to see Raquel but he wanted to really surprise her- to be there and see the look of joy on her face. Pablo asks Pam to make up the guest room for Tonio to spend the the night. Max and Rod went to Maura's house to look for her but she still wasn't home. Carla had no idea where she'd gone she phoned most of their friends, but Maura wasn't with any of them.

Claudio returns to Acapulco with the judge, checking him in a hotel before going home. Max isn't home and  Ramon refuses to pass on a message, abruptly hanging up on him. Luis reminds Martha he's always been good to her; would she send him to jail? Martha reminds him that Tonio was her sister's husband, she owed them both some justice.

 At the house, Camilla tells Raquel the good news about the judge. At first she didn't want to tell Raquel in front of Ramon but Raquel said he could be trusted; Ramon in turn pleaded- he was loyal to Raquel and Tonio. Camilla told her the judge had been found and Claudio has brought him down to Acapulco. Soon, everything will be cleared! Claudio enters and  warmly welcomed by the two women. He tells Camilla she would have to pretend to be his fiancee, as the judge had been told he was conducting a false wedding.  While the three were talking, the phone rang. To Ramon's amazement it was Tonio! He warned him  not to react if Raquel or any of the family was around; he wanted him to bring some clothes to him to Pablo's place. Camilla asked Ramon who it was and he said, 'the gardener' and fled, much to their amazement.

Camilla and Claudio hesitantly asks Raquel if she would allow them help in any way they can in raising Minerva, as Camilla especially has grown attached to her.  Camilla sadly explains  that her doctor told her she couldn’t have children but she and Claudio hope to adopt later. 

The next morning, Ramon is filled with joy seeing his boss again- the two men exchanging hugs.
Raquel and Daniel go to see Minerva at the hospital's NICU; both smiling at the baby through the glass. However, Raquel’s face clouds as she thought of Tonio, whom she still thought was dead. She tearfully remarked how he wasn't with her to see their little girl,  her father consoling her.

 Andres went back to Pablo's apartment to find Tonio dressed and ready.

Vicky finds Meche crying bitterly. Meche begged Vicky  to believe her; Max was evil, he was Roberto Aguirre and he  kidnapped her brother- on the grave of her late mother, she was telling the truth. Upset by Meche's tears, Vicky went to Evil Max's room. When he tried to deny having a hand in Tonio's death, Vicky angrily and tearfully told him to tell the truth; Raquel and Meche were still bent on accusing him and she wanted to hear the truth from him.
Max,  at long last, confirmed it. He finally won, why deny it? Vicky looked at him in shock then burst into tears.
The police chief took down Tonio's statement, Tonio made sure that Raquel especially will not so much as set foot into the police station.  After he left, Andres hands Tonio a gun and told him Claudio was back,  with the judge. They were several steps ahead of Max.

Meanwhile, Daniel and Chucho go to a bar for drinks and Daniel was very surprised to see the judge at a table. He went over to talk to him. At first the judge didn't recognise him but soon the men were in deep conversation. Daniel tells him all that had happened.

Luis calls again and Ramon derives a lot of pleasure hanging up on him again. Raquel is exasperated at Andres' evasiveness but he assured her things will soon be revealed.

It turned out that while the  judge knew Max had taken Tonio's identity to marry Raquel, he  hadn't known he was plotting to kill Tonio. He asked Daniel how he could help, without incriminating himself. Daniel suggest he write a signed  affidavit- clearing Raquel, Martha and himself and the judge could leave Acapulco. Andres told Camilla and Claudio what Pablo had pierced together, Maura's silly joke and Max and Rod's conspiracy and the possibility that Tonio was alive.

Max brooded over what Vicky now knew but he was confident she would not turn her own son in. He went downstairs and ALAS!... overhears Camilla and Raquel discussing the judge in the study. He listens as Camilla tells Raquel where the judge was staying and dashed back upstairs. Camilla assured Raquel they'll all live happily from now on and formally asked for forgiveness for her past misdeeds and attitudes but Raquel brushed it off with a smile. 

