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[lifeisbettergay]

Mafin Timeline

by @LifeisBetterGay with the help of @clairedsfield and @galacticdesperado Last Updated 15 August 2026

Note: This timeline will be a guide to Mafin including only Marta/Fina interactions, scenes directly related to their sexualities (and who knows about them) or scenes that do or will later impact them as a couple. Summaries are done for each episode, and significant events are bolded for easy reference. Context is given in [hard brackets]. Opinions, if given, are in (soft brackets). Everything is under the cut. This is a super long post so I can go back and edit if need be. Ctrl-f will be your best friend lol. Reblogs will freeze the post in whatever state you found it in. Edits are not retroactive. A link to the most updated version will always be pinned to my page. Extra shoutout to @caskettmyheart for drive access, and to @clairedsfield for transcribing and translating diary entries!

Temporada 1 / Season 1............................(capítulo/episode 1-269)

Temporada 2 / Season 2....................(capítulo/episode 270-477)

Temporada 3 / Season 3...................(capítulo/episode 478-TBD)

------------Temporada 1 / Season 1----------

--------------------------(capítulo/episode 1-269)---------------------------

1-4    Minimal interaction. Fina is interested in Petra. Marta dealing with factory things. 

1 [Deleted scene] After Marta introduces the new employees, she asks Fina what she was thinking because Fina had just dropped a box of soap in front of them, and gets a scolding. "You look like the new girl.” Fina couldn't answer properly because she was very flustered. Marta doesn't want any more apologies and sends her to the storeroom. As Fina walks to the storeroom, she stops to look at Marta's back, disappointed in herself for not being able to talk to her properly.

5    Dependienta interview. Marta is the one interviewing her, and Fina was very nervous. Marta gives her a second chance.

6    Fina gets the job in the store. 

7    Fina's afternoon with Petra, and thinking it might be a date, Fina tries to kiss her but Petra is horrified.

8-9  Petra blackmailing Fina. She tricked Fina into thinking she liked her too, but it was all to gain her trust and get her to reject the saleswoman position so she could keep it for herself [She seems to have; it’s implied but never explicitly admitted].

9    Petra outs Fina to Marta. Marta fires Petra. She defends Fina to Petra and asks, "Who do you think they're going to believe?"

10    Fina shares Esther's letter with Carmen. This is the first time Fina has opened up to someone in her circle of [true] friends.

“Dear Esther,  I tried to take your advice and find love with another woman, but it didn't work out. Do you remember Petra, the lovely coworker I told you about? We've grown quite close lately, and I even thought she felt the same way about me, but I was mistaken. I tried to kiss her, and she rejected me. She threatened to tell Doña Marta if I didn't give her my job as a shop assistant.  In the end, since I didn't quit, she made good on her threat. What I didn't expect is that instead of firing me, Doña Marta fired her. I still can't believe it. Now I just hope no one finds out because... I'm still as afraid as ever. I know you've rebuilt your life in Paris, Esther, but in moments like these, I regret not going with you. Although, deep down, what's holding me back the most is that I'm still unable to leave my father and tell him the truth.”

13    Marta snaps at Fina for informality in the store. [She referred to one of the clients as "Tú" instead of "Usted" which is the formal way to address clients, but this client was a childhood friend of Fina's and also calls this friend “Gorgeous / Guapisima”. That's what Fina tries to explain to Marta, but she simply refuses to listen. "And on top of that, you're talking back to me?"]. After that encounter, Fina looks for the key to lock the shop, and Marta, who was behind the counter, watches her from afar with a rather peculiar look, as if she were 'worried' about whether she really was too harsh with her. Photographer Marcos stares at her, as if understanding what's going on with her. 

14  Marta keeps looking for Fina's gaze but she avoids it at the same time [they are at a photo shoot for a perfume campaign]. Fina is very nervous about being photographed, and even more so because Marta is present; she mentions this to Carmen. Marcos says, "Don't worry, I'm a little gentler than your boss." Marta and Fina both grimace at this. Marta, seeing how Fina can't even hold the perfume bottle properly, comments on whether it's so difficult to follow Marcos' instructions. Fina manages to smile naturally and Marta just watches her. Marcos kisses Marta but she rejects him. "I'm sorry, you've got me wrong." Photographer Marcos asks if Marta likes (is attracted to) Fina. “She attracts you like a magnet.” She denies that comment but then becomes speechless.

16    Marta stares at a photograph of Fina while Marcos describes what he thinks Fina is like. Marta snaps at Fina for shortening her skirt, "Short and poorly made" Fina simply doesn't keep quiet and responds in the same tone, raising her voice. Fina tells Marta that she only sees the bad things she does. As a solution to Fina's audacity, Marta reduces her position and sends her to work in the warehouse. As Marta leaves the store, we see a distressed Marta hugging herself because of the "cold." Marta makes a sarcastic remark about how Fina should follow the example of her coworkers even though she isn't present.

17 Marta chooses Carmen as the face of the new perfume instead of Fina and Carmen reminds her how badly she has treated Fina.

19    Fina confronts Marta about her treatment in the store and stands up for herself. Marta fantasizes about Fina in the middle of the store (The “ensoñamiento”) while she waited to speak to her, then Marta apologized and told Fina she could return to her job as saleswoman. “I need you… as dependienta.”

20    Marta and Fina bond over suizos. Marta opens up to Fina and apologizes for the way she has treated Fina in recent days. They realize they share the same dream: to open a pastry shop. Marta learns that when her mother was alive and Fina was still little, she used to save suizos for her, even when Fina wasn't invited to Marta's birthday parties. Marta also realizes that she has dropped her cold-hearted act in front of Fina, and as she tries to leave, a letter meant for Jaime falls to the ground, their hands brush against each other, and they stare at one another. "Sometimes I forget that I'm a married woman." Marta seems to be on cloud nine after that interaction on her way to her office.

21    Marta brings suizos made by herself [with Digna's help because she hadn't set foot in the kitchen for years] to the store and wipes crumbs from Fina's mouth. [She never touches her lips.]

22    Fina gives Marta an embroidered apron for her birthday [She stayed up all night doing it]. Marta gives Fina a kiss on the cheek as a thank you. Fina helps Marta put on the apron and their fingers brush against each other. Isidro thinks Fina is in love with someone just by looking into Fina’s eyes, which reminded him of his late wife Adela when she looked at him.

23    Marta gifts a damaged perfume bottle to Fina and apologizes again for how she treated Fina. Fina is surprised by this gesture and shows Marta how magical it is, explaining that it depends on the person; different nuances can be perceived. Marta, without further ado, takes Fina's wrist and smells the perfume from there, telling her that the citrus notes stand out on her. When it's Fina's turn to smell the perfume from Marta's wrist, she says that she, on the other hand, smells sweet. Their conversation changes because Fina asks her about her birthday celebration and that Marta should cheer up to celebrate it properly. Marta invites Fina to the Opera as her way of thanking Fina for the apron. 

24    Marta cancels on Fina for a call from Jaime but reconsiders. She remembers herself trying to brush the sugar from Fina's mouth and when Fina put perfume on her wrist. Marta stammers and tells Fina she's made a mistake and asks if she still wants to go to the opera with her. The tienda phone rings in the middle of this, and Marta doesn't know how to react to the way Fina's talking to the other person on the phone. Esther [Fina's ex] has come to visit. 

25    Fina misses the Opera to take Claudia to the hospital leaving Marta feeling stood up and sad, confessing to Damián that she feels lonely. 

26    Marta is very upset the next day ["Maybe your French friend called again"] until told the truth. Esther and Fina have a heart-to-heart conversation, but Fina doesn't reciprocate her feelings. Esther suggests returning to Paris with her, but Fina says she'll think about it. Marta and Fina hug for the first time [on screen]. 

27    Marta gets jealous because Esther lied to her, saying that Fina is coming to Paris with her. “Congratulations on your new life!” Esther tries to convince Fina and Marta to get Fina to go to Paris with her. 

28    Marta tells Fina that she is very photogenic and thinks it would be a good idea for her to appear in a commercial with Carmen to promote Esencias de la Reina but Fina tells her that she might not be around by the time it happens. Fina asks Marta for advice on whether she thinks it's a good idea for her to go to Paris because her opinion is the most important to her. "You have to be happy, Fina. There's nothing I want more." We see a moment alone with Marta, about to cry in the warehouse.

29     Fina decides not to go to Paris for Isidro's health when Digna tells her how bad it really is. Fina stays overnight at the big house to keep her father company. Marta comforts Fina in the kitchen [They hug for the second time [on screen]] after learning about Isidro. “Thank you for being there" “Thank you for letting me be.” They almost kiss, but Marta realizes what they are about to do and tells Fina that “I’m sorry I can’t. I can’t.” 

30    Fina is distressed by her conversation with Dr. Borrell about her father, and Marta, upon entering the store, asks her if she is alright and realizes that she has been crying. Seeing that Marta wants to comfort her, Fina confronts her, saying that she makes her believe they have a relationship of trust and intimacy with such actions, but then she runs away. Marta tells her that she has never felt anything so special for anyone, but that what she feels for her is not what Fina would like. Fina tells her that things have happened between them, there have been glances, there have been smiles. Marta confirms that Fina didn't make them up but, “I’m not like you, Fina.” Marta apologizes to Fina for making her think that what they had was more than a friendship. Fina asks for space and Marta respects that and tells Fina that she's right and it's better that they keep their distance and stick to store matters. Marta brings Marcos back to work and [tries to] flirt as if trying to prove to herself that “she is not like Fina.” Damián interrupts them and thinks that Marta is cheating on Jaime.

31    Marta is confronted about company matters and if she is cheating on Jaime, and Marta gets a little nervous until he mentions Marcos the photographer. “Ah… that.” Claudia suggests to Fina that she should go out with Gaspar and asks Fina if she wouldn't like to fall madly in love with someone [since she's single], Fina simply looks away and smiles.

32    Marta and Fina arrive at the store early, and Marta tells Fina she doesn't want to be alone, to which Fina replies the same [Marta has just discovered a family secret, and Fina had to spend the night at the dispensary with her father]. Carmen and Claudia are with Luis. Marta, to comfort Fina, grabs her hand, and Fina pulls her hand away. Fina reminds Marta of their status as boss and employee. "I know you don't mean any harm, but you confuse me and hurt me." Fina asks Gaspar to fake date her to make Isidro happy.

34    Marta is upset that Fina is dating Gaspar. Marcos suddenly appears to ask her out, and Marta rejects him to the point of comparing him to a supplier. Fina returns from her break and finds Marta annoyed, treating her indifferently. "Look, Marta, I don't know what's wrong with you today." Fina goes to the warehouse and Marta follows her. Fina tries to explain to Marta what is really happening with Gaspar, but Marta sarcastically asks Fina if she likes men now. "I don't know anything anymore because one day you accuse me of not having the courage to be with you, and the next day you get a boyfriend." They argue to the point where Fina tells her that everyone has their own private life, and Marta is perfectly clear on that. Fina asks Marta why she's so interested in who she's dating or not, Marta looks at her mouth and... steals a kiss. Fina is breathless. Marta leaves without another word, but not before saying: "Does this answer your question?" It's their first kiss. 

35    Fina comes to see Marta in the office and calms Marta's nerves by telling her that she loved that she kissed her. They talk and share their second kiss. Fina suggests to Marta that they escape from there, far away from everyone. Fina tries to break up with Gaspar and things don't go as planned. Marta sees Fina and Gaspar hugging in the kitchen of the big house.

36    Fina flirts with Marta in the store, and Marta is a little cold because of what she had seen the night before, tells her that she is going to Madrid with Carmen and advises her to end things with Gaspar before it gets too late, because then she will reach a point of no return and feel like trapped in a cage wondering if she will ever have the courage to do it, and perhaps that day will never come because "what's the point now?". Later in the canteen, during Fina's break, Marta goes to find her to clear things up because she felt bad about their earlier conversation. She sees Gaspar and Fina holding hands and leaves. Gaspar and Fina reveal the lie to Isidro. 

37    Fina tells Marta she succeeded in breaking up with Gaspar. Marta tells Fina that she is very brave. First night alone together in Illescas hotel. Just talking and sweet cuddles as Marta isn’t ready for more yet. Fina is content to just be with Marta. "Fear is fought with lots of love" "And lots of kisses." When Marta asks when Fina noticed her for the first time Fina confesses that she's noticed Marta since she was little. Marta confided in her that what she liked about Fina was her cheerfulness, her mouth, her contagious smile, especially when she brushes her hair away from her shoulders; when she tries to control her feisty nature. She told Fina she wants to know everything about her. “Every detail, every corner.” They spoon contentedly on the bed.

38    Stolen moments in the store and office. Marta tells Fina that for Andrés's wedding to be perfect, Fina would have to be there, and that way they could go together. The conversation turns to the fact that it does matter, that they won't have a typical relationship. Marta mentions how happy she feels thanks to Fina and what they have. Marta has never felt so alive, nor so strong, that she feels she has never been in love in her life because it was something else, nothing like what they have. They have their first eskimo kiss.

39    First time in Illescas after Andrés' wedding. Marta calls Fina last minute to meet and she hurries there on a bus. Fina marvels at Marta’s beauty and they have champagne and giggle and look at each other starry-eyed. "With you, everything is so new and different. With you I am learning to feel alive again, to love."

40     Bed scene in Illescas a week after their first time, with another week planned to rent the hotel room again. Fina calls Marta, “Mi amor.” They discuss renting a small apartment in Madrid, which Fina refuses. “I would like to be able to live this love without having to hide. I would run away with you to the ends of the earth.” Cuteness in store. Carmen is professionally jealous. 

41    Fina tells Carmen about her and Marta. Carmen tells her that "she's walked into the lion's den."

42    Marta had a family dinner and had to cancel her plans with Fina to spend the night with her. In the factory office, they kiss and dream about going to Venice and if they will ever. Fina tells Marta she told Carmen about them. Marta panics and Fina tries to convince her that Carmen won't blackmail them or tell anyone about them because she's like a sister to her. Fina tells Carmen that Marta knows she is aware of their relationship. Carmen and Marta share an awkward moment in the store, making things worse.

43    Marta talks about her fears. They almost breakup before having conversation in Illescas. Fina tells Marta that she would understand if she wanted to end what they had so as not to see her suffer [Marta had started having nightmares about her family rejecting her, Marta feeling naked in front of Carmen] and Marta, in addition to so many other things, asks her that who would want to go through this life without loving or being loved. Despite everything, Marta doesn't want to live without Fina. They spend the night together.

44    Isidro overhears Fina talking with Carmen about her clandestine relationship. 45    Fina spends the day tired from her night with Marta in Madrid and having to get up early to get to work. Isidro learns more, confronts Fina about her "married man." Fina tells Isidro she is in love with a woman and he rejects her and refuses to speak to her.

46    Fina tells Marta about Isidro knowing she is in love with a woman and Marta panics again. Fina says she is tired of having to lie to her loved ones and that Isidro will come to his senses. 

47   Fina goes to the big house to find her father and tries to get him to listen to her, but the conversation doesn't end well.

48    Marta shuts down Don Agustin and Gaspar talking about a homosexual in the colony, and won't go to the cemetery with Fina out of fear. It was the anniversary of Fina's mother's death and Isidro doesn't want to go with her.

49    Marta tries to talk Fina up to Isidro. Fina tries again to talk to her father in the big house insisting that she is not going to change or deny herself for who she is. Isidro then tells her that Marta, her ‘boss’, whom she has "deceived," has spoken well of her to him. Marta goes to the colony's dorm to bring Carmen a wedding gift, and Fina asks her to stay so they can all have a drink and celebrate, but she says it's late and that she has to leave. [Isidro and Digna look at a picture of Fina and Adela].

50    Fina thanks Marta for speaking with her father and then tells her that she feels very lonely. Marta tells her that she will never be alone. Marta finds it super difficult to stay mad with Fina for a long time. They form a pact to be honest with each other, to forgive each other, to support each other, to cover for each other. Marta rents an apartment for them and Fina attacks her with kisses. Marta tells Damián, for business reasons, that she has rented an apartment for her trips to Madrid since it is "cheaper" that way. Jaime returns for a short visit.

51    Marta plays the role of wife but is cold with Jaime and resists more than platonic affection. Fina learns that Jaime has returned when he and Marta go to the store, and asks him if he's staying long.

52    Damián accuses Marta of "neglecting" her husband since he arrived, and Marta defends herself by saying it's true because she doesn't feel like it, given that they haven't seen each other for many months and things have changed a lot. He then brings up Marcos the photographer again. The talks between Fina and Isidro are still not progressing because Isidro continues to reproach her for who she is and she's getting tired of it. Marta stops by the shop, and Fina, after her last conversation with her father, tells her she needs a hug. Marta says there's nothing she wants more than that, but they can't. Marta asks her to be patient because Jaime will be in Toledo for a few days, and Fina feels ridiculous. Marta calls Fina “amor” and “the love of her life”. Fina gets frustrated because she has to pretend as if she doesn't care that Marta has to play the role of wife to Jaime.

54    Marta stops by the store and sees Fina looking sad and staring into space. They have a conversation about Jaime. Then Jaime shows up at the store and casually mentions that he has a key to the Madrid apartment thanks to Damián. Marta and Fina go to Madrid to visit the apartment and they give Carmen an excuse so that Fina can leave the store. First time we've seen Marta and Fina walking through the streets of Madrid with their arms linked. Fina commented that in that apartment they are going to start a list of memories that they will remember when they are old ladies. Jaime shows up in the apartment and Fina leaves. Marta makes up an excuse to Jaime and goes after Fina, telling her how sorry she is, and then goes back inside the building.

56    A moment alone in the office for a talk and a kiss. Jaime comes to the store to ask Fina to help pick a gift for Marta. Marta and Fina share a conversation in front of the colony's rooms about what Jaime asked Fina and feels sorry for him. Marta says she has already discovered what she wants in her life, and it is Fina, who makes the comment that Jaime will do the impossible to "win Marta back." Fina suggests that Marta needs to say something to Jaime that will change his mind, so as not to give him false hope. Fina is stabbed by a robber in the tienda while defending Marta. Fina saves Marta from being stabbed, and Marta saves Fina, thanks to the pressure she applied to her wound.

57    Marta confesses an affair to Jaime but says it was Marcos. Marta wants the marriage to be over. Isidro is scared for Fina and apologizes to her for his rejection. Marta checks on Fina in bed. Despite Fina’s pain, she has not lost her appetite and Marta tells Fina that "that's my girl," / “esa es mi chica.” but clarifies that she is much more than that. Marta confides in Fina that she had never been so scared in her life because she couldn't imagine life without her. Jaime decides to stay permanently.

58    Marta visits Fina in her room and doesn't confess to Fina about her conversation with Jaime. Marta tries to convince Jaime to leave but it doesn't work because he wants to try to save their marriage. Marta has a conversation with Damián that forces her to call Jaime to go out for lunch in Madrid.

59    Marta visits Fina in her room and brings her sweet Toledanas cookies because she heard her tell Carmen one day that she liked them. She then confides to her that she had lied to her in their previous conversation and tells her that Jaime is going to stay to fix their marriage. They both hope to see each other only because Jaime is going to work in Madrid.

60   Marta finds out from Jaime that he will be the new doctor of the colony; he will not be going to Madrid because of Damián and Fina learns that Jaime is the new doctor from Luz, who was taking care of her wound for the last time.

61    Marta goes to visit Fina in her room but finds her walking alone through the hallways and tries to help her until they reach the room. They talk about not having a voice or vote to decide about their lives and having to accept things just because. Marta confesses that she only wants to be happy, but above all, to make Fina happy. “Love is like the sun; it can hide for a few hours, but it inevitably reappears.” “Mi sol, mi cielo.” They promise to never let each other down, that even if everything collapses around them, they will fall together. 

63    Fina returns to work after she is discharged. Marta has doubts about whether it's fair to Fina that, with Jaime in the colony, they can't even see each other. First time Fina refers to Marta as her mujer. First time Marta tells Fina "Te amo" [on screen]. Marta tells Fina to be free, to think about it, to take advantage of being happy when she can't.

64    Fina cooked a special dish, her mother's recipe, because she decided to have a picnic with Marta to make her day better with everything they had been through and the conversation they shared. It took Marta half an hour to work up the courage to go into the store to see Fina, and Fina, on the other hand, was eagerly awaiting her arrival. Fina assures her that of course it's worth it for her to be with Marta. "Although I can give you nothing more than crumbs" "But those crumbs give me life." They kiss and Fina attacks Marta with kisses, because “she would survive on kisses.” Marta playfully slaps Fina’s butt as she goes to open the door. Once again, they are accepting their reality and giving themselves strength to be strong and face whatever comes. Jaime interrupts and takes Marta to lunch, ruining Fina’s plans for a picnic.

65    Fina talks to Isidro about her pain ("Whatever happens, make our daughter happy" / “Are you happy?”) and then meets Marta in the office to break things off because she prefers to live with the memory of what they have lived together rather than with the hope of something that will not come but reminds her that she has loved her, and that she loves her with all her soul and that not having her is the worst thing that has ever happened to her. Marta doesn't have time to say a word and is left crying in her office.

66    Fina is distraught in bed and talks to Carmen about what happened and she comforts Fina; she doesn't want to go to the tienda for fear of seeing Marta and breaking down there. During his medical visit, Jaime notices that Fina has the same edition of Madame Bovary as at his father-in-law's house, and Fina tells him that Doña Marta lent it to her. At the mere mention of Marta, Fina breaks down and tries to hide it by saying that her wound hurts and just as she opens the door, Marta is there, having come to visit her and leaves with Jaime, then returns later. Fina doesn't want to see her because it hurts her, saying that she should have gone to Paris. Fina complains to Marta if she doesn't care because she doesn't see her falling apart like she does, but Marta tells her that she has had to live like this, keeping up appearances, when in reality she is dying inside because she will never be happy if she is not with Fina. Marta and Jaime have an argument over a pen; she claims that there are things that are only hers and that with his presence, he has managed to take them away from her.

67   Carmen scolds Marta for even starting something with Fina after asking her to help Fina when she can't.

68    Marta looks in on but does not enter the canteen as Fina's friends throw her a party showing their love and support. Fina reasserts her gayness to Isidro despite the breakup and he supports her. Marta bursts into tears at a family meal but is comforted after a while by Andrés, and they discuss the burden of being a De la Reina.

69    Marta and Andrés have a conversation about why we stop having passions once we get older, and he gives her a blank notebook so she can resume her writing. In the tienda, Marta asks Fina how she is and they speak of their heartbreak in terms of their roles of "boss-employee/ex-lover. Marta mentions to Carmen about resuming trips to Madrid and wants her to accompany her "this time." In the office, Marta writes in her diary* and Jaime comes to speak with her. She is angry and frustrated with him for staying. Jaime summarized that he is her main problem.

[First diary entry.] “I always found those paragraphs about heartbreak in romance novels exaggerated. Maybe that's why I stopped reading them early on, because I thought no one in their right mind could feel something like that. Now I'm the protagonist of one of those stories, feeling like I'm losing my life as [she] drifts away from me. We agreed to turn the page, but I don't even feel capable of finishing writing this.”

70    Jaime shows symptoms of experiencing some health issues. He asks Marta to have a child because that would improve their marital problems and would be good for the family in general, Marta reminds him that they had ruled that out years ago, fleeing from there with an apology on her lips. 

71    Marta writes of her feelings in her diary*. Jaime ends up interrupting her, and they talk about how a child isn't going to solve their marital problems, but Jaime insists.

[Second diary entry.] “Is life worth living without love? Many poets and writers have striven to find an answer. And I simply ask, is it possible to live without breathing? Perhaps it's the same question, and there's no need to reflect much further.”

72   [Claudia has noticed that Marta hasn't been to the store for a “long” time and mentions it to Fina, who replies, "Maybe."] [The idea of ​​sending Fina to work at another store is ruled out because Marta wouldn't do that to Fina or to herself.] Marta and Fina speak of their lost love in the warehouse and Fina encourages Marta to find something to be happy while in her "golden cage." [We learn that Fina suffered from scarlet fever when she was little and Damián paid for her treatment and we see a picture of young Marta and Andrés].

73   Marta seeks advice from Digna, who happens to use double entendres about how Marta will have to give up being herself in order to be a mother. 

74    Marta decides to agree to have a child with Jaime to have something to be happy about [after having conversations with Fina, Digna and spending their afternoon with Julia.] Jaime asks who he should thank, and Marta has a flashback of Fina telling her that she also deserves to be happy [72], she lies to him by saying Digna. Damián then enters the office and Marta tells him the news; as they hug, we see a sad Marta.

76    Marta avoids being intimate with Jaime and he reproaches her for not doing her part. Fina thinks Marta is avoiding her in the tienda. [She did not make eye contact with her while she was giving orders to the girls.]

77    Marta asks the store girls to come up with ideas for the Anhelos de Mujer. Fina wants Marta to choose between her idea and Carmen's. Carmen thinks that thought is related to Fina's earlier anxiety about Marta.

78    Carmen and Fina present their ideas to Marta who Fina sees is distracted and very busy. They both get annoyed. Marta doesn't finish reading Fina’s idea because she receives a call to solve a problem at the factory, leaving Fina there with the words in her mouth.

79    In the tienda, Marta tells the girls that she chose Carmen's idea because it fits what they want to do with Anhelos de Mujer, and as soon as she says it, she notices that Fina had gone to the storeroom. Later in the storeroom, Marta sees Fina is more upset than makes sense to her and tells Fina not to address her formally. Marta apologizes for how she treated Fina in the office [78]. Fina asks if their personal history is why Marta passed on her idea and Marta explains the decision was purely professional. They don't end their conversation well. Fina questions her place in the company and cries in her bed. Carmen talks to her. 

81    At the launch of Anhelos, Marta and Fina have some cordial time to talk. They share champagne and Fina suggests doing Marta's makeup. Their feelings rise to the surface, but Marta stops them and interrupts to tell Fina she and Jaime will try to have a baby. Fina is shaken, though she acknowledges she did tell Marta to find happiness. 

82    Marta writes in her diary if she had a choice to have a baby with someone, she would have picked the person she discovered, "true love" with and not Jaime. Fina tells Carmen about Marta's baby plans.

[Third diary entry.] “It's been so long since I forgot about the idea of ​​being a mother, that now, having regained my illusion, there’s nothing that makes me look to the future with greater hope. Thinking about discovering the world through their eyes makes me smile. And Jaime, who wants it more than anything. I know he's going to be a great father. But to be honest, if I were free, I wouldn't choose him to accompany me on this adventure. I would choose the person with whom I discovered true love. Fina. I miss her; she is my life. And I survive without her, settling for the memory of her smell and the warmth of her breath.”

83    Marta is concerned for Isidro and Fina, talking to Jaime about them. Fina visits the big house to be with her father and Marta hugs her and tries to comfort her. Marta is writing in her diary as Fina walks in.

[Fourth diary entry.] “My heart aches at the thought of Isidro's passing. Life is unfair, inflicting so much pain on the people we love most, and I don't know how Fina will ever recover from such a blow. What hurts me most is not being able to be by her side the way I would like.”

84    Marta comes to check on Fina in the store after her father has another health scare and might die soon. Marta is excusing herself every time a chance for intimacy with Jaime arises. 

85    Empotramiento. Isidro gives Fina her mother's ring and tries to give her his too. Fina is crying in the warehouse in the evening. Marta finds her, comforts her, and they embrace. It leads to a kiss and more in the store. Jaime, coming to find Marta for a dinner date, sees Marta and Fina kissing, turns, and walks away. 

86    Marta meets Jaime at the big house and apologizes for missing dinner. Jaime confronts Marta and asks about her relationship with Fina which she denies at first but concedes and tells Jaime the whole truth. She affirms she and Fina are done and she wants to continue on as they have been. Jaime is angry and reproachful. Marta tells Fina what happened but believes Jaime won't hurt them.

87     Fina tries to apologize to Jaime when he comes to check on Isidro but he is still angry, though professional. 

88     Fina tells Marta she thinks Jaime is not treating Isidro as best he can because of discovering the affair. 

89    Marta and Fina discuss Damián paying for Isidro's experimental treatment and Fina's worries about Jaime retaliating but Marta insists he won't and says they can't let what happened in the warehouse/store happen again. Fina tells Carmen what happened and also says she can't take it anymore and will likely leave once her father dies as the medication has still not arrived.

90    Marta confronts Jaime asking if he is taking his anger out on Isidro and if he will report them. He is angry she would suggest that and accuses her of being selfish. 

91    Marta is writing in her diary in the big house when Jaime comes in. She reiterates her desire to go back to their previous plans and to be a good wife, but he doesn't want the lie and a wife that doesn't truly love him. In the dispensary as they are discussing Jaime and Marta’s problems and Isidro’s health, Jaime confides in Luz that Marta is in love with a woman. Luz takes it in stride and gives him the advice that if he’s not going to fight for Marta, he should let her go.

[Fifth diary entry.] “I'm a ship adrift. I thought casting off would be best for both of us, but I can't seem to find my way to safe harbor.”

92    Marta and Fina talk in the kitchen and Fina tells her Isidro encouraged her to be brave. She affirms she doesn't want to live without Marta and wants Marta to be her “mujer”. Marta tells her that their, "love is not made for this world," and Jaime walks in. In Isidro's room Fina apologizes to Jaime for hurting him and for thinking badly of Jaime regarding her father and tells him she'll leave when Isidro dies.

93    Isidro's treatment arrives and starts working. Marta and Fina share a moment of happiness and Jaime sees how they are looking at each other. He talks with Marta in the main room of the house and she reiterates her loyalty to him after the affair, but having seen how she and Fina looked at each other with such love, realizes she will never look at him like that and suggests they live their own lives and only keep up the appearance of a happy married couple. She is surprised and nervous, but happy, and accepts. 

94    Marta and Fina chat with Isidro out on the balcony. Jaime comes out and asks Marta why she clearly hasn't told Fina about their arrangement and she lashes out wanting privacy. She later apologizes and explains what's done is done and she fears so many things if she and Fina were to resume their relationship. 

96    Marta stops by the kitchen for a moment to check on Isidro when he is eating with Fina and Digna.

98    Jaime visits Fina at the store to tell her about his agreement with Marta and to ask her to be the brave one of them and go after Marta as he wants all of them to be happy.

99    Fina visits Marta in the office, telling her Jaime revealed the agreement to her. Marta insists on her fears and Fina's previous need to leave the relationship when Jaime returned. Fina in turn insists they fight for their love and that Jaime is no longer an obstacle. Fina says she will leave if Marta tells her she doesn't love her. Marta can't and they fall back together in an embrace with kisses and promises. Marta visits Jaime at the dispensary and thanks him for helping get her and Fina back together.

100    Fina tells Carmen she and Marta are back together.

101    Marta and Fina flirt in the store. “Everything I like can be found in this store.” -Fina. They discuss Claudia’s, “extreme exhaustion,” and Marta proposes a getaway and pouts it can’t be sooner. Later in the store, while packing orders, Fina and Marta blatantly and romantically flirt since no one is around. “Your mouth drives me crazy.” -Marta. They almost kiss when Tasio walks in and they freeze as Fina tries to play it off as brushing an eyelash from Marta’s face. Marta insists they remember the consequences of being discovered and be more careful.

104    Fina tells Isidro she is back with the married woman she was seeing before. 

105    Marta and Jaime talk of their loves (Fina and Luz) and after Marta goes to visit Luz. They talk of their respective relationships with Jaime, and they talk of Marta and Fina’s. Luz suspected them after seeing them together. 

110    Marta comes to the warehouse and apologizes to Fina for being busy lately with business. Marta says they’ll go to Madrid that night and they blow little kisses to each other.

112    Marta and Fina spend a sunny day in Madrid, sitting on a bench, taking a walk, and talking about work, and about life being, “what happens when you leave that all behind,” according to Fina.

113    Marta is doing inventory in the store when she and Fina have a moment alone. They flirt a little, but when Marta keeps complimenting Isabel, the new secretary, Fina gets grumpy and snips a little at her. Marta is unimpressed but amused. “Uy. ¿Uy Qué? Fina is insecure about not being as cultured or educated as Isabel and is jealous of all of Marta’s compliments. Marta doesn’t find it funny anymore and tells Fina she loves her exactly the way she is and can only compliment Isabel like that because she has no feelings for her. Marta tells her, “No one could take your place.” Carmen interrupts and they wink goodbye to each other. Isabel walks in looking for something and Fina asks her for advice for a gift for a, “very special person who also appreciates music a lot.”

114    Fina and Marta stroll through Madrid as Marta waxes literary and Fina flirts lovingly with Marta and apologizes for her previous jealousy with tickets to a concert. Fina almost kisses her in public. They hail a taxi and head off smiling.

115    Marta talks to Jaime. She says she’ll have to cancel the concert plans with Fina due to María’s miscarriage. He encourages her to go anyway and be happy. Later, Marta and Fina are walking to dinner in Madrid after the concert and they run into Isabel. Fina makes up an excuse for her present for a, “very special person,” being for Marta. It seems like Isabel believed them, but Marta says they shouldn’t risk going out to dinner now, that Fina wins and they have to, “skip to dessert.” 😉

116    Marta and Fina are chatting while taking a walk in a park. Fina is still a bit worried about Isabel. Marta tells her it’s fine and there’s nothing to obsess about. They gaze lovingly at each other. Fina tells Marta she could, “drown in her eyes.” In the office, Jaime visits and Marta shows him the fancy scarf she bought for Fina. Isabel walks in and sees some of the scarf sticking a bit out of the box. Fina and Marta sit on a park bench. Fina is still worried about Isabel, but is very happy when Marta gives her the scarf she admired at the concert, though she says it’s too elegant to wear around anyone but Marta. Marta says, “Nothing is too elegant for you,” and dreams of future dates in Madrid together.

117    Isabel comes to the store to buy something for herself and sees the scarf while there. She knows it’s fancy and expensive so Fina makes up the excuse her father gave it to her. After, Fina tells Marta who thinks Isabel couldn’t know what the scarf she bought looks like and calms Fina. In the office, Marta leaves Isabel to go do some work. Isabel sneaks a look at Fina’s pay receipts. Marta, now a bit worried, visits Fina outside her room to caution her to not wear the scarf around the colony. Fina is upset at this and how they have to live their love and pulls away. Marta pulls her in and kisses her to calm her. Isabel is watching from the door down the hall.

118    Marta is wearing the scarf in the office to show Isabel she has one too and didn't give it to Fina. They discuss how Fina got her scarf. Marta hopes they got away with it.

122    Jaime tells Marta he has an inoperable brain tumor. She vows to stay by his side to the end.

123    Marta talks to Luz about Jaime. Jesús wants Marta out of his way in business dealings as she is disagreeing with him. Isabel tells him about Marta and Fina to give him leverage. He denies Marta could be that way and tells Isabel to get out.

127    At the factory worker’s fair, Fina is alone missing Marta so she calls the big house. Fina wishes she and Marta could dance together like all of the couples. “Te quiero. Y yo a tí.”

128    Jesús comes into the store saying he is looking for a gift for his wife. He starts asking Fina weird questions about Marta and asking what she would give a woman she wanted to surprise. Fina is very uncomfortable so she gets defensive and short with him. Jesús is annoyed and leaves. Jesús tells Marta he wants to send Fina to the warehouse again and she refuses as it is her domain. Marta and Fina discuss Jesús’ weird actions but can’t figure out the why. 

129    In the store, Marta and Fina discuss the situation with Claudia [her being pregnant and having kissed Mateo the priest and a jealous admirer spilling the whole story to the colony at the fair] and Marta fighting to not have her fired. They also mention Jesús and Marta asks Fina to not take the bait if he is weird again. Jaime comes in and he and Marta discuss her being careful about not being too obvious with Fina especially so Jesús won’t find out.

130    Anhelos de Mujer is receiving a business award and Damián thinks Marta should go and accept it on their behalf due to her work on the campaign. Jesús resents not being the one to do it. 

131    Marta and Fina are out strolling in a park eating ice cream. They’re talking about the award Marta is going to accept, her hard work, Jesús self-centeredness, and their love. Marta wants Fina to come to the awards with her risks be damned. Sitting on a bench they wax romantic and barely restrain themselves from a kiss. Marta gets up and calls Fina to follow her into the trees and greenery. They kiss. A camera takes photos of them from afar. Later, Isabel comes into the office and hands Jesús a letter. Inside are the damning photos of Marta and Fina. 

132    Damián is shocked to receive an unmarked envelope with the photos of Marta and Fina. Marta walks and he asks about their relationship. Marta insists it’s the same as it ever was until he shows her the photos. He is furious and feels deceived, but she tries to reason with him and explain it’s just her nature. He refuses to let her accept the award now.

133    Damián is looking at the photos again in his home office when Marta walks in. They continue their previous discussion. Marta stands up for herself and tries to get him to understand. He continues to reject her. Marta goes to see Fina getting ready for the award presentation. She explains Damián knows and has photos of them. They try to figure out who is behind the photos and think it might be Jesús and Isabel, but have no proof. Later, Damián to Marta insists they end their relationship. Marta refuses and dares him to report them.

134    Fina goes to see Isidro and explains that someone took photos of her and her partner and Damián has them. She reveals she is with Marta. Later Marta subtly questions Isabel’s loyalty. At the big house, Damián and Isidro talk about Marta and Fina, though Damián resists and doesn’t want to talk further.

135    Damián calls Fina into his office and compliments her work, offering her a position in Barcelona. Fina tries to decline but Damián makes it clear it’s not an option. In the store, Fina and Marta talk about Damián’s “offer” and how to prevent being separated. Marta goes to Damián to prevent the transfer and he tells her Jesús is the one behind the photos and is willing to denounce Marta for his own gain even if Damián wouldn’t.

136    Fina asks Isidro if he would consider going to Barcelona with her but he insists he can’t. In the warehouse Marta tells Fina about Jesús being behind the photos. Marta confronts Jesús in the home office. He insults her and she slaps him. In the factory office Fina comes in to tell Damián she is rejecting his offer as Marta sits at the board table behind her. 

137    Fina explains her rejection of Damián’s offer further, stands firm, and says she will resign if need be if that is her only option. Marta backs her up. In the dispensary with Jaime, Marta updates him about what’s happening. Jaime comforts her and later confronts Jesús. He had covered up Jesús drugging Begoña, though he kept an eye on her, because Jesús knew about Marta, but then Jesús went ahead with the photos anyway.

138    Isidro visits Damián at the factory office about Fina’s decision and Damián asks him to convince Fina to leave for her safety. Jaime explains the blackmail to Luz. Isidro talks to Fina and says he will go with her to Barcelona now.

139    In the warehouse Marta tells Fina about Jesús screwing over the Merino cousins about the spa land. Fina asks when he will use the photos against them. Fina proposes Marta comes to Barcelona with her and Isidro. Marta tells her she’d need to think. Marta talks to Jaime and tells him she won’t go as she promised to be there for him until the end. He tries to talk her out of staying for him. In the shop Carmen and Fina talk about Barcelona and the situation. Marta takes Fina into the warehouse and explains she can’t go because of Jaime and Fina reacts poorly. At the house Jaime confronts Jesús again and almost lets him drink from a poisoned glass, but refuses to lower himself to Jesús’ level.

140    Marta and Jaime tell the family he is sick. Isidro talks to Fina, mentioning hearing about Julia running away and about Jaime and Fina realizes she reacted poorly before. In the store, Fina hugs Marta and apologizes. Sweet forehead touches. Fina and Marta talk with Jaime in the big house, proposing he come with them to Barcelona, for him, but mostly for them. He accepts.

141    Carmen asks if Marta would need a new store manager and Marta sees Fina told her something about Barcelona, but Marta trusts her.  Regardless of the circumstances decides to give Carmen the position. 

142    At breakfast with Andrés and Damián, Marta announces her plans to move to Barcelona as soon as possible. Damián doesn’t want her to go as he doesn’t want to lose her, but Marta reproaches him. Isidro visits Fina at her room and she tells him of her plans with Marta and Jaime, and tells him to stay close to her mother. Damián and Isidro speak of the situation at the big house. Fina later visits Jaime at the dispensary to thank him for accepting and supporting them, but also to promise they’ll be there for him. 

143    Jaime collapses and loses his sight, getting much worse, and canceling their plans to go to Barcelona. 

144    Marta relays the news to Fina in the warehouse. Fina comforts Marta with a hug and vows to never leave her and promises they’ll go to Barcelona when they can. They whisper their te quieros. 

145    Marta is rewriting a story she had written for Jaime years ago, to comfort him, when Fina walks into the office and greets her with rambles and a kiss. Fina encourages Marta to lean on her in her grief and to let herself feel safe to feel. She’s there for Marta, “for better or for worse.”

