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It was on the tenth day that the accident happened. I was loading cement on the third floor when the slab began to crack. You shouted for everyone to run, but you realized I had been left behind. Rodrigo lightly squeezed Manuel’s hand. You entered the rubble and pulled me out seconds before everything collapsed. You could have lost your life saving mine. At that moment, Rodrigo opened his eyes for the first time in almost a month.
Dear listener, if you’re enjoying the story, please take the opportunity to leave a like and, above all, subscribe to the channel. That helps a lot for those of us who are just starting out. Now, continuing. Rodrigo blinked several times, trying to focus his eyes. When he recognized Manuel, his eyes filled with tears. Manu whispered in a hoarse voice. It was the affectionate nickname he always used for Manuel. “Hello, Rodri. It’s good to see you awake, my friend.” Rodrigo tried to sit up, but he was still very weak. Dr. Velázquez approached to check his vital signs.
“How are you feeling, Don Rodrigo?” Rodrigo looked around in confusion, trying to understand where he was and what had happened. “How long? Almost a month, Dad,” Daniela said, taking his other hand. Rodrigo looked at his daughter in astonishment, then back at Manuel. “Did you stay with me?” “I did, Rodri, like we promised 30 years ago, always looking out for each other. I didn’t deserve it. Stop messing around. Of course you deserved it.” Dr. Velázquez ordered some neurological tests to evaluate Rodrigo’s cognitive status.
Fortunately, there didn’t seem to be any permanent damage. Alberto, who had arrived minutes after learning his father had woken up, watched the scene with mixed emotions. On the one hand, he was relieved by his father’s recovery. On the other, he feared this meant the end of his ambitions to take control of the company. Patricia also arrived quickly at the hospital. When she saw her husband awake, crying and holding Manuel’s hand, something inside her was deeply moved.
Rodrigo, dear, how are you, Patricia? Rodrigo said, extending his hand toward her. “I need to tell you some important things.” In the following hours, as Rodrigo fully regained consciousness, he began to reveal truths he had kept hidden for years. “I never forgot you, Manu. Every day I thought about looking for you, but I was ashamed of what I had become. You see, Rodri? Of having betrayed our dreams, of having become greedy and insensitive.” Rodrigo told the family about the ethical dilemmas he faced at the company, about how he felt pressured to make decisions that went against his original values.
Alberto, you always demanded that we be more aggressive in business, but every time I did something questionable, I remembered Manu teaching me that true success is being able to sleep with a clear conscience. Alberto felt embarrassed by his father’s remark. Dad, I just wanted our company to be competitive. Competitive doesn’t have to be dishonest, son. Rodrigo then revealed what had caused his emotional breakdown. The day I fainted, I had just signed the authorization to demolish the building where Manu lived.
When I learned he was the one being evicted, I couldn’t deal with the guilt. Manuel was shocked. “Did you know I lived there? I found out the day before the demolition. My secretary showed me the list of residents, and when I saw your name, my world fell apart. Why didn’t you cancel the demolition? Because the contracts were already signed, the investors were waiting, but mainly because I realized I had become exactly the kind of entrepreneur we criticized when we were young.
Daniela was shocked by the revelations. Dad, why did you never tell us about these conflicts? Because I was afraid they would lose respect for me and because I didn’t know how to back down without losing everything we’d built. Dr. Velázquez suggested that Rodrigo rest, as he was obviously emotionally overwhelmed. But Rodrigo insisted on continuing the conversation. Manu, forgive me for abandoning you. Forgive me for having become someone you wouldn’t recognize. Rodri, you don’t have to apologize. You never stopped being my friend in my heart.
Yes, I have to do it, and I need to do more than apologize. I need to fix things. Rodrigo then made a revelation that left everyone speechless. Two years ago, I made a will leaving half of the company to Manu. I wanted him to know that I never forgot our partnership. Alberto went pale. Dad, you can’t be serious. I’m completely serious, and now that I’m awake, I’m going even further. Rodrigo looked directly at Manuel. Manu, I want you to be my partner again.
Seriously, this time 50% of the company is yours. Manuel was in total shock. Rodri, I can’t accept this. It’s too much. You can and will accept it, but on one condition. We’re going to transform the company into what we always dreamed it would be. What are you proposing? We’re going to create a new business model. Profit sharing for all employees. Quality housing at fair prices. Respect for the environment. Total transparency. Alberto couldn’t contain himself. Dad, this is crazy.
We’re going to lose all our clients. We’re going bankrupt. Alberto, if we’re going to continue as we are, I’d rather the company really close down. Patricia, who had remained silent throughout the discussion, finally spoke up. Rodrigo, are you sure about what you’re saying? This would completely change our lives. Patricia, I almost died from the guilt of having lost my essence. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life pretending to be someone I’m not. Daniela was thrilled with her father’s transformation.
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