Max calls Luis and ordered him to go to the hotel and kill the judge. Luis tells him he couldn't, Martha and Gabriel couldn't be left alone. Max decided to go himself. Martha begs Luis not to kill her or Gabriel, then suddenly suggested they leave Acapulco together, acting lovingly towards him and urged him to put the gun down... it scared her.  Luis was pleased at the sudden change of heart and put down the gun when she told him to. He went to the other room to make preparations and Martha picked up the gun. When he got back, she shoots him on the thigh and leaves, apologising. Gabriel braces himself to use a broken bottle he prepared on Luis as  he heard footsteps and the door unlocking  but saw it was Martha instead,  and they take to their heels!

Maura gets back to find Rod waiting for her. Gato calls,  and Rod orders her to lure him to her house. When he arrives, Rod shoots him but after overhearing him asking her if Tonio was where he told her he'd be. Tonio and Pablo ring Maura's doorbell but no one answers, so they go round the back. 

 Maura begins screaming and crying when Rod aims the gun at her, demanding to know where Tonio is. She didn't know, he escaped! Tonio aaappears andhoots him in the hand. As Maura runs to Tonio's arms, screaming her head off, Tonio instructs Pablo to call the police. 

Luis is tending to his wound when there's a knock on the door. He snarled, 'Who is it?'
'Max.' replied a voice. Luis staggers to the door and opens it, only to find a gun pointed at his face... by Tonio.  The jig is up Luis! 

The judge gives Daniel the affidavit, signed and sealed and assures him his signature can be verified. Daniel thanks him and takes his leave.

MAX'S JUDGEMENT DAY ROUND THE CORNER...

Max called Pam again, telling her to indicate if someone was with her, yes or no. Pam said he had the wrong number and hung up again. Andres and Pablo arrive; Andres and Tonio exchange joyful, brotherly hugs- Pablo received one, too. They sat down and immediately exchanged information. Andres assured him Raquel had been loyal and faithful and missed him very much when Tonio voiced his anger at Raquel for allowing Evil Max to live at the mansion and handle the company. Tonio just wanted to know who was on his side and who wasn't. He also told Andres what Maura had said about his wife, but of course hadn’t believed a word.

(I think?) 

Andres told him Gabriel had told Raquel Max was Robert Aguirre.  Tonio listened as Andres also revealed how Raquel was rushed to the hospital after confronting Max. Then her hysteria and insistence the police to be called until Oscar gave her a sedative. 

The phone rang and Pam picked it up. It was Raquel, demanding to know what the hell was going on. Meche was with her, sobbing. Andres urged him to talk to Raquel but Tonio shook his head; their reunion wasn’t going to be over the phone. (I should THINK not)

Pablo took the receiver; Raquel informed him that Meche had changed her story; Max was Roberto Aguirre and had kidnapped Gabriel, and she was certain Luis Trejo- his henchman- was involved in the abduction.  

Martha listened to the conversation before slipping away. Pablo promised to see to it. Raquel hung up and consoled Meche. Andres told Tonio about Gabriel and what Meche told Raquel. The men now knew both Gato and Max had used the name. Tonio vowed to make Max and his friends pay for trying to kill him... they will pay!

Evil Max informed Rod that Pablo and Andres had been acting strangely lately. Rod mentioned Maura; she, too, had been acting strangely, taking off on a trip all of a sudden. He suspected that Gato had wanted to give Raquel some info and probably went to someone else since Raquel was unavailable when he called. Max mumbled he would be finished if it turned out Tonio was alive.

 Oh...yes Evil Max. 

Martha went to speak to Luis again and, after some clever manoeuvring,  got the info she needed: Max was behind Tonio’s murder.  She suddenly fled from the flat, Luis chasing her. Gabriel heard her voice and banged on the door. Martha stopped when she heard Gabriel’s yelling her name and alas, despite a struggle, Luis dragged her back into the flat.

THE LION'S BACK IN TOWN!!!