146    Damián visits Jaime resting in bed. Jaime encourages him to be proud of and accept Marta as she is, as he has himself.

147    Marta reads her story to Jaime out on the big house terrace. He passes away as she reads. 

148    Following Jaime’s funeral, Marta still intends to go to Barcelona and Damián is confused. Marta affirms Fina was her real reason for leaving and Damián, frustrated, tries to convince her it’s a bad idea. Marta holds firm. Jesús snipes at Marta about Fina and they argue. He tells her Jaime’s almost poisoning. She denies he would but then admits she wishes he had let Jesús drink it. Marta crumples emotionally in the kitchen. Fina comes upon her and embraces her from behind. They talk about grief and their love.

150    Marta and Fina talk in the store. Fina wishes she could have been there to comfort Marta earlier. Marta tells her she wants to leave for Barcelona right after her father’s wedding to Digna. 

151    Damián calls Marta into the home office to tell her he has decided to remove Jesús as director and instead wants Marta to take the position. He still doesn’t understand her feelings but he loves her and will take care of Jesús and the photos. Jesús confronts her later and she realizes he must not have the photos anymore. [Damián had the negatives destroyed at some point between 138-151] She accepts the position. 

152    Marta calls Fina into the head office at the colony. They talk of the success of the recent private sale at the store and Marta reveals her new position to Fina as well as the fact that the negatives are destroyed. They celebrate. 

154    Damián and Digna’s wedding is cancelled by Digna the day of and she tells Marta that Damián was responsible for her husband’s suicide those years ago as he was blackmailing him. Damián reveals to Marta and Andrés the blackmail was that her uncle Gervasio was gay. Marta is horrified and devastated to learn her father did this. 

155    Marta comes to the store to deal with business and to talk to Fina about Jesús getting kicked out of the factory and Digna cancelling the wedding.

156    Damián tries to talk to Marta to get her to forgive him and see he’s better now. She reproaches him for his actions and tells him to consider how she can see herself reflected in his blackmail of her uncle. In the factory office, Isabel tries to help Marta with business issues by suggesting she is good at finding blackmail to help get what Marta might want. Marta plays along to confirm Isabel has done this before and when she is sure, she promptly fires Isabel for leaking the information about her and Fina to Jesús.

159    Fina talks to Isidro about her worries about her relationship with Marta and how now it seems like Marta doesn’t have time for her with the directorship even though she said she would with Jesús gone. Isidro tells her that’s how the De la Reina’s are. Later, Fina visits Marta in her office, bringing her food. Fina is disappointed but accepts Marta is overwhelmed with work and doesn’t know when she’ll have time for them. Marta, exhausted, leaves work early to make suizos for Fina who walks into the kitchen to Marta struggling. They have a sweet and sensual moment kneading the dough. Marta apologizes to Fina who had been about to call things off before she saw Marta so tired and knew she wasn’t neglecting her on purpose. “Eres la mas bonita qué tengo” -Marta.

160    Marta and Fina share croquetas in the kitchen and share a sweet moment. Marta can’t resist and steals a quick kiss from Fina. Marta called her there on her break to give her tickets she got for the Opera for them. Fina says she doesn’t have anything fancy enough and Marta brings out a box with a dress inside she bought specifically for Fina. “Nobody knows my measurements better than you…” Fina attacks Marta with kisses, thanking her.

162    Fina has to work the afternoon of the Opera and the only one she can ask to switch with is the new store clerk Jacinto who she resents for taking a job into one of the few spaces women can work. Marta gently tells Fina to grow up and ask him to switch.

163    Fina says she can’t ask Jacinto and Marta is annoyed. Later in the warehouse Jacinto is being made fun of by male workers for his job and they assume he is gay. Fina backs him up and rebukes the men and Tasio for participating. Jacinto proposes a shift switch himself and they agree to a truce. Fina talks to Isidro later about her excitement for the Opera and he tells her he is worried that she might continue to come second to work for Marta having seen her family do similar for years. In her room, Fina is getting dressed for the Opera when Marta stops by to tell her there is a business problem she is expected to resolve personally that night so they can’t go. Talking to Isidro later, Fina brings up her worries for her future with Marta and Isidro encourages her to not put her life on hold waiting around for Marta and to enjoy other things as well as their time together. 

166     Marta visits Fina in the store. Fina is irritable about their time apart and the new girl Marta put in her shared colony room. Marta proposes a getaway dinner and hotel evening but Fina says she can’t as she already has plans with the girls and Marta is confused why she wouldn’t cancel. Fina tells her she isn’t happy that their plans always revolve around when Marta has time for her, regardless of Fina’s plans.

168    Joaquín holds the De la Reina’s at gunpoint, crazed with anger learning of Jesús’ crimes against his family and Damián’s later help covering up evidence. Luis talks him down. Fina visits Marta in her office, asking if Marta is still mad at her for their last conversation. Marta breaks down telling Fina all of the recent horrors she and her family have seen (Jesús killed his wife and her lover, his cousin Valentín, and blamed the cousin for it all). Marta tells Fina about Damián's cover up of the bodies and his blackmail of her gay Uncle. Marta worries she will end up like her family and Fina reassures her. 

169    Fina and Isidro talk about the De la Reina family situation and he tells her they can’t trust that family. Fina insists Marta isn’t and won’t be like them. 

171    Despachamiento. In the big house kitchen Isidro and Marta talk about flowers, the recent De la Reina family horrors, and Marta’s fears about becoming like her family. Isidro thinks Marta should leave and choose Fina over the company or else leave her. At night, Fina shows up to visit Marta at the factory office. They talk about Marta’s earlier conversation with Isidro. Fina doesn’t want her to leave the business she loves and neither does Marta. Marta avows she will turn to her love for Fina to keep her grounded in her crazy family. Fina and Marta embrace and, as they are alone in the factory, take the opportunity to make love in the outer office. 

172    Marta and Fina have a sweet breakfast in the kitchen with Isidro and get to feel like a normal couple. They talk to Marta about the decision for her to stay since Fina helped assuage her fears. Isidro acknowledges he wasn’t being fair to Marta before. Damián comes in and it is awkward as he clearly wants to be invited to sit. He visits the store later to talk to Fina and ask if she can help with their relationship. Fina refuses to help him since all Marta wants is to be accepted and loved and his actions have hurt her.

173    Fina visits Marta in the office, needling her to make sure to eat and Marta tries to distract her with a kiss. They talk about their happy breakfast and Fina tells Marta about her conversation with Damián. Marta thinks any positive thing from her father is just because he’s using her and needs her as director. Marta thanks her for always being there. Damián and Marta talk in the home office later and she is angry with him and all of his actions while he insists he made mistakes but his motivations were protecting his family. Marta wants nothing but a professional relationship with him now. 

175    Marta tells Andrés she is in love with a woman, and the woman with her. He only wants to know if she is happy and perhaps, if he knows the woman. “Claro qué la conoces. Es Serafina Valero.” He is happy for her. Damián offers Marta the casa de los montes and she is suspicious he is trying to buy her affections, affirming Fina is the only person she would want to live with there. He understands. Marta goes to talk to Fina in the warehouse. They are confused and suspicious about the gift but ultimately happy.

176    Fina talks to Isidro about Damián’s sudden gift and seeming change of mind about Marta. Isidro is doubtful about Damián. Marta talks with Damián in the factory office about his guilt and past misdeeds. She is not terribly sympathetic, but he insists that all he wants is her happiness. Marta accepts the casa de los montes. 

177    At the big house, Marta tells Andrés she accepted the house. He is suspicious of their father, but tells him this house is an opportunity for her and Fina they wouldn’t have otherwise, and that this gift is in some way an acceptance of their relationship by Damián. Her accepting it is for them and not a justification for or forgiveness of their father’s actions.

178    Fina and Marta explore the casa de los montes for the first time. They dream of their peace and sanctuary at this gorgeous house, perhaps one day having a dinner party with their small group of allies to share love and happiness and be treated just like a normal couple. They share many many wonderful kisses and embraces without fear of anyone watching them, and Marta gives Fina a cheeky butt slap. Marta suggests asking Isidro to help them with the gardens. Later in the big house kitchen Fina talks with Isidro and he cautions her about not being seen going to the house too often. She asks him to help fix up the garden with her as a gift to Marta. They talk about how Fina and Marta don’t have a couple’s flower yet, and about how Isidro can visit that day but that Fina will stay the night with Marta as it is their first night together in the house. 

179 Fina and Isidro continue tidying up the house, clearing away the weeds. Fina can't believe her luck, because being in the casa de los montes is a dream come true for her. Marta and Isidro have a short but beautiful conversation about how he sees a different woman in her than the one he thought he knew, and how Marta is now more herself than ever thanks to Fina. Marta is moved when Isidro tells her that Fina couldn't have chosen anyone better to share her life with. [Fun fact: Fina has an aunt named Rosi, who has a dog named Bufón.]

180 The next morning, Marta takes a moment for herself and writes in her diary*. Fina and Marta share breakfast in their new home. They talk about their fears, about living in the present, about feeling secure, about being exactly where they want to be and with whom they want to be. Marta tells Fina that, with her, she can be herself because she's spent her life feeling like something was missing and filling that void with obligations, formalities, with what her environment imposed on her. Now Marta feels complete. They discuss which flower would define them [178] and playfully wonder if swiss rolls would count. They feel confident that they can write their own story there, memory by memory. Kiss by kiss. Their first kiss in close-up. In the office, Damián talks to Marta about wanting to make things right with her so she can live her love without having to hide, acknowledging all the years he's been strict with her from a place of remorse. The casa de los montes is a way of making amends for what Marta has suffered: being married and having to hide her feelings, hiding to avoid rejection from her family and society. Later, Isidro and Fina spend time together at the casa de los montes. Isidro confides in Fina that when he thought he was going to die the first time, his fear wasn't about dying, but about leaving her alone. But things have changed; when it happens, he'll leave knowing that she has a life of her own, a precious love, and a future. 

[Sixth diary entry.] “These last few months have been very, very hard. I've discovered the hidden side of my family, and I've lost a man who became a great support in these last months of my life. But despite everything, life has given me a little light amidst so much darkness. A new dawn with the person I love, and I couldn't be more grateful to that woman, my greatest joy, the smile I look for every morning.”

182 Fina goes to look for Marta at the office before Claudia's wedding and finds her sitting with Damián in the hallway. They have a sweet moment because of the way Fina dressed up and they talk about Isidro. Marta suggests to Fina that Isidro come live with them in the caretaker's house, which would also provide a good alibi for her. Fina is happily celebrating Claudia's wedding and ends up a little tipsy from the liquor and the merriment, while Marta takes care of some business matters. [This is the first time the novela shows two women dancing together in public without being stared at because they are in a safe space.]

183 Fina takes a moment from the wedding party to go to the big house to visit her father and tell him about the idea that Marta proposed to her [182]. Isidro shows Fina a notebook where he has written the meanings of flowers, telling her he wants her to learn them so she knows what will bloom each spring. As he names them, he gives her a definition that reflects her strength, his gratitude for having her by his side, her fortitude, how he wants her and Marta to feel safe there, and the love he feels for her. Among them are lilies, gladioli, dahlias, rose bushes, and white roses. In the garden of the casa de los montes, Isidro has left a space for when Marta and Fina decide which flower defines them. Meanwhile, Marta attends her meeting at 6pm in the office with the other shareholders of the company. Later in the afternoon, Marta and Fina return home together, with Fina promising to make Marta happy after her meeting, only to find Isidro's lifeless body in their garden.

184    Fina, in mourning for Isidro, cries to Digna about feeling guilty for pushing her father too hard to work on the garden at the casa de los montes for her which she insists is what killed him, and that she won’t be able to go back there. Digna says she won’t have to as it is Marta’s house, of course. Fina comes into the store later wanting to work. Marta comforts her and assures her she isn’t alone like she feels, but tries to get her to go home and rest, but Fina wants to work to keep her mind off her father’s death.

185    At work, Carmen and Claudia try to cheer Fina up but she just wants to work. She rushes off when a scent reminds her of her father. In the big house kitchen Marta and Fina talk. Fina doesn’t feel she can ever return to the casa de los montes because of the guilt she feels in not having been there with Isidro and leaving him to die alone working for her happiness. Marta tries to comfort her but also get her to rest. She won’t let Fina back in the store, but says she can train the new salesperson if she insists on working. Marta and Damián find Begoña and Andrés kissing and continuing their affair [Marta has known for a bit already].

186    The new salesperson, Santiago, arrives, and Marta leaves Fina to train him on the De la Reina products. Marta has conversations with Begoña and Andrés about being careful with their love and understanding feeling and living a hidden love. 

187    Digna visits Fina in her dormitory room and they talk of Isidro and Fina’s grief. Digna also asks about something that bothered her, that she felt Fina seemed afraid to tell her about something else bothering her related to her insistence about having sent Isidro up to Marta’s house. Fina feigns ignorance. They talk about how they feel like mother and daughter to each other. In the warehouse later, Fina and Santiago bond over both having recently lost parents and having had ups and downs in those relationships.

188    As Fina is getting ready in her room, Marta comes to see her. They continue to disagree on Fina needing rest or to work as Fina sees Isidro’s death as having been alone and her fault where Marta sees a man who died doing what he loved for who he loved and that his time had just come. Marta insists on staying there and being there for Fina through all her feelings and she asks Carmen to look after Fina too. In the warehouse, Fina and Santiago continue to discuss their deceased parents and their guilt over how things ended in those relationships. Fina offers to accompany Santiago to the cemetery he has been avoiding to see his mother’s grave and he offers the same for her father. They later go.

189    In the big house, Fina collects the things from Isidro’s memorial and runs into Digna. Fina agrees to continue their previous conversation and admits she was hiding something. She admits to Digna that Isidro was at the house because in a way it is her house too as she and Marta are in a relationship and that Isidro did know. Digna says she would never judge them and is saddened that so many people live and die with such a secret in their hearts. She reiterates what Marta and Santiago had told her, that Isidro likely knew exactly what he was doing and she shouldn’t feel guilt over his death. Having a drink in the canteen, Fina and Santiago talk and he hugs her as she goes to leave. She is startled but brushes it off as him being nice and awkward. Fina tells Marta she told Digna, and she talks of returning to the casa de los montes and all of the wonderful future moments they will have together. [Romantic forehead touch]. At dinner at the big house that evening, Digna drops the bomb that Damián had a secret affair and a resultant love child: Tasio.

190    Marta is uncomfortable with the whole situation and later tells Fina the news. Santiago comes in and Marta walks off. Santiago brought pastries for Fina to thank her for helping him. Later he runs into her and jumpscares her a little but they have a nice talk until he invites her to dinner at his house or some other place for a date. Realizing he is interested in her she is surprised and says she can’t that night. He says they can finalize plans later and walks off as she is silently stunned.

191    Fina and Carmen talk about Tasio and Marta turning out to be siblings but quiet when Claudia walks in. Marta and Tasio talk in the office later. Marta explains that she is very surprised and that this explains Damián’s seemingly bizarrely generous treatment of Tasio when Tasio’s talents and actions didn’t seem to merit it. He says he never asked for that and is just excited to have a family. Later Fina tells Carmen about Santiago asking her out. Later Santiago comes to finalize their plans and Fina politely and firmly rejects his romantic advances but offers friendship and doesn’t want there to be any confusion.

192    Fina comes to visit Marta in the factory office. Marta tells her she is the only person who will always brighten her day as Fina hugs her from behind. They briefly talk about the Tasio situation, but then Fina explains about Santiago and his interest in her, asking her out on a date, and the signals she didn’t see and or he misinterpreted, and how she clearly and definitively rejected him. Marta is amused and not worried about fighting for Fina’s affections. She is surprised Fina doesn’t have more suitors, really. They tease and flirt and share sweet kisses as Fina tells her she saved some of the pastries Santiago brought for her for Marta. Later Carmen and Fina are talking in the store and it occurs to Fina that the De la Reina sibling situation makes them sisters-in-law. They stop talking as Claudia comes up and she says that. Carmen relents and explains the Tasio situation. Later Santiago finds Fina in the warehouse, scaring her coming up too quietly, and says he should have picked a better moment to ask her out. She politely and firmly rejects him again saying it wasn’t about timing. He insists that she would like him if she gave him a chance and she could stop working (which she doesn’t want to do) and that she is just rejecting him out of fear and gets angry at her rejection, accusing her of playing with him like a doll.

193    Marta and Carmen have a tense discussion about the Tasio situation as Carmen thinks Marta is being too hard on him and Marta would have liked more understanding of her own perspective too. Marta apologizes for being harsh with Tasio and they agree to start afresh. In the warehouse, Fina is restocking alone when Santiago comes in drunk, upset, and insisting on knowing why she is rejecting him and backs her to a wall attempting to kiss her. She calls out for help and Carmen intercedes, threatening to call the police. 

194    The next day Fina is in the office waiting for Marta and is very upset as she tells her how Santiago attacked her. Marta is scared for her and horrified and tells her to always bother her regardless of the time of day. In the store, Marta tells the other girls to send Santiago to her as soon as he arrives. Santiago walks into the office like nothing is wrong. Marta immediately calls him out and he downplays his behavior and blames Fina, getting angry and misogynistic as Marta fires him and kicks him out of the factory. Santiago goes and finds Fina in the store instead of leaving and harasses, chases, and tries to attack her again, blaming her for being unreasonable and getting him fired for “nothing.” She knees him and threatens him with scissors to go away then calls Marta and they make plans to meet right away in a nearby park. Santiago is still nearby listening. 

195    Marta and Fina meet in the park and talk about the horrifying Santiago situation and what they can do about this in a world that would believe him over her and say she led him on and she deserved whatever happened. Santiago, watching from the trees, sees Fina clearly romantically embracing a woman. Later in the store Marta is talking with Fina and the girls. The Civil Guard comes in to arrest Fina as she has been accused of being a deviant, and they take her away fighting as Marta tries to stop them, panicking but trying to maintain her professional facade. 

196    Marta collapses into Carmen and Claudia’s arms as Fina is taken away. Carmen tries to take care of her as Claudia gets water, and Marta worries and panics over Fina being in jail and how they treat people like them. Marta is visibly and personally upset and panicking, more than just a caring boss, as Carmen tries to calm her and Claudia starts to notice. Marta goes to Damián for help and he struggles to find a lawyer who won’t ask uncomfortable questions. He notes someone must have seen them but Marta wonders why only report Fina? They talk about the potential consequences, how women accused of this are treated, if and who accused Fina, and he cautions Marta to be prudent and not get herself taken away too by being reckless with her emotions over this. In the store, Carmen goes on as normal pretending the accusation is false but Claudia already saw Marta break down and implies so. Carmen confirms to Claudia that Fina does only love women and is with Marta. Claudia is hurt to not have been told. Later, Damián takes Marta to visit Fina under the cover of a professional visit and she insists it must have been Santiago who followed her to the park. 

197    Marta talks to Digna in the kitchen in the big house about Fina and her arrest. She tells Digna everything else is secondary to her with Fina in this danger and that, “Fina es todo para me. Ya lo sabe.” Digna encourages her to cry and gather her strength to fight for Fina. Later, Marta calls Santiago into her office to see what he knows. He saw Fina and proudly denounces her but he didn’t see who the other woman was. Marta tries to pay him off, but he refuses the money and says no one will take her word over his. Marta goes to see Fina to update her and Fina affirms she would never ever give them Marta’s name.

198    Digna and Marta visit Fina in jail where they had been interrogating her but she remained resistant. Marta wants to involve herself in some way to get attention off of Fina but Digna and Fina refuse to let her enter into this mess as it won’t solve anything and would make it worse. Marta talks to Andrés later and he tries to comfort her. He found a lawyer who may be able to help Fina. 

199    Marta goes to see Fina, worse for wear in jail after harsher and harsher interrogations, to tell her about the lawyer Andrés found who will accept her case and can argue the denouncement came solely from Santiago’s resentment of rejection by Fina as they do have witnesses like Carmen to that behavior. Fina breaks down hearing that she’ll still have to wait days or even weeks or months to get out and Marta tries to comfort her even as she tries not to fall apart herself. Damián tells Marta she needs to be strong for Fina and suggests he could call the civil governor to ask for help, without going into too much implicating detail.

200    Claudia and Carmen discuss Fina’s plight and Claudia insists she wouldn’t have judged Fina so she is hurt they all kept this from her. Marta comes to update the girls in the store on all news regarding Fina. Marta and Carmen talk of Marta’s fears when the store gets a call saying the civil governor has done it and Fina will be released. They all hug. Carmen and Tasio talk about Fina coming back and he is still weird and digesting the information, but he says he defended [thanks to Carmen’s influence] her when people were making comments on her sexuality the day before. Later, in her cell, Fina is recalling sweet memories with Marta [breakfast at their house 180, their first visit to casa de los montes 178, “beso a beso” 180] when she hears a knock on the door and it is Santiago. He bribed a guard to let him in to see her alone. He threatens and harasses her and starts to try to rape her but gets no clothes off when a guard comes in and breaks them apart and sends Santiago away.

201    With Damián, Marta goes to retrieve a dazed and tired Fina from jail. Marta is angry to see the bruises Santiago left, though she assumes the guards did it and Fina doesn’t correct her, but Fina just wants things to be over. At the dormitory, Marta tries to comfort and get things settled for Fina who remains out of it and startles and cries out when Marta hugs her too tight reminding her of Santiago’s assault. Fina pleads for space and sobs on her bed as Marta cries outside the door. Claudia and Carmen visit Fina with flowers and a card from Fina’s closest friends. The girls talk about Claudia’s love for Fina not changing, the accusations, if and how they can fight them, and promise to stand up for Fina. Digna later comes to visit Fina and sees the bruises, asking about them, horrified. Fina lies and says it was a guard, but panics and cries out as Digna is leaving so she rushes back in and Fina admits it was Santiago and what he did as Digna comforts her.

202    Digna visits Fina in bed. She refuses to eat and when Digna tries to reassure her that Marta will make sure Santiago stays far away when Fina tells her, Fina insists she won’t be telling Marta because she just wants to forget and move forward while she knows Marta will want to report it and deal with it. Digna tries to convince Fina otherwise when Marta arrives. Marta tries to reassure Fina and show her physical affection, but Fina panics and has an outburst of need for Marta to get away every time she gets too close and the Santiago memory is triggered. Concerned by Fina’s rejections, Marta leaves but reminds her she’s there and loves her. 

203    Marta and Digna talk in the big house kitchen about the situation. Marta fears that Fina’s distance with her since returning means she thinks all of this was Marta’s fault. Marta doesn’t know how or what to fix things and feels hopeless. Digna insists that she just needs to love and be there for Fina, that her affection and patience and time is all that’s needed to return Fina to herself. In the dormitory, Digna talks to Fina who is startled to learn Marta thinks Fina might blame her for everything. She still feels like she can’t tell Marta as she is afraid to be looked at with disgust or pity by her, so she makes Digna promise to not say anything. Later, Marta visits Fina and almost leaves, thinking Fina doesn’t want to see her, but Fina asks her to stay. Marta says she’d understand if Fina started to hate her for not being able to protect her better, but Fina responds she in fact loves her more than ever. Marta smiles in relief, calling Fina, “Amor.” Fina tells her she just needs to find strength in herself to get past this and asks to go to the casa de los montes. 

204    At the casa de los montes, Marta is taking care of Fina, though Fina still struggles to let Marta touch her and lies about why, lashing out when Marta tries to touch her as comfort. Marta wants to help and defend Fina and make those who hurt her pay and Fina, frustrated, just wants to move on. Later Marta asks Carmen for help as she feels a distance between Fina and herself. Claudia comes in. Marta pretends until Carmen affirms Claudia knows now, and Claudia promises she’d never hurt them. Carmen visits the casa de los montes and as she and Marta laugh over macho men and their fragile masculinity, Fina, triggered, runs off. Carmen is surprised and Marta says she no longer knows how to act.

205    Fina returns some time later, having gone on a walk in the countryside, to find Marta sitting alone on a step. Marta expresses her hopelessness at trying to help Fina and feeling so distanced from her. Fina admits she has been keeping something from her as it was too hard to say. Fina tells Marta what Santiago did and tried to do to her. Marta holds her as they cry.

206    Fina is feeling much better after having told Marta what happened. Marta is happy, but she still wants Santiago to pay for what he did. Fina insists she let it go and that she just wants to move on and never see him again. Marta calls the lawyer, though he says they can’t do anything with no proof. Digna talks with Marta who wants justice with or without the law, and tells her Marta will be the one to harm Fina with this revenge if she pursues it. Marta talks to Tasio and appeals to him to help her hire a thug given his previously shady dealings, but he refuses.

207    Carmen visits the casa de los montes to check on Fina. Claudia couldn't come as she was busy with Mateo. At the factory, Tasio tries to talk Marta out of hiring a thug but she is insistent, so he relents and gives her a contact. Marta returns home to Fina (very honey, I’m home married vibes. 10/10) at the casa de los montes. A call comes and Marta has to break the news to Fina that Claudia and her husband Mateo have been in a car accident and Mateo is dead and Claudia had a miscarriage [Tasio’s baby].

209    Damián and Marta speak in the factory office about the car accident [particularly the lost grandchild/niece or nephew], but he also asks after Fina and recalls the anger he saw in Marta over the situation. She explains what Santiago almost did to Fina in jail. He warns her to talk to him first before reacting. In the store, Fina is pitching in as a stocker to help with Claudia out when Marta arrives. They talk about God or fate when other warehouse girls walk by staring at Fina who is upset by it, but Marta tells her, “Don’t make it easy for them” [they’re staring because of the invert allegations] and tries to give her strength. Marta tells her she intends to seek justice and Fina frustratedly pleads with her to respect her wishes. Fina makes Marta explicitly promise her to not do something she’ll regret. Fina says the Marta she fell in love with is not a vindictive person.

210    Marta contemplates calling the thug, Elaidio, while in the office when Damián walks in. He wants to talk with her about her feelings of revenge but she avoids the topic. Damián meets with Santiago to try to pay him off to take back the complaint. Santiago agrees and has three days to leave for the Canary Islands.

211    In the home office, Damián tells Marta he has fixed the Santiago situation without telling her so his daughter didn’t have to get her hands dirty. Marta still feels this isn’t justice enough, simply being sent away with money, especially as it is clear to her Santiago took the money from Damián and not her out of sexism. Damián tries to counsel her to not seek more than this, that a cornered enemy will only attack more viciously. In the store, Marta is having flashbacks of Santiago when Fina comes in and tells her of the girls’ plans to go to the sea right away together to help Claudia’s grief. Marta gladly gives them all permission but has to decline for work and privacy [their relationship] concerns when Fina invites her too. 

212    Marta meets with Santiago in a wooded park. He tells her things are settled because the men were able to talk (note: ew) and asks what more she wants. He is suspicious at her insistence on justice for Fina [more sexist insults] but she defends it as professional and women supporting women concern. As he walks away, Eladio walks over and Marta sends him to give Santiago a beating.        

213    Damián is walking and finds Santiago beaten in a bush. Santiago is raving and accuses Marta of having been the woman in the park he saw with Fina and that’s why she went to such lengths to get back at him. Damián threatens him with his far-reaching connections and tells him to leave or spend life behind bars. Immediately going to find Marta in the store, Damián confronts her with what he found. Marta is deeply satisfied to hear the state Santiago was left in, but is sobered when Damián tells her Santiago is now suspecting her because of this, though she doesn’t regret taking action. Talking with Jesús later, Marta is told her father gave Santiago the money so she wouldn’t turn into someone like Jesús himself [no scruples, violent to achieve his ends, ruthless].

214    Marta greets the girls back in the store. Marta fixes Fina’s bow and encourages her getting ready for her first shift back as a public-facing store clerk. Carmen calls Marta into the warehouse to show her a small sad soap from their trip, giving her the idea to build a relationship between Perfumerias de la Reina and hotels. A customer comes in and Fina tries to help her, but she avoids Fina and leaves. Marta checks in on her later and Fina asks to stay in the warehouse a bit longer to not have to face judging clients and to not hurt sales. Marta resists but gives in to Fina’s wishes, also telling her it was Damián who fixed everything. Outside the factory, Eladio finds Marta to tell her even though she paid for the beating, he will need more money for his silence.

215    Fina visits the factory office to see Damián to thank him for helping her through the whole situation, and in a way, accepting her relationship with Marta. Damián tells her, “it’s clear that my daughter could not have chosen a better person to share her life with,” and because she means a lot to Marta, she also means a lot to him. Marta finds Tasio outside the factory and tells him of Eladio’s blackmail. Tasio is sure the man is serious but tells her not to pay him when Marta suggests just doing so [Tasio has a flashback of Damián telling him if he helps Marta with her revenge he’ll hold Tasio responsible]. Tasio says he will go and meet Eladio and deal with the blackmail. Damián speaks with Marta in the home office. From his conversation with Fina he can see Marta did not tell her of her revenge.

217    Marta, having made a call to Pelayo Olivares, the owner of the hotel chain she wants Perfumerias de la Reina to do business with [216], meets with Pelayo to convince him to break the contract with Floral and go with them. Tasio meets with Eladio to pressure him to forget about the blackmail.

218    Damián overhears Tasio telling Marta he dealt with Eladio, and he is furious at both of them, but especially Tasio and rejects him as a son for helping Marta go down this path. Marta defends Tasio. Marta invites Pelayo to the store to try some products. In showing him a perfume, he passes the smelling paper and smells the perfume from Marta’s wrist. Fina and Marta are startled by his overfamiliarity. In the warehouse, Fina is unhappy at the display from before and asks who that man was. Marta explains and tries to convince Fina that not all men are like Santiago despite the weird moment. Later, Eladio finds Marta outside, not cowed by Tasio’s threats. He mentions believing now that Santiago’s accusations were true and that she was the other woman in the park. He demands more money and she fearfully agrees. 

219    Damián overhears Marta telling Tasio what happened with Eladio and enters the office. Marta explains it all and Damián says he will finish it. Pelayo visits the factory to tell Marta he will break the contract and go with Perfumerias de la Reina. He asks her to dinner, clarifying after her refusal [she is a recent widow and it wouldn’t be appropriate] it would have been just business. Damián goes to confront and pay off Eladio. Tasio follows. Things get heated and Eladio pulls a gun and Tasio is shot in the arm. 

220    In the hospital Damián explains to Marta what happens after she rushes in worried. Carmen then comes in and Damián makes up a story as to how Tasio got shot. Marta and Pelayo talk business and the dinner awkwardness is addressed. Marta proposes they talk over coffee [to smooth the awkwardness]. (Unrelated, but Fina gives Claudia a forehead kiss in this ep. and I love them)

221    Talking to Damián in the factory office, Marta thinks Tasio must hate her, but Damián refutes that. Damián tells her this could have been avoided, but Marta asks what else could she have done with all this pain and rage at Santiago and the injustice of letting him just leave with money and no punishment. Talking to Tasio in the hospital later, Marta apologizes to him and he says he’d never hold a grudge, and that he doesn’t want Carmen to know the truth or she’ll be furious with him. Out for a walk later, Marta and Fina discuss Tasio’s shooting. Marta confesses it’s her fault and explains it all. Fina is quite upset that Marta disregarded her request to not do anything. Marta cries and begs Fina to forgive her. Outside the factory, Fina talks to Carmen about Tasio. 

222    (Unrelated, but that scene of Fina smirking while spritzing perfume is here) In the plaza, Fina talks with Carmen who is doubting the story she has been told about Tasio’s shooting. Santiago goes to the factory office to threaten Marta and have her turn herself in for hiring Eladio to beat him and threatens her more with knowing her secret. 

223    Marta tells Damián about Santiago’s new threats and he promises to take care of it like he has for his children before [all the stuff Jesús did]. Fina visits Marta in the factory office. She starts back as a salesperson today [Marta mentions they spent the night before together]. They talk about Tasio staying at the big house while recuperating and Damián recognizing him as legitimate [earlier this ep]. Fina tells her about Carmen starting to wonder the worst of Tasio with the Eladio situation and asks Marta to tell Carmen the truth. Marta resists at first, out of fear and a promise to Damián, but relents and promises to tell Carmen. Pelayo interrupts them to talk business. Outside, Marta finds Carmen and asks to speak with her, telling her the truth. Carmen is furious and thinks it’s again the De la Reina’s using Tasio.

224    Marta and Pelayo are having a tense business discussion over coffee. He wants to resolve their disagreements, “another way,” and having no idea what the implication could be other than romantic or sexual in nature, Marta is insulted and irritated though Pelayo denies that implication. They will finish the conversation and decide to continue the business relationship or not that evening. Santiago is sitting nearby listening. Marta and Fina are at the casa de los montes in the golden afternoon light. Fina asks if Marta will let her read the diary she is writing in one day. A flirty Marta says maybe. Marta says she started writing the diary when she felt she couldn’t live without Fina, that it helps her put her thoughts in perspective. Marta tells Fina she told Carmen the whole truth. “Tú mandas y yo obedezco.” [Everything is lovely and gay and alas Santiago is creeping in the bushes, watching.] Fina kisses her hand and then her lips as Marta asks if she is forgiven. [Fina calls her tonta affectionately.] Fina tries to flirt her way into getting Marta to stay longer and try the stew she cooked, succeeding in pulling her inside for eating of some kind. Santiago steals Marta’s diary left out on the table. Santiago goes and finds Pelayo, telling him his troubles at the factory and trying to get him to sympathize. He reveals Marta is a “deviant” and her relationship with Fina. Pelayo is startled at first but says he is his best chance to get back at Marta. 

225    Santiago wants to help Pelayo get a better deal with Marta and to denounce her himself to get back at her himself, but he is wary, telling Pelayo all of what he went through [from his perspective]. Pelayo tries to convince him his status and power are the only way to get what Santiago wants, so he should give him the diary so they can prevent, “a deviant from roaming around freely.” Pelayo gets the diary and proposes their plot to expose Marta later that day. As Marta and Damián are concluding their proposal to Pelayo, the Guardia Civil enters the factory office stating she is being accused of being an invert [Santiago is behind them]. Santiago tries to expose her, even as Marta and Damián fall on the cover story [the truth just sans affirming Marta or Fina are gay or together], so he looks to Pelayo to produce the diary. Pelayo feigns ignorance and says Santiago tried to threaten him to help get revenge upon Marta and he swears he was with Marta all day [when Santiago says he saw Mafin kissing]. Pelayo keeps up his full ignorance until Damián leaves, then revealing to Marta he has the diary and protected her. He says his reasons for protecting her are his own, but he gives her the diary back and tells her to get rid of it.

226    Fina is looking out of a window dramatically [at the casa de los montes]. Marta and Fina talk about Santiago in jail and Fina’s worries about Pelayo and if he read the diary or not. Marta holds Fina and tries to assure her it’ll be fine. Carmen talks to Tasio about Marta and he wants her to move on like he has. Carmen and Marta are discussing shop matters later and Marta notices Carmen is still angry at her. Carmen thinks she and the family are taking advantage of Tasio and are trying to buy his silence by giving him parts of their shares in the company (I feel she gets a bit too judgemental about Marta especially and is protective over Tasio despite his own failings). Damián questions Marta about the Guardia Civil situation and she tells him the whole truth. He will take care of this and warns her she must be extra careful as this is the life she has chosen. She replies that “No one chooses to be like this.” Marta later calls Pelayo [he asks to use the informal address going forward] into the office to ask further about why he helped her, to assuage her fears given experience and the power he could wield, and her loved ones’. Pelayo affirms he does not judge people on such a thing and eventually admits, through implication, that he is gay as well. She is relieved and agrees to not tell anyone about him.

227    Damián is still worried about Pelayo, talking about it with Marta in the factory office when Pelayo walks in. He manages to convince Damián of his sincere intentions. Marta and Pelayo are friendly and she offers to be his confidante. Fina attends to a customer successfully for the first time since being taken away by the Guardia Civil when Claudia is late for work. Marta invites Pelayo to the casa de los montes for a drink. They talk about Santiago, Damián’s support, and Pelayo’s personal life [“Love is not among my priorities”]. He wants to go into politics. They have a nice and friendly chat and Marta makes some food. 

228    At the casa de los montes, Marta and Fina are sharing a sweet morning together. Marta takes a moment to tickle attack Fina and is happy Fina is back to work in the shop. Fina had noticed there was no bread in the kitchen and Marta explains her lunchtime chat with Pelayo, having been too excited and busy kissing Fina the night before to explain then. Fina, only having assurances and not knowing what Marta knows, is worried and upset and heads to work early. Pelayo comes into the store later and Fina attends to him. She is cold and irritated with him. Their conversation leads to his protection of Marta and he is pleased to realize she didn’t tell Fina. He tries to assure her of his intentions.

229    In the factory office, Marta and Pelayo talk about Fina. Marta asks to tell Fina the truth of his intentions as likely nothing less will reassure her. He says no and she respects that. They talk of her willingness to love despite the risks and his unwillingness to do the same. “You think I’m a coward, no?” -Pelayo. Marta thinks him a gentleman as of now. Pelayo is flattered and agrees that she can tell Fina the truth. He does say, “If you or Fina put in danger what I’ve spent my whole life building, I’m sorry, but I will have no choice but to defend myself.” Marta is understanding. Later in the closed store, Marta seeks out Fina who is annoyed but not mad at her and tells her the truth about Pelayo. Fina is relieved and apologetic for her doubts. [Iconic “¿Que me calle? Cállame tú.” scene and their romantic spinning kisses in the warehouse.

230    In the factory square, Fina apologizes for doubting him, explaining her experiences have made her wary. They part cordially. Marta and Pelayo talk business later and Marta also inquires about his decision to not pursue love. They discuss their different perspectives. Marta invites him to share a meal with them at the casa de los montes. 

231    Marta goes to talk to Carmen in the store. Carmen is upset with her now because she and Jesús and Damián missed a dinner with Tasio and Carmen at the big house the night before [Jesús destroyed a note left by Damián explaining and apologizing for their absence for business reasons]. Carmen does not want to hear her apologies or explanations and still sees the worst in Marta and the family’s intentions. Marta and Fina host Pelayo at the casa de los montes and Marta is happy to be able to have a guest. Pelayo says he is jealous of them, but when encouraged by Marta, still insists he is not made for those sacrifices. Fina has to leave and goes to kiss Marta but they awkwardly don’t [nerves even with another gay person], but Marta does playfully slap Fina’s butt as she leaves. Carmen makes a slip up in conversation about recent events leading Tasio to guess Marta and Fina are together. Carmen confirms but shushes him and Tasio, though he laughs in his surprise, says he doesn’t want to hurt either of them, especially Marta as she is his sister. Back in the casa de los montes, Marta and Pelayo discuss their lives and great business alliance and he gets an idea for a more personal alliance. Pelayo proposes marriage to Marta. 

232    Marta and Fina have another quiet morning at the casa de los montes. [Spiderman kiss and Fina calls Marta “mi amor”]. Marta tells Fina of Pelayo’s proposal. Fina is annoyed that they “live in a world where such a ridiculous proposal makes complete sense.” Marta does not intend to say yes and imagines she would be miserable keeping up that facade. Marta proposes a vacation, but they’d have to pretend that meeting was an accident like in a spy movie [“Y tú seras me Greta Garbo”]. Marta invites Pelayo to the casa de los montes later on to talk. He asks if she has an answer and she responds we do. She calls for Fina, calling her “amor”. [Fina in the red plaid dress making apple compote]. They politely reject Pelayo’s proposal. He asks if they’re sure and suggests they have had some slip ups lately and another Santiago might come around one day. Pelayo tries to convince them it’s in their best interest for him and Marta to get married. They still say no. He warns if they are ever in a bind he wouldn’t be able to help them.

233    Don Agustín talks to Claudia about the rumors about Marta and Fina, but Claudia does her best to explain them away and give the right excuses for them.

234    The Merino family plots how to counterattack if Marta and the De la Reina’s don’t prioritize the spa project that was their father’s dream [has been ongoing in the background]. Marta is pissed off and insulted that simply following the plans the company has had for weeks if not months just to prioritize the spa project out of nowhere is being construed as her trying to take revenge on the Merinos (for what, I can’t recall), so she challenges them to call for a vote for the directorship. Pedro remains at the factory office and begins intimating to Marta about the situation with Santiago’s accusations being potentially damaging for the company and is trying to pressure her on the spa project. Pedro goes to ask Pelayo about the situation, who tells the right truth to protect Marta. 

