Caray, Caray!

It's Ruth's daughter's birthday today, so I'm subbing for her. It was no pleasure: this episode was so down I can't even crack jokes about it.

1. The Gabriel and Mariangela problem.

Gabriel is straining his last brain cell trying to keep up with the plot. He keeps creasing his face, trying to understand. Mariangela? Hasn't been answering her cellphone? Is gone? Took the baby? Throughout this episode he will be saying he doesn't understand.

He goes to Candelaria and says he doesn't understand. She says she isn't allowed to tell him anything except that MA has gone to represent Regina in some conference out of the country - then she hands him MA's note, which he reads in the same stupor of incomprehension. "I have to leave, for work. After what I heard and saw, there is nothing remaining between you and me. I feel profoundly deceived. We'll talk when I return." He repeats her words many times in befuddlement. He goes to Nicolas and repeats everything. Nic says, be patient.

Joselyn is impatient to find out if her cuddles with Demian-masquerading-as-his-dumb-brother had the desired effect on Mariangela; she is exasperated to hear MA has left town and the showdown must wait till her return.

Jos goes to mommy to complain; Miriam says once again that the whole scheme was a big mistake and will result in disaster for both Jos and Demian, and that now Gabe will never trust her and she will lose everything. Jos says, "that's not what I wanted to hear from my mother."

2. The newly-weds on their honeymoon.

Elsa is drinking in bed. When Sil comes in she quickly hides her bottle under the pillow. At long last he notices the alcohol on her breath and after a brief struggle finds her bottle. "I can't let you destroy yourself," he declares, "I'll take charge now."

3. The JC problem.

Regina read the letters her son has been writing to his future child and hiding under his blotter. "Son, I'll miss seeing you smile, your mischief, your first steps, I'll miss having you sleep in my arms. Know that I left your mother still loving her with all my heart. I had a mortal illless - but I always loved your mother ..." Regina breaks down.

Dolores and Leo are in his hospital, agreeing JC has gone too far in deceiving his mother and wife, when said mother bursts in and shouts: "Stop lying, is my son really going to die?" Their somber expressions tell the tale.

Regina yells at Dolores for deceiving her - "you're a mother, you should understand I needed to know" - but eventually forgives her, knowing JC orchestrated the deceit.

She finds out she might be able to give her son a bone marrow transplant, but JC has refused it because the operation would be dangerous for her. All fear for her heart; she insists on the operation and goes to see the specialist who will determine if her marrow is compatible. Then she makes the exact same mistake JC made: "We must do this transplant without his knowing." (I've heard about this on the internet, in reverse: you wake up in a bathtub full of ice and discover somebody has harvested your kidney.)

JC is determined to leave Mexico, though his ex-boss Manuel says this is all a mistake.

Paulina is sobbing over JC's pictures when Karen comes to visit. Paulina upbrades Karen for trying to steal JC - Karen is about to explain everything, I think, but Paulina shoves her out the door and slams it behind her.

Regina sobs, thought-bubbling about a Mother's Love and how she's been scolding JC when he really needed her support. She goes to him and promises him her unconditional love - but he mustn't leave, he must stay with her. As they hug, he thought-bubbles: "I will never leave her until death takes me," and she: "Son, I'm afraid this will be our last embrace."

Dolores is also thought-bubbling about a Mother's Love and crying when Tiberio comes in. He is surprised to see her crying, saying she has always been so strong. He even gives her a hanky. Is he getting rehabilitated?

Pau tells Daddy that JC is leaving her, so Demian goes and yells at JC. There's a showdown at the apartment. Gabe says JC doesn't deserve Pau and suggests she leave with him.

She says, "You taught me to fight for what I want, I'm going to stay and talk to my husband." She tells JC his eyes are telling her his cruel words are a lie. "Why not lie by my side and be with me when our child is born? How can you think I could be happy with another man?" He says she'll find consolation in the child. She says: "I'll always miss you, I'll remember your voice, carry in my heart the memory of your embrace and the warmth of your skin. We're at the moment of deciding our future..."

She demands he look into her eyes and say he doesn't love her. He manages to do it. She leaves, in tears; he breaks down sobbing after she leaves, soliloquizing: "Forgive me for breaking your heart - I'll die with your name on my lips. In the days that remain to me I'll think of you every moment."

Paulina rushes back home, and she Gabe are rehashing in shock together - he says he'll take care of her and her child, and she will just have to live for her son - when Regina arrives and tells them that JC is dying. The cheery goodbye music strikes up.

desahuciado: terminally ill

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