A few days later, Raquel came home, still weak and supported by Camilla's hand on her shoulder; Daniel carrying her vanity case. Vicky warmly welcomed her back and she and Daniel helped her up the stairs. According to Oscar, Minerva will be home in 2 weeks as she was getting stronger in the incubator. Max sarcastically comments on how Camilla was all chummy with her sister-in-law. Camilla’s cold reply, she now liked Raquelas much as she now hated him. Max asks her if it was because of Raquel’s wild stories. Camilla said it was because of all his atrocities, calling him a coward and a murderer before storming out. Max realises Camilla is no longer his ally.  

Claudio is very fortunate; in Guadalajara, the judge had just returned from a long vacation! Claudio gets down to business.

Back in Acapulco, Pamela is startled at the sudden loud pounding on the door and goes to answer it, gasping at the bearded, sweaty stranger. It was Tonio! She lets him in after he identifies himself, telling him Pablo isn’t home when he asks for him. 

Claudio tells the judge he needs him to conduct a false wedding as he’d done before. The judge was offended at the insinuation until Claudio told him it was to take place in Acapulco and assured him the reward was very huge. The judge agreed to do it!

At the mansion, Andres and Pablo go up to Raquel’s room to see her and inform her of the recent developments, including Claudio’s trip but not the phone call, not wanting to raise her hopes. Andres advised them not to call the police, at least until Claudio got back with enough evidence- the judge. Raquel is worried about Gabriel, who is still missing, but alas, they have no proof that Max was holding him. When Raquel suggests she go to the police and tell them everything about Max,  Andres refuses. He reminds her Tonio didn't report Max in the first place, to protect her. If she went to the station now, she might end up detained there. Tonio will not forgive him and Pablo when he gets back, for letting her so much as set foot in a jail cell. 

Raquel sat up, frowning and was like, hold up... they speak as if Tonio is alive. 

Washed and shaved, his arm redressed, and in a borrowed robe, Tonio and Pamela waited for Pablo to get home; Pam served him coffee, offering to call a doctor since he still seemed to be in pain, but Tonio refused.  He asked for news about Raquel, and Pamela told him Raquel had given birth via caesarean, but the baby girl was in the incubator for now.

Tonio is overjoyed to hear he is now a father. ‘A  girl?’ he asked, stunned but very happy. 

(To tell the truth, I was very surprised at his reaction, I thought he was the typical rich guy who preferred sons).

 He was also pleased to hear that Andres was still around but NOT pleased that Max was living at the mansion, under the same roof with his precious Raquel and handling the business! He asked Pam to call the house, he had to speak with Pablo. Ramón answered the phone, Max nearby. Pam asked to speak with her brother. Pablo was still upstairs with Raquel and Andres, so Ramón dialled Raquel’s extension. Max asked who was calling but Ramón ignored him. He told his mistress that someone wanted to talk to Pablo. Pablo picked the other receiver when Raquel told him to. Max wanted to listen in but Ramón violently turned off the extension- it was none of his business who was calling Pablo! Max glared at him.

Pablo asked Pamela what was wrong and she handed the phone to Tonio. Tonio identified himself, warning him not to react if Raquel was nearby and to come over immediately with no one except Andres. Pablo managed to control himself- somehow-  and hung up. Pablo told Raquel it was Claudio, he had some news but needed to talk to him in private. Raquel was puzzled- why private? Pablo assured her all would be explained to her in time and dragged Andres out of the room, whispering that Tonio was waiting for him at his apartment! They hurried out; Max and Ramón watching them. After Ramón went back to the kitchen, Max phoned Pam to find out if she’d be the one to call Pablo, and why. But Pam,  wiser now,  hung up on him. 

Raquel slowly came down the stairs and confronted Max again; he had killed her husband, Gabriel probably too. He couldn’t insult her intelligence, she also knew why he wanted her locked up in a mental home- to get everything! She should never have given in to his foolish mother’s emotions but she was rectifying THAT mistake. She was calling a meeting of the board of directors very soon- she was bouncing him out of the company and hiring someone else to represent her. And she wanted him out of her house. Max warned her she could go to jail for Tonio’s murder if he decided to accuse her. Raquel, however, gave him a nasty smile;  and dared him to.   She walked away, leaving Max burning with fury.