Marta talks with Carmen and Tasio in the store [Tasio is acting a bit weird, staring, now knowing about Marta and Fina]. He is amazed that Marta likes women and is so feminine and apparently doesn’t show favoritism toward Fina. Carmen asks what her appearance has to do with her loving Fina.  A visit to the casa de los montes to have lunch, where Fina is gardening, brings peace to Marta. Marta tells her of Don Pedro’s insinuations and Tasio’s weird staring, and Fina mentions Don Agustín’s inquiry. They are worried and decide to postpone their trip. Fina starts to think perhaps Pelayo’s proposal should be reconsidered. Marta firmly says no, “I’m already married to you… Tú eres mi mujer” and kisses Fina.  In the factory office Marta asks Carmen to head up a store in another area in Spain that needs a temporary [a month or so] manager since Carmen is the best for the position. Carmen thinks it might just be a way to get rid of her given their recent issues. In the store Pelayo comes to buy something for his mother and Fina inquires about his feelings on the proposal to Marta now. He does not want to be put in the spotlight with the rumors flying around now.

235    Carmen and Tasio talk in the store and she mentions Marta asking her to go to the other store for a few weeks. Tasio thinks Marta is trying to get rid of Carmen for a bit but Carmen is trying to see it as just business. Tasio talks to Joaquín and then to Marta to change the decision, and she explains she knows the business and what she is doing and Carmen is the best fit for this job. He is useless without Carmen [his opinion] and needs her and is upset Marta won’t help him especially as he helped her with the Eladio stuff. In the square, Marta and Pelyao discuss Pedro’s inquiry and he mentions Fina talking to him, though Marta says her answer would still be no. They come upon a wooden wall graffitied with the word “Invertida.” In the factory office, Pelayo suggests Marta distance herself from Fina after this. Marta fervently rejects this and her monologue concludes with, “You can’t ask me to give her up because you’d be asking me to die whilst living.”

236    Sitting on their outdoor swing at the casa de los montes, Marta and Fina talk about recent events and worries about Don Pedro and Santiago’s accusations and incarceration. Fina wonders if she should stop going to the casa de los montes for a while, and while Marta thinks the Pelayo discussion was done, Fina does think with rumors only growing if they don’t do something. Marta doesn’t want to be distanced from Fina, and Fina wants to save Marta the humiliation and suffering she has been through. Marta says, “the only thing that could destroy me is losing you.” “... you’re not going to lose me, mi amor.” Bittersweet Mafin cuddles.

Carmen, with Tasio, visits the store to say goodbye to Fina and Claudia, on her way to the store Marta is sending her to temporarily. Marta arrives to say goodbye too, praises Carmen’s work, and mentions Fina will be the temporary store manager here. Fina questions the decision, but Marta insists this is her unbiased professional decision. Tasio confronts Marta in the factory office, suggesting she sent Carmen away to make room for Fina to be manager. Marta is dumbfounded and irritated at having to explain her directorial decisions and being insulted with such suggestions. Digna comes in to lecture Marta about not making the spa project a priority. Pelayo tries to shut down Pedro who is thinking the graffiti might be about Marta. Tasio talks (whines) to Joaquín about Marta sending Carmen away and giving her job to Fina. Joaquín and Tasio think Marta has been making poor decisions lately (Simply because those decisions are not in their specific favors. These two dunces can’t run a company for shit and they’re judging her! Pisses me off.) Joaquín tries to recruit Tasio for a scheme to take the directorship away from Marta with Pedro’s help in a board vote. Luis talks (whines) to Andrés about Marta and the spa project too. 

237    In the store, Tasio overhears Fina say to Gema her management position is only until Carmen comes back. At the casa de los montes Pelayo has reconsidered and again proposes a marriage of convenience to Marta. She is confused as he was recently reticent because things were getting worse, but he says he now thinks it will be the best thing for both of them [“los dos” specifically, not tres] to protect them. Marta reminds him she will not distance herself from Fina for anything. He tells her Don Agustín is still intent on investigating the rumors, and that Pelayo tried to cover Marta by telling Agustín that he and she are lovers [she thinks he has gone too far]. Marta reminds him once again, “Fina is the love of my life and I’m not going to risk everything for a marriage of convenience.” Marta would rather be at risk with Fina than safe without her.

Digna tries to pressure Tasio and manipulate him into voting Marta out of the directorship, but he now believes Marta after overhearing Fina. Digna tries to imply Marta and Fina’s “friendship” [she doesn't know he knows] will get in Carmen’s way of becoming manager again. She also says that Damián is manipulating him and will never love him like he loves his other children (Yikes, Digna. Nasty work there). Pelayo speaks with Fina in the store, telling her about his lie to Agustín, his reproposal to Marta, and her fears of losing her as he had suggested distance [he says he said it in a tense moment but regrets it]. He says Marta thinks the agreement would end up separating them. “And that’s your plan, no? Separate us when you start your ambitious political career?” [She mentions Damián knows]. He tells a story of a childhood friend who hung himself after suffering too much abuse and he wants to stand up to Agustín with/for them like he didn’t to the bully of his friend. He promises, “You can be together for the rest of your lives if that’s what you want.” In the vote for the directorship, Andrés abstains and Tasio, reconsidering thinking Damián is manipulating him, casts the deciding vote for Joaquín as director.

238    Marta is at the casa de los montes when Fina and Pelayo arrive together. Fina and Peyalo are sorry to hear about the directorship [They exchange “mi amor”s during the scene]. Fina tells her about the decision she and Pelayo reached about a marriage of convenience. Fina doesn’t want to live in fear and tries to convince Marta this is the best thing for them to live their love safely. Marta relents, seeing the love and fear in Fina’s eyes, and agrees to marry Pelayo. Speaking with Damián in the home office, Marta promises she’ll be back in the directorship within a year, but he is doubtful with the rumors swirling about her. She says she has a solution. Pelayo walks in and explains to a perplexed Damián that he has fallen in love with Marta and wants to marry her. Marta nudges a still dumbstruck Damián to give his blessing, which he does. They want to have a small wedding as soon as possible. They drop hands and swat each others’ away playfully as Damián walks out. Pelayo says he will be Marta’s ally inside the company and out. The family is called together to announce Marta and Pelayo’s engagement [Andrés and Jesús are a bit confused but go along]. Jesús is begrudgingly impressed, but Andrés is worried for her. She makes it clear Pelayo understands her situation and won’t get in the way.

239    In the store, Fina tells Claudia she isn’t happy how the Merinos repaid Marta for treating them kindly and Claudia tells her of Tasio’s ideas about Carmen being sent away to favor Fina, who is insulted and rejects that Marta could ever be that kind of person, to which Claudia agrees. Marta walks in, distant, having come from seeing Andrés in jail in Madrid [arrested for murder, 238]. Claudia leaves them alone and Fina tries to comfort Marta’s fears. She knows Andrés is innocent, but the evidence is stacked against him [Marta gets two “mi amors” from Fina].

240    Things are frosty after the directorship coup. In the big house, Marta and Damián talk of Andrés’ arrest, the directorship change, and Damián admits he is still confused at her imminent marriage to Pelayo. She asks him not to press further and to just accept it. He agrees but is interested in what the “fine print” of this marriage will be.

241    Marta and Luz talk in the canteen about Luz wanting to leave the factory and they reminisce about their bond through Jaime. Outside, Fina goes to have coffee with Claudia and tells her Marta mentioned they didn’t grant Andrés' provisional release [Tasio overhears and admits to her he is being stonewalled by the De la Reina’s after the vote and is regretting his helping the Merinos too]. Fina later finds Marta in the second [non-director’s] office at the factory [Marta will be head of domestic and international commercial sales now]. Fina tries to cheer Marta up and help her see a bright side [five “mi amor”s from Fina], but Marta is extremely disheartened to have lost what she has worked so long to gain. Marta apologises for her outburst of emotion and tells Fina others have lost things too, that Dr. Borrell is leaving after a rough situation with a patient, that women have to reach higher standards to be considered equal to men. Fina praises her directorship and says, “You’re going to lead this company again, and I’ll be here to see it.” “I don’t feel capable of anything if you’re not here.” [That Mafin hug where they fit together like two puzzle pieces]

243    After Fina closes the store, she and Marta talk. Marta is exhausted dealing with everything related to Andrés [his arrest was published in the newspaper so it’s public now] and Fina comforts her [two “mi amor”s for Marta]. Fina reminds her she is a brave and resilient woman. Fina says she is a water lily, “because the dirtier the water is, the more beautiful the flower grows.” Marta tells Fina, “You are my strength. I need your hugs, your kisses.” Marta wants to go to the casa de los montes but Fina thinks it’s too dangerous and her family needs her right now. “Don’t reject me, Fina. Not today. I need you.” Fina assents and they exchange “Te quiero”s and kiss. 

244    In the big house, Damián tells Marta they all need to be more careful with Andrés’ situation and the Merino’s in charge, meaning he thinks she shouldn’t spend so much time with Fina at their house. Especially with the wedding coming up, he suggests she should start putting distance between herself and Fina. She tells him her private life is her own and she has learned her lesson. In the store Fina asks Claudia about the new executive secretary [it’s Pedro’s sister, Claudia’s aunt-in-law, through Mateo]. Fina has a tone about it and Claudia says the woman didn’t do anything wrong, but Fina points out since Pedro arrived there have been many problems for Marta. Later Marta stops by and says even if she isn’t still the director they can still come to her. Claudia compliments Fina’s work as temporary manager, and takes her leave upon seeing their sweet gazing at each other. They talk about Damián’s warnings and Fina thinks she should be seen more around the dormitories and Marta around the big house for now, though Marta is reticent. [two “mi amor”s from Fina, and a suggestion from Marta that they dream every night of sleeping embraced after making love (gay)] Marta doesn’t want to give up their house. Fina just wants to protect their space. As Fina has to go get clothes from the house, Marta proposes they meet there for lunch [and possibly other activities as her tone implies].

245    In her room with Claudia, Fina is moving her stuff back in, explaining needing to spend time recently with Marta with all she’s going through, and how Fina herself needs comfort too with having to move back into the dormitory. She dreamed of taking that last blouse out of the dresser and living her love with Marta at the casa de los montes. Fina says she’s not doing well about it, but knows it’s necessary to keep some space right now, especially since, as she reveals to a stunned Claudia, Marta is getting married. She explains it’s only a marriage of convenience and Pelayo knows the score. In the factory office, Marta and Pelayo discuss the current events and we learn Marta will soon meet Doña Clara, Pelayo’s mother. Marta leaves for a moment and comes back to hear Pelayo on the phone trying to assure his mother the Andrés murder charge is nothing to worry about. He thinks perhaps they should delay the wedding a little. She is annoyed he’s having doubts now when he didn’t two minutes ago. He goes off to his hotel.

246    Pelayo visits Marta in the office to apologize for his doubts and words the day before and to say he still wants to continue with the wedding. She asks how she can trust him after his surprising coldness the day before. He promises this won’t happen again. Begoña comes in with an idea to clear Andrés and Pelayo offers to help with his connections. 

247    In the warehouse, Marta and Fina discuss the family trying to free Andrés. Marta asks Fina and Tasio, who walked up, to help her find some photos of a recent event [They learn cufflink evidence would prove Andrés' innocence in 246. Tasio finds it later here in this ep.].

248    In the office, Pelayo asks Marta if she might meet his mother soon [he insinuates she is aware he is gay]. She can’t make the lunch date he proposes and he responds, “I will be a very permissive husband. You’ll see.” Fina comes in as Pelayo leaves. She is a little startled to hear Marta talk of her mother-in-law to be [a “mi amor” from Fina and an “amor” from Marta]. Marta says they need to have accepted this by now. “It’s one thing to accept it. It’s another for it not to hurt me.”

249    Fina is reading in her room when Marta arrives, kissing her cheek and then her lips [the collar getting in the way]. “What’s that for?” “Well, because I love you and I can’t help it.” Marta says nothing will change even with marrying Pelayo but Fina is doubtful. Marta explains Doña Clara knows about Pelayo, which does change things. Fina suggests she herself should maybe get married and start a family, but it’s just a joke, as she’d never marry a man even for convenience. Marta tells Fina that Gema [Joaquín’s wife] will be starting in the store and Marta would like Fina to train her. Fina is not amused at all and doesn’t really like Gema. Marta tries to explain Gema is family and would do a very good job, but Fina thinks Marinieves should get the job if anyone [running joke Fina supporting Marinieves instead whenever someone new is hired in the store]. [They’re arguing, but in a cute low stakes way]. Marta steals a kiss from a grumpy Fina as she leaves.

250    Pelayo introduces Marta to Doña Clara in the factory office. Marta has to leave for a moment and while she is gone Pelayo chides his mother for trying to mark her territory. She thought he would marry a simple woman but finds Marta intelligent. She despairs to learn he has told Marta about his tastes. He tries to assure her Marta will not out him or ask for what he can’t provide but she doubts, until she suspects that the only reason Marta would agree to marry him is if she was like him [he doesn’t deny it as he’s run out of excuses]. Doña Clara is in the store and Marta introduces her to Fina and pulls Fina into the warehouse to see how her day is going when Doña Clara goes to look at things. Marta has to leave to take care of something and leaves the two together, Fina showing her perfumes and Doña Clara asking questions about Marta. Fina sings her praises. Doña Clara goes to find Marta in the office [a bit rudely asking if business will keep interrupting] and Marta explains her ties to the company. She doesn’t think being an ambitious woman is bad, but Doña Clara wants the best for her son regardless of Marta’s wishes [she wants Marta to mold her life to Pelayo’s, not to have him compromise].

252    Marta visits the store and passes by Gema. Fina has had it up to here with Gema and her talking over her and enthusiasm that borders on entitlement [she initially had asked Joaquín to just give her the manager position outright, though he refused]. Marta pulls Fina into the warehouse and tells her that María [Andrés’ wife] is the one who killed the man he was arrested for killing [the man actually fell and hit his head and María and Jesús covered it up, but potato, potato]. Fina and Marta have to resist the urge to embrace for comfort. Fina asks to meet later but Marta thinks it’s not a good idea with Doña Clara around. Later in the office, Marta tells Pelayo about her conversation with his mother. He apologizes but also makes excuses for her only looking out for him. He promises to be a good husband to her [per their agreement to let her live her love with Fina more easily] and she promises her part of the deal, but says she wouldn’t ever want to leave the company. Jesús comes to see Marta later and she refuses to let him come to any wedding preparation dinners, reproaching him for the villain he has become [he says he felt mistreated and was only ever given obligations]. He questions her pending marriage with Pelayo. She reminds him of his having those photos taken of her and Fina and outing her to Damián. [There’s no love left in this sibling relationship].

253    Marta and Pelayo meet with Damián and Doña Clara at the big house. They’re discussing the upcoming wedding and Damián mentions children were recently in Marta’s plans, while apparently Pelayo never intended on any as Doña Clara says [Doña Clara and Damián don’t know each other knows about their own children]. Marta politely says they’ll consider it in due time, but Doña Clara keeps needling her. As they move to the dining room, Damián asks Marta if Pelayo is like her [gay]. She is silent, then says they’ll talk later. At a cafe outside, Pelayo and Doña Clara await Marta busy with business. Doña Clara complains about Marta more, but Pelayo assures her he and she know what they’re doing and this will be good for them. Marta arrives and Pelayo leaves them so Doña Clara can apologize for her behavior and offer an olive branch to Marta. 

255    Marta comes up to Fina working in the warehouse [playful slap with some papers]. Fina asks how Marta is doing with everything. Marta tells Fina that Joaquín ignored some engineering reports and now part of the spa project works have collapsed and he wants to spend more money to fix things [253]. Fina wishes she could help, and Marta suggests she help her pick a wedding dress. “No matter what you wear, you’ll be the most beautiful bride in the world.” Fina starts dreaming a little about what they would want for their own wedding, though she knows it’s only a fantasy. Marta rubs her back comfortingly as Doña Clara is watching from the store. She interrupts them and they go out into the store, feigning normal. Pelayo and Doña Clara are at a cafe later and she wonders aloud if Marta is doing her part in their deal [alluding to seeing her with Fina]. She sees in his face he knows about them and he confirms. She sees this relationship as a danger to and imposition upon him, but he insists this was always part of the agreement. Doña Clara tells Pelayo he will need to distance Fina from Marta if he wants to marry Marta. Marta and Pelayo talk in the office later. He sees she misses her time with Fina. He notes that must be why they find it hard to hide and she assumes that means his mother noticed them earlier. He suggests they make some concessions to his mother [she kept his family company together after his father died] but Marta expresses that she is scared he might let his mother control him so much. 

256    Doña Clara comes into the store and asks to try out some makeup for the wedding. She then starts to make veiled warnings to Fina about not messing things up for Marta and Pelayo. Fina tells Pelayo about it later, upset, and he in turn reproaches her and Marta for exposing themselves again. He practically asks her to be grateful to him until she points out he wants and needs this too. He apologizes for his mother and says it won’t happen again. He again warns her that her staying out of the light is part of their agreement (was it??). She knows, but Marta is her light, “and like it or not, you won’t be able to take it away from me.”

257    Marta visits the store to update the girls on Carmen coming back soon and compliments Fina taking charge in her absence. Fina and Marta talk in a corner about Fina’s new wedding doubts after the Doña Clara incident. Fina worries more obstacles will arise between them. Marta says, “nothing and no one can change what’s between us. My love is yours forever.” Fina tells Marta Pelayo justified what Doña Clara said and Marta is upset. She talks with Pelayo later and tells him she is rethinking the marriage. She reminds him this was supposed to be about image, yes, but also to protect her relationship with Fina and she was very upset with his and his mother’s behavior. She won’t have Fina told to stay in the shadows like she had to when Jaime returned. “Until you understand that my priority is and will always be my relationship with Fina, maybe we should suspend our plans.” He insists he understands and deeply regrets Fina being worried by this (mmmhmmm). Pelayo and Doña Clara speak as they’re getting ready to leave the factory. She pushes and he admits what happened to Fina and the Marta rumors. He says removing Fina is not an option. “You know as well as I do that you’ll have to remove her.” He is silent in response to that. Marta and Fina talk in the office later, Jesús making a snide comment as he leaves and Fina enters. Marta mentions Jesús might get his way partly selling the company to Brossard [a large French perfume company]. Fina apologizes for bringing up her worries with Marta’s problems, but Marta insists, “You are my priority. If I have to choose between him or you, Pelayo knows perfectly well that I’m staying with you.”

258    Marta and Fina are sharing pastries in the warehouse in a sweet moment of peace. They’re talking about Jesús and Patricia Lambert [Marta previously tried to get the company into the French market through her. Jesús stepped over her to take over contract negotiations. He has since pissed Lambert off.] Their discussion turns to flirting [Marta came in and solved a big company problem and Fina is complimenting her] and an almost kiss before they’re interrupted. Fina greets Carmen happily and after a second of awkwardness, Marta hugs Carmen too [things are better between them now]. Fina starts to dish to Carmen about Gema and Marta jokes she has to leave before it starts getting mean (Fina is a hater, but so loveable). Marta mentions wedding preparations too [Carmen is learning about it for the first time]. Carmen asks Fina if she’s okay and Fina’s response is a very muted and halfhearted yes. Outside the factory, Don Agustín is pestering Marta about having the wedding in the colony and the timing. The Archbishop will perform the ceremony in a bigger church and it will be within the week [he pointedly asks if she is pregnant]. She gives him appropriate explanations, very irritatedly, and leaves. Carmen and Claudia discuss their reactions to the wedding and Fina’s feelings, in the canteen [they resolve to make sure to take care of Fina]. In the big house, Marta and Pelayo [also Doña Clara] meet with Don Agustín for the spiritual wedding preparations. They have to give the right answers and pass his questioning (It is funny to see him warn them to wait to have sex and then only for procreation). Talking after, Pelayo learns that Damián knows [Marta explains he guessed just like Doña Clara did].

260    In the store, Marta is talking to Fina about the “spiritual exercises” Don Agustín is making them do for the wedding. Fina is down about it, but she thinks she is handling the whole whirlwind of wedding things better than Marta who has so much to deal with. Fina suggests helping find information on the guests as Marta wants to learn who is who, but Marta says a few afternoons with Pelayo will catch her up [Poor Fina just wanted to help and spend more time with Marta, even if it was the less practical option]. Gema comes in and strikes up a conversation about the wedding, being polite and encouraging, but saying things like she’s happy to see Marta rebuilding her life alongside a wonderful man [each hurting Fina a bit more than the last] and Marta mentions Fina is of course invited to the wedding, being almost family and growing up in the big house too. Digna comes into the store to talk to Fina about how she’s feeling about the wedding. Fina tells her the marriage is for his political gain and her and Marta’s safety, but says Pelayo doesn’t know about them, but it won’t be a problem. She does say she worries with the wedding that Marta is sharing more things with him now than with her. Digna says to give her time. “Time is always in her hands in this relationship.” Digna tries to reassure her Marta never stops thinking of her or loving her and never has. Fina is worried about having less and less time with Marta now and after the wedding. In the office Marta is talking to and consoling Andrés [María was pregnant with another man’s baby and he rejected her so she almost died after getting a back alley abortion] and their conversation turns to her marriage to Pelayo and why she would do so if Fina is the love of her life. He warns her of his own marriage he entered into doubting and how it is going. Marta, Doña Clara, and Digna are in the big house discussing wedding plans. In a moment alone Digna tells Marta what she knows from Fina [Marta is surprised, but Digna explains she and Fina are like a mother and daughter to each other after everything] and she expresses her sympathy and love and support for both of them.

261    Carmen and Fina are in the warehouse talking [Tasio is being annoying about Carmen wanting to get her driver’s license] and the conversation turns to Fina feeling distant from Marta with the wedding and all when Gema interrupts [upset at everyone avoiding her].

262    Don Agustín talks with Damián in the family office at the big house about Marta and Pelayo’s wedding and his concerns [he finds their enthusiasm lacking considering the rush to get married, especially with how recently Marta was widowed]. Damián puts him in his place and makes the appropriate explanations and excuses. Later, Damián and Doña Clara discuss the wedding and their children. Damián also speaks with Pelayo when he arrives. He mentions Don Agustín’s concerns and suggests that Fina will be an issue in making this marriage believable going forward. Pelayo says he trusts them. Damián says he is not one to stand in the way of his daughter’s happiness, but he tells Pelayo, “now it’s your job to make sure none of this gets out of control.” He promises to help Pelayo if and when needed if it is for the “greater good.” Fina visits the big house to bring wedding favors and sees Marta being fitted for her wedding dress [she is very affected seeing Marta]. “If this wedding were ours, I would start crying and wouldn’t stop until after the ‘I do.’ And even after that.” “Our love is in our skin.” They reassure themselves they’re doing the right thing when Pelayo walks in.

264    In the factory office, Marta and Damián are talking about business [Joaquín’s poor decision to lower salaries to offset spa project expenses] and he mentions the wedding is more important for her right now.

265    Marta and Doña Clara meet for coffee and wedding preparations at the canteen’s terrace. Marta is distracted but says she will take care of things. Doña Clara is insulted she won’t take help and leaves. Carmen arrives and she and Marta talk about the wage cut and the basket favors for the wedding Carmen agrees to help make. Marta asks her not to involve Fina to spare more hurt to her feelings. Later, Carmen and Claudia are working on the baskets in the warehouse when Fina walks up and asks why she wasn’t asked to help. She learns Marta asked them to leave her out and walks off upset. Fina finds Marta in the office and she sees Fina is upset [two “amor”s from Marta]. Fina asks why she couldn’t help. “Because even if you insist on making me believe that it doesn’t affect you, I know it does,” because it affects her too. “I wish I could vow my eternal love for you.” They share their pain, a kiss or two, and Fina curls into an embrace from Marta. Marta tries to explain her reasoning and says she also thinks Fina shouldn’t go to the wedding. Fina wants to be there to support her doing this for them, but Marta says she knows her and she will break down which will make Marta break too. Fina says that won’t happen because she’ll see Marta coming down the aisle and imagine it’s her Marta is marrying, that it’s her Marta is saying “I do” to, and it will be “as if you and I are swearing eternal love before God.” “Until death do us part.” “And reunite us in the afterlife.” “Just one life is too little time by your side.” They share a kiss and Fina snuggles back into Marta’s arms.

266    Preparing for the wedding at the big house, Marta and Jesús are talking. She refuses to allow him to attend the wedding and he says he wouldn’t be able to resist raising his hand when the priest asks if anyone knows of an impediment to the wedding. He calls her a deviant point blank and asks what she plans to do on the wedding night, how she will keep Pelayo from learning. She calls him an embarrassment to the family, though he thinks she is the greater embarrassment. She tells him with all the enemies he’s made, “I don’t know if you have a place to die.” (Oof. Get him, girl). Doña Clara and Pelayo are talking later at the church and she mentions perhaps Fina shouldn't be at the wedding. He declares he won’t sideline Fina and that’s that. In the big house, Marta, though upset with María, is kind and sympathetic and invites her to the wedding, though she politely declines.

267    Carmen, Claudia, and Fina are talking in the warehouse. Tasio is refusing to go to the wedding [related to the salary reduction and his siding with the workers] and Fina asks Claudia to talk to him because not having him there would be a disappointment to Marta. Doña Clara comes to the store to strongly suggest Fina not come to the wedding, reminding her of their previous conversation telling her she needs to stay out of the way [256]. Fina tells her she has a right to be there too, but Doña Clara reminds her she is the most vulnerable one in this trio, and that she shouldn’t make it harder for Marta to do this if she loves her. Doña Clara tells her to keep this between them. 

268    The day of the wedding Marta has breakfast with her “favorite brother” at the big house. He tells her Jesús is leaving for Paris and taking Julia. Marta is surprised he wonders if he ruined her mood. “Was I jumping for joy, excited about my wedding?” He suggests she can back out, but she can’t risk fingers pointing at her and Fina again. She professes she does not believe anymore that she is a disappointment to God, but that instead those who don’t understand that love is love are the disappointments. “And I love Fina Valero above all things.” In a park, Andrés meets with Fina, as Marta asked him to talk to her, worried about Fina coming to the wedding. “She asks you to measure your strength. She can’t bear to see you suffer.” She recalls how beautiful Marta looked in her wedding dress. “You would be too.” [Such a sweet moment. And, I believe the first Andrés-Fina conversation about Mafin]. Fina decides the wedding will be too much for her, so she won’t go. They hug. In the dormitory room, Carmen and Claudia are dressed up for the wedding and Fina is sad sitting on her bed. Carmen leaves and Claudia stays talking to Fina, asking if she’s sure she doesn’t want to go. “Why would I go, Claudia? To see my wife get married without me being the bride?” Claudia suggests Fina go see her at the big house before the wedding. She suggests maybe Marta is waiting for her “true love” to come and reassure her she’ll always be there. 

269    Marta is getting ready for her wedding to Pelayo, putting her rings from her marriage to Jaime away, and walking downstairs with Damián. He tries to cheer her up and they talk about Jesús’ plans to go to Paris and take Julia too. Marta wonders if she’s a coward for choosing to live these lies instead of fighting. “You can’t fight this world alone.” Fina rushes in. “I’m not alone.” [Only the second time she’s been out of the kitchen in the big house?]. Damián suggests she not be there, but Marta asks him to leave and turns her attention to Fina, letting the guests wait a bit longer. Fina presents a bouquet of flowers planted by her father in the garden and asks Marta to carry her flowers through the wedding so Marta feels closer to her. “I don’t plan to separate from them.” “Te quiero, Fina Valero. And nothing and no one will be able to change that.” They share a weighted forehead touch and a quick kiss [and Fina kissing her hand].

Back in the dorms, Claudia stays with and consoles Fina as she returns in tears thinking of the love of her life getting married to someone else, even if it is for their protection. Fina is almost inconsolable knowing that now Pelayo will have the right, and duty, to be with Marta almost 24/7 while she will have to exist in the shadows. In parallel, Marta is dissociating at the wedding, recalling in time with the Archbishop’s words, memories of her love with Fina: dropping the letter [20], the gifted embroidered apron [22], their first night in Illesecas, [37], their first kiss [34], their “beso a beso” kiss at the casa de los montes [180]. At the signing of the marriage register the Archbishop says he has never seen such devotion in a bride’s eyes. Doña Clara is picking and needling at the De la Reina’s and Marta especially, wanting only the best for her son’s future and not caring much about anything else. Pelayo does try to calm her. Back at the big house, Doña Clara comes upon Marta on the phone saying “Te quiero,” and reproaches her for making Pelayo leave the reception early, reminding her the marriage is in part for their mutual business gain that is squandered leaving a social event early. Marta took care to talk to everyone before leaving as she notes. Doña Clara wants Marta to have the decency to spend her wedding night with her new husband, but Marta says Pelayo has what he wants, she is now going to get what she desires, and classily tells her to mind her own business. Doña Clara vents to Pelayo about Marta running off [to whom they are all aware] and how tempting fate at the first chance is not a good indication for this marriage of protection. Pelayo doesn’t know what she wants him to do. “Control your wife.” (ew) Damián walks in and Doña Clara speaks rudely of Marta being led by her lust [to Fina] and is determined someone go find her and bring her back to the house. Pelayo just wants to let it be for right now and not make things worse. Doña Clara tries to convince Damián this reflects on them as parents, but he insists on leaving them be in their own arrangement. Marta drives to the factory and Fina meets her outside the gates at her car [three “mi amor”s from Fina], surprised Marta is seeing her on the wedding night. Marta spent the day thinking of her and didn’t want the night to be the same. They talk, foreheads pressed together. Those few hours apart felt like an eternity to them both. Marta affirms she is the same and they will use this marriage to live their lives with more freedom. “You don’t know how much I needed to hear this, my love.” Marta wants to feel close to her, to smell her. Fina tells her she has to be a good girl. “I don’t plan to be.” Fina notes Marta should go with Pelayo waiting. Marta insists he has gotten what he wants and now it’s her turn. “Now I want a grand wedding night with the person that occupies my heart.” Marta gets down on her knees and proposes to Fina, asking her to spend the wedding night together at the casa de los montes. Fina, thrilled, repeats her, “I do,” over and over. (Encochamiento) They get into the car, but pause and stare at each other until the tension breaks and they come together in passionate kisses [coats are removed, the glass begins to fog up, and Marta’s hand presses against the window à la Titanic]. They presumably make love in the car before heading to their house.

-----------Temporada 2 / Season 2----------

-------------------------(capítulo/episode 270-477)-------------------------

Note: *270-378 is posted [i.e. to Fina's departure]. Rest is in-progress*

270    Arriving back at the big house, Marta [holding her wedding dress and wearing an entirely different dress] encounters Pelayo in the living room as she heads to bed. He tiredly reproaches her for leaving him on the wedding night. She [too content to care too much] assures him people will see them leave the same room in the morning. She acknowledges he might have reasons to be upset, but she had to be with Fina. “Simply put. It’s a matter of love.” He thinks if love is going to be at odds with respect, then they’ll have a problem. “Don’t you think it’s disrespectful that the person I love cannot be with me on my wedding day?” He makes a crass comment about her compensating Fina already that night. She reiterates to him this was always the agreement. “Fina is my priority.” 

271    Fina goes to see Marta in the big house and they talk in the kitchen. Fina has been worried about her and Julia since she found out about Jesús’ death [accidentally killed by DIgna 269, body discovered 270]. Fina tries to comfort her [a “mi amor” and a suggestion to look for good memories of Jesús], but Marta explains all she really feels is confusion or relief and she has no real good memories with her brother. Pelayo comes in and says he has cancelled his commitments to be with her at this time [though he knows she has support, i.e. Fina]. Marta leaves and Pelayo stays to talk to Fina, warning her she is being very reckless being in the house now and reproaches her for the wedding night as well. She stands up to him saying as for Marta, “the one she needs to be with is me, not you.” He suggests her frequent visits are a bad look. “But that’s precisely what this marriage is for, no? To protect us all.” He agrees. Fina continues, “Well, that’s exactly what I’m doing. Protecting my wife.” He is displeased [extra so when she calls Marta her wife]. Marta and Pelayo talk later, him suggesting a walk and her preferring to stay at the house, “So you can see Fina.” She is tired of his reproaches. He wants them to make the marriage more believable. She says she married someone she doesn’t love and her brother just died, what else does he want her to do? He asks her to let him console her and be there for her if only for a few hours because that’s what friends do.

272    At Jesús’ wake in the big house, Marta is distant with Pelayo as she sits with Digna next to the coffin. He reproaches her for not pretending better in front of Digna. She goes to head off and he stops her to ask where she’s going. “To get some fresh air. I’d like some comfort without all the politicking [implying she is going to see Fina].” Marta finds Fina in her room in the colony, explaining the maintaining the facade of her marriage and grief for her brother was starting to wear on her and so she ran. [2 “mi amor”s from Fina]. Fina invites Marta to curl up with her head in Fina’s lap on the bed as she runs her hand through Marta’s hair. Fina recalls a memory of her mother doing the same for her as a child. Marta dreads having to return to the house as they recall Jesús. Fina gives her a suggestion for a story to tell at the wake from a story Isidro told her [Marta has been asked and is at a loss for what to say].

273    Pelayo is offered the spa project by Joaquin as it is no longer profitable for their company. Marta, though, acting more as a friend [and legal wife] to Pelayo than a shareholder, advises him she is doubtful of the project’s viability. Pelayo thanks her and apologizes for his attitude with her and Fina earlier. Marta goes to visit the warehouse, finding Claudia, who offers her condolences and heads to the store, and Fina, who asks how she’s doing. Marta [distracted and confused and pained] tells her the Civil Guard thinks Jesús killed himself and she keeps asking herself questions [he “killed” himself during her wedding she banned him from]. She admits [with great effort, crying] despite all he did, he was her brother and she loved him. Fina reassures, comforts and hugs Marta.

274    Carmen comes to Marta to present an idea to increase sales: door-to-door selling for those areas without nearby stores [idea from 273], but Marta declines as for the moment the company doesn’t have the funds to pay for the extra time and transportation of the workers [Marta would prefer the girls be paid and not overworked]. 

275    Joaquin has named Pedro the new interim director unilaterally [274] and the De la Reina’s don’t take it well.

276    On the canteen terrace, Carmen is talking with Pedro about her idea she already presented to Marta [Tasio told him about it and he is in favor] and Marta is upset she went around her, but rubber stamps her approval if it doesn't affect the store or add costs. A man looking at a newspaper story of Marta and Pelayo’s marriage sits listening nearby.

277    Carmen tells the girls about the conversation with Marta and Pedro, mentioning he suggested a trial with them. Fina and Claudia are interested, but they are not on board with doing free work. Privately, Carmen asks Fina if she went against her because of going around Marta, but Fina says it’s more not being paid that’s bothering her. Pelayo gets a call from “an old classmate” while in the home office with Damián and he is a bit shaken but agrees to meet him later [with Marta, he hopes]. Pelayo meets a man he greets as Darío [the man from 276] at an outdoor cafe, who says he was nearby and read about the marriage in the paper and wanted to congratulate him. Pelayo is nervous. Marta arrives and Pelayo kisses her in greeting in front of Darío. Marta invites Darío to visit the factory, but Pelayo suggests Darío has to leave, which he refutes and accepts the invitation. After he leaves, Marta asks Pelayo what just happened. She noticed he was tense and figured something [gay] happened and she was needed for distancing. He admits he and Darío were in love and in a relationship back in school [university it seems] but he broke it off out of fear.

278    Pedro meets Darío, introducing himself as an old classmate of Pelayo’s, as he is looking for Marta. Marta and Darío arrive in the store during his tour of the factory [Gema is there]. He is polite but a bit disappointed [Marta can see it’s because Pelayo couldn’t join them]. Darío decides to get a men’s perfume as a gift for Pelayo and Marta agrees to relay the gift. Fina visits Marta later in the factory office to tell her Pedro has approved the trial but won’t pay the saleswomen for it, so Carmen is doing it alone leaving the store atmosphere tense. Marta is surprised [at Pedro, not at the other girls not working for no pay] and frustrated. Pedro enters to talk to Marta, and she brings up Fina’s concerns, with Fina herself even expressing her view. Pedro is very condescending to Marta and will ultimately do what he wants.

279    At an outdoor cafe, Marta and Pelayo talk about his missing Darío’s tour. She suggests he missed it on purpose [he says perhaps], and maybe he should reconnect with Darío. She gives him the perfume Darío picked out and he recalls fondly a story from their relationship. He doesn’t want to give in and is scared of being with someone like that again, especially now. Marta is encouraging of him and points to her and Fina’s love as an example. In the store later, Fina and Gema are talking and Gema mentions the handsome man, a friend of Don Pelayo, who visited earlier with Marta, and that she will start going with Carmen on the door-to-door sales. Marta visits the shop as Fina is closing up. Fina asks about the “handsome man” and Marta tells Fina about Darío and coyly implies he is likely here with certain intentions. Fina is confused, but then gets it, surprised at a former lover of Pelayo’s visiting. Marta does explain that Pelayo is not so happy about this as his career and reputation seem to matter more to him than love.

280 Pelayo and Darío talk while walking outdoors. Darío confirms that Marta knows Pelayo is gay. Pelayo reminds him it would have been a bad idea to give the perfume via Marta if she didn’t [he doesn’t like how impulsive Darío is]. Darío figures out the cover is for Marta too and Pelayo admits he helped them out with the rumors. Darío gathers that Marta is seeing one of the store girls (he is very smart and Pelayo could do with some shutting up lol). He asks why Pelayo can’t do the same as Marta. Pelayo avoids the question and offers a handshake as he leaves [Darío hugs him and smells the perfume he bought]. In the store, Carmen says the company will now fund the travelling saleswomen training and Fina and Claudia offer help which she rejects as they didn’t help her before. Darío enters the store to buy something and starts making implications about the weirdness of Marta and Pelayo’s marriage [to see who reacts. To find Marta’s lover]. Fina steps up to deal with his weirdness (he frankly acts sus af being awfully interested in Marta and Pelayo’s marriage). He outright tells her he wanted to meet her because she is the reason Marta agreed to marry Pelayo. He says he is an old friend of Pelayo’s and is “the only one who knows how she feels” after the wedding. Fina is scared at first talking to him, but eventually tells him to return during the lunch hour so they can talk.

281 Fina and Darío talk in the store at lunchtime. She doesn’t trust him or his intentions, but he confesses Pelayo was his first love (he’s just too cute and deserves so much better than Pelayo). He thinks Pelayo still has some feelings for him. Darío says he’s not as brave as them, to which Fina replies their courage comes from loving one another, and that their love has only made them stronger. She encourages him to give their love a second chance. Marta talks to Carmen in the store later about the travelling saleswoman project, congratulating her on getting the funding but explaining she didn’t want the girls to be exploited and Fina had told her about Carmen’s extra effort and tiredness and all. Carmen and Fina make up as well later. Near a river in Toledo, Darío meets with Pelayo to ask him to give their relationship another try. Pelayo doesn’t want to, but agrees to one night.

282    Pelayo meets Marta at the factory office. She teases him after not having seen him all night or morning and asks him how his “meeting” went. They laugh and smile and giggle together. He admits he was deceiving himself when denying feelings for Darío. Marta is happy for and encourages him as he thinks perhaps he and Darío should give something a try despite his fears. “Now you understand me a little better,” Marta remarks, seeing him swept away. She promises to support him and this potential relationship. 

283    Fina visits Marta in the factory office, bringing a report, and a kiss. Marta says she needed it and tells Fina about Jesús’ will leaving his shares and assets and such to Julia with María in control [Andrés along with María will be her guardians, 282]. Fina thinks María was just going through a bad time when she was temporarily institutionalized [she had a bit of a breakdown after having a back alley abortion of the child she conceived with the man she ended up kind of killing] but Marta insists María hasn’t stopped doing terrible things since she arrived at the house. Marta explains María’s first pregnancy was fake but the second was real by another man even though she told Andrés it was his. Fina is stunned and tries to comfort her. Fina is again stunned when Marta tells her Pelayo spent the night with Darío and of their plans to reconnect. Later Pelayo and Darío talk, but Pelayo seems to start to have doubts.

284    Marta and Pelayo have breakfast together at the big house, as Fina and Darío do so at the colony. Darío gushes about his night with Pelayo, Fina repeatedly shushing him from speaking too loudly or openly. Pelayo is more reserved and wary when talking with Marta. He loves Darío, but is afraid he is too passionate and imprudent and it won’t be safe. “It’s dangerous, but also very addictive.” Darío visits the big house (he comes on a little strong) to see Pelayo who asks him to leave and Damián walks in.

285    Damián calls Pelayo into the home office and outright asks what his relationship with Darío is. Pelayo denies anything more than old friendship. Damián ignores him and warns him not to tempt fate. He is upset a stranger came into his house [Darío just now] endangering the integrity of his family and insinuates Pelayo won’t want anything to ruin his political ambitions [Damián has arranged a meeting with the Civil Governor for Pelayo and tells him to make sure Marta is there]. In the colony dorm room, Fina tells Claudia about her date the next day with Marta to go to the theater and to… [she won’t be home to sleep] and they talk about Claudia’s renewed love life with Raúl. Pelayo meets with Darío in a park to break things off, explaining Damián figured them out and reminded him of maintaining appearances. Darío is angry that appearances are coming first for Pelayo again and he vows to not let him kick him out of his life again. “You only love yourself.”

