“Yes, you are very beautiful, put on your wedding dress and marry me…”, the rich man said to the beggar woman.

“It’s not charity,” he said with gentle firmness. “It’s aid.”

Something in that tone achieved what distrust couldn’t. Lupita agreed. Alejandro took her to a small hotel, paid for a room, a hot meal, and clean clothes from the laundry service. Before leaving, the woman stopped him.

—Why are you doing this for me?

Alejandro was silent for a second. The truth was, he didn’t even know himself.

—Because we all deserve a second chance.