The steak on his plate had lost its taste, the expensive wine felt like bitter water. All he could see was Ana’s back, walking away between the tables as if time hadn’t left a mark, yet carrying the weight of centuries of pain.

Leonor noticed his distraction and clicked her tongue.
“Really, Rui, what’s going on with you? I brought you here to enjoy yourself, not to have your mind somewhere else.”

He nodded but didn’t respond. How could he explain that the woman who now served him dinner was the very reason he was sitting there, dressed in a suit, with money and success?

The dinner continued in an uncomfortable silence. Rui barely touched his food. When Leonor went to the bathroom, he seized the moment. He stood up and looked for Ana.

He found her at the small bar, cleaning glasses with trembling hands.
“Ana…” His voice came out softer than he expected.

She looked at him, her eyes calm but hardened by life.
“Mr. Almeida, is there anything else you need?” she asked with professional coldness.

The “Mr. Almeida” cut through him like a knife.
“Don’t call me that… It’s me, Rui.”

Ana set the glass down on the bar and looked him straight in the eye.
“I know.” She took a deep breath and added, “But here, you’re just another customer.”

Rui wanted to say something, apologize, explain, beg. But the words caught in his throat.
“Ana… I didn’t know you were… like this.”

She smiled sadly.
“Like this? Working to survive? That’s called life, Rui. The same life you chose to leave behind.”

Before he could answer, a small child ran from the kitchen toward Ana. He was about seven, with dark hair and eyes as deep as hers.
“Mama!” the boy exclaimed, hugging her.

Rui felt the floor give way beneath him.

Ana gently stroked the boy’s hair, and without looking at him, said softly:
“Go to grandma, sweetheart. Mommy will be done soon.”

The boy obeyed, running toward the back. Rui could barely breathe.
“Is… is he my son?” he asked, his voice breaking.

Ana looked at him with a cold glint in her eyes.
“He’s my son. And you don’t need to know anything more.”

She left him standing there, his heart shattered, the unbearable weight of guilt crashing down on his shoulders.