286    Marta finds Pelayo on the terrace of the big house and they talk about Darío, their fears, Damián knowing, his ambitions being greater than his desire for love. He tells her he isn’t like her and Fina and wants to keep their marriage safe as security for him. His ambitions are important to him, as he suggests Marta’s are to her. She agrees, “but if I were given the choice between the love of my life and my career, you know perfectly well what I would choose.” He asks her to accompany him to the dinner with the Civil Governor Damián arranged. He thinks she is disappointed in him, but she says the more important thing is if he is disappointed in himself. Darío goes to the store to say goodbye to Fina, explaining his courage wasn’t enough for both him and Pelayo. He says “they” are not like “us” [comparing Pelayo with Marta]. Fina pushes back on that comparison saying Marta has shown Fina is her priority, but she is sorry Pelayo couldn’t do that for him. Darío doesn’t believe it will be true in the long run. Marta walks in and expresses her sympathies to Darío and asks to speak with him privately in the warehouse. She tells him she is disappointed too, but that he needs to make it easier for Pelayo and be less impetuous. She also suggests Pelayo’s problem is not fear of outside consequences, but really is a deep self fear/hatred and keeping Darío away is a way to ignore that part of himself. Fina walks up in the background as Darío asks Marta, “When the time comes, do you think you’d risk everything for her?” Marta responds immediately, “Absolutely everything." 

287    Marta once again finds Pelayo on the terrace. She mentions Darío and he asks her to let him move forward and not mention him. They talk of his prioritizing business and Pelayo suggests if Marta still had the directorship she may have chosen the same route he has. She says she almost let her doubts and work ruin them but she won’t make that mistake again. She managed being director and with Fina, and his presence helped things. It’s difficult, but possible to have both. She also needed to tell him she has plans that night with Fina to see a show and go to their house. He is flustered as he just confirmed plans with the Civil Governor and his wife for that evening. Marta refuses to cancel her plans with Fina just because Pelayo didn’t confirm with her first. He says the man is very busy and it’s a very important dinner. They argue and he pleads again. Marta visits Fina in the store. She tries to explain Pelayo is depending on her to attend this important dinner [she does mention it was scheduled without her and she is disappointed to have to cancel their plans too] especially as he just broke up with Pelayo and this would cheer him up. Fina pushes back on that saying his career is why he broke up with Darío. “Right now we live at the mercy of your husband’s ambition.” Marta promises they will have more times to be together and that Pelayo knows well what her true priority is. Fina accepts the change in plans with no small amount of annoyance toward Marta for giving in and a growing disdain for Pelayo. 

289    Carmen had a run-in with Don Agustin who was shaming the door-to-door saleswomen for going around in the evening up to people’s homes practically alone, calling it indecent. Fina and Carmen are talking about it outside the store when Marta walks up. Marta tells them she’ll take care of Don Agustin. Fina is very proud of her. Marta meets with Don Agustin and warns him to stop scaring and shaming the saleswomen. He reminds her of the accusations against Fina hurting business and she sobers. She suggests a compromise for keeping the women out only up to dusk and making sure they go in pairs.

290    Pelayo and Marta talk on the terrace [He says she has beautiful legs and she coyly responds, “That’s exactly what Fina tells me.”]. They’re talking about business and potentially dirty dealings and Marta doesn’t like business depending on stepping on others to prosper. She is thinking of the future and Fina. She doesn’t want to leave Fina unprotected and wants to include Fina in her will. He, only with minimal reluctance, agrees to support her in this. Marta finds Fina closing the store and they walk together. Marta gets a bit dramatic thinking about what happens if something happens to her and it scares Fina a bit until she clarifies she wants to include Fina in her will as much as she can. This surprises Fina who says, “The only thing I want from you… is you.” Marta insists, “You are my wife [Tú eres mi mujer]. Although the law doesn’t recognize that right.. it is fair.” Pelayo is talking to Damián (seems like he ran there) about Marta’s plans, which Damián is barely concerned about. Pelayo asks him to do his part just as Pelayo has done his [breaking up with Darío]. Damián agrees.

293    Marta and Damián are discussing factory issues in the family office when he lets slip that Pelayo agrees with him on something Marta doesn’t. Marta is surprised to learn they’ve been sharing confidences and is offended as it seems he has shared other secrets with Pelayo too. She meets with Pelayo on the terrace and makes a dig at him talking to Damián behind her back. She thought Pelayo was different but he and Damián are apparently in agreement to dig up secrets to get Pedro out of the directorship, something Marta is very against [the spying, not the kicking Pedro out]. Damián calls the private investigator, Ángel Ruiz, that Jesús hired to take pictures of Marta and Fina and intends to pay him for the work he did for Jesús, to ask him about Jesús’ recent inquiries, and to hire him anew to look at Pedro. [Ruiz says he has no interest in the Marta and Fina case past the professional and that that is done and all material was in Jesús’ hands].

294    Marta visits Fina in the store before it opens, explaining her busy previous evening with a board vote, talking to Pelayo, visiting Luis in the hospital [he’ll be fine]. Fina makes a face every time Marta mentions Pelayo’s name. As Marta gets in a hug from behind, she proposes time at the casa de los montes in a few days [Fina is a bit surly when she agrees as long as Marta isn’t busy with a commitment to Pelayo]. Marta flirtily says she hopes she won’t disappoint Fina this time, and Fina whispers she hopes so too, to herself.

297    Marta and Fina are quietly having a flirty little catch-up in the store but the private investigator Ruiz is there [on the other side of the store] posing as an advisor under Damián’s direction, but Marta and Fina have no idea who he really is. They both feel a bit weird like he might be listening, but aren’t sure. Marta later talks to Andrés at the house and asks him about this “advisor,” and he almost lets her dismiss her own worries, but then relents and tells her the truth. Marta later interrupts a meeting between Ruiz and Damain, pretending she believes the cover until Ruiz leaves when she confronts Damián. She is horrified he would simply hire the man who helped Jesús blackmail her and Fina, who took those photos after following them. Marta demands Damián get rid of him. He refuses until the job is done. Marta is chagrined to learn Damián’s critiques of Jesús’ actions ring hollow as clearly he learned from Damián himself.

298 Marta tells Pelayo that Damián and Andrés have hired the same detective who took the photos of Marta and Fina in order to blackmail them. He reproaches her, raising his voice more and more, saying that she neglected to tell him that those photographs existed [she explains the prints and negatives are destroyed] because it is important and that he should have known about it before their wedding because that would be “evidence” and would affect his reputation. Pelayo calls their marriage a "bad deal that's starting to make him sick." Marta is affronted and tells him to calm down and have some tea “Pues, te tomas un infusión si eso.” Damián reproaches Andrés for telling Marta the truth about the detective. Pelayo talks with Damián about the detective and the photos and Damián senses he is worried not only about Marta, but himself. Pelayo warns Damián to do as he warned Pelayo before, to be cautious and not put Marta or him in danger with this.

Later, Pelayo visits Marta at the factory office with some chocolates to make amends. Marta is reluctant, reminding him that Fina was already in her life when he met her, and will continue to be, and that he married her knowing the circumstances. He asks her to be more conscientious because she is “his biggest and riskiest bet.” He is a bet for her too and she asks him not to attack her every time fear overwhelms him. Andrés walks in and Pelyao leaves. Andrés explains to Marta he agreed to hire Detective Ruiz without really knowing who he was or what he had done before because of his suspicions about Maria working with Pedro. Marta hesitates to tell Fina, and Andrés advises her against it to avoid upsetting her. Marta mentions that she and Fina haven't been to the casa de los montes in a long time, and Andrés offers to help her with her work so she can free up some time to go. Marta goes to visit Fina at the shop and finds her in the warehouse. She playfully scares Fina because Marta is “reveling in how lucky she is to have her in her life.” Fina replies flirtatiously that she should be careful because she doesn't know if she'll be able to resist. Marta tells her that she'll have the afternoon free thanks to Andrés and that she wants to spend time alone with her without having to hide. She's keeping her promise to spend time at the casa de los montes that week [294], but she hadn't been able to until now. They are interrupted by Detective Ruiz "Señor Rojas" and Marta treats him more curtly than usual with a frown on her face, and Fina is surprised by her attitude.

299 At the big house, Damián thinks of his regrets [including hiring Jesús’ PI thereby hurting Marta] and tells Manuela he thinks he has lost the affection of someone dear to him [implied to be Marta] forever. In the factory courtyard Fina tries to gossip with a shy Digna about her relationship with Pedro, and Fina mentions it reminds her of how she feels with Marta. [Both of them note that Digna can’t gossip with anyone else, and she knows Fina’s secret love, so it’s perfect]. Fina laments that she and Marta can’t be the same as Digna and Pedro and have so few moments alone, but she accepts it. “Hija, your love is very beautiful.”

At the casa de los montes Fina expresses how much she wanted to be at home with Marta, as does Marta. They drink wine and relax talking while Fina gives Marta a massage. Fina mentions that the previous day at the store [297] she almost threw herself at Marta to kiss her, but didn't because she felt the new factory ‘advisor’ watching her. Marta, remembering her initial fear and having hidden the advisor's true identity from Fina, is visibly uncomfortable but acts as if nothing happened. Fina wants answers and asks if the advisor also makes Marta uncomfortable. Fina presses and Marta tells Fina the truth: the advisor is actually a detective hired by Damián to snoop into Don Pedro's affairs, the same detective who took the photos of them kissing. Fina is alarmed because this man knows their secret. Marta explains that he's not at the factory because of them and that she's spoken to Damián to try and convince him to fire him, but without success. Fina is furious because she can't understand how Damián hired and brought that man back. Marta says they came to the house to get away from that and be alone, but it seems to Fina they came only to protect themselves from the detective, not because they want to be together so she is upset. Fina leaves the room, leaving Marta alone and speechless.

300 [Marta and Fina spent the night together in the casa de los montes] Fina is lost in thought as Marta enters the living room with coffee and breakfast for both of them. Marta remarks that Fina went to bed early last night, and Fina replies that she didn't feel like doing anything. Fina can't understand how the detective is at the factory and why Marta didn't say anything sooner. Marta tells her that she was also upset when she found out and that there was nothing more she could do to stop it. She didn't tell Fina because she didn't want to worry her. Fina tells her that she could have fired him, and Marta replies that she has no authority to do so because she wasn't the one who hired him, and she wouldn't have any grounds to do so, revealing the plan behind it. Fina is worried because the detective has them in his grasp and could blackmail them at any moment. She's expecting the worst because she's already been through it, having been in jail [195-201]. Marta agrees with Fina because she can't go through something that will tear them apart again, so she'll talk to Damián again and demand that he fire the detective, making it clear that she won't take no for an answer. ["We deserve to live in peace once and for all." "Believe me, I can't think of anything else."] Later, Marta enters the office to speak with Damián, agitated, demanding that he fire the detective immediately. Damián is annoyed because Marta refuses to understand that her secret isn't in danger, because that's not what the detective is after. Marta tells him that no matter what he says, neither she nor Fina will be at peace until that detective stops hanging around the colony [She still really can’t do anything but accept it, unfortunately]. 

301 Fina almost has a panic attack when she sees the "advisor" Ruiz in the laboratory while she was testing a perfume with Luis, saying that she had to go back to the store. Detective Ruiz visits Marta to talk about “Fina Valero.” Marta scoffs and asks him what he's playing at because “Señorita Fina Valero” is not part of his job and that it bothers her greatly that he even mentions her. She sharply reiterates “Señorita Fina Valero” and the other store girls are none of his business. He clarifies that he needs to do the job he came to do without raising suspicions [Fina’s reaction like she saw the devil himself could raise suspicions. Marta remarks maybe that’s what you are to her.]. He says the real danger to the family and business is not him, but the people around them. He asks Marta to relay that to Fina.

Marta and Fina return to the casa de los montes, hinting that "the house is cold." Fina tells Marta that she hasn't kept her promise; the detective is still at the colony, and she doesn't know what's wrong with Marta lately because she doesn't keep her promises and that Marta just talks and talks and it seems like she doesn't care what Fina says. Fina is more affected, and comments that every time she sees the detective she trembles. Her fear prevents her from hearing that Marta has spoken with the detective, that he is not interested in them; she sees it as an excuse because what she wants is to no longer have him in her life. The conversation doesn't end well because Fina recalls her conversation with Darío and thinks he was right about how Marta and Pelayo are similar because of the weight of their surnames and their ambition. Marta counters, saying that Fina is her priority, but Fina doesn't care because she's fed up with the problems Marta's family has with the Merino family and Don Pedro and doesn’t care why they need the detective. [Marta, once again, is left not knowing what to do because she understands both positions, Fina's and her family's.]

302 Marta and Pelayo happen to meet and talk about things related to the factory, eventually turning to Fina, because Marta wants to take the opportunity to speak with her... if Fina wants to see her. She tells Pelayo that Fina is very uncomfortable with the detective's presence, and if Marta believes the detective could pose a danger to them, she'd kick him out herself. She reminds him that tomorrow she's going to the notary to draft her will to favor Fina as soon as possible, to prove to Fina where her priorities lie. Pelayo is annoyed because Marta can do whatever she wants with her money, but that she's putting herself in danger. Marta tells him that he's breaking his word because he's restricting her freedom to decide and that he's only thinking about how this might affect him. Pelayo, (as is common), belittles Fina to make Marta's aware of possible future gossip about how Fina, a "shop assistant, not part of the family and daughter of a chauffeur" is going to claim her inheritance from Marta’s will [It seems to be half belittling and half fear of people suspecting a clandestine relationship between the two women]. 

303    Fina visits Digna at her house and learns that Digna is going to marry Don Pedro. She tells Digna that she should seize the moment and enjoy it, as celebrating love with a wedding is a privilege not all couples have. Digna mentions that she would like Fina and Marta to attend her wedding together if only they could. Fina is her family and she wants her to sit at the same table with her children. Marta goes to the bank and then meets with Fina at the casa de los montes. Marta asks Fina to forget about the detective, but Fina asks her how she could possibly do that if the whole situation is making her uncomfortable, especially after her visit to Digna, who is like a mother to her. Fina isn't sure if going to the casa de los montes was a good idea. Marta tells her that if she doesn't want to spend the night, they can go back, but wants to give her something first. She gives her a key to a safety deposit box at Banco Exterior, explaining that since she couldn't include her in her will, she left her the box with a considerable amount of money and jewelry. Fina refuses the key because that's not the kind of security she needs right now. She explains that she's terrified at the thought of going to jail and that the complaint Santiago filed could be repeated with the detective. Someone like the detective poses a danger to them because they can't control their own safety with him around. Fina is panicked and starts to not be able to breathe. Marta calls the factory dispensary asking for Luz who isn’t there. Begoña goes in place of Luz, with directions from Marta, to the casa de los montes. Marta holds and comforts Fina as Begoña checks her out, determining it is a panic attack and nothing physically serious. After things calm, Begoña seems to begin to suspect there is a relationship beyond boss and employee between Marta and Fina after noticing their glasses of wine and their isolation together. Begoña politely leaves. Fina wonders if Begoña suspects something. Marta thinks no, but regardless she trusts Begoña. Fina remarks, “They all are, at first.”

304   The next day at the big house, Andrés asks Begoña why she didn’t have dinner with them the night before. Begoña, with a bit of pause, explains she had to take care of Fina at Marta’s house. She says she went there and found them together… alone [Andrés’ face is curious but optimistic]. She asks about their close relationship [Andrés gives the canned explanation of Fina growing up in the house and they work together]. She explains she is asking because she cares about Marta and worries she might get into danger. Andrés calmly assures her that Marta is safe and any other questions she has are not his to answer. Begoña is gladdened to hear that. 

Marta visits Fina in her room at the colony. She asks how she is and tells her that the detective left the company the day before, changing Fina's mood. Pedro suspected him, so Fina is still a bit disappointed it wasn’t Marta who got him gone. Marta asks for understanding about her family complexities. Marta also admits that she was clumsy in bringing up the safe deposit box, as it implied something else, but for Marta, Fina is important, both her and her future. [They both apologize because they are doing the best they can, as it is a difficult situation for both of them, and they regret not having been able to do better]. Marta remarks, "That smile of yours makes up for it." They agree that Marta will talk to Begoña and Marta asks her to rest, but Fina goes to the store anyway after "agreeing to rest."  Marta visits Begoña and tries to give excuses about having Fina at "her" house. Begoña interrupts her and says she doesn’t need to justify anything to her. She says Marta doesn't owe her any explanations and Begoña offers her help if she ever finds herself in trouble; she can count on her for anything because Marta is like a sister to her. “Fina and you are very lucky to have each other.” Luz walks in on them holding hands, teary-eyed, and Begoña goes to make excuses. Marta interrupts and tells her Luz already knows about her and Fina. Luz and Begoña talk after Marta leaves. Luz tells her she knew because of Jaime.

305 [Fina has an unpleasant memory of when she was in jail, 200].

306 Marta tells Andrés that Begoña knows about her relationship with Fina. Marta feels relieved and lighter that someone close to her knows the truth [and supports her], but at the same time, she feels even more at risk. They arrange a lunch date next week at the casa de los montes for the four of them. It's important for Marta that they surround themselves with people who understand them. Marta’s visit is actually to ask for a favor. After Jesús' death and Luis' accident, she can't stop thinking about Fina's well-being in case something happens to her, not just an accident or an illness, but also problems with the law because anything can happen in her family. Marta’s idea is for Andrés to open an account in his name and put Fina as the beneficiary. Andrés accepts because he wants what's best for them; he's never seen such pure love as theirs. [They sadly joke it’s better for Fina to be suspected as Andrés’ lover than Marta’s].

Pelayo receives a call from the bank regarding Marta's recent transaction and since he can't find her at the main house, he mentions it to Damián, who doesn't see a problem. They have separate accounts, but given the large sum involved, they thought it best to notify her husband. Marta finds them talking behind her back, confirming that the money is indeed for Fina. Marta reminds Pelayo that he asked her not to make a will in Fina's favor and that she has just found another way to do it without involving him. Pelayo gets hysterical and raises his voice. He crassly comments he hopes Fina isn't already spending the inheritance so that Marta doesn't have to take money out of the bank again. Marta is deeply insulted, telling him that Fina has given up her money and jewelry from the very beginning. “Just in case it wasn't clear, Fina is with me out of love. She's not ambitious. She doesn't dream of a future of luxury homes. She's with me because she loves me.” She concludes by asking Pelayo if he knows what that means. Pelayo remarks, "You know what the problem is? The decisions we are making are going in opposite directions."

307 At the big house, Marta wants to fix things with Pelayo after their argument. Pelayo wants Marta to consult him on everything, while she reminds him that this wasn't part of the agreement. He wants her to ask his opinions as her husband on everything, which is not what she signed up for. The agreement was meant to give them more freedom, to protect themselves, and to launch Pelayo's political career. She tells him that he can't pretend that she won't want to protect Fina in the future, just because Pelayo has that constant fear. Pelayo goes to leave as he is going to an event and suggests Marta comes with him. Marta tells him no as it's very last minute as he only mentions it as he's leaving and she already has plans. Pelayo sarcastically replies that it doesn't matter because she'd have an excuse for him anyway. Marta has things to take care of, plus two tickets to a show in Madrid and a night in a hotel with Fina [she concludes with the same sarcasm Pelayo used]. She suggests he would feel differently if he had let Darío love him and didn’t only bet on his political career. He remarks his mother was right and things aren’t working out as he’d hoped.

308 The next day, Fina tells Claudia that she and Marta didn't go to the opera but went to the theater to see "Las de Cain." They joke about how Marta doesn't like any "small genre" [genero chico] plays. Fina jokes to Claudia that Doña Marta doesn’t like any kind of chico [guy]. She gushes that it was an incredible night… unforgettable. In the laboratory, Marta advises Luis not to let work absorb him so much that he loses sight of the people who love him, because she knows what she's talking about.

310 Talking with Damián and Andrés at the big house, Marta offers the casa de los montes so that Begoña can have a place to stay because of the disagreements the family is having with Maria [Ongoing]. Pelayo, back from Valencia, is still annoyed because Marta doesn't prioritize him and his political affairs, even when it's the first thing she asks him about. He continues to reproach Marta for what she did for Fina [306] without giving him any explanation or warning him because she should know the consequences it may bring. Marta asks him to leave things as they are, because he can't control everything she does or doesn't do. He leaves, annoyed, because he has a lunch with the governor, and Marta leaves him mid-sentence because she keeps receiving a call she'd ignored until that moment, to talk to Pelayo and clarify things. When Marta answers, it's a woman named Sabina. Upon hearing that name, Pelayo turns back and says she's their housekeeper. Pelayo's mother has fallen and hurt her arm, which doesn't seem serious. Marta asks if he wants her to come with him, and Pelayo asks if she wants to. In the end, they go together to see Pelayo's mother.

311 [Maria no longer wants to sign the purchase agreement for Julia's shares because she would lose the power she has over the De la Reina family, meaning Begoña would no longer have to move to the casa de los montes; 310] Doña Clara is in the big house to stay with them while she recovers from her arm injury. Marta is doing everything possible to make her feel comfortable, and at the same time she's dealing with other things at the factory. 

312    In the big house, Begona and Andrés are talking about their troubles, and she recalls seeing Fina at Marta’s house and thinks they are similar to her and Andrés as they also have everything stacked against them. Different things, but a similar struggle. Doña Clara continues her thinly veiled snipes at Marta working. After Marta leaves, Doña Clara asks about the tension between Pelayo and Marta. He admits it’s about inheritance and Doña Clara figures it’s about Fina. She suggests he is Marta’s husband and he can do something [regardless if Marta wants seems to be the implication]. She also implies Fina is the problem and is essentially a gold-digger who will be a problem for Pelayo in the future regarding his political career.

313    At the big house, Doña Clara complains to Damián it seems Marta has no time for her, and not just because of work, because of “that saleswoman”. Damián thinks it’s better he and Doña Clara mind their own business. She goes on and on about Marta living her life as she pleases with no explanations and doing who knows what, who knows where. She says the marriage isn’t going well and it’s fully Marta’s fault. Damián counters by affirming Marta’s discretion and bringing up Darío as a weak point of Pelayo’s. He tells her about Darío returning recently and Pelayo almost getting back together with him permanently. Damián warns her that either of their children could be the cause of things falling apart… not solely Marta. 

315    Gabriel de la Reina [nephew of Damián through his brother] is in Toledo [He previously had some dealings with Jesus (I don’t want to rewatch for that) and his overall goal is to ruin Damián and the De la Reina family for a perceived wrong against his father by Damián]. He is in bed with his lover Isabel [former secretary at Perfumerias de la Reina]. She is telling him about the De la Reina’s, celebrating their miseries, and mentions Marta hasn’t yet gotten her payback (so she sees it) since Marta was the one who fired her [156]. She mentions the recent wedding to Pelayo Olivares was definitely a sham, probably to silence the rumors about her. Isabel tells Gabriel, “Doña Marta had an affair with one of the female shop assistants.” [Isabel does not know his real name.]

316    At the big house, Doña Clara reproaches Pelayo for seeing Darío and insists he and Marta should move to Madrid because Marta isn’t protecting him as Doña Clara thinks she should.

317    At the big house, Doña Clara tries to get Andrés and Marta to invest in a property development project outside of Toledo that she has invested in with a son of one of her friends.

318    Later, at the factory Marta runs into Fina, who may or may not have been sitting outside the offices waiting for her [she was]. Marta proposes a river walk for the two since Fina has a later shift and Marta has the morning free. Fina is more than happy to since lately it has felt to her that Marta is spending more time with her mother-in-law than her “favorite saleswoman.” Marta tells Fina of the disagreements Pelayo has had with his mother and the suggestion to move to Madrid [Marta teases her a little, letting her think for a second she’d consider moving, then reminds her Pelayo knows perfectly well she’d never leave Fina’s side]. Marta mentions the development investment of Doña Clara’s. Fina is interested in having a home of her own one day and wants to check it out, so she suggests they go see the lands instead of a walk.

Marta drives them up to the location in her car, but they don’t see any hint of construction. Fina brought her father’s camera and is taking pictures of Marta. She makes Marta pose for her in front of the car and they kiss sweetly as Fina calls Marta her muse. They go wandering to try to find any indication of development and as they do they talk about Fina’s plans to buy a house as even though Marta insists otherwise, she sees the casa de los montes as Marta’s house, not theirs and she wants her own house. Marta asks Fina to take photos of the nothingness.   

319    At the big house, Marta and Pelayo sit down with Doña Clara to tell her what she and Fina found when they checked out the construction site [Nothing to be found. This means it was likely a scam by a trusted person]. Doña Clara angrily rejects that her family friend could be a swindler. In the warehouse, Marta tells Fina about Doña Clara’s reaction to their news. Doña Clara comes into the store looking for Marta and tells her she just confirmed with her contact that the development is very advanced, which Marta refutes. Fina interjects and affirms what Marta is saying and offers to show her the photos she took. Marta instead suggests Doña Clara come with them that day to see the lands herself. At the lands, Doña Clara is defensive at first but is crushed to see the truth. Marta and Fina are very understanding and kind to her (and perhaps a bit tired of her dramatics). Doña Clara apologizes to Marta for treating her poorly when Marta was trying to warn her. She also admits sincerely to Marta that the agreement between Marta and Pelayo worries her deeply, but this situation has made her see Marta, and Marta and Fina, differently. Doña Clara recognizes now that Marta is, if anything, the most invested in this pact with Pelayo going well, “because you don’t want to lose what is most precious to you.” She thought Marta didn’t respect her or Pelayo [and saw her as selfish], but this altruism changed her mind. [Doña Clara treats Fina respectfully as Marta’s partner].

320    In the factory office, Marta updates Pelayo on her family dramas. The Civil Guard believe Jesus’ death might not have been a suicide as previously thought [Jesús was killed semi-accidentally in an argument with Digna, 269. Only she and Pedro know at this moment]. Begona and Andrés are being investigated. Pelayo is worried about his political prospects being harmed. Marta sarcastically thanks him for his support. They argue. Pelayo refloats the idea of moving to Madrid, but Marta refuses point blank. Marta visits Fina in the store and is amused at her frustration with Cristina, an annoying client. They talk about Digna and Pedro’s wedding. Marta brings up her thoughts on Pedro not being good enough for Digna [Fina just wants Digna happy and doesn’t care about all the background stuff]. They politely disagree. 

321    Fina visits Digna at her house, giving Digna her mother’s wedding bracelet for Digna’s wedding. Returning to Madrid that day, Doña Clara runs into Fina in the store [they are friendly]. Doña Clara apologizes to Fina and thanks her and Marta for persisting in trying to help her despite her rude treatment of them. She says they’re good people. They move their conversation to the warehouse for privacy. Doña Clara talks about her previous fears and how she now believes they won’t put her son in danger, and will even take care of him. Doña Clara wishes them happiness and to be careful. In the factory office, Doña Clara and Marta talk about the fallout of the scam and her thankfulness for Marta and Fina’s unexpected kindness despite her difficult personality. She asks Marta to be there to support Pelayo on his lonely road of ambition. 

322    Everyone is getting ready for Digna and Pedro’s wedding. In the dormitory, Claudia is sad about not having Mateo with her, mentioning to Fina even if she and Marta can’t get married, they still have each other. At the big house, Marta talks with Begona about her forbidden love with Andrés [still stuck married to Maria], and Marta says that she and Fina will never be able to live as a normal couple either, but will always continue to love each other. At breakfast, Damián admits to Marta and Andrés that he has a nephew who is in Toledo [by a brother he has suspiciously never mentioned]. Marta tells Pelayo about this later on the way to the wedding together. 

323    At the wedding, during the sermon, Marta and Fina find a moment to share a glance from where they sit across the aisle from each other. After the ceremony, awaiting the happy couple, Fina talks to Marta [standing next to Pelayo], asking her what is going on. Luis walks up and tells them [Luz, Andrés, Begona, and Maria are missing, and Luis was late because during an argument between Maria and Andrés, she fell from the balcony inside the big house and needed medical attention].

331    Claudia asks for Fina’s help with the daycare at the factory, but Fina is incredibly reluctant as she is not really a fan of kids/babies. Fina can’t say no, but emphatically spritzes Claudia with perfume to hide the baby vomit smell on her uniform. Fina is (comically) hopeless with the children at first, but warms up to it.

332    [Pelayo tries to protect Marta and the De la Reinas when he is suspicious of Gabriel, but he and they come to believe Gabriel’s stories]. Alonzo Cobeaga, a designer, visits the factory [they hope he will order a custom perfume from them to sell in Paris] but gets a bit lost and runs into Pelayo who he asks for directions. They talk about Pelayo’s suit, and Cobeaga flirts with him a little [startling Pelayo].

333    Pelayo asks Marta to come hunting with him and Miguel Ángel Vaca who he hopes will tap him as successor to being the Civil Governor of Toledo.

334    Miguel Ángel Vaca formally announced Pelayo as his chosen successor. Damián and Pelayo try to convince a reluctant Marta to fully support Pelayo in his ambition [she doesn’t want to lose her work or make boring small talk with wives]. They suggest it might be a path to regaining the directorship of the factory. Marta brings up that this decision will affect more than just her and Pelayo [i.e. Fina. The men sigh and grimace a bit].

335    Marta goes to visit Fina at the factory dormitory. They flirt and Marta tells her about the tedious and absurd hunt she attended [mostly a walk really]. She laments she’ll have to do more of this soon as it looks like Pelayo is going to get what he wants and Marta can see the life that awaits her, and them with all the social commitments she will be required to attend. Marta looks to Fina for her approval. She won’t do it if Fina says no. Fina is realistic and says Marta will have to support him. There is no better option. It’s their pact, and she has been preparing for this. This marriage was a sacrifice for Marta, and now it’s Fina’s turn to sacrifice herself. “Whatever it is, I’ll support you in everything.” They share a sad but sweet kiss [and likely a bit more]. Pelayo visits Marta in the factory office [he notes she has a button undone… see prev. Note]. Marta confirms her and Fina’s support for Pelayo’s goals, telling him to thank Fina. He notes that with this position, they will have more power, but will also have to be more careful of their image than ever. 

337    Pedro sees Pelayo and Cobeaga [who is hitting on P hard] out at a cafe together [Marta had been there too trying to keep Cobeaga as a client and had just left]. Pedro recalls meeting Darío, a “friend” of Pelayo’s [278].

338    Talking in the store with Carmen and Claudia about hobbies, Fina laments she doesn’t really have any aside from sitting on the couch listening to the radio with Marta… and lately they can’t even do that. Fina mentions it was hard before, but they still could find time together, but now with all of Pelayo’s social commitments needing Marta too it’s worse [she mentions him aiming for Civil Governor]. The girls promise to be there for Fina.

339    Pedro talks to Marta about the Cobeaga business and insinuates there was an “affinity” between Cobeaga and Pelyao. Marta coolly and with annoyance rejects his insinuation [of P and C being gay] and mentions Pelayo’s nearing political position. Claudia and Fina are talking in the dormitory. Fina only saw Marta quickly that day alas, but she brought some photographs she took of Marta and the lands they saw, to show Claudia. Claudia compliments her talent and style, suggesting to Fina that perhaps photography can be her hobby she wanted, and she could take some pictures of Claudia. At the big house, Marta mentions her conversation with Pedro. She is afraid Pedro still suspects her and now suspects Pelayo too. Pelayo tells her Cobeaga did hit on him, but it was not reciprocated. Being gay doesn’t mean he likes all men, like her being gay doesn’t mean she likes all women.

340    Cobeaga is in the store talking to Marta, with Fina helping him find items to bring home to Paris. He is looking forward to returning to Paris because, though he loves Spain where he was born, he finds it very behind France and simply less comfortable [Marta and Fina share a look]. He leaves, and Fina mentions to Marta that her friend Esther from Paris said the same things as him about the greater freedom there. They go into the warehouse and Fina starts dreaming of being able to walk and hold hands and kiss Marta whenever she wanted to in public. Marta suggests it’s not that free for Cobeaga. “Marta, let me dream, please.” “I dream too, you know.” Fina tells Marta all she dreams of doing with her… “And I dream of being able to marry you.” Fina wonders if there will come a time when people like them will be able to stop hiding their feelings. Marta tells her yes, one day they’d be able to live their love freely [though she and Fina see this as the fantasy answer and not realistic]. Fina has to go leave to restock the men’s items, which is good because Marta is “dying to kiss those beautiful lips.” Before heading off, Fina mentions she’s going to take pictures for Claudia. 

Pelayo tells Marta about a meeting he had with Pedro who gave him support for his political run but also insinuated he knows about him [his sexuality] and people might play dirty and use such information against him. Pelayo mentions the current Civil Governor thought a weak point for him was being married but not having children. He suggests that perhaps they should consider children [they haven’t before at all]. She wonders if this is only for political gain, but he insists there’s more reasons including adding happiness to the house [none have come up before].

341    Marta visits Fina in the dormitory, needing to talk to her. She tells Fina about Pelayo’s proposal to have a child to look good politically, but also to protect them [Fina asks if something has happened. Marta says no, it’s just worry]. Fina asks, still in disbelief, if Marta would be willing to do that. Marta insists the only person she wants to have a family with is Fina, so unless Fina is willing… Fina is aghast, saying this idea to have a child sounds like someone buying a hat to look pretty [Marta agrees fully]. Fina is worried because “Pelayo’s demands never seem to end.” Outside the factory, Pelayo runs into a Cobeaga on his way back to Paris. Cobeaga again expresses interest and invites him to dinner, and Pelayo coolly rejects him. Cobeaga says, “It is not always easy to be faithful to what one feels or desires. Sometimes that brings out the cruelty in us.” Pelayo says he didn’t mean to be cruel [C rejects that]. “There are people who prefer to protect themselves by attacking…” Fina meets Gabriel.

342    In the middle of the foyer in the big house, Marta talks with Begona about their love situations. Marta is working in the home office when Pelayo stops by. She guesses correctly he wants to talk about the baby idea again. She says she doesn’t want to step back from her job and that it is irresponsible to have a child, to create a person, just for political gain. He says that’s not the only reason and now that for the first time in his life being a father is something he could possibly have, he is excited at the idea. She is more interested in the idea of bringing a child into the world to love and asks him how exactly they’d accomplish that without having sex, which she refuses to do. He mentions having investigated artificial insemination, but she thinks that sounds more ridiculous than the other way and shuts the conversation down. Pelayo tells Damián about his proposal to Marta to have a child. He thinks Marta’s reasoning of not wanting to reduce her work in the company to have a child is an excuse and Damián agrees (? ew). Damián suggests if Fina was in the equation, Marta would be much more willing.

343    Pelayo asks Marta to an outdoor cafe to apologize for earlier and putting too much pressure on her, and he wants to propose something. She sees he is also here to insist, same as before. He suggests Fina be involved in raising this theoretical child, like an aunt, like a second mother, like Digna was to Marta. She says she will think about it. Fina comes into the factory office to find Marta [“I didn’t know, but I had hope.”] working late into the evening. She saw the light on her way back to her room. Fina apologizes for being perhaps too brusque in their previous conversation, but Marta again agrees with what she had said. Fina sees Marta was looking at a picture of her own baptism and coos over baby Marta. They talk about their mothers and Marta asks if Fina has wanted to be a mother. Fina admits she has fantasized about it, but remembers who and how she is. Marta asks and Fina confirms that she would want to be a mother with Marta if only it were possible. Marta mentions Pelayo’s proposal for this child to be raised by the three of them.

344    Pelayo visits Fina in the store. He brings up the proposal and she tells him he already knows she needs to think, so is he just here to pressure her? He tries to convince her it’s a good idea, and apologizes for not bringing this idea to them both at the beginning [as he should have, she agrees]. Pelayo tells Fina that Pedro is getting suspicious again, but that this could have something beautiful in it for them. He says they could move to the casa de los montes and be a true family there. He’d be out doing political things and she and Marta would be basically alone, the baby being an excuse for not attending his social engagements.

345    Marta and Fina are in the warehouse. Marta is apologizing for not telling her about Pedro’s newest suspicions, not wanting to worry her. Fina tells her what is best is all of them being aware when there is danger. She also admits this is changing her mind a little about the baby thing. They start thinking of how they’d all be as parents, with Fina thinking she’d be terrible, not even knowing how to hold a baby. Marta suggests the day with Claudia and the daycare [331] went well, and she herself has been in charge of Julia before, and it all works out. She thinks they could do very well together and Fina would be like Digna was to her, to both of them, really. Fina is worried about the procedure, but Marta says she hasn’t heard of any risks where they do it in England. Marta suggests they consult with Luz, the both of them [Fina seems pleased to be able to do this couple thing with Marta she wouldn’t be able to otherwise]. Fina tells her, “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Later in the store, Fina and Claudia are looking at the photos she took of Claudia and Gema comes by, very impressed with her work. She asks if Fina could take some photos for her of her son [adopted nephew] and what she would charge. Fina is shy and says she wouldn’t charge past covering the developing fees, but Gema insists she could and should charge what a professional photographer would. Fina goes over to the Merino house later to take the pictures of Teo with Gema.

346    In the store, Fina talks to Carmen and Claudia about how her photo session at the Merino’s went well after Teo warmed up to the camera and he let her win at a game of marbles. She says it was good practice [“for what?” they ask] and tells them about the idea of Marta and Pelayo having a baby and how she could be like a Digna to the child. Carmen and Claudia are very concerned for Fina [especially because they think Pelayo is unaware of Marta and Fina’s relationship]. Meeting with Marta and Fina in the dispensary, Luz explains the artificial insemination process and answers their questions. She does ask what Pelayo thinks about not doing things the traditional way [Marta and Fina share a look], but Marta assures her there will be no problem. Marta, asking for her professional discretion, tells Luz the truth about Pelayo and their marriage. Luz leaves them alone to talk. [Fina seems more hesitant]. Marta wants to have a family with Fina, but she would do whatever Fina wishes. Fina does want to, but she is scared to take the first step. “Has it ever happened to you that you wanted something with all your soul, but you want it so much it’s hard for you to take the first step?” “Only once. When I started to realize I was in love with you.” Fina wants nothing more than to have a child and make a family with Marta. They agree to do this. 

In the factory office, Damián and Marta talk and he mentions Pelayo told him about the baby idea. Marta mentions they had many conversations and needed to make sure Fina would be as included as possible [Damián’s tone sounds like he is rolling his eyes that they have to account for Fina too]. Marta tells him she would have put a stop to everything if Fina said no. He congratulates them.

347    Out at a cafe, Pelayo tells Marta about a new rival to the Civil Governor position: Francisco Cárdenas and he is worried about not having enough support. Marta hopes her news of her and Fina agreeing to the baby idea will cheer him up. His response is that this won’t help enough as Cárdenas has a large family and he can’t compete with that. Marta is confused and a bit disturbed by his “lukewarm response” to the news. He stammers and tries to turn it around and show her he is happy (seems like an afterthought only when he saw her response). She accepts it and suggests he ask Pedro for support if necessary, despite the familial dislike of him. In the kitchen at the big house, Marta sits down with Begona to talk about her and Pelayo’s decision to have a child [Begona’s face is polite confusion at first]. Begona first asks about Fina and Marta tells her Fina will be part of raising the child. She also explains they tried the traditional method but will be using a medical procedure for her to get pregnant. Begona brings up a question about Pelayo and Marta assures her they married for convenience and that he knows of their “unbreakable friendship” [but doesn’t tell Begona the full truth]. Pelayo meets with Pedro and is given material that could blackmail Cárdenas and assure a win for Pelayo. He considers but doesn’t take it and Pedro tells him to sleep on it.

348    Pelayo talks with Damián about politics and asks for advice on what to do. [Damián suggests his opponent wouldn’t hesitate to use such info against him and suggests asking himself if ruining a rival’s career would be worse than letting someone he thinks is “inappropriate” be in that office]. Pelayo meets with Pedro and accepts his help and blackmail information. “You know what they say, ‘You have to have friends, even in hell.’” He now owes a favor in return.

349    Carmen and Fina talk in the store about the baby plan. Carmen wants to be sure Fina is okay with this all. Fina just wants Marta to be happy, and since she promised Fina will be part of raising the baby and all, Fina is content. Fina meets up with Marta and Pelayo in the factory office. Marta confirms the London plan is going ahead and Pelayo is not putting his politics first again. He assures her it’s not a problem anymore as he has a way to “neutralize” Cárdenas now [he does not elaborate]. Fina asks if their baby agreement will still be the same if he doesn’t get the job [he says yes and that his excitement is genuine]. He also announces they have an appointment at the clinic next week. He leaves and Marta and Fina talk alone. Marta wishes Fina could join them for the trip and procedure. They’re happy and share a sweet kiss, but Fina’s face falls as they hug.