Raquel is puzzled when Ramón tells her Pablo’s sister, Pam, has called to speak with Pablo, not Claudio. What were they playing at?

MORE PIECES OF THE PUZZLE

Andres and Claudio listened in amazement; Pam was almost sure it was Tonio’s voice but he’d hung up all of a sudden. Ramón then told them about the conversation he’d heard between Max and Luis about Gato; Pablo had already pierced together the pieces- Gato was Rod’s employee, suspected of being the one who’d been making the crank calls to Mrs. Raquel. Ramón also told them about the jewellery Raquel had found in Martha’s room; jewellery given to her by Luis.
Which obviously meant Luis was a paid accomplice to be able to afford such gifts. Ramón finally mentioned how Max grabbed the phone that morning when it rang and had looked shocked at whoever was on the other line; he had asked, ‘is this Gato?’

It was finally clear; Max, Rod and Luis were accomplices in Tonio’s disappearance; it also proved beyond reasonable doubt that Raquel’s earlier accusation about Max pretending to be Tonio in Guadalajara was true- and Max’s second attempt on Tonio’s life. Ramón tentatively asked, did it mean that Tonio and Raquel weren’t married? Andres firmly set him straight- Raquel WAS Tonio’s wife, and as her husband’s best friend, he was going to do all he could to help her. Claudio finally told him the secret he’d been keeping out of fear; Rod’s proposal to him and how he’d planned on framing Raquel.

Andres is furious with him but Claudio insisted he would never have done it and asked what he could do to put things right.

Vicky of course cannot believe Raquel’s accusations so Raquel desperately turned to Camilla; begging her to believe her. Andrea, Claudio and Pablo convey at Pablo’s flat and Pam told them again about the phone conversation. Maura kept giving sleeping drugs to render him too weak to escape. Daniel entered the room as Vicky, Oscar and Max discusses Raquel’s admission into a mental hospital and he’s outraged. His daughter was not crazy! Vicky assured him it was to help Raquel but he angrily brushed her excuse off, he guessed it was Max’s doing. Max tried talking to him but for once the old man refused to fall for it. At the bungalow, Meche cried over Gabriel, afraid for her brother. Daniel realised they were both tied to a corner; Raquel and Gabriel were in danger. Camilla told Claudio about what Gabriel had told Raquel.

Oscar’s son and Raquel’s friend, Humberto is against the idea of Raquel placed in a mental hospital, he knew she wasn’t crazy and argued with Oscar about it, it was absurd! Oscar said it was for her own good and she’s upsetting Vicky with her accusations and he wasn't going to let Raquel continue. Humberto leaves in disgust, seeing how Oscar was far more focused on Victoria's feelings. 

Daniel cautions Raquel to play for time, warning her that Evil Max could have her put in an asylum if she opens her mouth. Humberto enters and assures Raquel he's on her side; but it was best she let the matter rest, at least until she's discharged. He  promised her once she's strong enough to go to the police to give her statement, he’ll go with her. She thanks him.

Claudio s given the task of going to Guadalajara and see if the judge that Max paid to conduct the false wedding was back and lure him to Acapulco to confront Max once and for all. Claudio willingly agreed as it was a chance to redeem himself and help his sister-in-law. He tells Camilla but warns her to be careful of what she says around Max. 

TIME TO TAKE COVER!

Raquel is sedated and Oscar meets with Evil Max; he's concerned about Raquel's state of mind. Max suggests she's checked into a mental asylum.
Meche is very worried when Gabriel doesn't come back; exasperated at how stubborn he was. Pamela listens to Pablo and Andres' conversation; the phone call and what Raquel had told him. After they left the flat, Pamela called the mansion but Max wasn't home so she left a message for him to call her back. Oscar and Max get back and discuss the possibility of Raquel receiving treatment at a mental asylum  because of her wild rantings against Max. Ramon asked Meche where Gabriel was; he still wasn't back. Ramon overhears the discussion and is dismayed, he didn't believe Raquel was mad. Andres asked Daniel if it was true what Gabriel had said about Max and he reluctantly confirmed it, telling him all he knew and why they'd kept it from Raquel. Max told Meche he had her brother and if she wanted to see him alive again, she had to keep her trap shut!

