"I may not be able to be with Héctor," Imelda said to Pepita. "But I can get away from Ernesto! I just hope I get a message from the Pope tomorrow after mass!"

Let's turn back the clock from September to mid-July.

When Imelda had told her girlfriends about Ernesto, Amalia had advised her to see the priest. Imelda had discarded that idea believing that the priest would not listen to her. Everybody in the church believed that Ernesto was a devout Catholic who showed up to the masses on time and told everyone how much he tithed to the church.

However, as Abril pointed out, Ernesto had been mistreating her. Additionally, she had caught him many times seeing other women. Now she knew where his lingering scent of lavender came from! When he was not cheating on her, Ernesto would have the nerve to scream at her over something that was not worth getting angry over. The fact that Ernesto yelled at her for helping Héctor write a song, served as a reminder to her about his rotten behavior. After she had cried alone in her bedroom, Imelda had finally decided that she would pay a visit to the Catholic Church. She had asked Amalia through a telegram if she really did have a case for a divorce. Her friend quickly wrote back, 'Of course!'

When Imelda had arrived at the church, the priest, Padre Luis led her to his office.

Imelda explained her situation to him in detail. Padre Luis sympathetically told her that he will write a letter to the Pope asking for a divorce, on her behalf. He also mentioned that it would take months for them to hear back from him.

Back in September, Imelda had woken up the next day, still feeling lonely. Héctor was at the hotel, that she knew. "And I didn't get a chance to give him a proper farewell!"

Her cat gave her a stern meow.

"Okay, Pepita!" Imelda stilled her eyes. "So maybe I acted a bit too high strung when I confessed my love to him, but how was I supposed to know he would freak out?"

Pepita meowed again.

"I know Héctor loves me, I saw it in his eyes! Lately, I have caught him looking at me very sweetly."

Pepita meowed, a bit more former than last time.

"I know I am married, Pepita! I wasn't born yesterday! That's why I am hoping that Padre Luis would hear a word from the Pope today!"

The woman put on her favorite pink Sunday dress. "I will catch him after mass, today."

At church, when the mass was over, Imelda stayed behind in the pew, waiting for everyone to leave.

"Aren't you coming with me, Imelda?" Ernesto asked, in a fake nice voice. Her husband hadn't come home last night, as usual. He had only shown up at the front door of the church and walked in with Imelda, just to make himself look presentable in front of other people.

"Go and head on home," Imelda responded, in a civilized tone. "I'll catch up."

After her husband left, Imelda stood up and found the priest by the entrance, who had just bid farewell to Señora Carmen Rodríguez.

"Padre Luis, may I talk with you?"

"Sí, Señora De la Cruz!"

When the doors were closed, the priest and the woman talked for a bit.

"Have you heard anything from the Pope yet?" Imelda asked, hopefully.

"No, not yet," Padre Luis shook his head.

"Oh, what is talking the Pope so long? I have been waiting since July!"

"I am not sure," the priest replied. "But we must be patient, for these things take time."

"I am trying to be patient, but it is so hard!" the woman knew she was acting childish, but she couldn't help, but wished that the letter would be here.

"I know you are," the priest said, kindly. "The Pope has a lot of people to help, which is why his responses take forever."

Imelda wanted to fight, she really did but there was nothing else she could do. The letter was late, and it wasn't like she could check on the post service. If she had enough money, she would travel to Rome and see the Pope herself. With her head dropped in defeat, the priest put his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't give up Imelda. Have faith for I have a feeling that this letter will arrive anytime soon. If not today, perhaps later this month. And if not this month then maybe next month. We will see."

"Gracias Padre," Imelda smiled a small smile. There was still hope. "I just hoped that the Pope would say yes to my request."

"Given the circumstances of your marriage, I don't see why not," Padre Luis replied.

"See what, Padre?" A third smooth male voice said, suddenly.

Imelda and Padre jumped at the sound of the third voice. They turned around to see Ernesto

looking at them, with his arms crossed. His smile, although charismatic, looked a bit unnatural.

"Ernesto, I thought you'd be home by now!" Imelda stuttered.

"I had to use the restroom before we could leave. Now we can leave together, shall we?"

Imelda swallowed, wondering how much did Ernesto hear.

The man held out his arm for her to take.

Reluctantly, she took it and walked beside him. Dread filled in her stomach. She could only imagine what her husband would say once they reach home.