350    In the big house, Pelayo is reading the paper and recalling his conversation with Pedro [348] as the blackmail info on Cárdenas has been published in the paper. Marta comes to talk to him about it and he plays dumb about how this could have happened. He tells her he has everything ready for London and they hug. Meeting with Pedro later, he cashes in his favor and asks Pelayo to investigate and find anything suspicious he can about Gabriel. 

352    Marta and Pelayo are talking of the trip at the big house and Damián runs into them. Damián and Pelayo are excited talking about an heir, but Marta doesn’t want to celebrate something that hasn’t even happened yet. She also says, “At times you make me feel like I’m a mere object to achieve your plans.” Damián thinks she and Pelayo are going to have a beautiful family and a wonderful marriage. “I think you’re forgetting someone important,” Marta reminds him. Marta visits Fina in the store and Gema is there. Gema is excited to hear about the trip to London for the “late honeymoon” and gushes excitedly. Fina isn’t as excited. Marta and Fina talk privately. Fina tries to calm Marta’s worries, and Marta wishes Fina could come. They vow to raise the baby together and have their own family [their faces are a bit somber, though]. They blow kisses and Fina hands her the cologne Marta was picking up, fingers caressing like when Marta gifted her perfume before [23]. Fina says goodbye with a “Te quiero.”

Digna visits Fina at the dorm. She can see Fina is preoccupied with something and asks what’s up. Digna mentions Pedro told her Pelayo and Marta are going to London for the honeymoon. Fina explains the baby plan to Digna, that she would be part of raising the baby, like Digna was to her, but in the shadows like always. Digna doesn’t think Fina is very convinced of this idea. Fina admits she wants to be mothers with Marta, but she can already see she’ll be sidelined like it has been since Marta married Pelayo. She says it’s too late to back out now anyway, and who is she to take this dream away from Marta with her doubts. Fina was excited one day and is now scared. Digna can’t tell her what to do, especially in such a unique situation, but thinks they are very brave. “Yes, Digna, but one gets tired of being brave.” 

353    Andrés visits Marta in her room as she is getting ready. They haven’t had a chance to talk and he wants to ask if the procedure is really safe. He asks if Fina is okay with it. She assures him, but he asks again if she is sure. She admits she is afraid Fina will get left out of it all even if Pelayo knows how she feels and promised. Andrés admits, given his knowledge of loveless marriages, he would never have a child with someone he didn’t love. She’d have to pretend her whole life in front of the child. Pelayo interrupts and they head out. Heading out in Pelayo’s car, he is talking about their trip to Marta who is quiet. Marta abruptly tells him to stop the car. She’s been thinking of her talk with Andrés and starts crying. She tells Pelayo they can’t have a child together. He is confused and asks if it’s about Fina, if Marta has spoken to her. Marta knows, despite Fina’s support for the idea, she would end up on the sidelines. Pelayo says, “I… I would never do anything to push Fina away, ever.” Marta suggests Fina would herself, that she shouldn’t have to accept such a cruel situation, cruel to her and the child. The problem is the child would grow up in a family full of lies [Marta knows how devastating that can be]. Pelayo says they could make the child very happy. Marta refutes that. “They couldn’t be happy if their mother wasn’t happy. And I can’t be happy without Fina.” She notes, “Fina will always be the Sword of Damocles hanging over your career.”

354    Marta returns to the factory that evening and finds Fina in the warehouse. Fina is confused. Marta explains she decided not to go, hearing Andrés’ words echoing in her head, she realized she can’t bring a child into a fake marriage. She just got carried away with the idea of having a family with Fina and forgot about reality, that no one would let them raise this child the way they would want. “I couldn’t allow the love of my life, my wife, for one reason or another, to always end up in a corner.” Those words are so important for Fina to hear. Marta is so sorry she almost made such a big mistake. Marta acknowledges Fina was never fully convinced, and Fina thinks she wanted to convince herself it could work. Marta admits she was more excited than she thought to be a mother [her use of the word void worries Fina], but perhaps she shouldn’t have told her that. Fina thinks of Andrés’ relayed words and asks, “Isn’t our life already a condemnation?” Marta rejects this. Their life, feeling the warmth of her skin, being able to kiss her, is not a condemnation. “For me, to love you is to live.” The rest doesn’t matter. They kiss and agree to spend the night in their home, their refuge. 

Pelayo, irritated, goes to see Damián and tells him Marta decided against the baby plan. Damián, annoyed, asks “Fina again, right?” Damián admits the plan of the three of them raising a baby seemed weird to him [Pelayo thinks he agrees with Marta which Damián refutes]. Pelayo says today he is further from being Civil Governor, “all thanks to that saleswoman who has Marta obsessed, eating out of her hand, putting this family at risk,” (“that saleswoman” okay fakey mcfakerson). Damián reminds him “that saleswoman” was the deciding factor in the marriage happening. Pelayo insists no one told him what he was getting into the day he said “I do,” [point of correction, they did. Repeatedly. Check the receipts above. He was fully aware and did not listen.]. Damián and Pelayo commiserate. Damián asks Pelayo to remake the cancelled appointment for the clinic and he will try to talk Marta back into the idea. Damián wants Marta to be happy, “but that relationship she has can complicate life for all of us.” He wants Marta to be happy. To live a normal life [or as close as possible] (he clearly still doesn’t respect her love and her mind and her desires).  Damián goes to talk to Marta in her room. Marta says she doesn’t regret her decision. Damián says she broke her word to help Pelayo with his political career in exchange for him would make things easier for her and Fina, by refusing to have a baby with him. She calls what he’s doing emotional blackmail (yes. stand firm, girl.) and he pulls the “how many years do I have left?” card. He says he’s only confessing his dream to her [she feels obligated by his insistence on his dream], but then asks her is it really too much to ask you to contribute to perpetuating our name? (bro.). 

356    Pelayo visits the store to talk to Fina. He assumes Marta has told her she changed her mind about their “deal” and Fina is confused because there was no “deal.” Marta just changed her mind about getting pregnant in London. Fina sees that Pelayo thinks she convinced Marta to back out. Fina states she never interfered after it was decided and tells him not to raise his voice at her. A customer comes in and interrupts. They continue talking after in the warehouse. He insists the child would have been good for protection and happiness for them all. Fina pushes back and asks how a child can have three parents without raising suspicions. Pelayo says they’ll never know now, and that he sees them laughing at him, especially Marta, who he calls obsessed, putting Fina before him every time. Fina tells him, “That has been clear from the beginning. Or wasn’t it?” She tells him she would have been on the sidelines again as usual, but swears Marta came to those conclusions on her own [not that Pelayo believes them]. Fina stands up for Marta’s autonomy and Pelayo complains this is hurting him, believing that she and Fina enjoy putting them all in danger.

Andrés and Marta talk in the factory office. Marta avoided the tensions of breakfast because of her backing out of the baby idea. She tells him he was right. It was a fantasy. Marta says her relationship with Fina comes first and she’ll fight for it tooth and nail regardless of what other people think. Andrés mentions the bad vibes he gets from Gabriel. Marta mentions the weirdness she and Pelayo noted with Gabriel [332]. 

357    Pedro pressures Pelayo to return his favor. Marta visits Fina, who is looking at the pictures she took of Teo for Gema, in the warehouse. Marta compliments Fina’s eye and how she captured Teo’s sincere happiness, what a mother wants most for her child. She recalls they were close to touching such a thing. Fina asks if Marta regrets it. Marta there are still longings, but no, she doesn’t regret it at all. Marta says she and Pelayo have been avoiding each other as he is still very angry. Fina is aware and tells Marta he came to see and reproach her [Marta points out Fina is the only one who didn’t pressure her]. Marta recalls to Fina her conversation with Damián. Gema comes by later when they’ve gone back to work and gushes over the photos Fina took, hoping Marta will let Fina do some side work [she approves] after all the people come to Fina to take pictures for them once Gema starts giving her publicity. Marta tells Fina she has a special sensibility for taking photos. She flirtily compliments Fina’s talents.

358    Fina is fiddling with her camera in the canteen and chatting with Raul, taking pictures of him and Gaspar [Isidro is mentioned]. Pelayo steals a letter from Damián’s room relating to his brother [Gabriel’s father] for Pedro. He runs into Marta in the hall. She is upset he won’t even try to understand her and he is upset she [to him] threw the idea away.  

359    Pelayo shows the letters to Pedro. Marta talks to Pelayo after dinner. She knows he asked for time, but his coldness is too much. He says he has a lot on his mind. Damián comes up and talks to Marta. Pelayo [seeming fearful] sneaks into Damián’s room to put some letters back in the box he stole them from. 

360    Pelayo comes to the store to talk to Fina. He apologizes for his previous behavior. Fina assumes it’s in exchange for something, like her position in Marta’s life. He says he has known her place from the beginning and hasn’t tried to change that [?? lies]. Pelayo dismisses things when Fina tells him Marta thought Fina would be pushed out of the baby situation. She accepts his apology, but says he can’t act like that again even if he doesn’t get his way. They all would have suffered and that’s why it couldn’t happen. Marta visits Fina later in the store. Fina tells her about Pelayo’s visit. Claudia comes by and they talk business. They daycare needs money. Claudia proposes they could make a calendar to raise money, and maybe Fina could take the photos, photos of the day-to-day of the colony. Fina isn’t sure, but Claudia and Marta encourage her. [Fina does the fun hand gesture thing and Marta mimics it]. Claudia wonders if she’ll do it, and Marta tells her, “leave it to me.”  

Fina comes to the factory office to see Marta who has found some alone time for them. [hand holds and sweet kisses and forehead touches]. Marta gifts Fina a book of photography [she went to 4 stores to find it]. Fina thanks Marta sincerely for supporting her photography nonsense [Marta tells her it’s not nonsense]. Marta is truly happy that Fina has found something she likes as much as Marta likes her own job, though Fina swears she still loves her saleswoman job. They reminisce and flirt about their early days [and share several loving kisses]. Marta is enchanted Fina has found this passion. “Fina Valero, you are becoming an extraordinary woman.” Fina says she owes Marta a lot as she helped with that. Marta says Fina helped her. “You’ve always been the braver of the two of us.” Even if Fina doesn’t dare make that calendar, she teases. Fina relents and agrees.

361    In the store, Fina is looking at the photography book Marta gave her, talking to Carmen about how her photographs could be better if she could develop them herself, if she had a room she could use as a darkroom. Out and about in the colony, Fina is taking photographs of Carmen and Gaspar. Carmen talks to Gaspar about Fina’s need for a dark room, and he suggests she could use an old room behind the canteen he has but doesn’t use. 

362    Pelayo goes to see Marta in the factory office. He was told by the current Civil Governor that to take his place, he needs to be careful and not look like he’s benefiting from the position, which extends to Marta too. No decisions benefitting himself or his family, including her. Marta worries about Pedro not liking not being able to benefit. Marta tells Pelayo about Fina’s photographs and the calendar for the daycare [he seems to get an idea]. Carmen and Claudia are cleaning out the room Gaspar found that he’ll let Fina use. Gema brings Fina by on some excuse and they surprise her with the room [with a red light too]. Fina thanks and hugs all of them.

363    Marta is in the darkroom waiting when Fina returns with tea for them. Fina excitedly shows Marta around and tells her all her plans. Fina is so happy with the gift of this space, but to her, the love of those behind is what’s really priceless. Fina recalls when her father was sick and she was afraid of being alone, looking around at all the other couples getting married and creating homes and they couldn’t. But she won’t be alone, because she has Marta and Claudia and Carmen and Digna, and that’s their family. Marta apologizes for being a bit distracted [someone replicated, and therefore likely stole, the perfume they made for Cobeaga and Brossard released it so everyone is very upset. Gabriel did it]. To make up for that Marta gives Fina a gift, a new camera to learn with. [Fina is so happy she comes at Marta hands up kiss attack style with lots of “Te quiero”s]. Marta then mentions the rest of the material will be in soon [she bought all the supplies Fina will need for the room]. Fina is overwhelmed and Marta happy to give. 

[Revalmiento] Fina decides to teach Marta something, and turns on the red light. “I want so much to photograph you, Marta.” “No one gets me like you do.” “Because no one sees you through my eyes.” “What do your eyes see?” “The woman of my life.” Fina unbuttons Marta’s shirt, caressing and kissing Marta as she goes, her lips, her shoulders, her back. [We see Fina clearly enjoying Marta’s efforts, Marta evidently on her knees pleasuring her wife]. Later, Fina is out and about taking pictures in the colony again.

364    Photographing for some people goes poorly and they don’t like it and it makes Fina insecure. With some encouragement from Carmen and Claudia in the store, Fina decides to really focus on improving her skill in developing. Fina is in her darkroom later, practicing, but things aren’t going too well. The girls come to check on her but she is disheartened and worried about the calendar not going well. They try to encourage her and cheer her up, but she’s doubting she can really be a photographer, that she’s really any good at it. 

365    Carmen and Claudia find Fina in the dark room ripping up photos. Fina tells Claudia she’ll have to find someone else to do the calendar. It’s all too much for her. Carmen insists Fina can and will do the calendar, but Fina just heads off to lie down. Carmen gets an idea to help Fina regain her confidence. She proposes they take Fina’s negatives to the best place in Madrid so they can do an exhibition for the whole colony to see.  

368    Claudia and Gaspar are in a warehouse. He is hanging Fina’s photos on the walls. Carmen runs in with Fina behind her. They present Fina the exhibition they made with Fina’s photos to celebrate her and help her regain confidence. Fina is speechless at first, but then she tells them they’re the best friends in the world. More people have come by to look at the photos, including Marta, who congratulates her and compliments her work. [They’re looking a bit too dreamily at each other for all the people around, but who cares]. Marta is so proud of Fina, and Fina tells her she’d like to eat her up with kisses. Later in the big house, Marta and Pelayo talk about Fina’s exhibition Carmen and Claudia put together. Pelayo says he wishes someone were as proud of him as she is of Fina. She assures him that she appreciates him too even if less than Fina. Marta leaves the room and Pelayo calls someone and talks about a promising photographer who he’d like this person to help get into something more professional.  

369    Digna is visiting Fina’s exhibition and thinks it’s wonderful. Digna is very proud of her and knows Isidro would be too. She tells her Fina’s mother Adela gave Isidro the camera, but he stopped taking pictures when she died, but… Digna has some photographs and negatives of his and offers them to Fina. Fina goes to see Claudia in the store and tells her she will do the calendar and thanks her and Carmen for the support.  

370    [Sexy Darkroom Photo Session Time] Fina is in the darkroom looking at photos her father took when Marta knocks. They look at the photos Fina’s father took, that Fina developed, together. [An “amor” from Marta]. Fina thinks Isidro could capture Adela’s essence so well because of how much he loved her, the love of his life. Fina has an idea. Marta poses and finishes her thought flirtily, “You’re going to take a lot of photos of the love of your life?” That too, but Fina teasingly suggests it depends on how Marta behaves. What she’s thinking is having a picture of her mother as the cover of the calendar. Fina is happy to have Marta by her side. “You see? That’s because I behave.” Fina decides she has been so good, it’s time to really take photos of the love of her life. [She is serious about starting then and there and Marta is a bit flustered]. Marta protests weakly as Fina turns on the red light and grabs her hand, shushing her protests about the timing, and starts to unbutton her shirt. Marta can only give in and let Fina do as she pleases every time Fina shushes her mild protestations. Marta smiles indulgently and poses for Fina, letting her push the unbuttoned shirt down her shoulders, turning and caressing her, setting up the next shot. Marta’s smile is full of love and desire as she looks over her shoulder at Fina, and Fina returns that love and desire from behind the camera. Marta finally pulls Fina in and kisses her [“Mi fotógrafa”] before asking to get redressed. “Oh, how little endurance you have, Señora Doña Marta de la Reina.”

Fina is developing later when Pelayo stops by the darkroom. He asks to talk to her about her photography. He says he is a fan of photography and has a proposal for her. He got a national publication to do a report on him and Marta for his campaign [Fina is making displeased faces at the farce], and he suggested Fina as the photographer. Fina is very hesitant and asks to think about it. 

372    Marta visits Fina in the store. They are alone for a moment and Marta remarks, “I’ve been thinking about our photoshoot from yesterday all night.” She also brought a little treat for Fina and they go to the warehouse. It’s a slice of her favorite pie. They talk about the calendar and Fina tells Marta about Pelayo’s proposal about the magazine photos. Marta thinks his anger over the baby situation is passing as he also helped out mediating with a company issue a bit ago. Marta tells her to take advantage of the opportunity. Marta teasingly tells her to get to work as she leaves. Marta talks to Pelayo at the big house later about Fina doing the photos for the magazine article. She confesses she was surprised he did something so kind for her given their recent issues. He says that’s all forgotten. 

373    At the big house, Fina has a whole setup and is taking the photos of Marta and Pelayo for their article. Marta compliments Fina lovingly and Pelayo has Teresa bring in champagne to celebrate. Fina toasts to the three of them, for what they’ve built despite their trials and the peculiarity of their relationship(s), and to their future happiness. Fina also toasts to Pelayo himself, for being a uniquely understanding man. At the casa de los montes, Santiago breaks in, recalling Fina lashing back at him in jail and him attempting to assault her [200], and Pelayo double crossing him with Marta’s diary [225].      

374    Marta visits Fina in the dorm. Fina, who has taken the day off, comes at Marta hands up and attacks Marta with kisses as Marta giggles. Fina admits she’s been wanting to do that since the photoshoot the day before [Marta smirks and suggests, not as radiant as the other session, eh?]. Marta tells Fina the magazine is delighted with her photos. Fina is excited and nervous, but Marta knows she’ll do amazingly and will be taking photos around the world. It would mean working away from the store if Fina did that, and she doesn’t want to be far from Marta. Marta, on the other hand, wouldn’t forgive herself if Fina turned down an opportunity for her, especially when Fina has always supported her professionally. Fina tells Marta she loves her so so so so much and they kiss. Marta proposes they spend the afternoon, and maybe the night, at the casa de los montes. Fina kisses and nuzzles into her like a cat, Marta giggling as she says she has to go to the office. Fina is going to go ahead and do some watering and prepare some food and Marta will arrive later.   

Santiago is drunk on the couch in the casa de los montes. He pulls out the phone cord and waits. Arriving later at the house, Fina finds things amiss, the door open a crack, and calls out to see if anyone’s there. Santiago comes out from another room and blocks the exit. Fina is scared. He ran off when they let him out of jail conditionally to go to his grandmother’s funeral. He blames Pelayo, and her, for putting him in jail. He guesses Pelayo is gay too and the marriage is a front. He knows he’ll probably get locked up again, but this time he says he’ll give them reasons. He says he first wants to finish what he started [attempted rape in 200] but Fina cries Marta will be there soon, so he decides to skip to the end, which requires Marta. He harasses Fina, pressed in close, and produces a knife. A bit later, Marta arrives through the other door, looking for Fina and finds her bound and gagged in a chair with Santiago holding a knife to her throat.     

375    At the big house Pelayo relays news from a call he just got to Damián, that Santiago has escaped. Damián says they need to find and alert Marta. Pelayo knows she went to the casa de los montes with Fina, so they can call her there. It doesn’t even ring. Pelayo says he’ll finish some errands quickly and head over there. At the casa de los montes, Fina is trying to quietly untie herself while Marta tries to negotiate while Santiago has a knife to her throat. He doesn’t care. He blames them for his grandmother dying alone while he was in jail. He promises to go after Pelayo too when he’s done with them. Marta is still trying when Fina gets her hands free [Santiago is facing away from her]. Fina quietly unties the rest of herself and grabs the empty bottle, smashing Santiago over the head with it and grabbing the knife. Marta yells at her to run, but Santiago grabs her and pushes her down, pushing himself onto the knife Fina is holding out toward him in defense. Marta finally pushes him off of Fina and he dies on the floor. A dishevelled and terrified Marta and Fina hold each other.   

Marta and Fina sit on the floor, stunned. Fina looks to Marta to confirm he is dead. Fina is horrified and blames herself for killing him, but Marta won’t have that, it was legitimate self-defense. Fina wants to call the Civil Guard because Marta said herself it was self-defense. Marta says they can’t. They’d have to answer questions like, what were the two of them doing alone in that house? Fina, torn up by guilt, pushes to call, but Marta insists they can’t. She won’t let him take revenge on them after his death through this. Marta suggests they go to Damián. This is something he has done before and he’d do anything for family, but Fina doesn’t want to involve anyone. Marta decides they’ll bury the body outside, on the farm, far from the house. They manage to drag the body out on the carpet to a good spot. Fina blames herself for what happened, that maybe if she had been firmer or clearer he wouldn’t have done all this. Marta refuses to let her justify his actions even out of guilt for his death. He was a madman all by himself. Marta asks Fina to promise her to never feel guilty for anything that happened that day, because she is the victim, no matter that she killed him [in self-defense]. Marta tries to send Fina away and rewrite the story as if Marta herself was here alone and killed him, but Fina won’t let her do this alone. Pelayo runs up, having looked all around for them, and sees the body. Marta tries to tell her made up story, but Fina interjects with the truth. Marta wants to turn herself in but Fina and Pelayo reject that [He knows all their lives will crumble because of this. They’re all implicated]. Pelayo says he will bury the body and sends them away. Pelayo recalls his conversation with Damián complaining about Fina getting in the way of his plans again [354] and picks up the knife with a handkerchief and puts it in his pocket.

376    In the factory office with Fina, Marta apologizes to Pelayo for dragging him into this. He is sorry for not arriving earlier to help them. Marta and Pelayo try to convince Fina not to feel guilty as it was self-defense, and, as Marta points out, she saved Marta’s life, again. Marta wants Fina, who hasn’t slept, to take the day off, but Pelayo suggests two days off in a row is suspicious and it would be safer to power through. Fina says this will haunt her for the rest of her life. She also agrees Pelayo is right and she should go to work. Marta thanks Pelayo for what he’s done for them. Later, Damián enters the office while Marta is working. She is reliving the attack [375] and he has come to talk to her about Santiago’s escape. She pretends along like Santiago is out and about. In the store, Fina is also reliving the attack, the moment she stabbed Santiago. Carmen breaks her out of it to ask about Santiago. Fina also pretends he is a threat just running around while the girls try to calm and take care of her. She escapes to the warehouse to breathe. At the big house, Damián talks to Pelayo about the danger of Santiago. The photos Fina took arrive and he and Damián look at them together. Damián is happy to see Pelayo and Marta have been getting along better recently, and reminds him that family is everything. Pelayo recalls his conversation with his mother on the wedding night and her telling him to “control your wife, dear [269].”

Pelayo goes to the dormitory, recalling his argument with Fina after Marta rejected the baby idea, when he told Fina it was clear she just enjoyed putting them all in danger [356]. Fina lets him in the room and he asks how she is [Fina’s struggling to live with having killed someone]. Pelayo suggests she can’t stay in Toledo as they’ll find the body at the casa de los montes sooner or later. Fina is scared and asks why he helped them bury the body there then. He says he’s trying to protect her. Her whole life is in Toledo, where can she go? He suggests Buenos Aires. He has contacts and can help her start a career as a photographer. Fina is suspicious that he has it all thought out. Fina sees he only means her and is angry he would think of separating her and Marta  [He doesn’t care if Fina has to leave her life, but he says Marta can’t]. He says she can protect Marta this way. “Don’t get it wrong. The last thing Marta wants is to be separated from me.” Fina refuses and Pelayo calls her selfish. “You’re taking advantage of this situation to get rid of me, that’s it.” He won’t allow her to put Marta in danger, he says [Fina points out his motives are selfish and not about Marta]. Pelayo produces the knife with her fingerprints and says he would report her to the Civil Guard. Fina is devastated [she sees he was planning this].   

377    Fina accuses Pelayo of having planned all this, keeping the knife, preserving her fingerprints. He says her indiscretions were going to lead to a mess. “You had this planned from the beginning, right?” She guesses it has been his goal from the beginning, and why he helped her with her photography. He tries to tell her she could have a good life in Argentina and do very well as a photographer. She doesn’t care. “What I want is to stay here with Marta.” He tells her she has to leave tomorrow, or he will send the knife to the Civil Guard anonymously with the necessary explanations. Fina sees in either case she’ll be separated from Marta, “which is like being buried alive.” Fina tells him if she and then Marta were implicated in a forbidden love, he wouldn’ t be far behind. Perhaps, he says, but he has money and he could weather the storm. Fina, on the other hand, has no such privileges, and he knows she wouldn’t do anything to hurt Marta. Fina has no other option but to agree. Pelayo says, “So you can see I have no ill will (bro.), I promise you I’ll get rid of this incriminating evidence, once you confirm to me that you have reached your destination.” He tells her to put an end to this nightmare. “The nightmare has just begun,” she returns. He says he will take care of everything, but she can’t tell Marta. He says he will tell her when necessary. 

Carmen and Claudia go to the room and find a shell-shocked Fina. They comfort her thinking it’s about Santiago on the loose. Fina says Santiago destroyed her life, more than they can imagine. Fina keeps the truth in and tells them all she needs is for them to know she loves and will always love them with all her soul. All she wants is to be with them and with Marta. Carmen and Claudia ask her to take a picture of them. She tells them she doesn’t think she could live without them.  Fina dropped bottles in the warehouse and is cleaning it when Marta comes up. Marta tries to assure her the worst is over. Fina tells her she wants to go to the casa de los montes and Marta is shocked and confused. Fina begs her. She wants to go to make sure there isn’t any evidence left that afternoon. Pelayo walks up. Marta says they all need to project tranquility and heads off. Pelayo stops Fina and she tells him she didn’t say anything and is only going to the house to make sure nothing implicates Marta. He already checked but she doesn’t trust him. He warns her again to not say anything. She is furious. “I never thought you could be such a snake.” He gives her the tickets and money, and says there will be a taxi at the casa de los montes to take her to the airport in the morning. He suggests her saying goodbye to Marta forever is the “best thing for everyone.” Marta and Fina return to the casa de los montes. Marta feels like they’ve been through the worst moment in their lives, but that they can move on, because they’re alive and together and safe. “This is no longer our refuge,” Fina says. Marta disagrees. “I’m not going to let any bastard ruin our refuge.” Fina promises, “every moment I have lived by your side, I have it engraved on my skin, in my heart.” Marta speaks of all their future moments they’ll have together. Fina recalls moments with Marta: suizos in the store [21], their first kiss [34], their first time [39], the empotramiento [85], making suizos together [159], their intimate moment in the darkroom [363], their “beso a beso” kiss [180]. Fina tells Marta she loves her so so so so much, and they kiss. In bed that night, Fina continues to pour her heart out to Marta as much as she can in the time she has left. “You’re my whole life.” Marta sees Fina looks sad and asks what’s wrong. Fina just says she wants to be close, as if they were one person. They recall their first time, the beginning of their full lives. Marta can’t imagine her life without Fina anymore. Marta is sure, “there is nothing and no one in this world that can separate” them. “You know that I would give my life for you, right? Fina asks. “What I want is for you to share it with me.” “I would never allow anything bad to happen to you, Marta.” Fina kisses and makes love to her wife for what she thinks is the last time. 

378 Marta wakes up and, not finding Fina beside her, goes out to look for her throughout the casa de los montes. When she reaches the living room, she finds a letter with her name on it, recognizing Fina's handwriting. Marta sits down, reading the letter [Fina narrates and we see a flashback of Fina crying as she writes this farewell letter* to Marta that same morning, with Marta sleeping peacefully in the bed]. Fina swears her love for Marta, and apologizes for leaving, giving an explanation for her decision, and encourages Marta to live her life [She says as much as she can without telling the truth which Pelayo threatened her against doing]. Inside the envelope with the letter was one of the photos that Fina had taken of Marta [370] with a note on the back: "I will always remember you like this, my love." As Marta finishes reading, tears in her eyes, her breath catching, she holds the photo to her chest, (unable to release the "Fina" that she hadn't finished saying on her lips). 

[Fina's letter to Marta] “My love... I'm so sorry to leave without saying goodbye, but I haven't been able to do it any other way. Tonight was our last night together. I made this decision after thinking long and hard about what happened in the last few days. A death is an unbearable burden on the conscience, even if it was the death of a terrible man who felt he owned me simply because I was a woman... And I know that someone as vile as Santiago doesn't deserve a single tear. Even so, his passing, far from bringing us relief, has changed our lives forever. At least mine, because the fear of thinking about the consequences it might have for you is paralyzing. Imagining your future cut short by a stupid accident is worse than the pain of being separated from you. And although deep down I feel that, finally, justice has been served, I can't allow my actions to determine your life. I assure you that I will never be happier than I have been by your side. And I don't know if my reasons are enough to explain that I'm making this decision thinking only of what's best for you. Leaving you behind is the most painful thing I'll ever do. You are my essence, my guiding light, my soul. There's no sea or distance in this world that can erase what I feel. I wish from the bottom of my heart that you understand my decision and that you move on with your life. Seek your happiness and fight for your dreams as you always have. The world needs women like you; you are essential for others to find their way. Fly, my love, let nothing hold you back. As you yourself said, I will always love you because you are a part of me. I love you. Fina.”

At the big house, Pelayo is on the phone with someone, making sure that Fina gets to Argentina. Marta arrives in a silent daze. Maria, noticing, asks if something is wrong and if she wants to go for some fresh air with her. Marta makes the excuse that it's just some factory problems and politely declines Maria's offer. When Maria leaves, Pelayo asks Marta what's really wrong with her because she can deceive Maria but not him, because he knows her too well. "She's gone. Fina," Marta says, her voice heavy with grief [Eerie music plays]. Pelayo pretends to not know exactly what happened and plays the part of a concerned friend. Marta shows him the letter that Fina left her, which is all she knows because “Fina didn't say goodbye” to her. The letter says that Fina is afraid Santiago's death will be discovered and that it will end up implicating Marta, which doesn't make sense to Marta as they made sure that there were no traces left and nobody else knows anything. Marta asks him to help her look for Fina and Pelayo agrees, telling her not to worry because Fina will surely return sooner than Marta thinks, though Marta is doubtful. Marta needs his help because she wants Fina back; she needs Fina to come back. Later, Marta is in the living room of the big house. Pelayo approaches her, asking if Fina has called or anything, to which Marta denies it, but says she wants to talk to the girls at the store because they might know something. [Pelayo reacts as if he'd forgotten that detail]. Marta tells him that Claudia and Carmen are like sisters to Fina; if she was planning to go somewhere, perhaps they know. Pelayo uses the logic of the letter to suggest that Fina decided to leave the night before. "Just like that, without planning, without luggage?" Marta can't understand how Fina managed to get from the casa de los montes to the road and how she did it, on foot, at night. She wonders fearfully whether something happened to Fina. Pelayo dismisses that [If something had happened, they would already know]. Marta feels frustrated as she tries unsuccessfully to remember the name of the small town where Fina's parents were from. She wonders if Fina might be there or with a cousin she doesn't speak to [Marta has this cousin's phone number]. Pelayo reminds her no one can know about the letter because no one can know about Santiago. Damián is passing by the entrance to the living room when he sees Marta and Pelayo. Pelayo explains Fina left [Marta can’t speak]. Damián imagines it was because of Santiago. Marta says Fina left to protect her from that bastard [She means Santiago. We know it’s Pelayo]. Pelayo corrects her by saying that Fina must have been scared thinking that if he is arrested, he might stir everything up again. Marta asks Damián for help in finding Fina. Damián thinks that even though they didn't part on good terms with Detective Ángel Ruiz, he would make an exception. Marta is afraid that the detective will find out what they did to Santiago [She means his death]. Pelayo covers, telling Damián that Marta is referring to the beating she ordered on Santiago [212]. Pelayo says he will take care of getting a detective who knows nothing. Damián comforts Marta.

379    The girls in the store can’t find Fina and are discussing their confusion when Marta walks in. Marta and she tells them Fina has left out of fear of Santiago since he escaped from prison and that Fina went to Paris, staying with her friend Esther. They all hope Fina will return soon. Gema comments seeing Marta so affected by her employee leaving, showing her care for them, really impressed her (lol). Marta leaves the store, pausing to lean heavily against the wall in the warehouse. Claudia and Manuela talk about Fina and what she’s been through. At the big house, Marta is lost in thought [darkroom sexy photoshoot, 370] when Andrés walks in and pours them both a drink as they discuss work until he notices something else is wrong. He asks, wanting to be her confidante and knight like when they were kids. She admits Fina left, without many explanations, because of Santiago’s escape. He assures her it’s only temporary until Santiago is found. Pelayo enters telling Andrés there is a call for him, and stays to talk to Marta. She thanks him for standing up for her with Damián. He mentions he has found a detective himself and she again thanks him, for being by her side in this. He promises they’ll find Fina and tells her to trust him. She does. 100% (oof). In their shared room, Claudia remembers and misses Fina, talking to Cristina about her, her best friend, her sister who’s never left her before. She wonders if she could have done something to keep Fina here.  Cristina assures her regardless of Fina leaving, she knows Claudia is special to her.  

380    Damián talks to Pelayo in the home office, thanking him for supporting Marta right now, especially since he imagines finding Fina is against Pelayo’s interests. Pelayo confirms his detective is on it, but he is concerned the saponification issues at the perfumery will be an issue for his impending appointment to Civil Governor, raising his voice somewhat at Damián’s attempts at assuring him the situation is being handled. At the Merino house, Gema mentions to Digna that Fina is gone, and that it’s weird Fina said nothing to anyone but Marta. 

At the big house, Digna comes to talk to Marta about Fina’s leaving. Marta gives her the same story about Santiago, but Digna insists on hearing how she is feeling. Marta thinks she’s failed Fina, not being able to protect her from this. The support she has given her through all this was clearly not enough. Digna tries to assure her she surely did enough and it’s not her fault, asking why she blames herself so. Marta admits Fina left without telling her where she went, that she invented the Paris story. Marta admits Fina has left her when she needed her most, causing profound pain, leaving her feeling like she wants to die. She doesn’t think Fina will come back, because she failed her.  Later, Marta is pouring herself a drink when Damián enters the living room. He asks her for news and tries to reassure her. She asks to talk about something else, then decides to head for a nap, not intending to go to work. Damián tells her she has much to do with the new perfume, that maybe work will help her to not think. About, “how the love of my life has abandoned me?” Fina could be anywhere, in danger. He proposes hiring someone temporarily to take care of her work, so she says she’ll go to work, sarcastically retorting, “A De la Reina never falters, much less with work. Right, Father?” Claudia and Carmen worry about Fina in the store, pointing out she hasn’t even taken her stuff and clothes when Marta walks in, distracted, half looking for Fina, though she knows she is gone. Marta admits to Carmen she work, can’t even concentrate right now, but her father is pressuring her about the new perfume campaign. Carmen offers her support and help if she ever needs it and reminds her that Fina has always been like a sister to her, so Marta is family and can vent and ask for help with her. Marta just might accept help this time.  

381    Marta and Pelayo [sitting very married couple-y on purpose] are being questioned in the big house by a Civil Guard sergeant about Santiago’s escape. After the man leaves, Marta is panicking about how looking for Santiago will lead back to her. Pelayo tries to calm her and tells her panicking will only draw unwanted attention, that people will forget soon. Marta notices and picks up a magazine with the interview done on them, with Fina’s pictures, which Pelayo compliments. Marta says Fina can see into people’s souls, and she thinks that’s what made her fall in love with Fina. She asks about the detective and he invents a story about a false lead. In the canteen, Carmen and Claudia call Esther in Paris, but she tells them she hasn’t heard from Fina. Gaspar overhears and Claudia tells him Fina is on a trip in France. 

In the darkroom, Marta is aimless, lost in her head. She sees Fina’s coat and smells and holds it for comfort. She remembers the photoshoot for the magazine [373], the darkroom photoshoot [370]. Carmen walks in and asks how she is. Carmen admits she called Paris and knows Fina isn’t there and wasn’t even expected. Marta tells her the truth is she doesn’t know where Fina is, that she left only a letter while Marta was sleeping. Carmen can’t understand why Fina left like that. Marta tells her it was the weight of fear of Santiago being out there after everything [internally believing the same except relating to Santiago’s death]. Carmen starts to panic about Fina being out there held hostage by Santiago. Marta assures her that won’t happen and that they’ll find her, that she’ll be back (she might almost believe it).  At the big house, Pelayo is on the phone with someone talking about Fina’s good photography but that she won’t need the job as she had other plans. Marta walks in with Begoña talking about the perfume launch and her mood lately. Begoña tells her she is sure Fina will return and heads off. Marta heads right to pour herself a drink, telling Pelayo she had to tell Carmen she doesn’t actually know where Fina is. Marta is stuck on what Carmen said, that they could have protected Fina, make her feel safe, and Marta feels horribly guilty that she clearly couldn’t give Fina that. Marta thinks Fina is gone because of her. Pelayo tells her thinking about why Fina left is only hurting her more. What can Marta do? If she could only talk to her, understand, even if Fina doesn’t want to return. Leaving a note doesn’t make sense. He tells her they have to wait for the detective to find her. Marta wants to search herself too and not just stay there doing nothing. Pelayo tries to shut down every one of her ideas, meanwhile giving her hope with the detective, telling her to keep her spirits up.

382    At the colony, Gema vents to Claudia about Carmen always being picked by Marta to do special things like for the new campaign, though Claudia notes it makes sense as Carmen is the manager. In the store later, a sergeant is leaving after questioning Carmen and Claudia in the Santiago investigation. They told him they hadn’t heard from Fina. Carmen tells Claudia what Marta told her [381]. They both worry about not having heard from Fina. Marta comes in, noting the sergeant she spoke to was here. To Claudia she rationalizes not having heard from Fina since she left as precaution.

At the big house, Marta comes in asking Pelayo if he heard from the detective, as he called her there. She is upset nothing has been achieved and he asks her to calm down. She worries that the detective still poking around will be led to the body at the casa de los montes. Marta suggests she should have just turned herself in and plead self-defense. He reminds her of the rumors that would bring back. When she wonders why Fina hasn’t contacted her, he suggests she doesn’t want to be convinced to come back. “We planned a life together. It just doesn’t make sense.” He asks her to stay calm as he has a meeting with the current Civil Governor and asks her to stay. She insists she can’t and tries to leave. He begs her to stay for him, so she puts on her mask, says hello, and excuses herself with work things.  Miguel Ángel Vaca warns Pelayo about the issues the perfumery health issue thing [bad saponification ventilation covered up by management for a while] could hurt him if not solved, but tells him he will pick Pelayo as his successor. Later, Pelayo talks to Damián about Vaca’s warnings and adds pressure for it to be solved. Damián asks how Marta took the news of the appointment and Pelayo admits she is still devastated by Fina’s departure. Damián expresses hope Fina will return soon and all will go back to normal. Pelayo asks what happens if Fina never comes back, shrugging off Damián’s confusion, agreeing it’ll probably all be solved once they find Santiago. Damián suggests they toast to, “the most noble and respectable Civil Governor that we have ever had.”

383    Claudia expresses worry about Fina to Raúl. In the store, Carmen and Claudia read a letter from Fina that has just arrived. As they read it they recall all the wonderful times they spent together. Returning home, Marta goes to talk to Pelayo. She apologizes for leaving and not being by his side when he needed her as he has been for her and Fina. He was irritated, but brushes it off and happily tells her his news about getting the Civil Governor position. Digna arrives and asks to speak to Marta alone. She pulls out a letter she received from Fina. She tells Marta there is another reason Fina gives for not being able to return: Pelayo likely becoming Civil Governor will see Fina pushed out of Marta’s life. Marta is in pain, Digna can see, but she tells Marta to not hate Fina for this. “I don’t hate her. I love her with all my soul.” Digna comforts her as she cries. Pelayo is standing outside the closed door listening in.

colonia de la reina  carmen recas y claudia diez  calle de las águilas 16  toledo "Dear Carmen and Claudia, first of all, I want to apologize for leaving the colony without saying goodbye, but I was so scared and so afraid that Santiago might come looking for me, that I grabbed my few belongings and got on the first bus I found to get out of Toledo as quickly as possible.  Unfortunately, I've come to realize that Marta and I will never be able to live our love the way we'd like. There will always be some Santiago in my life who will prevent me from being who I am, and I'm tired of suffering and making others suffer. That's why I've decided to end all this torment and leave for good. In an hour, I'll board a plane that will take me far away from Toledo, but also, I hope, far away from what breaks my heart.  Carmen, Claudia... you can't imagine how important you've been to me. That's why I want you to know that it breaks my heart to have to leave you, my friends, my sisters... Because despite the distance that will separate us, you will always be my family. I know you all very well, and I know you won't accept my departure. That's why I ask you one last favor: respect my wishes and don't look for me. I promise to carry you in my heart until my last breath... Yours always. Fina.”