Meanwhile Gabriel is locked in a storeroom in Luis's apartment building. Martha paid him a visit, wanting to get info about Max from him, giving him a few days to comply. Forced by Max, Meche told everyone that Gabriel was mistaken and went back to the kitchen. Max looked very uneasy when Vicky said a Pamela called. Pablo looked at him suspiciously.

 
Meanwhile, Tonio struggled to regain his strength Maura continue to ply him with pills and lies about Raquel. Max is cross with Pam for leaving a message for him, she hung up as Pablo entered the flat. He coldly asked her what was her relationship with Max. After telling him everything, she admitted she was in love in him and got a slap!

While Maura is not around, Tonio called the house, but instead of Ramon, Max picked it instead, thinking Gato will call back. Tonio hesitated then asked, 'who is this?' Max went cold, then asked, 'is that you, Gato?'
Tonio hung up. Then he called Pablo's flat but alas, he wasn't at home, Pamela said. Before she could ask who was calling, Maura appeared and cut of the extension, scolding him for walking about when he was still weak. She got him back to bed and gave him another pill. But Tonio had only pretended to swallow it!

Raquel and Daniel watched  Baby sleeping in the incubator; Raquel cried and  prayed her child should live, she'd already lost her husband. At the rented house, Rafael wished Maura good luck with Tonio and took his leave.
Camilla visited  Raquel; explaining she'd bought baby clothes and other stuff for Baby from Rome. Her manner towards her sister-in-law is no longer hostile but wary. Raquel asked her why she looked broody but Camilla said nothing was wrong then asked if Raquel had chosen a name yet for Baby. Raquel already had. She was naming the child Minerva.
'My mother's name?' Camilla asked in surprise. Raquel nodded and said, 'Tonio would have wanted it.' 

At the house, Claudio told Andres, their doctor had told them Camilla can't have children but they were closer now. Andres filled him in on what's been happening. Pablo barged in and told them both that Tonio had called his flat!
Luis is told by Max about the second strange caller. Max prayed it wasn't Tonio... or he was finished this time. Luis scoffed at the idea , it's  impossible- Tonio Lombardo is dead.

Wishful thinking on your part, asshole.

A CHILD IS BORN AND A HUSBAND FOUND...

Raquel is wheeled into the operating room; Vicky, Daniel, Martha and Max wait anxiously. Claudio called the house and was informed that Raquel was at the hospital. The trip did the couple a whole lot of good; they were able to spend quality time together. Claudio was more sober, Camilla as well but was currently depressed; just as she was set to try motherhood, she was told by the doctors she was reproductively challenged.

Finally, Oscar came out and announced that the operation was a success and that both mother and child would pull through. To everyone's joy (except, of course, Mad Max's), the baby was a very beautiful baby girl! But as she was premature, Baby was to stay in the incubator for a few days, and Raquel had to get her strength back, so she was staying for a while, too. 

At the house, Chucho and Meche pray for Raquel to pull through. Max angrily burst in to know which among them had told Raquel the truth, punching out Chucho when he challenged him. Ramon was pleased to hear that Raquel and the baby were fine and would be home in a few days; he informed Vicky that  Claudio had called.  The telephone rang and Ramon answered it.
It was Gato, shaved and washed at his apartment. He asked to speak with Mrs Raquel Lombardo, saying he was her hairstylist. Ramon was just telling him that Raquel was unable to come to the phone when Vicky asked who it was and Ramon handed the phone to her. Thinking it was Raquel, he identified himself as Roberto Aguirre. Stunned, Vicky angrily said she  was Victoria Lombardo and asked him, 'Where's Antonio, what have you done with my son?!'
Abruptly, Gato hung up. The plan was to tell Raquel where her husband was in exchange for a lot of money. 

At the hospital, Raquel regained consciousness and worried about her baby but Oscar said the baby was fine. Max entered the room and she began screaming at him,  calling him a murderer... he killed her husband! She begged Oscar to call the police. Oscar sent everyone out and tried to calm her down.
Max angrily told Daniel and Martha that Raquel was crazy; he was innocent, but Daniel and Martha eyed him suspiciously. Oscar came out and asked if what Raquel said was true; it was a very serious accusation. Meanwhile, Gato picked the next best thing- MAURA!

