At 52, I had a stroke. «The trip’s paid for, get better,» my husband said, then jetted off to the Maldives with the kids….

She was lying paralyzed after a stroke, and they were planning to go to a resort that she had paid for from her own savings. Who will be with me? Was all she could ask. We’ve arranged with the neighbor, Laura.

She’ll come by every day. Mateo replied quickly. And there are nurses and doctors at the hospital.

You’re in good hands, mom. Miguel placed the folder on the bedside table. Here’s the power of attorney to manage your accounts.

We’ll need money for pocket expenses, excursions. You know everything is expensive in the Maldives. Pamela silently stared at the ceiling, feeling a treacherous tear slide down her cheek.

Her entire life had been spent for them, saving money, denying herself little things, and this was her reward. Will you sign? Miguel extended the pen to her. Her hand barely obeyed, but Pamela found the strength to take it.

Of course, she said quietly, signing the document unevenly. What else could she do? Create a scandal in her condition? Prevent them from going? They would do what they wanted anyway, and she had no strength to resist. When they left, discussing what swimsuits to take, Pamela stared out the window at the blooming lilac in the hospital courtyard.

The room was quiet, only the monitors beeped. Outside, the leaves rustled gently, and the sound of children’s laughter drifted from the playground. Life went on, but for Pamela, it seemed to be frozen in that sterile room with the smell of medicine.

In the evening, Laura arrived, a friendly, full woman in her 70s, with a knitted bag full of homemade pastries. Pamela, dear, she whined when she saw her neighbor. What happened to you? As soon as I found out, I rushed right over.

Miguel stopped by, said they had to leave urgently, and asked me to keep an eye on you. Leave urgently, Pamela bitterly smirked to herself. How conveniently they explained it all to the old woman.

Thank you, Laura, she managed to say. Don’t worry about it. What worry? We’re neighbors, Laura waved her hand, settling in the chair.

Here, I brought you some homemade pastries and some compote in a jar. Hospital food, you know how it is. The elderly woman spoke incessantly, telling the latest neighborhood gossip, stories about her many grandchildren.

Pamela listened half-heartedly. The cold that had settled inside her after the conversation with her family did not dissipate. The next day, nurse Gloria Gonzalez, a woman of Pamela’s age with kind but tired eyes, entered the room.

How are you feeling today, Mrs. Vincente? She asked, checking the floor. Pamela wanted to answer fine, but unexpectedly, she started crying. Tears ran down her cheeks, and she couldn’t stop them.

What happened? The nurse asked, sitting beside her. And Pamela, stuttering, with pauses, told her what had happened. About the trip she had planned for her whole family.

About the betrayal of her husband and children, who were flying to the Maldives while she lay paralyzed in the hospital. And this power of attorney. I didn’t even look at what I signed.

She finished her story. Gloria frowned, took the folder from the table, and began to examine the document carefully. Suddenly, she gasped.

Mrs. Vincente, this is a general power of attorney for all your assets. Not just accounts, but property, securities. They will be able to manage all your assets.

Pamela felt the room spin before her eyes. How could they? Did they only see her savings after all these years of care? The realization of the scale of the betrayal made it hard to breathe. We need to act on this immediately, Gloria said firmly.

Do you have a reliable person? A lawyer or notary you trust? Pamela thought for a moment and then remembered Gabriel Diaz, a notary she had worked with at the bank many years ago. They had kept a friendly relationship, occasionally meeting at professional events. Gathering all her strength, she dictated the phone number to the nurse.

Thank you, Pamela whispered. I don’t know what I’d do without you. It’s nothing, Gloria gently patted her hand.

Get well. As for this, we’ll sort it out. In the evening, Laura returned, bringing pastries and news.

Your family left for vacation, Pamela. I saw the taxi pull up, they loaded their suitcases. They looked so happy, smiling…