384    In the store, Carmen and Claudia admire the benefit calendar for which Fina took the photos and they think of her. Marta comes in and Carmen mentions they received a letter from Fina. It seems to them all that Fina is not coming back. Marta mentions her letter. The girls hope Fina will return once the Santiago issue is solved. Marta just presses back to work topics and the perfume campaign. Marta leaves and Claudia notes she is clearly not doing well. Carmen understands. “She just lost the love of her life.” 

Talking on the phone with someone in the big house office, Pelayo is discussing the next step of helping “her” [Fina] settle permanently. He says her new life has to compensate her so she won’t be tempted to return. He tells this person to warn Fina she isn’t allowed to send letters to Spain. Miguel Ángel comes in upset about an article in the paper about the sick saponification  workers. He warns him to fix this or risk losing the Civil Governor position. Carmen proposes her idea for the campaign to Marta, centering some photography Fina did for the charity calendar as the visual. Marta hopes Fina doesn’t abandon her passion for photography, wherever she is. They imagine Fina seeing the campaign wherever she is and smiling. As for a name, Carmen proposes Pasión Oculta. Marta likes it. “For God’s sake, it could be the title of our own story.” Carmen admits she was inspired by Marta and Fina’s love story. Marta wonders if she told Fina she loved her enough. Carmen assures her Fina felt very loved, but Marta knows there were many moments she prioritized work or a lunch for Pelayo over Fina and she would choose Fina over all of them right now if she could.   

385    Marta is showing Damián the proposal for the new perfume. He asks who had the idea for the photograph. Marta tells him it was Fina, for the calendar, and Carmen came up with the name. He is happy and excited, but Marta is tired and sad, mentioning things are hard for Carmen too with Fina leaving. He is confused why she is so despondent because Fina will surely return once [etc.]. She stops him and tells him about the letters, the fear of Santiago as well as the Pelayo issue. He insists again she’ll be back and she raises her voice in turn to refute him. She doesn’t know if she’ll be able to take this. Later in the warehouse, Marta and Andrés talk about work and then he asks how she is doing. “Bad.” He hugs her and they talk about their love lives. Andrés tells her Maria wants to adopt a child with him so they can raise and love a child. Marta tells him it’s a bad idea and gives him back his advice he gave her when she and Pelayo were going to try for a child. Parents that don’t love each other will leave all three of them unhappy. At the big house, Pelayo worries and complains to Damián and Marta about the article about the saponification issues affecting his appointment. Damián and Pelayo argue. Pelayo believes he has a right to demand things from Damián because he will ask favors right back when he gets the political position. Marta warns him to never make her choose between her family and him. He brings up helping her with Santiago’s body and says she could be more understanding and supportive. He offhandedly mentions the detective lost track of Fina. Marta reaffirms her promise to help him as he has helped her and Fina.

386    Marta and Carmen present the advertising plan to Pedro and he asks where the name Pasión Oculta came from. Marta falters, recalling the basis is her own relationship with Fina, and Carmen makes up a believable excuse. After the meeting, Carmen tries to cheer up Marta, saying Fina will surely see the ad one day and know it was inspired by their love. Marta thanks Carmen for her help, for taking over, honestly. She tells Carmen she’s thinking of taking a break from work, but Carmen thinks work is just what she needs. And if her strength is failing her without Fina by her side, then Carmen and the others who love her will be there to support her. She reminds Marta she is not alone.

387    At night in the factory office, Marta is pouring herself a drink. Sitting down at the desk, she has a flashback to Pelayo warning her against keeping the diary around [225]. She pulls out the diary and begins to write to Fina. She doesn’t get far before beginning to cry.

“My love... The days go by and I cling to your memory to try to carry on with my life. Without you, I feel lost. This diary, which I should have destroyed long ago, is all I have left of you. Our awakening, our love, the infinite affection we shared, all that was written on these pages and vanished when you left. If I didn't destroy it then, how can I do it now?”

389    Marta invited Miguel Ángel Vaca to the big house both as a board member of Perfumerias de la Reina and as Pelayo’s wife, to clear things up with him about the saponification issue. It doesn't go terribly well. 

392    Marta is rereading her diary at the big house. Carmen mentioned earlier she hasn’t come into work today. Pelayo enters and Marta tells him she preferred to work from home and may be catching a cold. He notes the drink she has in front of her. Marta wants to talk to the detective he hired. She trusts Pelayo completely, but maybe some detail he mentions could be useful. No luck. Pelayo heads off and Begoña comes in, asking after Marta. Marta explains she isn’t sick, she just didn’t want to go into work because Fina’s photos are everywhere and it weighed on her too much. Begoña warns against falling into despair [and side eyes her drinking]. Marta doesn’t care about anything right now. Begoña insists Fina will be back. Marta rejects that. The only thing Marta wants right now is to be with Fina. Nothing else matters. Begoña tries to comfort her, but Marta is sure her actions were the reason Fina left, working too much, marrying Pelayo. What she should have done, Marta says, is take her by the hand and go far away.

“I don't know how much longer I can keep writing without anguish robbing me of my reason. I write because it's all I have left, because words are the only things that haven't abandoned me, even though I write them with trembling hands and a pain that finds no relief. Fina, without you I feel lost. The absence of your body beside me was a sharp blow, an abyss that opened in my chest and swallowed me without mercy. I whispered your name, like someone afraid to confirm the inevitable. But there was no answer, only the echo of my despair reverberating against the walls of our house, which without you became a tomb. You left me a note, a few lines that pierce my skin like thorns, (...) you don't fully explain. (...) However, each (...) I can't help but remember our mornings together, when life felt light and warm, like the dough of swiss rolls, remember? And now the kitchen is empty, without aromas, without laughter, without you. Our awakening, our love, the infinite affection we shared, how could it have vanished overnight? I loved you as if the world were going to end, and perhaps for me, in a way, it did. I refuse to accept this silent goodbye, this clean break you've imposed on me without mercy. I cannot resign myself to losing you, my love. I cannot. I will go out to find you if I have to. (...)”

393    Marta is in a work meeting at the factory with Andrés and Damián [she also went to give her condolences to Tasio who’s mother just died in an accident]. She is drinking. Later, with a bottle of something and a glass of it next to her, Marta sits in her room, fingers in the pages of her diary, silently looking out the window [pg 28 Portrait of a Lady on Fire reference]. Pelayo enters. She tells him it’s still probably a cold. Pelayo expresses concern for the state Marta is in. Ángela’s death has made her worry that something could happen to Fina and she would never know. He again tells her to just stop thinking about it. How could she? She again asks for detective updates. None. Pelayo assures her Fina will come back, Marta just has to be strong, to endure. He [slightly worried] assures her this too shall pass. Marta thanks him, but worries still. Fina is a young, beautiful woman, she notes, and that is enough to put her in danger in this world. If anything happened to her, Marta couldn’t help.

394    Pouring a drink for herself and staring out the window, Marta is in the living room of the big house when Begoña walks in, checking her watch and commenting she wasn’t expecting her at home. Marta shrugs it off saying she woke up meh and decided to stay home. Begoña wants to send her to Luz to do a check up, but Marta waves it off. Begoña knows what is up and it has nothing to do with the body. Begoña hurts to see Marta like this. Marta says her heart weighs on her, doesn’t let her think or sleep. The idea of leaving the house was too big today, though she will muster the strength for Tasio’s mother’s funeral. Begoña asks why Marta insists Fina isn’t coming back so Marta tells her of the letters. Marta appreciates her help, but hope doesn’t seem to be the right thing. Begoña tells her she can’t let herself be dragged down. “How?” Andrés walks in agreeing with Begoña, that Marta will see life better again some day. Marta is irritated and asks them to stop saying those things that offer her no comfort. “She left. Without me.”

395-477 UNDER CONSTRUCTION

-----------Temporada 3 / Season 3----------

------------------------(capítulo/episode 478-TBD)-------------------------

478    Marta and Chloe [478-522] are in a relationship after the 4 month break.

478-497    The relationship between Marta and Chloe is visibly one sided and we see few of their moments alone. Marta cares for her, but it is apparent Chloe is significantly more emotionally invested than Marta, who still recalls Fina and seems to be settling for this relationship and bit of happiness. Marta and Chloe sometimes flirt [489], mostly go on walks [478, 480, 485, 487] or get coffee [481, 482, 484, 490], and once Chloe invited Marta to see Macbeth [486], but also argue a lot which Marta expresses tiredness over [488]. Chloe says “Je t’aime” to Marta who just smiles and carries on [486]. Digna doesn’t like Chloe and thinks she’s a coward not to stand up to Gabriel but apologizes to her after Marta defends her and explains why she isn’t doing much to push back [487, 488]. Chloe also convinces Marta to interview her friend Valentina [485] who Marta does eventually hire as a new dependienta. Chloe is protective over Valentina and keeps private from Marta that Valentina is being followed by her ex-fiancé she is afraid of who is in the army to protect her friend’s privacy [492. Also in this episode, Marta touches Chloe's bow on her dress with a distant face, muscle memory recalling doing so to Fina evidently] and she asks to bring Valentina to her birthday dinner Marta was going to take her to which is politely rejected Marta steps aside so Chloe can spend time with Valentina as those plans were made first and her friend needs her [497].

482    Fina is mentioned when Chloe and Marta are discussing baby Juanito [Gabriel and Begoña’s son] and Marta recalls when she and Fina and Pelayo almost tried to find a way to be parents together. 

487    Marta confirms her relationship with Chloe to Digna, confirming that she hasn’t forgotten Fina, but Fina left and she is trying to find some happiness again. Chloe is not happy Marta told Digna. 

494 Marta attends Juanito’s baptism, after which María tells her and Damián she’s leaving for good. Marta calls her a HARPY (fanfare!!) and in few words tells her to fuck off.

498    Chloe tells Valentina that she is in love with someone in Toledo and it is Marta de la Reina [Valentina has known about Chloe’s attractions already]. Marta talks with Carmen about her and Tasio maybe moving into the big house, which she is happy about despite and because of their differences. Carmen is unsure and points out how nice it is to have your own space with the love of your life. Marta agrees but remembers she was okay when Isidro was going to come live with them at the casa de los montes [The love of Marta’s life is underlined once again to be Fina].

499    Marta sneaks around in her own house to be the first to call Chloe on her birthday from which she learns they will actually be able to spend time together after all (giving us an iconic “girl if you’re happy, tell it to your face” scowl).

500    Carmen and Claudia talk with Valentina and share Fina’s story as they know it, about Santiago, his threats and attempted assaults, and how Fina fled Spain to be free of him, while Valentina recounts her fiancé sexually assaulted her and that’s why she fled and has been weird. It is Chloe’s birthday and Marta is affectionate, giving her a bracelet as a gift as they talk about how they got together, Chloe pursuing her until Marta agreed (Personal opinion: Not taking no for an answer and making someone cry isn’t sexy), and their first impressions of each other, before they kiss and presumably have sex.

501    Marta comes down from her bedroom for breakfast [she reserved a hotel the night before for herself and Chloe but she evidently slept at home]. In the dorm, Valentina is glad to have shared her experiences with the girls, as she tells Claudia, and Claudia herself recalls Fina once more. Marta and Andrés talk about his now fully impossible relationship with Begoña. Recalling to him that she has also lost the love of her life [Fina] over fear, Marta tries to give him advice and urges him to think of how much more Begoña has to lose than him.

504    Chloe stands up to Gabriel after Valentina is disappointed she doesn't do more when a woman is fired unfairly. He threatens her and Marta, but Chloe tells him he only has his word against her reputation. [Marta still doesn't know a thing and meanwhile welcomes sister-in-law 2x over, Carmen into the big house trying and goofily failing to be casual] 

505    Don Agustín comes to counsel Chloe about her sin [straying outside the man and woman couple] that someone [Gabriel] mentioned she was dealing with. Mabel moves into the dormitory and takes Fina’s bed, as Claudia begrudgingly notes it has been unoccupied for a while now. 

506    Chloe and Marta meet for coffee and she tells Marta about standing up for the worker and Gabriel telling Don Agustín. She also tries to get Marta to notice her new scarf, but Marta is clueless until it’s almost spelled out. Marta is scared and later talks with Digna, recalling the trials Fina went through after being denounced [Digna still feels herself as a mother to Fina]. Marta is afraid they’ll get Chloe fired and she doesn’t want to go through something like that again [Leaving with Chloe is not considered]. Digna comforts Marta and later calls Don Agustín, playing dumb about the rumor, and convincing him it would be more damaging to himself and the company to pursue Chloe.

507     At breakfast, Digna tells Marta about her conversation with Don Agustín, and that she will defend Chloe “tooth and nail,” if, “she is the one who makes you smile now.” [Digna does think Chloe is a bit too French, though.] Marta is grateful to be so supported by Digna, who wishes her [gay] husband, Gervasio, could have lived to feel her support too. Outside the administration offices, Marta tells Chloe about her conversations with Digna about Don Agustín. Gabriel walks up and makes veiled threats and allusions. Marta defends Chloe and asserts Gabriel has things to hide too, things her family does have proof of. Gabriel goes to the chapel to push Don Agustín to do something, but Digna’s conversation has him keeping quiet.

508    Digna explains her defense of Chloe to Damián after he sees her with Don Agustín and she says it is a question of justice. Damián guesses Chloe and Marta are together. He hopes this means she has gotten over what happened to Fina, but Digna asserts none of them will ever really get over that, though Marta does seem happier than before [the semi-alcoholic misery of losing Fina]. Damián is afraid of reliving this ordeal again. Later in the big house office, Damián tells Marta he figured out about her and Chloe and they talk. Marta confirms Gabriel knows about their relationship. Damián is concerned about the consequences affecting them all and Marta apologizes for, “being the way I am,” to which Damián tells Marta he is very proud of who she is. Damián also encourages her to nurture her marriage in public to help appearances and suggests she arrange a visit. 

509    Damián and Digna talk at the house. Damián expresses his hurt that Marta shared her relationship with Chloe with Digna and they both kept it from him. Digna defends Marta. Marta and Chloe share a flirty moment and a kiss in the factory office. Marta says she is happy to have Chloe in her life and Chloe says I love you [no verbal response from Marta again]. Marta tells Chloe that Damián now knows, and Marta is happy to have less people to pretend in front of. They discuss Gabriel and Marta says she doesn’t intend to give up what they have and will defend her relationship with Chloe, “tooth and nail.” Chloe says she liked seeing how Marta stood up to Gabriel who says she learned it from Chloe standing up for the fired worker. Marta mentions needing to make her marriage more present, meaning more Pelayo. Chloe leaves the room with a “mi amor” [again unreciprocated by Marta].

511    Marta and Digna talk in the big house. Digna apologizes for Damián finding out, but Marta is relieved he knows about her relationship now.

512    In the Industrial de la Reina [Damián’s new company with Tasio after he was blackmailed out of Perfumerias de la Reina] office, Marta and Andrés talk about Digna and Damián getting engaged [511] and recall their own love lives. Marta reminds Andrés how she lost the love of her life [lost love of her life=Fina] in a dry attempt to console him. She recalls feeling as though she grew up practically alone [emotionally speaking] and she grew to assume life was to be lived “with resignation” and has never really stopped. She says falling in love with the wrong person “condemns you to live resignedly in the shadows.” He rejects that and states it’s survival. Marta tells him there are more women out there (Okay, lol. Take your own advice sincerely, girl). 

513    Sister-in-law breakfast bonding with Carmen and Marta. Later Marta and Digna discuss Damián and Digna’s upcoming wedding. Marta will help organize it.

515    Carmen wants to mobilize the female workers to demand equal pay and while Marta agrees, she tells Carmen that now might not be the right time and that for getting Merche rehired [who Gabriel fired for breastfeeding her baby even with medical prescription], the person [Chloe] suffered consequences. She tells Carmen what Gabriel did, sending Don Agustín to harass Chloe about her sexuality, and that she can’t risk that happening to herself [and also Gabriel could just take the whole company down with him or fire whoever fights right now]. [Marta makes a reference to Gabriel assuming she and Chloe have a relationship while talking with Carmen, but it’s unclear if Carmen fully knows they are together now]. Later, bringing dresses for Digna to try on for her wedding to Damián [Don Agustín wants it soon as they’re living in sin, but Joaquín can’t make it for two months. (It’s a mess).], Marta and Digna talk. As her "something borrowed,” Marta gives Digna her mother Catalina [Digna’s sister]’s bracelet. Marta remarks, “Wedding’s bring back so many memories,” and recalls Fina [through flashback] seeing her for the first time in her wedding dress [“Our love is in our skin.” 262] for her marriage to Pelayo.

516    In the office for work, Chloe asks about the Pelayo plans and Marta answers her with her back turned looking at something [No dice on that plan now]. Talking about weddings, Chloe says Marta looked beautiful the day of her wedding [to Pelayo. She has seen the picture in the big house apparently] and kisses her. Marta pulls away during the kiss and immediately has a flashback to Fina saying “I do” to her proposal to spend the wedding night together and then them getting in the car where they kiss [and definitely had sex before driving off, 269]. Marta is affectionate in a “going through the motions” way, but is visibly distant and looks anywhere but Chloe several times, and politely rejects or talks around excuses of wedding thoughts and nerves] Chloe’s attempts to relax with her or go on a trip to Madrid. [Chloe is starting to pick up on Marta’s emotional distance with her].

517    Marta and Andrés talk in the factory office about Damián and Digna eloping [516] and he is sad he can never marry the woman he loves, “Is there anything worse than that?” (yes, you dummy. Gestures at Mafin rn.) She tries to cheer him up, but he doesn’t want to forget his love, as he assumes Marta has through being with Chloe. She tells him to not talk nonsense, that she hasn’t forgotten Fina. Chloe enters and Andrés heads off. Marta tells her of the surprise wedding and when Chloe asks further about Marta being weird with her lately, she explains the wedding brought up memories of her own wedding to Pelayo as she mentioned yesterday, but she elaborates. [Marta waxes poetic about her love for and feeling of marriage to Fina in front of Chloe’s metaphorical salad.] Marta describes the bouquet Fina made for her, from their own garden [Marta has a flashback to this moment receiving the flower, saying “I love you” 269], that she clutched during the ceremony, pretending it was Fina she was saying “I do” to. [Chloe is at first sympathetic-looking, but the excess of details is clearly upsetting her]. Marta describes running to her car to go meet with Fina after the reception, to have our “own special wedding night,” and asking God to “not let the day come,” to “let it be an eternal night.” [car scene, 269], because she didn’t want to “go back to the prison where I sometimes have to live.” Chloe is visibly affected by these details, starting to realize just how important Fina was, and seems to still be to Marta. She asks Marta if she is still in love with Fina. She just stares blankly into her own memories as Chloe, upset, stands abruptly and leaves. 

518    In the factory office, after a quick business discussion, Marta asks to speak with Chloe who is still short and upset with her for not saying a thing when asked if she was still in love with Fina. Chloe scoffs when Marta says she never intended to hurt her. Chloe says she is mad at herself for thinking their relationship would make Marta forget about Fina. Marta does want to move on from the pain and abandonment, but Chloe says if she hasn’t already it’s clear she isn’t the right person for Marta. Marta insists, “You are the one who is here, and you’re the one I want/love.” [discussions have arisen on the use of the word querer here in Spanish culture. Regardless, the desire/love is clearly nowhere near what Chloe wants]. Chloe refutes this and says what Marta feels for her is at most, “attraction, affection, friendship.” Marta doesn’t know what to say in response to that. Valentina interrupts, Marta asking for a moment as Chloe invites her in, ending the conversation.

519    Again in the factory office, after a quick business discussion, Marta tries to talk to Chloe, asking if she would have preferred her to lie, didn’t she tell her about her feelings for Fina at the start? Chloe doesn’t want to give Marta another chance because she knows now for sure Marta won’t love her the way she wants because her heart “belongs to someone else.” Digna interrupts and Chloe leaves. They talk business for a minute and Digna sees Marta is agitated and asks her about it. Marta explains that despite Chloe being cultured, intelligent, and very beautiful [she is earnest, but muted and a bit sad, not overcome with passion or love], but, “my heart keeps reminding me, it’s not the same as… It’s not her.” Digna encourages her to live in the present and suggests Fina would have wanted the same [she did say so in her parting letter as well, 378]. Marta suggests the problem now is actually Chloe [Marta did make her complex feelings clear at the start, so technically it is only Chloe’s feelings that have changed]. Marta is afraid to lose someone again.

520    Digna visits the factory office, looking to speak with Chloe about Marta. Chloe says Marta is still in love with her first and greatest love and that’s that [resigned deadpan tone]. She doesn’t think she can live with a shared love when she loves Marta with, “all her soul.” Digna insists Fina won’t be coming back, but Chloe is dubious. Digna suggests not all loves are the same and Marta and Fina’s love was special for Marta as it was her first, but that it would be better to fight now to gain Marta’s heart instead of giving up. Chloe says she would fight to the death for Marta if she had a real rival, but how can she fight a ghost? Digna says, time. At the big house, Marta and Andrés commiserate over drinks [he just got his annulment from María but still can’t be with Begoña. She tells him she feels she’s messed things up with Chloe with her memories coming between them with the wedding happening. She never stopped thinking of Fina, and she does understand Chloe not wanting to stay with Marta who is still in love with Fina, still unable to forget her… “incapable” of forgetting her. Marta is stuck with a lack of closure. She never got to discuss or talk or ask with Fina. She was just gone one morning. They comfort each other.

521    Chloe runs into Marta in the factory office, leaves, and rushes back in. She says she wants to try and make a future together despite Marta’s past. Marta tells her she loves her and cares for her, but that she doesn’t know if she’s capable of giving more of herself “knowing Fina is somewhere in this world.” Chloe says, “I can live with that,” though Marta thinks it is a little unfair [Chloe insists she misses her and wants to keep trying]. They plan a picnic date. At the big house later, Digna and Marta talk about Chloe and Marta continuing their relationship [Digna doesn’t mention her conversation with Chloe].

522    In the factory office, Chloe has to turn down an offer to socialize with Valentina to go on a picnic with Marta the next day. Valentina agrees the picnic is more important with the issues Chloe has apparently told her about [It seems Valentina knows Fina’s name but doesn’t connect Marta’s Fina and the Fina the girls told her about being harassed into leaving]. Chloe tells her Marta said she loves and doesn’t want to lose her [She seems happy to see the effort]. When asked if she will regret it, Chloe says she is “willing to keep fighting until [she] corners the ghost of her first and great love, because the one who is here is me, not Fina.”

523    On their lunchbreak picnic at a secluded lake, Marta and Chloe are in good spirits and there is a lot of kissing. They move to the car as they continue kissing, but as Marta puts her hand to the window to support herself, she has a flashback to her wedding night with Fina and their shared passion in her car when she placed her hand on the window similarly [269]. Marta stops, worrying Chloe, and says she can’t. Chloe realizes she means because of Fina and gets out of the car, walking away, Marta left stunned [and a little haunted-looking] in her car. Later, Marta enters the factory office to find Chloe sitting there [she hitchhiked apparently]. They argue about Marta still being in love with Fina. Marta says she’s not here. “No, Marta. She is! You’re carrying her around and she’s interfering in our relationship!” Marta weakly tries to refute Chloe’s claim that she has never loved her the same as Chloe did her. Chloe sadly acknowledges that the problem is hers as she fell wildly in love with Marta knowing her circumstances [and now seeing they haven’t changed]. “I give up.” Marta says she “never intended to deceive” her, that she truly loves her, which Chloe refutes again, telling Marta she has to stop deceiving herself. Chloe suggests Marta alone can heal her heart… “or Fina.” Marta apologizes again, sincerely, and Chloe tells her she has nothing to apologize for. [It is a sad but respectful ending for both of them]. Marta and Chloe [478-522] break up.

524    Andrés finds Marta despondently looking out a window in the big house [reading a book, perhaps Madam Bovary?]. He asks after her and she explains she and Chloe broke up for good this time. Marta admits she was deceiving herself thinking she was happy and things were fine when in reality Fina’s memory always held more weight than the love she felt for and the muted happiness she felt with Chloe [that love not even being enough for Chloe]. She feels terrible for having hurt Chloe. In the warehouse, Chloe tells a sympathetic Valentina she and Marta broke up for good because Marta couldn’t forget the great love of her life. She doesn’t want to keep begging for crumbs of love, though it might be easier. She has [or had before she met Marta] dignity. Andrés tells Marta he went out to an event with Valentina and is interested in her [but she ran away afterward, partially as she learned he was in the military like her ex and partially he is her sort-of boss]. Marta is surprised but supportive. [Marta asking about the woman and Andrés revealing it is Valentina mimics when he asked about who Marta was in love with, 175]

525    It is implied that Digna is [likely] now aware of Marta and Chloe’s breakup. Later, in the factory, Marta asks Chloe for a contact to further a business idea [Flor Divina limited relaunch]. Chloe is cold and tries to avoid Marta and doesn’t want to help her at first, but relents [she seems a bit hurt and cold and heartsore still].

526    Chloe is avoiding Marta and is irritated that Marta seems unaffected by their breakup. Andrés and Marta talk later at the big house [Chloe’s contact helped Marta get Brossard to make the factory start producing Flor Divina again]. Marta mentions Chloe's help but also her avoidance. When talking about Valentina running off [523], Marta has a flashback to her avoiding the soldier one day [492], but says nothing.

527    Chloe and Valentina talk about the unsatisfactory results the female workers are getting in trying to lobby for equal pay compared to the men. Chloe mentions she doesn’t have Marta on her side [as in, in a relationship with her] to help fight anymore. Chloe says she is having trouble working with Marta and maintaining her composure, that it seems she’s not as mature as she wants to be. Valentina mentions her continuing distance with Andrés. Marta walks in and senses the awkwardness. Valentina goes off to do a task for her and Marta notes she is a good friend as she seemed reluctant to leave Marta alone with Chloe [I guess Marta knows Valentina knew about them]. Marta conversationally asks about Valentina’s reaction to Andrés [Chloe is curt and doesn’t want to chat. A bit rude perhaps. (fair enough, mostly. Marta is fine after the breakup and Chloe is not, and Marta is not the best at extra sensitivity in situations like this, though she means well)]. Chloe insinuates it’s none of Marta’s business, but Marta suggests Andrés might deserve some explanation, and if this affects Valentina’s work, it would make it Marta’s business. Marta brings up the soldier [492] and Chloe tells her she hasn’t and won’t tell Valentina’s business to a “simple co-worker.”

528    Valentina has a panic attack when a male worker is creepy to her reminding her of her ex [that sexually assaulted her] and Marta finds her. Marta gently tries to figure out what happened, sympathizing that she understands how those unwanted “compliments” and attention feel. Valentina only explains it was a name her ex called her during the assault that triggered her panic, but recounts in detail when Chloe arrives and Marta leaves. Marta and Andrés [and Chloe as a silent witness] confront the man, Álvaro, but he thinks he did nothing wrong. He is warned the next time a complaint arises he is fired. [Chloe is polite and grateful to Marta for her actions].

529    Marta reluctantly tells Andrés a bit about Valentina to explain her recent behavior. She mentions the military man who came to talk to Chloe [492]. Andrés puts things together as to why Valentina ran off after he mentioned he was in the military after they went to the exhibition together [523]. Marta asks him to not say anything so she can avoid problems with Chloe. In the factory office, Marta is taking a call from Pelayo who to her surprise [as when she called last he was too busy] will be flying back to Spain the next day. Chloe comes in to get some papers and she and Marta accidentally get very awkwardly close for a moment before backing apart. Marta shows some old Flor Divina designs to Chloe who tartly tells her it is missing the Brossard name. Marta cooly responds the perfume was created long before “you all” arrived [lumping Chloe in with the Brossard name Marta is pushing back against]. Chloe is relaying what headquarters in Paris will say and advises not pushing more, but Marta is trying to save her family the pain of seeing the Brossard name on the label and asks for Chloe’s help. Chloe states it is no longer in her best interest to confront Brossard on Marta’s behalf given they are no longer in a relationship (soooo, you were only helping her because you were dating her…hmm). Marta says she never has and never will use their relationship, personal or professional, for business gain, but concedes on the design.

531    Marta decides to have a reception for Pelayo who is arriving in Madrid today. In the warehouse, Chloe tells Marta she in fact did forward Marta’s request for the Flor Divina labeling to Brossard and though they will add the Brossard name to the original styling, Chloe asked and they agreed to have Gervasio [who made the perfume] credited on the label. Marta thanks her and Chloe says she won’t let her feelings interfere. Marta does mention she was hurt by the previous insinuation she was using Chloe. They politely call something of a truce. Chloe makes a face at news of Pelayo coming back. Tasio tells Marta who tells Carmen about the approval of Pablo’s proposal for the female workers [a percentage of company profits, but still not equal pay]. Carmen wants to reject the offer but all the women will decide. 

532    Marta shows Digna the new labels for the Flor Divina special edition, giving credit to Chloe for the idea of adding Gervasio’s name. Marta and Digna talk about the tentative and [varying day-to-day] professional relationship between Marta and Chloe. Pelayo arrives (ew) and Marta is happy to see him and catches him up on things, like Gabriel's recent slandering of Damián in the papers [he paid a gossip column to print an unverified story that Damián stole his brother’s inheritance and left him to die penniless in Mexico [It is a lie. The man, Gabriel’s father, drank and gambled away his inheritance and demanded money from Damián]. Pelayo curses him and offers his help whenever needed. He then gives Marta a necklace Darío  helped him pick out. Pelayo talks about how he and Darío  are able to live happily and much more freely in Mexico (genuinely fuck this man with a chainsaw). He asks after her and she reveals she and Chloe broke up. Damián comes in and happily greets Pelayo. 

Later Pelayo is talking on the phone to Darío  and he mentions Marta and Chloe broke up. Marta comes in and mentions how in love he looks. He regrets she has not had the same luck with Chloe. She explains, “Fina’s shadow weighs too heavily on me.” Pelayo is tense. He insists she has become stuck in a relationship that ended badly but she should fight for Chloe if she really felt something special for her. Marta disagrees and rejects his opinion on her relationship with Fina. It didn’t end badly, it simply didn’t end. Pelayo digs in, frustratedly wondering why she would feel something still for someone who abandoned her and he insists she move on. Marta is weirded out by his insistence and clearly states it’s her feelings and her relationship, so why is he acting like this. He immediately flips to sympathetic and worried only for her happiness. He has a flashback to his conversation with and blackmail of Fina [377]. He asks to reschedule dinner out with Marta [he is shaken (good)].

533    On the phone with a man [presumably, but not explicitly confirmed to be Darío ], Pelayo is talking about losing sleep over and feeling bad and tormented about something [likely the Fina blackmail]. “How am I supposed to tell her the truth? Are you crazy or something?... It’s too late, Marta would never forgive me.” Marta and Andrés interrupt him with Flor Divina designs. Having breakfast, Andrés suggests to Marta [Pelayo’s also there] that in helping their company and family name and image [with the Damián story and all] that Marta should be the model for the Flor Divina campaign. Marta demurs and Pelayo suggests announcing the launch at the party for him. Chloe walks into the factory office as Andrés is making dinner plans with Valentina who they then talk about. The conversation turns to Chloe and Marta’s failed relationship. Andrés says he thought their relationship would be “eternal” (boy, what?). He also suggests that Chloe was the reason Marta got out of the dark hole she was in [after Fina “left”] (perhaps partly, but nowhere near the whole reason), though Chloe says she still wasn’t enough to make her forget Fina. They then talk business and Andrés leaves, Marta coming in at the same time. Marta invites Chloe to the reception for Pelayo, and Chloe, already a bit raw emotionally after talking with Andrés, is reluctant to go.

534    Meeting up for coffee [with Juanito there too] Antonia [really, Beatriz, Gabriel’s secret first wife he is still married to who is blackmailing him and is taking care of Juanito, Begoña and Gabriel’s child, to make Gabriel uncomfortable and pressure him] and Begoña run into Pelayo. He happily greets Begoña and Jauanito, but makes a weird face when introduced to “Antonia.” He and Begoña talk separately as Antonia cares for Juanito and Pelayo says Antonia looks familiar but he can’t remember where he knew her, from Spain or Mexico. Later, “Antonia” talks to Begoña, asking about Pelayo and Begoña explains he works in the Spanish embassy in Mexico and that he thought he remembered her [“Antonia” suggests that long-distance must be hard on a marriage and says she has never been to Mexico].

535 In her rented room with her boyfriend Álvaro, Beatriz recalls meeting Pelayo the day before [534] and tells Álvaro about Pelayo apparently recognizing her. She recalls running into Pelayo [small polite conversation] when renewing her passport in Mexico [flashback to something we never saw in the show]. [Sighting of the Carmen, Claudia, Fina photo in Carmen and Tasio’s room at the big house]. Chloe shows up at the big house on business as Marta and Digna are planning the launch/Pelayo party. Marta asks again if Chloe will come to the party, but Chloe declines, explaining it would remind her of them being together (Marta just seems to want a friend for once, but it’s still too soon for Chloe). Marta plays the good wife at the party.

537    Pelayo runs into “Antonia” at a cafe and confronts her, insisting she is the person he saw at the embassy in Mexico. She denies it but relents and asks him to give her time to tell Begoña the truth herself. [Pelayo seems to judge her for her dishonesty (that’s rich)].

538    Pelayo meets with “Antonia” at a cafe to let her explain herself. He tells her Begoña and Juanito are part of his family and he won’t let her stay near them deceiving them [He seems barely conscious of his own hypocrisy]. She tells a sob story of lies… a poor victim of circumstance escaping prostitution. Pelayo doesn’t feel comfortable hiding this information. “We also deserve to know the truth.” (The hypocrisy is truly staggering). She  tells him, “You have no idea how hard it is to have to lie to survive,” triggering a flashback to him blackmailing Fina to leave Marta and only allowing her to give vague explanations [377]. He agrees to not say anything. Later, Pelayo calls [the embassy, presumably] for information on “Antonia” traveling to Spain [No record of her, obviously].

539    Marta and Chloe have a normal platonic business conversation. Andrés and Marta talk in the factory office about him and Valentina meeting there. Marta teases him as she is familiar with “office meetings” [see all times she has had a “meeting,” i.e. a date, in the office]. At the big house, Digna talks to Pelayo about Marta. She reveals that, being married to Damián and being like a mother to Marta, she knows about their marital arrangement. She thinks that he should do something to cheer Marta up, like taking her on a trip to Mexico [Pelayo thinks Marta has barely felt the breakup with Chloe. Digna thinks she is more affected than she lets on and still has a void in her from when Fina left]. She remarks he and Marta have always gotten along well, but the difference between them seems to be that, “now you are happy. And she isn’t.” Pelayo is looking through passport renewals to find out about “Antonia,” who he learns is actually named Beatriz.

540    Pelayo goes to visit Begoña [who lives in a different house with Gabriel now] but is turned away by Beatriz at the door [Begoña is sick-ish]. He confronts her with the truth he has found out about her. She tries to make it work with her previous story. He suggests, “You got here by lying. Would you trust someone who does that?” Beatriz asks for a chance to tell Begoña herself. At the big house, Marta and Andrés talk about his love life and moving on from Begoña with Valentina. Marta tells him their situations are different because he has closure to move on, Marta never did after Fina left, which is what broke her and Chloe up. 

Andrés heads to bed and Pelayo comes in, bringing a Mexican newspaper. Marta opens it up, impressed by the size of the paper and the story she finds. The photographs catch her eye and she starts to get emotional. “Fina.” The photographer is credited as S.V., and Marta is sure it’s Fina working in Mexico. Pelayo counters that it could be anyone, but Marta refuses to believe that, pointing to the framing, the sensitivity. Pelayo again insists even if it is her, what does it matter? She calls the newspaper, but they don’t reveal their sources, so she asks them to leave the message that “Marta de la Reina called, asking for her from Spain.” Pelayo [who has been trying to play it cool the whole time], tries to talk Marta down, sow doubts, and get her to forget this. She won’t listen, because the newspaper did tell her S.V. is a woman, and she asks Pelayo for his help through the embassy. He says that’s not ethical [says the man who looked through papers to find Beatriz’ real name]. Teary-eyed, Marta vows, “I will contact her, whether you help me or not… I won’t stop until I find her.”

541    Beatriz tells her boyfriend Álvaro about their Pelayo problem and says she’ll take care of it [He is prone to ill-thought out violence to solve his problems, so we shall see]. Marta finds Pelayo in the home office [she hasn’t slept well], and asks if his colleagues at the embassy found anything. He says he called [probably didn’t]. He invents more reasons for Marta to drop this, but she doesn’t care. “I’m not going to feel worse than I already have.” [He is not so sure and he is right]. In Mexico City, we see Darío  answer the phone [a call from Pelayo]. Pelayo tells him Marta found a clue about Fina being in Mexico. Darío  says he should have told her a long time ago, that she hasn’t been able to get over it as he or Pelayo would have. Darío  says he’ll stand by Pelayo whatever happens (fuck you too, Darío . Not good enough). Later, Pelayo and Andrés chat in the big house. Andrés mentions the De la Reina’s have not had the best luck in romantic relationships. Andrés mentions wishing luck for Marta and Pelayo stiffens, asking if they’ve talked [no]. Pelayo suggests someone will come along soon who will appreciate the woman that Marta is and time will heal all wounds, allowing her to forget Fina completely. Andrés disagrees and says Marta’s love story with Fina isn’t quite finished. “You know as well as I do that between Marta and Fina there was… there was magic.” Álvaro and Beatriz talk at their apartment and he reminds her of Pelayo but says he is going to take care of it. “He’s probably got a skeleton in his closet, like any good politician.” Pelayo calls Marta and asks her to dinner in Toledo to tell her something important. 

542    Pelayo stops by to tell Digna and Damián he is off to meet Marta in the Jardins de la Condesa and then off to dinner. Walking in the darkened gardens, Álvaro [who Pelayo doesn’t know] walks up and tries to intimidate him into leaving Beatriz alone. Pelayo recognizes Álvaro from the Mexican newspaper as a wanted murderer [a robbery he and Beatriz committed there went bad and he killed an older woman], and [too surprised to think clearly, I suppose] tells him to his face. Álvaro attacks him and pushes him down the stairs nearby. Pelayo pleads and tries to talk his way out of it, but Álvaro stabs him in the chest. Marta is walking in the gardens and hears someone calling for help. She sees an unknown man crouched over another man, Pelayo, on the ground. The other man runs off and Marta hurries to Pelayo, trying to put pressure on the wound with her scarf, crying out for help. As he lays dying, Pelayo tells her, “I’m sorry. You have to forgive me… Because I- I haven’t let you be happy. And- And I did something horrible… You have to forgive me.” [Pelayo Olivares, (“Wish we never met you, you rat bastard”), 217-542]

543    A traumatized and distraught Marta, supported by Digna and Damián, is being interviewed by the Civil Guard about the attack on and murder of Pelayo. The next morning Begoña delivers the news of Pelayo’s murder to Gabriel and “Antonia.” At the big house, Marta is in black, still quite distraught, remembering Pelayo’s last moment. She thinks she is the reason bad things happen to people she loves: Jaime, Fina, Pelayo. Andrés refutes this and consoles her. Chloe stops by to offer condolences and support, saying she still loves Marta even if they are not together anymore. Marta thanks her for being her friend. Marta is tired and emotionally drained after her day but receives one last visitor when Doña Clara arrives. Clara bemoans him even coming to Toledo this time and Marta speaks about feeling guilty for having asked him to come back. Doña Clara does not want Marta to say that. She doesn’t want to hurt Marta, her only family left [Marta promises Clara will always have her]. Doña Clara asks to go see Pelayo’s body and they are interrupted by Darío  calling. Marta explains to him what happened. Beatriz confronts Álvaro about what he did, telling him he made a mess killing Pelayo. 

544    Marta and Doña Clara come back from the morgue, still in a haze, and Marta sits down with Andrés in the living room of the big house. Marta tells Andrés that Pelayo had wanted to meet up to tell her something important, and he tried to even while dying in her arms. She puzzles over Pelayo’s last words, his apology. Andrés gives platitudes [he has no clue, but he’s trying]. Marta thinks what Pelayo wanted to tell her was about Fina, that he was, after first refusing, going to help her track down S.V. [540] to see if it was Fina. Andrés recalls his conversation days before when Pelayo suggested Marta should forget about Fina to move on and be happy [541]. Marta wonders if maybe Pelayo was going to tell her he was going to stop looking, but dismisses that because she recalls he said he “felt guilty” for her unhappiness [It doesn’t make sense to her. Andrés thinks maybe he felt guilty that he was happy with Darío  and she was alone]. Andrés suggests calling the newspaper again, but Marta already has. She wonders if it is Fina, if she told them not to give her information out to anyone, not even Marta. “Don’t say that.” “And what do you expect me to think at this point?” Andrés suggests leaving another message that Pelayo died and Marta wants to speak to her. Marta wonders if she’d even want to reply. “What if I never find out even if she’s alive, if she’s okay, where-? Or if she still thinks about me.” 