Max threatened Meche, Gabriel and Chucho if they dared support Raquel in her accusations.
While Vicky was pondering over the sudden call, she received a sudden visitor, Andres! She warmly hugged him; he was in Acapulco on business and wanted to see them. He immediately asked after Raquel and was told she was now a mother. She also told him about the weird phone call and she'd been waiting for Roberto Aguirre to call back. Max entered, not pleased to see Andres and stunned to hear that 'Roberto Aguirre' had called, asking for Raquel. Who else could it be but GATO?
(HA! Your day of reckoning is around the corner, bastard!!!) Vicky wondered if the man wanted to tell them that Tonio was alive or not.

Raquel is very anxious for Tonio's death to be avenged. She's angry with Daniel for what he hid from her, that Max was Roberto Aguirre. Daniel, remorseful, explained Max kept denying he was Aguirre and how he'd warned him, Meche and Gabriel, that no one would believe them if they made their accusations. 

Meanwhile, Gato meets Maura at a restaurant. She handed over a cheque to him and he told her where Tonio was. Maura is amazed to hear that Tonio is alive. 

Luis couldn't believe what Max told him; Gato was dead, how could it be him? Rod refused to believe it too. But Max was very sure it was him, he had a lot to gain by wanting to talk to Raquel, probably to expose them. They decided to check Gato's old apartment. Meanwhile, Andres paid Raquel a visit at the hospital and she begged him to help her... Max was Aguirre - she didn't care about the scandal; she wanted Max punished! Andres told her about the phone call at the house; if Max was Roberto, who was the caller? Aguirre couldn't be Max, as he had seen the shocked expression on his face when Vicky told them about the call. Raquel thought perhaps Max made Luis pose as Aguirre to confuse them.

Max informed Maura and Carla about the call, and Carla was confused. Maura made her excuses and rushed out. Carla picked up the phone to call the mansion. 

Luis got to the mansion and informed Max he had searched Gato's place and had found hair in the bathroom sink, it WAS Gato who had called. But it was still impossible that Tonio was alive. Unknown to them, Ramon was listening!
Maura, accompanied by Alejandra's ex-boyfriend, gets to the shack. Raphael went in first. Tonio lay unconscious on a mat,  alone and injured. Raphael told Maura she could come in.

Gabriel paid Raquel a visit at the hospital and apologised for not telling her sooner, but she brushed it off. Gabriel promised to stand by her. Max enters the room and is furious to see him there. Raquel pressed her buzzer for the nurse, she wanted Max thrown out of her room. He left but dragged Gabriel with him; to her horror, Max would kill him!

But Gabriel is defiant; Max had done his worst, so he was no longer scared of him. Oscar asked what the commotion was all about and Max shouted that Gabriel had been telling lies about him. Gabriel said it wasn't a lie and he'll tell everyone. Max ordered him to go home and signalled Luis to follow him and make him disappear.

Andres paid Raquel a visit at the hospital and she begged him to help her. Max had killed Tonio- she didn't care about the scandal; she wanted Max punished! Andres told her about the phone call; if Max was Roberto, who was the caller? It couldn't have been Max, as he had seen the shocked expression on his face when Vicky told them about the call. Raquel thought perhaps it was Luis, to confuse them.

Max informed Maura and Carla about the call, and Carla was confused. Maura made her excuses and rushed out. 

Meanwhile, Tonio is being treated at a hospital, the bullet removed from his arm. Gabriel is pounced on by Luis.
Maura and Raphael take Tonio to a house she had rented. She wasn't planning on telling Raquel Tonio was alive, as far as Maura was concerned, he belonged to her, not Raquel Lombardo. Tonio suddenly groaned and Maura rushed to his side, calling his name. Delirious, he said, 'Raquel?'
Maura said no, it was Maura. Not wasting time, she started slandering Raquel, saying that she had planned with Max to kill him. Tonio is silent...