Julia comes to see Marta and give her condolences. She asks what Marta is writing [it is the eulogy for Pelayo. Doña Clara asked her to do it since Darío  can’t]. Marta explains a eulogy is for talking about the good and wonderful person someone was. Julia asks if everything Pelayo did was good, if he had done something wrong, would Marta forgive him even now that he isn’t here? [Gabriel left the paper with the lies about Damián, from 532, out for Julia to read, and then he told her what Damián did to Gervasio. She is pondering morality and if she can forgive Damián right now]. Marta is distracted checking if Julia is okay and then Damián walks in.  Doña Clara and Damián talk in the living room. She is devastated that her only son is dead and her legacy will end with her. Damián tries to comfort her and says Pelayo received a great legacy from her, “His honesty” (oof lol). Marta comes in to say Darío  has been delayed by a storm and won't fly until tomorrow. Damián thinks it would look weird if they postponed the funeral for a friend, but Doña Clara insists, telling him Darío  was Pelayo’s great love who he spent too much time away from [because of her in large part, she admits] and she doesn’t care if people talk because he and Pelayo deserve him being able to say goodbye (Ally Doña Clara).  

545    Damián tells Don Agustín they’re moving the ceremony to the next day and will be doing a more intimate ceremony. He says they are waiting for some friends from Mexico. [He has made the appropriate excuses to all previously invited persons]. At the big house, Doña Clara thanks Digna and Damián for helping move things so Darío  can come. They all talk about having lost children. At the factory office, Marta tells Andrés [and Chloe who is there too] the ceremony is being moved because a friend of Pelayo’s is coming [Andrés knows, so this lie is for Chloe presumably]. Andrés leaves and Marta and Chloe talk. Marta is devastated to have lost Pelayo, especially that way, but, weirdly [and cruelly, it seems], given how separate their lives were, she feels she will return to her normal life in just a few weeks, like nothing happened. Chloe asks if Marta has figured out what Pelayo wanted to tell her. Marta says no, but she mentions the photos she thinks were Fina’s in the newspaper [Chloe looks away in pain/displeasure momentarily]. She didn’t mention it because she didn’t want to make Chloe uncomfortable. Chloe says it doesn’t bother her, that she wants them to talk so Marta can regain her will to live. Marta mentions that she finds it curious she would ask Pelayo back to Spain only for him to bring a newspaper with likely an indication of Fina. Beatriz got some information from Begoña and tells Álvaro that Marta won’t be able to recognize him from the dark.

546    Outside in the colony, Gabriel tries to offer his condolences to Marta who rebuffs him for the fake person he is. He snipes about her fake marriage and snidely asks about her relationship [Chloe]. She bars him from the funeral. Álvaro walks by and she calls to him [there are some boxes in the way of the Administration offices she wants moved], but he keeps going until she recalls him and calls him by name. [She does not recognize him as Pelayo’s murderer, but as he heads off and turns up his collar to the rain, hat on, she stills like she remembers something she can’t quite figure out]. In a park, Álvaro tells Beatriz it’s only a matter of time now for him to get caught. That night, in the big house, Darío arrives and Marta and Doña Clara greet him with love. They talk in the living room and talk about Pelayo and the funeral. Darío talks about his and Pelayo’s love and their goodbye at the airport. Marta is sadly smiling and tells him, “It’s very sad… having to hide when you love someone.” Marta tells Darío he’s staying at the house because he “is family.”  

Later, in the dining room, Marta and Darío  talk alone. He talks of the brief happiness he and Pelayo were able to have together, and they talk of their love for Pelayo. Marta talks about wondering what Pelayo could have wanted to tell her at dinner that night, about wondering if it could have been related to Fina and what she found in the newspaper. She tells Darío  she is considering going back with him to Mexico to look for Fina. [Darío  has a very clearly worried and stressed face as she says this]. She talks about the doubt over Fina leaving consuming her, stopping her life. Darío  says he told Pelayo he should have told Marta, that it was the least she deserved. He talks of Pelayo’s fear of her reaction. He tells her, “I… I insisted. I swear, Marta.” (And yet you still let her live a lie, shifting blame saying it was Pelayo who had to tell her himself). [Marta is confused and on tenterhooks]. Darío  says he’s not sure if he’s betraying or somehow freeing Pelayo by telling her, but he knows he would be liberating her. She interrupts and tells him to just speak. Darío  tells Marta that Pelayo knew everything because he forced Fina to leave her against her will by threatening to report her for murder, with the knife that she killed Santiago with. [Marta is confused and rejects the idea that Pelayo did this at first, but once Darío  reveals he used the knife when he was supposed to be helping them, her face morphs into one of gutted betrayal]. Marta gets up and backs away from Darío , hand outstretched to keep him away. He tries to follow, but she continues backing, hand out, into the foyer, filled with wreaths and flowers and a photo of Pelayo all set up in mourning. She backs into the staircase and holds onto it, lightning flashing outside, trapped and stunned in devastation. 

547    [where 546 left off]. Barely keeping it together, Marta insists it’s not possible, why would he even do something like that? Darío explains it was fear: their relationship, the diary, Santiago- Politics and ambition, Marta concludes, destroyed. Darío tries to explain and justify him, but Marta refuses to hear it. Marta rejects his assertion that Pelayo was sorry, saying he had months to tell her. He consoled her and convinced her that Fina had abandoned her and didn’t love her. It’s clear Darío doesn’t think badly of Pelayo as he defends his actions as a “mistake” repeatedly. “I curse the day I agreed to marry Pelayo. And I curse the thief who stabbed him for not having intervened sooner to prevent our wedding.”

The next day, Damián and Digna are talking downstairs when Marta walks in, dazed, sleepless, and a bit drunk. Marta tells them she isn’t going to the funeral. Damián suggests there will be whispers, but she thinks Pelayo deserves it. They’re confused and even push back when she begins to explain what Darío revealed to her [only that Pelayo blackmailed Fina, not the blackmail details]. Later, Doña Clara and Darío talk [about how happy he and Pelayo were] at breakfast as Digna walks up. She explains Marta isn’t feeling well and probably won’t make it to the funeral. Doña Clara is still devastated and insists on needing Marta. Marta comes down later, pausing, seeing the wreaths and flowers and sympathy all arranged for Pelayo in the foyer, explodes, tearing the display apart, cursing him. Digna hears and comes rushing in, holding Marta as she collapses to the floor, trying to calm her. Sobbing, Marta laments the violence and deception Pelayo wrought upon her and Fina. Marta says she shouldn’t have married him, that she ruined everything. Digna tries to remind her there were serious rumors about her and Fina at the time, that they couldn’t have known this marriage would do anything but protect them as agreed. She also tells Marta that now she can look for Fina and bring her back. Marta worries Fina might hold a grudge, or that she wouldn’t even want to see her. Digna tells Marta Fina needs to know that Marta knows what Pelayo did to them. Moments later, Digna talks to a calmer Marta. Digna asks Marta to reconsider going to the funeral for Doña Clara. Doña Clara, Darío, Don Agustín, and the family [sans Marta and Gabriel] show up for the funeral. Damián makes excuses for Marta to a concerned [about appearances] Don Agustín. The funeral begins, and as Don Agustín is finishing The Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who’ve trespassed against us…” Marta arrives. Doña Clara tries to read a poem for Pelayo but can’t make it through. Marta steps to finish but stops midway to speak from the heart. She, to the surprise of Digna, Damián, and Darío, manages a kind speech about Pelayo for Doña Clara [not without a subtle cut at his ambitious nature]. An impassive Marta holds a crying Doña Clara as the casket is lowered. Everyone starts to walk away. Marta walks slowly up to the hole Pelayo’s casket has just been lowered into. She whispers down to him, “Rot in hell.”

548    At the gravesite, Doña Clara thanks Marta for speaking, but says she couldn’t follow what Marta was talking about when she mentioned Pelayo’s ambition, that he was capable of doing anything to get what he wanted. Darío steps in and suggests Marta meant he was a man with virtues and flaws, like any person. Marta is visibly in pain trying to keep herself controlled for Doña Clara as Darío talks of Pelayo and his political career. As Doña Clara talks of Pelayo’s love for his loved ones, Marta included, Marta almost loses it, and excuses herself, playing it off as sadness/illness. At the big house, Damián was able to gain the forgiveness of Julia [532], telling her almost the whole truth about Gervasio [154], but he later tells Digna that he couldn’t tell her what he used as blackmail [Gervasio being gay] as he didn’t think it right. Digna agrees, “there are things that I think she shouldn’t know or be aware of.” 

549    At the dinner table, Marta is impatiently awaiting the call from Darío when Andrés comes looking for her. They talk about how she is and he asks what is really happening. Marta tells him the truth of what Pelayo did [blackmailing Fina for the killing of Santiago] and that Digna and Damián know [but not about Santiago]. Marta still can’t understand how Pelayo could do that, especially later with his lies and manipulation. Andrés is angry for her and they hug. He tries to help and support her to find Fina. Marta admits she is afraid. She already accepted Fina was gone forever, and this might all come to nothing. At the factory office, Chloe stops by to check in on Marta and reaffirms being there for her as a friend. She leaves and Darío calls with the Argentinian editor’s information. Andrés comes in and Marta explains she has a number to call, then too nervous starts talking about work. He tells her to call right then and there. “What if he tells me something I don’t want to hear?” He insists. She concedes and calls, but the man is out so she leaves her number. 

550    Marta is anxiously awaiting a return call from the Argentinian editor for any possible news about Fina, staring at the phone in every room she is in [6 separate shots]. She even calls to see if a message came in the time she walked home from the colony, and tries to leave her home number [she already did], and says she reminds them she will accept his collect call when it comes. Digna finds her and Marta says now that she knows the truth she can only hope to find Fina, and that “she still feels the same.” She explains Pelayo sent Fina to Argentina. Marta is excited but scared, worrying that perhaps Fina, with all the terribleness that happened, has moved on. Digna tells her she should find out regardless, but that “Fina loved you madly,” even risking her relationship with Isidro to defend their love. “She would have done anything to be with you. I don’t think that has changed.” Damián arrives with a telegram announcing an award for Pelayo for outstanding public service. Marta refuses to go and crumples the missive twice. “As for me, I hope he’s rotting in hell.” 

551    Marta is in the factory office, obsessed, pouring over newspapers when Chloe walks in, surprised to see her. Marta worries she is neglecting her duties like when Fina left, and mentions her turning to drink and having to pass on retaking the directorship. [Chloe is most sad that she herself isn't helping Marta feel better]. Marta chooses water instead of alcohol from the drinks cart. Chloe answers the phone when it rings [it’s the awaited Darío call] and helps Marta take down the PO Box number in Buenos Aires he found. Later, Marta is calling around [Andrés sitting with her in the office] but is having no luck finding legal registration of Fina with the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in Argentina and is directed to call the General Post Department. She worries it’s all a red herring, but she is having trouble thinking about anything other than the search for Fina. Andrés supports and encourages her to send a letter to the PO Box whatever the answer. Marta worries Fina won’t want to reply, that she’s forgotten Marta, preferring not to dwell on the past, that Fina moved on and is with someone else. Marta just wants to know Fina’s okay… and if she still loves her.  

552    Marta sits in the factory office, gazing at and caressing a photograph of Fina [seemingly having been in her wallet along with a photo of Jaime]. Marta has written a letter* to Fina to send to the PO Box in Buenos Aires. As Marta reads it to herself, she recalls moments from her love story with Fina [20, The brush of their hands over the letter addressed to Jaime.; 34, their first kiss: "Why are you so interested in knowing who I'm dating or not dating?" "Does this answer your question?"; 180, "Here we'll be able to write our own story, memory by memory." "Kiss by kiss."]. As Marta is putting the letter in its envelope, Chloe walks in. Marta explains the lack of any other leads aside from where to send the letter she has written to Fina, the PO Box having been confirmed active. [Chloe is being supportive that the letter will reach Fina]. Marta starts to get angry thinking of Pelayo and how he is seen as a good man publicly still. Chloe doesn’t think anger looks good on her, but Marta says that’s all that’s keeping her going right now. Chloe gets physically closer to be more supportive and Marta is thankful and complimentary for the support, until Chloe goes in to kiss Marta, who turns her head so it lands on her cheek [her face is uncomfortable]. Marta goes to leave as Chloe asks her not to, but she continues out the door without looking back. 

“Dear Fina, I've been racking my brain trying to figure out how to begin this letter. I think the most important thing is for you to know that Pelayo has died. He had to leave this world so that I could discover what he forced you to do. Right now, I'm consumed by rage, and yet all I can manage is to apologize. Because I settled for conjectures, and I didn't realize the true reason for your sudden departure. Because I doubted your love. Because I tried to convince myself that I could live without it. And no, I couldn't. I've woken up every morning for the past few months longing for bedtime, hoping that by some chance I might dream of you. And when I didn't, I survived on memories. Ours. If you read this letter, I want you to know that my soul still belongs to you, and neither distance nor time will ever make me stop loving you.”

553    At the factory office, Marta is making calls to different photographer associations in Argentina to see if she can find Fina, but hasn’t had luck yet. Chloe comes in and they talk about Valentina [she stayed at the big house after her ex Rodrigo attacked her and Andrés and was then killed by the Civil Guard]. Marta asks why Chloe didn’t tell her Rodrigo was around, Chloe pointing out Marta was busy with the Fina stuff. Marta thanks Chloe for her help looking for Fina, who reaffirms she wants to help Marta be happy even if she doesn’t get to share in it. Marta tries to affirm Chloe is important to her, but when asked about the attempted kiss [552] also confirms, “if you and I ended the relationship because I wasn’t able to give myself in the way you deserve… Imagine now that I know she didn’t leave of her own free will.” [Chloe's chagrined face]. Chloe says Marta was furious when Fina left [untrue. patently.] and that she herself was only a band-aid. Marta again tries to affirm their past relationship [with a bit of difficulty] and their current friendship [more easily] meant and means something to her despite everything. Chloe asks about Marta making calls and Marta confirms she was calling photographer associations. Chloe asks what Marta will do if Fina doesn’t want her/want to come home, and subtly seems to ask if there could be a place for her in Marta’s future happiness after that more conclusive grief. Marta doesn’t reply and instead announces she has to leave [upset Chloe face].

554    In the dormitory, Chloe is talking to Valentina about her problems [her ex Rodrigo found her, tried to assault her, came back, attacked Andrés and was killed by the Civil Guard 550-553]. Valentina notices Chloe is upset and asks about it. Chloe explains she and Marta, “almost kissed” the day before [inaccurate. deflected kiss attempt] and when Valentina tries to reassure her Marta has to forget Fina eventually, Chloe tells Valentina about Pelayo’s blackmail to send Fina away to Argentina and that she is helping Marta try to find her. Valentina scolds Chloe for being dumb and being so involved in something clearly causing her a lot of pain. Chloe says, “I guess I love her so much it hurts to see her so desperate,” but suggests she might want to stop helping Marta look. Chloe also admits, “I hope with all my heart that she never finds her,” as that’s her only chance to get Marta back. She wonders if that makes her a bad person. Valentina says no (I agree, thoughts are not actions) but asks Chloe if she understands she has to be prepared to not have her feelings reciprocated. 

In the factory office, Chloe talks to Marta about the Rodrigo situation and asks about Jesús who also died in a violent way. Marta admits they’re reluctant to talk about it, but she is very close with Andrés, who she wants to go check on him at home [he got moderately hurt during the attack]. They have a nice talk about siblings [and Chloe’s lack], and Chloe offers to make sure the work Marta needed to do gets done so she can head home early to see Andrés. She is thankful and playfully friendly. After Marta has left, Chloe picks up a call in the office. It’s a call from the Association of Photographers of Rosario [Argentina] looking to speak with Marta de la Reina to confirm a señorita Serafina Valero is their colleague. Chloe looks overwhelmed as she hangs up the phone. As Marta arrives at the big house, a call comes in and she picks up the foyer phone, but no one says anything for several long seconds so she hangs up the phone. It was Chloe calling from the office, but she couldn’t make herself/didn’t want to relay the news of Fina being found. Marta goes into the living room to speak with her father. He brings up the award for Pelayo and she gets mad, but apologizes for taking it out on him just then. He says he agrees Pelayo deserves only a shaming and not an award, but just wanted to help protect Marta with the facade of her marriage when he suggested she go. Damián asks after the search for Fina [no news that she knows of], and encourages Marta to not give up, “not only because she’s one of the family, but because she’s the love of your life.”

556    In the factory warehouse, Chloe admits to Valentina she’s done something she isn’t proud of and has hidden information from someone she cares about for fear of losing her, but hiding it makes her feel bad. Valentina tells her she is an honest person who suffers when lying and advises her to tell Marta the whole truth because it’s bad to not tell but could be worse if she continues to hide this. Later, in the home office, Marta is trying to fix things with a company client [the merchandise from the robbery is gone] when Chloe comes in. Chloe tells Marta she received a call from the Rosario Photographers Association about Fina being a member. Marta’s face lights up when she hears this. She asks when they called and Chloe admits it was a day ago. Marta is frustrated and upset to hear this, reminding Chloe she knows how important this is for her. “I thought you cared about me.” Chloe tells her, “That’s the problem, Marta. I still care about you.” Marta is stunned silent in frustrated disbelief as Chloe rushes to apologize and leave. Andrés comes in later as Marta is waiting for a signal on her long-distance call to the association. She tells him what Chloe told her and what she did. He tells her to put herself in Chloe’s place and empathize [she makes an irritated face], but also to focus on finding Fina which is the most important thing. The association tells her they haven’t heard from Fina in a bit, but that when they last heard she was seriously ill. Marta intends to keep calling weekly and seeks comfort in a hug from Andrés. 

557    In the factory office, Marta runs into Chloe who tries to apologize again. She acknowledges it was mean of her to hide that information. She says she was confused by the other day [attempted and rejected kiss, 552] and thought she could win Marta back, and that she is selfish and a coward. Marta rejects that last assessment, saying she knows Chloe didn’t do it with bad intentions [up for debate given 554 scene], and if it weren’t such a delicate matter, she could even understand. Chloe asks what the association said and Marta reveals the news of Fina being seriously ill and them not having heard from her in a while. Marta laments she lost her [Fina], and that she “lost her the very same moment [she] stupidly believed every word of that letter.” Chloe tries to assuage her guilt, but Marta insists, “I should have read between the lines. I should have realized… I doubted her. I doubted our love… I came to hate her… because I was suffering and felt so much pain.” [hate is not something the writers ever showed or told us, but okay]. Marta painfully wonders Fina might still be sick, alone, even dead, and Marta would never forgive herself for that.

559    In the big house Marta is pensive, eating breakfast alone faced away from the doorway, when Manuela tells her a visitor has arrived. Marta is in no mood, but Manuela assures her she’ll enjoy this visit. Fina walks slowly in from the hall [long hair curled and wearing the dress she wore the day Isidro died, 183]. “It’s me, Marta.” Marta turns slowly in her chair, whispering, “Fina?” Euphoric and in disbelief, Marta embraces Fina who hugs her back [a distant look on Fina’s face]. Marta tells her she’s been looking for her, asks if she spoke to the photographer association, wonders how she got there so soon. “I received your letter. As soon as I read it I knew I had to come back.” Marta rushes to apologize, explaining Pelayo’s deception, but Fina cuts her off saying, “It’s alright… I’m here with you” They hold each other close, lips barely separated, when Marta thinks and leans back, touching Fina’s face and asking if she is okay, that she heard she was sick. Fina confirms she is very sick. That she is going to die. Marta rejects that second statement and insists they’ll go to the best doctors. “What do you have, love?” “It’s an incurable disease.” Fina tells her it’s too late, that if she had distrusted Pelayo earlier, if she had looked for her sooner… Marta tries to explain herself, but Fina backs away as she responds, “I want to get away from you… I’ve come to say goodbye.” Marta walks into the foyer, finding Fina laid in a casket. Marta breaks down in agony.

Damián wakes Marta from her nightmare and she immediately goes to check the, now empty, foyer. She had been making calls to Argentina and fell asleep on the office couch. Damián tries to reassure her even as Marta expresses her frustration in only being able to do so much from Spain. He suggests a detective, but she rejects that, deciding she will go find Fina herself. He questions this being a good time, with all that is going on in the factory [the robbery, threat of moving to Morocco by Brossard who owns the majority shares]. She agrees, but also admits she can’t do much more herself, especially with the state of anguish she is in, so she will leave on the first possible flight in a day or two. He tries to talk her out of going herself but she tells him of the news of Fina being sick. “What would you do if you had to find Digna?” He relents. Later he and Digna talk and express that they hope Marta will find Fina.

560    Late into the evening, Marta is outside the director’s office at the factory, preparing to head off to Argentina, booking a room in a hotel in Madrid. Chloe walks up, having been there late dealing with logistics for the visit of Antoine Brossard [visiting to decide the future of the factory after the robbery]. Chloe asks if Marta is still leaving and Marta confirms. She wants to go and see and search for Fina herself instead of just making useless calls from Toledo. “I need to fix what I messed up by not realizing what was happening.” [Chloe is trying to be supportive but is also clearly in pain that Marta is leaving and is demonstrating such dedication to Fina. Marta is kind, but makes it clear what and who is her priority]. “Thank you for your concern. Right now my only concern is Fina, not work.” Chloe wishes her well, Marta thanks her, and they hug. As Chloe is leaving down the hallway, she runs into someone and asks who they’re looking for. Still in the office, Marta hears the voice, Fina’s voice, looking for, “Doña Marta de la Reina… I saw her car downstairs.” Marta’s head lifts instinctually and she walks into the hallway in a daze, staring in disbelief tinged by euphoria as Fina, gaze half fear half hope, greets her saying, “Hello, Marta.” [Fina now has a bob haircut and wears pants. Fina’s absence has lasted 180 episodes, 379-559].

561    Reencuentro. [The scene starts back at the Chloe-Marta hug. As Fina greets Marta, Chloe’s face shows she has realized who this is]. In the hallway, Marta and Fina walk, then run into each others’ arms, embracing tightly. Fina tucks her face into Marta’s shoulder as Marta sighs and cries in elated disbelief, lifting her off her feet a moment. Their hands reach and stroke and touch and touch. [Chloe leaves]. “I’m here now.” Fina breathes. “You’re here. My god, you’re here,” Marta responds, grasping Fina tightly, burying her nose in Fina’s coat. “How are you, love?” Marta asks. Fina says she is fine as Marta breathlessly explains she was just that night going to Madrid to then catch a flight to go find Fina. Fina smiles even as she is almost crying too. Marta tells her about her worry, that she was told Fina was sick, but Fina assures her she is perfectly fine. “I was on the other side of the world reading your letter, my love.” Marta’s face breaks into deep elated relief and she and Fina grab each other’s faces and pour themselves into each other, professing “I love you,” to each other between kisses. Foreheads pressed together, they laugh and sigh in happiness together, before settling into another embrace.  

Sitting in the director’s office, holding each others’ hands, Fina is recounting to Marta opening her mailbox to find Marta’s letter, worried it was a letter full of reproaches. “No,” Marta breathes. She laments she was a fool for believing Fina could betray her, which Fina affirms she never would have, that it was all Pelayo’s fault. Marta doesn’t want to talk about him, but about Fina, asking how she is, when she arrived, where she is staying. Fina just arrived with her luggage and admits she doesn’t know “where she’ll stay or for how long.” Marta pauses, her face dropping, and asks if she plans to return to Argentina. Fina admits when she landed she thought yes, “but now I don’t know if I’ll be able to.” As Fina admits she doesn’t know where she’ll sleep, Marta, face full of relief, tells her she knows. “You’re going to sleep with me.” Marta says they can go right away to the casa de los montes. That gives Fina pause. She doesn’t know if she’s ready to go there.  Marta is unbothered and tells her, “We’ll go wherever you want.” Fina thinks and decides, no, they’ll go there. “I had to cross an ocean and come back to realize something very simple. And that’s that my home, my house, is where you are, my love.” Marta affirms they’ll go to the house. “Claro, mi vida,” responds Fina, as they share one, two, three kisses.

In their bed at the casa de los montes, Marta is sleeping peacefully with Fina curled into her [Fina is wearing (awesome) blue men’s pjs]. Fina awakes and adjusts to sit up as Marta wakes and turns toward her. [As they talk quietly, they gently stroke faces and arms]. “I thought your return might have been just a dream,” Marta says. “A beautiful dream.” They smile and nuzzle together as Fina teasingly asks Marta, shouldn’t she be working? Marta cheekily suggests everyone already thinks she is on her way to Buenos Aires… making Fina laugh. “I thought I’d never see you again,” Fina admits. Marta’s mood turns a bit sad as she wonders at what Fina had to suffer alone, starting from scratch [kissing Fina’s hand as she does so]. Fina admits it was very hard and lonely at first, but then she realized she could start over and that life could also bring beautiful things there. Marta is proud and loving that Fina kept going despite everything. Fina asks Marta about what she lived during their separation. Marta tells her of Brossard, Gabriel, the diary blackmail, learning of Pelayo’s betrayal, the depression she fell into [Fina kisses her hand with an, “Oh, no, mi amor.”]. Marta admits Pelayo convinced her that Fina had abandoned her. “No,” Fina says. She admits she was so angry, but that that anger helped her rebuild her life [Again. This anger was not really mentioned or suggested previously during Fina’s absence]. Fina suggests they’re going to have to start believing in destiny. What Marta wants is to make up for lost time… to spend her life with Fina… to enjoy her [disfrutarte]. [They rest their foreheads together and kiss. The camera pans away to the table with some international letters and an open pair of scissors.]

Chloe covers for Marta at the board meeting in the director’s office. Later, Chloe tells Valentina that Marta’s great love, Fina, has returned. Later the same morning, Digna visits the casa de los montes, confused and worried at Marta still being there, when Fina comes out of the other room. Everyone is smiling and happy, Digna repeating “Oh my God,” and commenting how pretty Fina is as she hugs and holds her close. Marta goes to make them all coffee. Sitting down, Digna tells Fina about the horrible time Marta went through with her gone. Fina acknowledges that, but also tells her, “It hasn’t been easy for me either.” That’s why she came back when Marta’s letter said Pelayo was dead. Digna questions why Fina didn’t come back earlier when Pelayo left for Mexico. Fina avoids the question and doesn’t tell Digna what Pelayo used to blackmail her. Digna says she should have told her because she would have protected her, taken care of her, consoled her, like she promised Isidro. Fina thinks he would be very proud of the person his daughter has become. Marta arrives with the coffee and Fina asks Digna to catch her up more [the Merino all going to Barcelona, Pedro dying and Digna marrying Damián]. Fina is excited to see Carmen, and Tasio, but mostly Carmen. Digna awkwardly tells her Carmen has left [She decided to leave Toledo indefinitely because Tasio had an affair and slept with a maid, Paula, in the big house and then kept lying about what happened, 560].

562    Returning to the dorm, Claudia and Valentina are surprised to find a stranger who turns around and turns out to be Fina. Claudia almost falls over in surprise and she and Fina jump and hug in happiness. Fina is introduced to Valentina and they politely shake hands. Claudia and Fina talk alone in the room, Fina proudly telling Claudia she just arrived yesterday and spent the night with Marta. She mentions the letter Marta wrote telling of Pelayo’s death, mentions Santiago hadn’t been heard from in a while, and that’s why she decided to come back [Only Mafin and Andrés know the whole story. Only Digna, Damián, Chloe, and Valentina know about the blackmail]. Fina mentions it was hard for her in Argentina being so far from them all. Claudia tells her about Carmen, Raul leaving, Valentina and Andrés. Claudia suggests Fina come back to the store, but Fina, having made a living as a photographer in Argentina and doesn’t yet know what will happen here. Fina tells her she is staying in Toledo, “for now, yes,” with Marta at the casa de los montes. Claudia is very happy Fina and Marta have been reunited. They hug and fall over on the bed as Claudia showers Fina with kisses.   

In the factory office, Marta and Chloe speak a bit. Marta mentions she and Fina were at the casa de los montes which Damián had bought for them to live their love freely. Marta notices Chloe is trying to be happy for them but is still sad. She thanks Chloe for helping her be happy for a time and hopes to help Chloe find the same. Chloe tries to put on a brave face but cries once outside the office. In the store Claudia talks more about Fina to Valentina. Seeing friends and reminiscing in the factory, Fina runs into Chloe in the warehouse. Chloe says she is happy for them for being able to reunite. They maturely, but a bit awkwardly (reasonable) talk about Marta and her former relationship with Chloe that Marta already told Fina about. Fina thanks her for taking care of Marta when she was gone, though Chloe says she simply fell in love with Marta. Fina tells her she is sorry. “I know perfectly well what it’s like to be in love with Marta… and how hard it is to forget her.” Chloe explains the relationship went bad before Fina even came back because Fina’s memory was too strong. They agree that life can be very hard but life has taught them to be strong. Perhaps one day they could be friends too, they think. At the big house, Marta runs into Andrés and tells him she left Fina at the factory because she had so many people to see again. She admits that Fina’s return has been so sudden after so long that she is sometimes afraid to wake up and find it all a dream. He reminds her the people responsible for their pain have paid and no one will be able to stand in their way again. “That would really be a dream come true.” He says it is their destiny to be together, but she doesn’t want to think of destiny, now knowing about Carmen and Tasio. He makes reference to his relationship with Valentina and Marta drags him to the living room to gossip and talk about love. Marta tells him to stay by her side through her remaining Rodrigo nerves. Let her know she’s got a safe place. Marta and Fina have some wine before dinner at the casa de los montes. Marta is over the moon, but Fina is a bit distracted. She has flashbacks [toasting to their relationship with Pelayo, 373; Santiago attacking her in this house, 374; Pelayo’s blackmail, 377]. Marta asks if she’s okay but Fina brushes it off as nothing. They laugh and talk of dinner and reminisce. Marta makes a toast to them living like this every night forever. Fina’s face is a bit conflicted, but love still shines through. They talk of Antoine Brossard’s visit and Marta mentions Chloe among others. Fina tells her she talked to Chloe and could see she is clearly still in love with Marta. Marta says she was as kind as she could be, but can’t they just be selfish and not talk or think of others for once? Fina is in agreement. Marta declares, “the only thing I long for with true passion in this life right now, is to spend every day with you.” [Fina’s smile is a bit forced. Sincere, but weighted down]. They hug.

563    Marta reprimands Tasio for harming her friend and family member Carmen by cheating on her, not sure if he realizes the gravity of what he’s done. Damián surprises Fina who is unpacking at the casa de los montes. They awkwardly greet each other, until Damián hugs Fina, who is surprised but hugs him back. He is happy she is back, though he didn’t expect her to be. He tells her Marta suffered greatly in her absence [this hits Fina like a blow of sorts] and they tried to help Marta forget her, but realized it was impossible. Fina is sorry Marta suffered, “but I haven’t been able to forget her either.” She tries to explain but he says she doesn’t owe him explanations as he knows about Pelayo [but not what the blackmail was]. Fina thanks him for making the sacrifice of the factory shares for Marta. He insists that his children and his family are what he loves most and that everything else is incomparable. They talk fondly of Isidro and Damián tells Fina she can count on him and Digna as second parents if she would like. He apologizes for his previous behavior toward them when he thought it best they not be together, and cautions them again. “There are many people who are incapable of seeing how beautiful you both are together.” Don’t let another Pelayo interfere.

564   Later the same day, Andrés calls the casa de los montes to tell Marta that Antoine Brossard decided to move the factory to Morocco after all. They have three months left in Toledo. Marta tells Fina who is in the room with her. Fina is sympathetic and sad for Marta. Fina mentions Damián’s visit. “He wants the best for me, and he knows that that’s you.” [little laugh and blush from Fina]. Fina smiles softly as Marta tells her she feels stronger with Fina by her side, that she’s happy Fina is back. Marta kisses Fina sweetly [on the nose it looks like] and Fina beams. 

Fina is walking around the casa de los montes when she has bad flashbacks [her killing Santiago in self-defence, 375; Pelayo’s blackmail, 377] and starts to panic as Marta walks into the room. Fina says she killed him, that they can’t escape Santiago there. Marta tells her she has to forget about him, that they can get through it together. Fina begs Marta to get her out of there. Marta promises her they’ll leave, forever, and Fina falls into her arms, curling up small. 

565    At breakfast in the big house, Digna tells Damián that Marta told her Fina is looking for lodgings in the center of town to be closer to looking for work. Damián rejects Fina and Marta living anywhere but back in the big house. They can explain Fina’s presence with Isidro’s connection to the family and say it was Digna, a second mother of sorts to Fina, who suggested this. Digna encourages Damián to be the one to tell Marta about this invitation.

566    At the casa de los montes, Fina looks to the door and gets up to use the phone. She puts it down abruptly when Marta enters. Marta got her suizos as she figured Fina hadn’t been able to have them in a while. Marta delivers the news that Fina has been invited to the big house as a guest by Damián. Fina worries about talk, but Marta suggests there would be more if Marta was going to a hotel day and night [she doesn’t plan on stopping seeing Fina daily]. Fina agrees, saying the casa de los montes makes her uncomfortable. “I know, my love [mi vida].” Fina recalls what she did to Santiago, but Marta insists it is what they did. Marta promises they will find a new home where no one will get in their way. They grab their things and leave. Fina lingering with a last look.

567    Marta and Digna are having breakfast in the big house. Digna is happy to see Marta and Fina happy together again, and Marta says she feels their love, “surpasses distance and time.” Fina arrives late as Marta let her sleep in, which allowed her to ask Manuela to prepare Fina’s favorite breakfast and set out her preferred apple juice instead of orange. Fina protests the special treatment but Digna insists she is more than a guest, that she is family so they will bother all they want. Fina is a bit distracted and a bit down, which Digna and Marta notice. Fina says she’s fine and puts it up to feeling weird being at the main table when her place was the kitchen table. Somewhere Marta and Digna also have fond memories with Isidro too. Carmen is brought up and they all scoff at Tasio and men. Fina is still somewhat distant as Digna goes to leave, and Marta tells her she’s not been fooled even if Digna has, and asks again if anything’s wrong. Fina says it’s just how rapidly her life has changed, sent to Argentina thinking she’d never see Marta again, to dropping her whole life there to return to Marta. She hasn’t gotten used to it yet. Marta acknowledges that is a lot and proposes Fina think of the changes as good since she is back home with her family and friends. Marta also acknowledges the ghost of Santiago still haunting Fina but assures her that that is closed and she can just give herself time to recover. [Fina’s face is still worried and down]. 

568    Digna suggests to Damián that they have dinner all together to make Fina feel better since she thinks she seems a bit out of place. Later, Fina and Marta arrive back at the big house after spending the day at the colony. To Marta, Fina seems a bit better today. They sit close and comfortably [couply] together on the couch and chat with Digna. Marta remarks despite the sad atmosphere at the colony, she is “fortunate to have other joys,” looking at Fina [small smile back]. Fina spent the day taking pictures and enjoying spending time with Claudia. Marta suggests they set up a darkroom in the house for Fina, Digna agreeing, but Fina politely rejects the idea. Digna lets Fina know a call came from Argentina, someone named Bianca who wanted Fina to call her back. Fina confirms the woman’s last name, Forner. [Marta looks peaceful and unconcerned. Fina looks a bit worried. They are still sitting very couply]. Marta asks about Bianca and Fina says she’s a co-worker, another partner in the Rosario Photographers Association. Marta and Digna, assuming it must be urgent, encourage Fina to call her back then and there, but Fina downplays it and says she’ll call later. Marta and Digna grab a drink and Fina looks worried.

569    Fina runs into Digna in the big house [she apparently went to the factory with Marta that morning and then took a walk along the river]. Digna tells Fina she can tell she has a lot on her mind and tells her to sit. Digna noticed Fina was uneasy yesterday at the call from Argentina [Fina tries to deny it but Digna knows her]. Fina asks Digna to promise she won’t repeat any of what she hears to Marta [she wants to tell her herself when the time is right]. Digna agrees and Fina tells her Bianca Forner is a renowned painter in Argentina, and is everything Fina longs for: free, mature, independent, and a very talented artist [her face lights up]. But this reference, mentor of sorts, Digna sees, became something more. Fina confirms. She tells Digna that once in Argentina, she had to consider her relationship with Marta over, and in that turmoil, this woman appeared. She mentions it was a bit of survival, as she felt she almost couldn’t breathe with the weight on her. Bianca was like a lifeline. Digna nods, but points out Fina is here in Toledo now, and with the intention of staying, right? Fina doesn’t know. When she received Marta’s letter, she couldn’t believe it, almost fainting. Fina says she explained everything to Bianca, everything, and it was her who encouraged Fina to come back to meet with Marta and tell her her situation. Digna nudges for clarification.

Fina says she crossed the ocean convinced that what she felt now was very different from how she felt when she left, that she thought their love had faded, that the meeting would help them close the loop they couldn’t back then. Digna asks her if she’s considering returning to Argentina [Fina sighs and looks sadly to the side]. She repeats she’s not sure, because when she arrived and had Marta in front of her, “it didn’t take me half a second to realize that what I feel for her, that this love, remains intact.” Digna asks and Fina (a bit guiltily) confirms Bianca is waiting for her in Argentina. Digna asks and Fina confirms they are/were happy, in the countryside on a Chacra, a big isolated farm, where they could be at peace. Fina’s also building a career for herself in Argentina that’s going well. “But above all else, I feel indebted to Bianca.” She says it’s because Bianca took care of her when she was very sick. And, Fina says, she loves Bianca very much. Fina notes that staying in Toledo means going back into hiding and giving up everything she achieved in Argentina. Fina agrees it is a difficult decision. Either she “leaves Bianca in the lurch”, or breaks Marta’s heart, and this time for good.

570    Later that day Fina and Marta are having flan at the big house. Marta notes Fina is very quiet, but Fina just smiles weakly and shrugs. Marta answers a call from Miguel looking to speak with Serafina Valero. Marta is a bit confused but calls her over. Fina gets up quickly and picks up the phone, turning her back to Marta for privacy [Marta makes a confused face but gives her space]. Miguel reports that Fina is free of brucellosis. Marta asks if everything is okay. Fina is confused as is Marta at her confusion. She asks what the doctor wanted. Fina explains it was just headaches she’s been having that she got checked out. Headaches perhaps related to not sleeping well or the time change. Marta pushes a bit further and Fina explains he called the house because he had done blood tests. Marta knows Fina was sick but Fina has been avoiding the subject. Fina tells Marta she had brucellosis, but keeps brushing it off saying she’s fine now. Marta can’t imagine what Fina’s had to go through and asks if she at least had someone caring for her. Some neighbors, Fina says. “Why haven’t you told me anything about all this until now?” Fina says she’s recovered and it’s done and it’s not important anymore. Marta is still sorry she had to go through that, but now she’s home with her family and they’re there to take care of each other [Fina smiles but doesn’t meet Marta’s eyes].     

Digna and Fina chat in a sitting room in the big house later. Digna has been thinking but can’t understand why Fina was so sure she’d never see Marta again. She notes that from Marta’s explanation on the day of Pelayo’s funeral, that Marta knows what it is too. Fina has a flashback to killing Santiago [375]. Fina starts to get upset and panicky. She tearfully tells Digna how she killed Santiago in self-defense and they buried the body at the casa de los montes, but Pelayo kept the knife with her prints to blackmail her. “That’s why I thought I would never see Marta again. And that’s why I was able to fall in love with another woman.” Fina tells her the moment she learned Pelayo was dead, she knew everything changed for her, and so she decided to return. She doesn’t know what to do now. “What do I do?” she asks Digna [who is horrified and sympathetic]. “It’s been very hard. Very hard,” cries Fina. Digna comforts her and gives her some advice, that if Fina has decided to stay here with Marta and that’s the feeling Digna has [Fina says Yes insistently], then Fina should be honest with Bianca as soon as possible. [Beatriz shoots and kills Álvaro in defense of baby Juanito].

571    [Based on outfits, this is only Fina’s 6th full day back in Toledo, 7th overall]. Digna and Chloe are in the big house living room when Fina walks in to deliver a message to Digna. Digna leaves to make a call but invites Chloe to stay for coffee and whispers to Fina on the way, as Fina hangs awkwardly in the doorway, [awkward glances and faces are made between F and C] but eventually Fina asks if Chloe minds her staying. Fina sits as Chloe shares she is grateful they can have a cordial relationship. When asked, Fina says her return to Toledo has been emotional. “Just being here fills my soul with memories.” Chloe makes a face but pivots to Marta having told her Fina is living in the big house [Fina tells the invented story of Digna inviting her]. Fina does mention it’s temporary and explains to a confused Chloe that she wants to be able to work and afford her own place, not liking a feeling of passing through. Chloe tells her, “You have Marta’s love, and that’s a sure thing [Fina’s face is pensive]. Very few people are lucky enough to experience a love like this [both pensive].” Chloe wishes her luck and leaves. 

572    Later the same day, Marta, arriving home, picks up a call to the house from someone looking for “senorita Serafina Valero,” someone named Bianca. Marta greets her kindly, introducing herself and saying Fina has told her about her. She says she can take a message but Bianca hangs up. Fina and Digna arrive from a walk and Marta tells of the call and the hanging up. Fina and Digna make excuses for why Fina won’t call Bianca back then and there, confusing Marta a bit. Fina and Digna talk privately about Bianca seemingly not having taken the breakup well. Fina doesn’t intend to talk to Bianca in person and was clear she wants to bet on Marta, so she is confused at Bianca’s insistence. Fina worries if Marta noticed anything. Digna tells Fina it’s time to tell Marta the truth with the calling and lying continuing to make things uncomfortable. Fina says she’ll take it a step at a time, tired from the breakup already.

In her room, Fina is looking at the bracelet Bianca gave her, having taken it off and laying down to rest. Marta knocks and is let in, immediately lovingly concerned, checking if her head hurts and asking after her. Marta gives Fina two kisses [Fina accepting them but still very closed off and downcast]. Marta tries to carefully ask Fina what has been bothering her and making her act weird lately. Fina brushes it off as nothing more than thinking about where she’ll live and work for the future. Marta tries to be supportive and says she can stay at the big house as long as she needs. Marta hands Fina a little present, Fina smiling lightly as she sees a handkerchief like the one Marta bought her after the Maria Callas concert, the one she says she lost in Argentina. Marta suggests a walk, but Fina says she is tired from walking with Digna. Marta suggests they can get her some warmer clothes too, but Fina says she’ll get them. Putting the gift down, Marta sees the bracelet, figures out the meaning of the inscription and is understanding of Fina having had a relationship with this Bianca since she was with Chloe. [Fina tried to reach for the bracelet back but gave up quickly]. Marta wonders why Fina hid this from her. Fina resigns herself and tells the truth. As soon as Marta hears the relationship wasn’t over before Fina arrived she is startled and gets up. Fina tries to calm her saying she broke it off [when? Marta asks] this morning, but this pushes Marta to indignant horror and anger. “How could you lie to me all these days?... The Fina I know wasn’t like that… Our love wasn’t like that.” Marta leaves, unable to hear more. Fina remains in the room, overwhelmed and upset.   That night, Marta gazes sadly out the dining room window. Fina walks up and asks if they can talk now. [Fina is in a white robe in the light. Marta is in black in the shadows. A partial wall between them.] Marta would prefer not to talk and is insulted when Fina suggests she understands Marta is disappointed. “You stabbed me in the back.” Fina pushes back saying if she didn’t tell the truth it was because she knew as soon as she saw Marta she still loved her, “more than anything in this world,” that in that moment she ended the relationship with Bianca. Marta, deeply pained and angry, points out she was honest about Chloe from the beginning while Fina hid her relationship while she has been with Marta, and in bed too, and didn’t break up with Bianca until that morning. Fina insists she didn’t know how to do that, but she is clear on how she felt and feels. Marta suggests Fina wanted to keep Bianca as a backup in case life in Spain, or Marta, disappointed her and she wanted to return to Argentina [Fina reacts as if struck]. Fina asks if it doesn’t matter to Marta that she boarded a plane as soon as she read Marta’s letter? Marta suggests it was just to prove Pelayo was gone, but Fina says it was to prove she still loved Marta. Marta’s face changes back to anger. “You needed to check it?” “I haven’t forgotten how I feel about you.” Fina tries and tries to prove she loves and wants Marta, but her words are not to Marta’s satisfaction. Bianca was someone who took care of Fina when she was sick and that gratefulness and their beautiful and happy relationship is not incompatible with Fina’s love for Marta, she says. Marta is hurt to hear Fina was able to be happy as she was not with Chloe with Fina so present in her mind. “Weren’t you happy with me?” Fina says of course she was happy with Marta, but their relationship always had a lot of problems. External ones, Marta points out. Fina agrees and says Marta was as much a victim of that as she was, and that it’s reasonable after all that happened she thought she’d never see Marta again. Marta asks if they lived together. Fina, upset, pauses, but says yes. “...maybe if you had continued to love me, it wouldn’t have been so easy for you to switch to a new life… Perhaps we have very different ways of loving.” [Fina is upset and close to, but not in tears].

573    Digna and Marta are talking in the living room of the big house about the company. Marta is unusually downcast and apologizes for it. Fina walks in [wearing a skirt as she has not since before her exile, and wearing the scarf Marta gave her]. Fina [puppy eyes] tries to catch Marta’s attention as she hastens to head to the factory, but Marta just politely and cooly excuses herself and walks past. Fina sits resigned on the couch across from Digna. Digna asks and Fina explains she had no other choice but to tell Marta about Bianca the night before. Fina acknowledges Marta has every right to feel this way since she told Fina about Chloe right away and Fina hid things. Digna tells her Marta will understand when she’s calmed down and they talk. “...this time it was my fault and my fault alone.”

Marta is out at a cafe alone when Fina walks up. Digna told Fina where she could find Marta [Marta is still in no mood to talk to her, but lets her sit]. Fina asks how Marta’s meeting went [bad. The factory is now being moved in one month instead of three]. “Lately everything has been going wrong for me.” Marta asks outright what Fina has come for. “I’ve come because I know I’ve hurt you a lot.” She understands Marta is angry. Marta tells her she is disappointed, hurt, and very sad. Fina apologizes again and says until everything passes, she will move out of the big house. Marta asks if she’ll go back to Argentina, but Fina firmly says no, she will stay in Toledo close to Marta, find an apartment and a job to pay for it. Marta offers money if she needs it, but Fina says to not worry. Marta sees Fina won’t accept her help finding a job either and Fina confirms. It will help her feel more secure to do it on her own. Marta says she thought they were a team, that what was hers was Fina’s and vice versa. Fina still thinks so, but Marta is not so sure anymore. Fina asks for one thing: that Marta loves her again like before, that Marta forgets her mistake, and that she forgives her. “What happened last night was a very painful surprise.” Fina offers to explain things calmly, but for now Marta prefers to keep her distance and analyze things and her own feelings. Marta thinks she must have done something wrong to not deserve Fina’s love. Fina tells her to please don’t even think such a thing. Marta notes they’ve both changed, but Fina has changed a lot. Fina says it’s because she thought she would never see Marta again. Marta brings up Chloe again and not being able to forget Fina. “Can you forget that Bianca now?” “Of course. I know perfectly well how I feel, Marta… You are the center of my life.”  Marta asks if Fina was so sure, then why not leave Bianca before coming to Spain. “Because I was a coward,” Fina responds. Fina hurries off upset after she says she feels she’s betrayed them [Marta and Bianca] both and that she is a miserable person.”

574    As Marta is working at the big house, Digna comes by to talk to her. She talks to Marta of how the blue of her eyes are darkened which means she has a dark cloud inside. Digna pushes lightly and suggests the cloud is more Fina than factory related. Marta admits, “I love her more than my own life. But something inside me has broken…” Digna tries to say Fina didn’t know what she’d find in Toledo, but Marta pushes back. In the letter she sent, Marta told her everything and bared her soul, affirming her love. “And you would have liked her to reciprocate your feelings with the same intensity,” Digna surmises. Marta would have just liked her to be honest. Hiding it makes Marta think Bianca is more important. Digna tries to say Fina had a right and a reason to move on, just like Marta did. Marta again rejects that as the only or the biggest issue, but she acknowledges Fina having been happy does hurt. Digna tells her the past is what is hurting her but the present is what matters. “Fina has chosen you because she loves you.” She tells Marta to forget her wounded pride and to think about what her heart feels. “You know perfectly well what my heart feels.”  

Listening to a sad love song in her bedroom, Marta hears Fina knock on the door and lets her in. They both go to speak at the same time. Marta lets Fina talk. Fina says she isn’t happy at all with this situation, that she can’t stand Marta being angry at her. Marta wishes she wasn’t, but she is. She cannot accept lies between them. There have never been lies between them. With all the lies around her, it’s non-negotiable for her. Fina agrees. Marta acknowledges it’s normal and reasonable, but that she is still hurt by Fina having moved on, that someone else saw her lovestruck smile, held her warm hand in the pocket of a coat, that Fina could imagine a future with someone else. Marta thought she was unique to Fina. Fina says she was also moved Marta had a relationship with another. Marta did have a relationship with love, but she broke it off because it was nowhere near what she felt or feels for Fina. Fina goes to sit on the bed and tells Marta, “There has never been, nor will there ever be, anyone in my life like you.” She had to travel 8,000 km to realize Marta’s is the only hand she wants holding hers, and that it’s with Marta, and only Marta, with whom she imagines her future and wants to spend her nights with. “I love you very much, Marta.” They lightly fight over who loves who more before falling into kisses. [The song comes back in louder again. The lyrics: I’m not even asking for it to be forever, but give me a second with you. (not terribly a fan of that)]. 

575    Marta and Fina wake up together in Marta’s bed. Marta is softly telling Fina she didn’t think she’d get to wake up to her in the mornings again, to watch her sleep or to hear the little noises she makes while sleeping. Marta waxes poetic about Fina’s simple presence giving her peace. [Fina smiles softly as Marta touches her]. Marta tickles Fina and they giggle. A door closes in the hallway and they panic a moment, Fina hiding under the covers until Marta gives the all clear. Marta whispers for Fina to come out but gets a finger wag, making her giggle again. Fina comes back out and Marta asks if she ever had to hide with Bianca. She apologizes thinking Fina doesn’t want to talk about it, and Fina though Marta didn’t want to. Marta admits she doesn’t, but also has curiosity. Fina tells her they lived on a ranch, but that Bianca is a painter [successful or as Marta intuits, rich]. They met when Fina was hired as a photographer at an exhibition in which Bianca was the featured artist. Marta asks if it was love at first sight and Fina gets uncomfortable, feeling like it’s an interrogation, but Marta disagrees. Fina thinks they’re entering dangerous territory asking such detailed questions. Marta backs down agreeing she doesn’t want to know more, that the important thing is they’re together. “How lucky we are,” agrees Fina. “And that’s what we have to celebrate,” says Marta, before they kiss. Marta slides down and pulls the blanket over them as Fina smilingly shushes her to keep quiet. 

Marta comes downstairs and greets her father who remarks she’s up late today. She says she had trouble sleeping. After, Marta and Andrés are talking and he tells her he is happy she and Fina are together again. She thinks perhaps it’s destiny as Andrés said before, and that Fina is hers. That finally this is the right time and place.  

576    [At dinner, Andrés and Tasio propose they all sell their shares to Brossard in exchange for the factory and grounds so they can start a new perfumery wholly in their hands. The family is in agreement. Fina must be out elsewhere].

577    Talking with Valentina, Chloe mentions she’d give up all her interesting business travels and abilities to have a love like Valentina and Andrés, with Marta. At a café Digna asks Chloe to stay and work with Marta in the domestic and international sales area, despite Chloe’s still tender feelings at the breakup, at the new potential perfume company. 

578    Marta meets up with Fina outdoors at a café. Fina is smiling because she is happy she found a job, and to see Marta too, she agrees. It’s not her dream job, and it’s temporary covering a disability leave, but it’s work and it pays well. It’s at a shop that specializes in weddings and such and some industrial catalogs, but Fina will also be allowed to develop the portraits she likes to do in the studio. Fina is excited for a job and an apartment of her own. Marta is supportive, but is gently vocal about being sad to have Fina leave the big house so soon. Fina reminds her staying in the big house was only meant to be temporary but is sympathetic when Marta says she wants to dream of them living together a little longer. Fina expresses this is a step she’s very excited to take because she has never lived on her own or had her own house [listing through where Fina has lived, Bianca’s house is mentioned] and right now it’s something she feels she needs to do. “It’s part of the freedom I’m not willing to lose.” [Marta is clearly unhappy for Fina to go, but reigns it in to be supportive]. “If that’s what you want. That’s what we’ll do.” Fina assures her this will change nothing between them.

579    Digna comes to tell Chloe at the factory office that Brossard accepted the De la Reina’s offer to buy the factory for their shares and proposes again that she come work with them. Marta comes in and affirms Digna’s request is supported by all, including herself. Chloe accepts and will stay. Everyone is pleased and smiles happily.

580    Fina, on her way to take some photos for a child’s communion, visits Marta in the factory office. Marta suggests the child is lucky to be getting such lovely photos, but Fina laughs saying there isn’t much art there. Marta suggests there isn’t much in her work either, but Fina says Marta makes art out of a delivery note. [Fina sits on the desk and they hold hands on her leg as they sweetly flirt about corny photography]. Fina is also very happy for Marta that the family will hopefully be getting the factory back. As Fina gets up to go, Marta asks if they can meet for a drink later, but Fina will be looking at apartments in the center of Toledo [Marta gets a bit sad]. Fina assures her they’ll find a way and everything will be fine. They’ve talked about it and even if Fina would love to have a house in the suburbs with a garden with Marta, it’s all she can afford now. [Chin grab and blown kiss by Fina]. 

581    Out at a cafe, Marta is telling Fina the family has learned Brossard has accepted a better proposal from rival perfumery Floral to buy the factory [All organized by Gabriel]. [Fina is eating a croissant with a knife and fork]. Marta worries for her father, but Fina assures her if she was able to move forward, they will be able to as well. Marta tells Fina her being there gives her strength, that it’s everything to her. Fina says it’s the same for her. Marta says she just wants to be with her wife [Fina is smiling while chewing]. Asking if she has finalized an apartment yet—she hasn’t—Marta proposes to Fina that she knows someone with a discreet house on the outskirts of Toledo they’d rent to Fina. Fina is a bit upset Marta called without talking to her since she already told her what she wanted in a place, but Marta insists it was only to see if it was available. The final decision is Fina’s, she assures her. Marta is very much interested in this property as it would solve problems of meeting that living in the city center would create, but Fina can’t afford it and already said she didn’t want something like it. Marta mentions she could pay for it, but that does not make Fina happier. Fina does agree to look at it. 

582    In the big house, Marta and Digna discuss family events including Damián proposing selling the casa de los montes, Marta’s emphatic rejection, and Damián’s disappointment in her. Digna suggests to Marta that if Damián knew the real reason they can’t sell the house everything would change. She knows Fina won’t return there and the reason is compelling. Marta is immediately suspicious and defensive, then realizing Digna knows, asks when she learned. Digna says Fina told her everything recently, which Marta is a bit betrayed to hear, as they promised not to tell anyone (and she was given no notice). Digna assures her she won’t say anything and insists she basically pushed Fina to tell. Digna suggests she tell Damián but Marta refuses, not wanting her father to know, “we killed a man.”

In Fina’s guestroom, she and Marta talk about her work and the house Marta had suggested. Fina didn’t call since she can’t afford it anyway. Marta says she thought they’d share expenses but Fina points out Marta only said she’d pay for it all. Marta doesn’t see a problem with that since she earns more. Fina, irritated, reminds her she wants to be independent to which an annoyed Marta agrees saying Fina has not stopped proving it since she returned from Argentina. Fina asks if that independence bothers her, but Marta says it makes her angry that Fina isn’t thinking about both of them and how little they could see each other if Fina was in an inner city apartment. Fina suggests if Marta didn’t live in the big house it could be easier too which Marta takes as she is not independent enough and is a bit insulted. Fina tries to make herself clear. “What I don’t think is right is that my life or my decisions are subject to you.” Marta thinks in a relationship some things should be subject to others. “But of course, you want to live your life. And it turns out I want to live a life with you.” Fina asks if Marta is doubting her feelings for her, to which Marta says no, but Fina’s going it alone is clear, like telling Digna about Santiago without consulting her. Fina deflates but her first thought is she never thought Digna would tell Marta. Marta expected Fina to tell her. They discuss Digna’s suggestion to tell Damián since he wants to sell the house (Fina is afraid, hearing this). Fina admits she should have asked before telling Digna and asks for her forgiveness. Marta makes it clear she will only tell him if Fina is aware and fully agrees. Fina tells her to do it. Marta runs into Damián downstairs and asks him to sit down so she can tell him something. Marta recalls the real reason the casa de los montes can’t be sold, how Santiago came and attacked, Fina stabbing him in self defense, Pelayo helping to bury the body on the property. Damián is horrified and understands fully, especially when Marta likens her and Fina to his relationship with Digna.

583    At breakfast in the morning Damián and Digna talk more about the casa de los montes situation and she tells him the full details of Pelayo’s blackmail of Fina and how she found out. Damián is horrified at what she and Fina went through and is in full agreement that they can’t sell the property. He assures her she has nothing to apologize for. Tasio walks up and is told the casa de los montes won’t be sold and is mildly irritated at that.

In her guestroom, Fina is looking for apartments in the paper when Marta knocks. Fina waves her in, asking how telling Damián went. Fina’s fear and worry is assuaged when Marta tells her he took everything well and with sympathy. Discussing apartments Marta apologizes for making Fina miss out on the one she wanted to consider the house Marta suggested [though it seems that had no effect on it being snapped up]. Fina has found another to look at and asks if Marta would like to come with her, she’d be helpful. Marta had thought Fina wanted to do it all on her own, but Fina says only paying for it [calm almost playful energy today]. Fina wants Marta’s good taste to help her see all the possibilities and to see how they can decorate it to both of their likings.  Chloe tells Valentina she’s decided to stay in Toledo to help the De la Reina’s with their venture to start a new perfumery from scratch. Chloe admits it is hard to see Marta happy with Fina and to accept her relationship with Marta is only friends now. At the big house Damián and Digna are awaiting a call from Chloe to see what Floral’s offer was and if they can match it. They also discuss the pain and hardship Marta and Fina had to go through with Santiago and Pelayo and all. Chloe shows up and tells them the Floral offer [far greater than they could have gotten selling the casa de los montes].

584    In the factory office Gabriel talks business with Chloe, but then stops her from leaving to tell her he knows about her siding with the De la Reina’s in their new business through her calling about Floral. He pokes at her feelings, noting that since Fina is back Chloe has become a nobody to Marta, so maybe she wanted to hand that information over to feel loved again. Chloe asks what happened to make Gabriel hate the De la Reina’s so much, but he won’t tell her himself. He makes more snide remarks about her relationship to Marta. He also mentions he told Brossard he should review her contract and implies she won’t have a job with Brossard after the factory closes. 

In Fina’s guestroom Marta and Fina discuss the apartment they looked at. The apartment is small but Fina is excited and Marta is happy for her. Marta is critiquing the apartment with her bourgeois sensibilities [with humor and a bit self-depricatingly] while Fina doesn’t mind putting in the elbow grease to clean things up herself. Marta just wants Fina to be okay (and have the best) so she worries, but Fina insists it’s all fine and she wants to paint and scrub and all herself. Fina calls her “my love” while gently talking her down after Marta calls the apartment a hovel and says the only thing that matters is if she can afford it. That’s all. Marta acknowledges self-consciously but humorously that she is a spoiled brat. Fina agrees, but adds that Marta is her favorite spoiled brat. Fina plans to leave tomorrow. Marta sassily thinks that night will be the last night they can spend together until who knows when. Fina suggests they don’t need to wait for night. Marta will miss her. Fina jokingly asks if she won’t come visit and warns her she’ll put her to work scrubbing and all. While flirting and almost kissing, a knock sounds at the door which Fina answers as Marta hides behind her. After Manuela leaves [bringing a camisole with a ripped strap] they plan for the night to be safe. As Marta heads out, Fina gives her a cheeky pat on the butt and they both smile as Marta playfully swats back. Out at a café, Valentina and Chloe talk about Gabriel’s actions and their relationships. Valentina suggests anything could happen with Marta even if Chloe sees and knows Fina is Marta’s great love. Chloe recognizes she and Marta really can’t be close. Later at the big house Marta updates Andrés on the casa de los montes conversations. Damián comes in and tells the family he will sell La Industrial, the company he made with Tasio to outbid Floral. Tasio is mad and refuses.

585    In the morning Fina is ready to leave. Marta is carrying Fina’s suitcase assuring her anything she leaves [Fina feels she is leaving something] will be safe and sound and that it would even give Marta an excuse to see her. Fina asks for no work talk when she visits, though. Marta apologizes for not being able to help her move in with Brossard coming and everything going on. Fina is supportive. Damián comes up to say goodbye to Fina, asserting she could not have abused hospitality in her own home (partly as Marta’s partner but also) because she was born and raised in this house too. He knows Isidro would be so proud of her. Fina seems saddened and mentions still carrying what happened with Santiago with her. Damián notes she had to live through so much, start a new life while ignoring that she had another one thousands of kilometers away. He promises to take the secret to the grave and only regrets he didn’t know and wishes he could have protected them. Fina thanks him instead, for everything but especially letting her be who she is. Hug. He hopes she won’t be a stranger. Marta thanks her father for being so wonderful after Fina leaves. 

Later at the factory office Tasio tries to convince Marta and Andrés to help him talk Damián out of selling La Industrial but they prefer to stay out of it and even think it could be for the greater good and the legacy of Damián and all of them as his children. Tasio snipes about the casa de los montes being untouchable.

586    Fina has come to visit Marta and they sit discussing things in the kitchen of the big house. Marta talks business and Fina is sympathetic [Marta’s day is already helped by Fina’s presence]. Fina talks about her new apartment, almost ready now, and getting some things for it. She invites Marta [Brossard is visiting alas so she can’t go]. Marta talks about the La Industrial proposed sale and Tasio’s fits [Fina dreads even the idea of Tasio knowing why the casa de los montes can’t be sold when Marta thinks if only he knew and understood]. They get annoyed at Tasio together. Claudia arrives and, taking a moment to talk to Marta as her boss, tells them about Tasio hiring Paula [who he cheated on Carmen with] at the factory. Marta and Fina are in disbelief.

At the factory, Marta confronts Tasio when she sees him talking to Paula. She demands an explanation but he gets defensive and will only say she is there to work and he doesn’t have to explain to anyone. [He hired her because she became homeless and jobless after being kicked out of the De la Reina house for the affair]. He is snappy and reproachful to her. She reminds him this is disrespectful to everyone, especially Carmen and Paula herself. At the factory office Marta is frustrated with the Tasio situation and his inability to keep personal and professional apart. Chloe is there and offers to listen so Marta unloads the whole mess. Chloe thinks Tasio is one of those men who doesn’t hesitate to stumble over the same stone twice. Marta thanks Chloe for letting her vent and being there to talk about personal and professional things [Chloe sits on the desk Marta is at a bit but seems a bit uncomfortable]. Chloe talks about Gabriel making threats of having Brossard fire her. Marta suggests sometimes the unexpected happens, but Chloe says she is more of an accept-things-as-they-come person, mentioning a song she and Marta listened to while together, Edith Piaf’s “Je ne regrette rien.” Chloe says she doesn’t regret anything. Talking with Andrés in the warehouse Marta learns he knew of the Paula idea [not that Tasio was going to actually do it without telling anyone]. He agrees it’s tactless but tells her the full reasons Tasio did this and that their family did kick her out and wash their hands of the situation when it was Tasio who had the power in that affair. She agrees to let Paula stay until she can get work elsewhere. Back in the factory office, Brossard politely tells Chloe she won’t have a future in his company.  

587    At breakfast, Marta tells Digna and Damián about the Paula situation. In the store at the colony, Claudia snaps at Paula, telling her she knows all about what she did to Carmen and Tasio’s marriage. Fina shows up at the store to get Claudia’s opinion on paint colors for her new apartment. Claudia can’t concentrate and tells her she snapped at Paula and is considering calling Carmen to tell her what’s going on. Fina tells her not to put fuel on the fire but Claudia points out if Carmen comes back because of the letter Tasio begged Claudia to send her and Claudia keeps quiet on this development, then Claudia is the one who deceived Carmen. Fina admits that’s bad. Tasio walks in to talk work and Claudia responds frankly, saying she is very busy since Carmen left and she only has Valentina. Claudia lays into Tasio. Tasio is irritated at being questioned, but Fina points out no one questioned him before he got into bed with a woman who wasn’t his. As Carmen’s best friends they’re worried about her and ask him if he really thought how Carmen will take this news. He leaves. 

At the factory office, Marta and Chloe are talking about the De la Reina offer to buy the factory. Chloe may know a company interested in La Industrial. Things are very warm and friendly [on Marta’s part] between them. Chloe has a fantasy of the conversation leading to her and Marta kissing. She snaps back to reality and declines Marta’s lunch offer saying she has plans with essentially a date. Marta is a bit surprised and curious, but in a happy supportive way. Chloe leaves quickly.

588    At the big house Marta tells Andrés about Chloe having a lead on a buyer for La Industrial. He tells her Valentina wants to break up because of her past holding her back. Marta talks with him, telling him what happened to Valentina [the rape] is one of the worst things that can happen to a woman. Marta knows he is understanding but doesn’t know if a man can truly understand how it can kill something inside you. She says the only thing he can do is wait and tries to be a loving and supportive sister. Sooner or later, she thinks, Valentina will realize it’s a mistake to distance him from her life, even just as a friend.

At the factory office, Marta is working when Chloe comes in. Marta politely asks if Chloe had a nice date and they talk about the potential sale of La Industrial. Marta wishes her well with this person. Chloe admits there is no person and she made that up. She lied to create distance because she still feels the same about Marta and can’t see her as a friend. Marta didn’t know she felt that way and is sorry she has been clumsy. Chloe affirms they can’t ever be friends. 

589    Out at a café, Fina arrives apologetic at having kept Marta waiting a while because she wanted to stop at the fabric store near her apartment. Marta is trying to be supportive at the fabric samples but is distracted. Fina wants her opinion to make the place to her liking too, and hopes Marta comes to see her often. Fina notices Marta is distracted which she admits [work as usual Fina guesses], but Marta expresses she is upset at Fina being late and has noticed things aren’t like they were before Fina left. Fina insists Marta’s worries are her own but doesn’t fight the last suggestion. It would be weird if after all she went through everything was the same, she says. She asks what Marta doesn’t like, her independence, her job? Marta loves everything about Fina, but only asks that they support each other equally. With being so close to possibly losing the company, her family’s identity, her job, she just wants to feel like some things haven’t changed, that she is the most important thing to Fina. Fina assures her she is the most important thing to her. Marta doesn’t quite feel that importance. Fina expresses Marta is the only reason she is in Toledo, she is the love of Fina’s life. It seems to her that simply being there by Marta’s side hasn’t been enough to prove it to her, but if Marta asks for more, she will give it to her, not because it was asked, but because she wants to give it.   

In the factory office Chloe and Valentina talk of their love lives. Chloe mentions deciding to distance herself from Marta. She is still in love with Marta and she can’t be her friend. In the canteen Tasio is drunk off his ass in the middle of the day making a mess in public, rambling about his problems. Later, in the office, Chloe brings news of the French company interested in buying La Industrial to Andrés and Marta. Andrés and Brossard are in the main factory office discussing the pending sale of La Industrial when Tasio barges in drunk and rudely rants at Brossard for messing everything up [Brossard does call him “the bastard,” (so he sucks too)].

590    Andrés brings Tasio home. Brossard arrives and demands an apology straight away, business or no, but has forgotten his heart pills at the colony and so collapses and dies in Andrés’ arms. 

Later in the big house, Marta answers a call. It’s Bianca [displeased face for Marta]. Marta explains Serafina Valero doesn’t live there anymore and has an apartment. She says perhaps they haven’t installed a phone line yet as she left no contact number. Marta says she’ll give her the message. Fina shows up having received a message from Marta who is still a bit out of it after the call. Marta tells her about Brossard dying in the house. They talk about the mess this creates and Fina asks after the family and company. Marta asks after Fina’s day and learns the photographer Fina was replacing decided to come back early upon learning a woman was replacing him. Marta starts to offer help if she needs it but Fina cuts her off assuring her she’ll be fine. Marta is sure she’ll get a better job like she hopes. Fina feels very lucky to have Marta and to have her saying nice things to her.  

591    In the factory office, Marta has come to talk to Andrés about everything going on [rumors are spreading Begoña having an affair with the chauffeur Eduardo. Beatriz spread the rumor. She seemingly wants to steal Gabriel and Juanito from Begoña. And Brossard’s heart pills being found. Tasio stole them while drunk not knowing and put them back in the office after the Civil Guard started looking for them]. Andrés asks if Marta would like to come support Begoña later, but she declines as she wants to meet up with Fina who had a job interview. She wants to be there to ask how she is and let her see Marta’s support. 

592    Walking through some gardens, Digna and Fina talk about her new place and her difficult job search. Fina says she’ll have to find something even if it’s not photography if only to pay the rent. Digna suggests Marta can just help Fina financially in the interim [or even her or the family]. Fina [makes a face] and acknowledges she can count on Marta but doesn’t want to have to use her money and says thank you but it wouldn’t make her feel good to accept. For Fina it’s not about pride but independence. After being forced to leave Spain and having to and being able to survive on her own she likes knowing she can take care of herself. She doesn’t want to owe anything to anyone. Digna comes to understand and tells her she is happy to see how she has matured in this time. She suggests not everyone can understand Fina’s change [Fina sees she means Marta]. She suggests Marta is not handling the independence well and Fina confirms they have had ups and downs on the issue but both refuse to let it interfere with their relationship. Digna tells her it’s important to respect each other above all else, even one’s own interests. Fina thinks she and Marta can do this, but she also feels with this big change in her life she hasn’t closed the chapter with Bianca properly. Fina says she doesn’t like to hurt people and doesn’t like to be ungrateful so she thinks she did badly with how she left things with Bianca. She is mad she wasn’t able to truly convey how important Bianca has been for her and how grateful she is for taking care of her and saving her life in every way. She fears calling again will create more harm, but Digna says giving people the recognition they deserve is fair and always appreciated. She suggests a story as beautiful as theirs doesn’t deserve such a bitter ending and Fina agrees they deserve it.

593    At breakfast Marta and Tasio disagree over La Industrial since Damián was convinced by Tasio to not sell and they lost their potential buyer [everything is in the air since Brossard died]. He reproaches her again for the casa de los montes not being on the table and she insists again it cannot be sold and regardless it wouldn’t have been near what was needed to buy the factory. Later Marta and Chloe have a quick coffee and talk about the factory situation and the aborted sale of La Industrial. Marta wanted to tell her in person but didn’t want to make her uncomfortable with her trouble seeing Marta as just a friend. Marta hopes Chloe will continue to work with them but Chloe doesn’t think that’s a very good idea. Marta does sincerely consider her a good friend and would love to still have her around. Chloe excuses herself. Later at the big house Fina stops by to talk to Digna. She called Bianca who told her a woman took a message and was going to tell Fina [who never got the message]. She and Digna quickly determine it must have been Marta [Fina is contained but clearly mad].

594    At the factory office, Fina confronts Marta about having spoken to Bianca, not giving her Fina’s information and not giving Fina the message. Marta evades the question and Fina asks if she deceived her. Marta returns the questioning asking hadn’t Fina ended the relationship? Fina confirms and says the only reason she did was because she had chosen Marta. She says she needed to close things in a less abrupt and insensitive way. Marta says but they’re not together anymore to which Fina asks would Marta want that for herself? And what’s wrong with her? Fina wants Marta to have some empathy for Bianca but Marta says to forgive her for not feeling compassion while she herself was suffering. Fina [angrily] asks what Marta needs because she chose Marta. She is there with Marta. Fina admits she has been wrong several times, but has shown she can be trusted, right? Marta nods and says she said she was sorry. Fina points out she didn’t and tells her she was too proud to and goes to leave.

Marta calls for her to wait and lets out an I’m sorry. Fina wonders what happened to her. “I fell in love with a woman who wouldn’t have hidden this call from me.” Marta suggests Fina is making a bigger deal of this than it deserves to which Fina disagrees. She mentions their last conversation on truth* and says Marta accused her of lying to her and said that had no place in their relationship. She asks why Marta is lying now? Marta finally admits she is afraid now. Fina is incredulous and wonders what she could be afraid of, what more she needs to believe Fina? Marta admits it’s fear that Bianca has her phone number and will call and they will talk at night and that Fina will remember everything she felt for her and that she’ll miss her and… [and leave you? Fina asks]. She is upset and indignant asking Marta if that is really what she thinks of them, their relationship. She suggests if Marta thinks that she is blind. Marta is crying trying to explain she is just… [insecure, Fina finishes for her]. Marta admits it’s absurd and asks for forgiveness. She asks what she can do to fix it, what she can do. Fina doesn’t know [seems a bit irritated too] and leaves]. 

*[I think she means 589 since in 574 there was no disbelief or lying, just the insistence that lying had no place in the relationship. Marta moreso didn’t fully believe Fina’s insistence rather than outright saying she was lying in 589]

595    At breakfast Marta has a flashback to her argument/discussion with Fina the day before. Digna makes Marta and Tasio make up. He apologizes for an insult toward her [nudged to do so]. At the factory office Fina stops by to give the book of poetry back to Marta who isn’t there yet. She decides to just leave it on the desk with Chloe and goes to leave but drops some of her papers and photos. Chloe sees them and is interested and they talk about her job search and their mutual interest in photography. Chloe, acknowledging she might be meddling where she isn’t wanted, asks if Fina and Marta are alright. Fina says yes, but when Chloe points out Fina is leaving the book not waiting for Marta and Marta is a person with her particularities, Fina admits they are mad at each other now. She sits down to chat, telling Chloe Marta did something she didn’t expect and now she is disappointed. Fina doesn’t know if she’ll be able to forget what Marta did to her so easily. She realizes she probably shouldn’t tell Chloe that but Chloe says maybe she can relate and something similar happened with her and Marta. Chloe suggests Marta always comes out on top in disagreements and her strong character can take its toll to which Fina agrees. Fina says she used to be more docile and more compliant but after being in Argentina, now if she feels she is right she will defend that whether Marta gets angry or not [Chloe is nodding along]. Fina says she is no longer… [her shadow, Chloe fills in, and Fina seems to agree]. Chloe mentions being a shadow happened to her too. They talk about all of them having insecurities, including Marta, Fina mentions, because what Marta did can only be understood as being from insecurity [“The knight’s armor fell off” she says]*. Chloe is surprised Marta is insecure. “Beneath that armor, a fragile heart beats… like yours and like mine.” Fina decides she will let Chloe work and leaves the book saying it’s better for her to give it to Marta. They thank each other for the conversation.

Hugo Brossard, the son of the now dead Antoine, has decided the factory can stay in Toledo. *(Trying to have empathy for both of them, but wtf girl, did you just learn Marta is a softie?????? Forget pre-Argentina???)     

596    Marta visits the factory office, finding Chloe there. They are both happy the factory will stay in Toledo. Chloe, offhand, remembers and gives Marta the book of poetry Fina left and mentions Fina seems nice and she’s lucky to have her. Marta sees they’ve talked. She (a bit shyly) asks if they talked about her and Chloe tries to avoid it. Marta admits Fina’s anger that, according to Marta, she keeps messing up. Chloe says Fina never criticized Marta and didn’t tell her the reasons for her anger. They just talked of her and her personality [Marta seems to fake laugh nervously when asking “how am I”, then?] which Chloe says she has a lot of. Chloe says while they were together, she “succumbed” to Marta’s desires and confirms again [“don’t take it the wrong way”] when Marta doubts that. She says Marta liked being in control of the relationship and that even though she never felt forced, that it made her feel timid and insecure sometimes. Marta apologizes but Chloe says it’s nothing. She hopes out loud Fina never felt like that and apologizes for bringing up an uncomfortable conversation. Chloe tells her she thinks Marta and Fina can face whatever comes, together. Chloe heads out and Marta looks almost grief-stricken lost in her thoughts.     

Later, in the big house, Andrés plops down on the couch with Marta [who is reading the poetry book she had given Fina], complimenting her as his favorite sister who is the most nice, friendly, and intelligent. “Where have you been all day? I needed to hear something like that.” Marta admits she wishes she could sleep soundly like Andrés will apparently. She admits she doesn’t like how she is, how she fears she is becoming a cold and distant woman again, who tries to control everyone around her. “Don’t you see it?” “Marta, no, not at all.” She doubts him. He asks after her relationship with Fina and she admits Fina is angry and with good reason. He thinks it impossible she did anything irreparable and reminds her everyone makes mistakes, especially in love. She politely refuses his reassurances and wonders why she constantly tries to direct Fina’s life. “The problem is me, and if I continue like this, she’s going to get tired of me… I’m ruining it.” Andrés tries to assure her of the wonderful person she is and tries to get her to calm and remember this. He is sure once she has calmed down the next day, she’ll continue to fight for Fina’s love. His support is appreciated, but she admits [sadly], “I don’t know if I’ll be able to.” He promises to always be there to love and compliment and support her. 

597    Fina calls Claudia at the store and invites her to see her new apartment. At the big house, Marta and Digna talk about the party that is being thrown for the workers to celebrate the factory staying in Toledo. Digna notices Marta is sad and asks. Marta sees she has already spoken to Fina and sighs. She admits she didn’t know what she was thinking, behaving like a child like that. She has felt like this since Fina came back and she learned of the romance with Bianca which has been hard to stomach and has made her feel insecure. Digna tells her she has nothing to worry about because Fina adores her, but she did have a right to rebuild her life in Argentina. Digna wonders sadly at what Fina suffered. Marta reminds her she suffered a lot too. Digna tells Marta to not compare herself to anyone. Fina chose her and loves her with all that entails. Marta worries Fina thinks her pathetic, but also recalls Chloe hiding the call from her regarding Fina (not quite the same thing, but sure) and she was angry, but was ultimately understanding of the mess of emotions that led to that. Digna suggests Marta then knows how Fina feels now. Marta feels stuck in a corner. Digna suggests she needs to open her heart and be vulnerable with and admit her weaknesses to Fina.

598    Claudia visits Fina in her new apartment. There’s still much to do, but it’s coming together. She is going to put some of her photography up on the walls. Fina is open and happy and they hug. Claudia tells Fina she has noticed her a little sad lately and asks if she misses Argentina. Fina pauses and thinks, but affirms no, that’s not it. Things just aren’t going as well as she expected here [Marta? Claudia asks] and Fina explains she and Marta haven’t been able to get back to where they were when she left, that Marta hasn’t quite adjusted to Fina’s changes or her new experiences. Claudia suggests Marta feels a bit insecure she didn’t experience those things with Fina, and Fina just thinks their love should be above all this. Claudia awkwardly wishes them the best and Fina sighs and wishes the same. Sitting drinking tea and chatting, 

Fina is telling Claudia some about the accent and extra tense in Argentinian Spanish when the bell rings. Marta is at the door. She apologizes for showing up like that, but couldn’t stop thinking of Fina and just wanted to talk. Fina [a bit annoyed] tells her Claudia is there, but [after an eye roll and sigh] tells her to come in. Marta and Claudia greet each other politely. Marta gives Fina a box of pastries she brought. Marta [reading the room] says she was just stopping by to say hello when Fina offhand offers her a drink. Claudia tries to make an excuse to leave and let her stay, but Marta excuses herself. Fina says she can stay and have a drink with them [not coldly but not warmly either]. Marta makes her excuses, compliments the apartment [Fina rolls her eyes a bit] and leaves. Claudia apologizes and tells Fina she tried to leave. Fina sighs and tells her, you see how it is. They hope again for things to get better. Fina tiredly and dryly tosses the pastries Marta brought on the table saying, look, snacks (ouch).

599    In the factory office, Chloe is talking to Marta about looking to hire a photographer for the company party to show investors and clients and everyone the company is staying in Toledo. She notices Marta is down and asks about it. Marta is interrupted by Digna entering and Chloe leaves them alone. Digna talks business but also asks how things are going with Marta and Fina. Marta explains she went to see Fina yesterday to talk and explain her insecurities and to apologize but Claudia was there. Claudia offered to leave, but Marta saw Fina was in no mood to talk and excused herself instead. Digna suggests Fina just needs some time to forgive her. Marta disagrees. She thinks Fina isn’t going to forgive her. “In fact, I have the feeling that she’s cutting me out of her life. And maybe I deserve it.” Digna won’t hear that. Fina may have grown [stronger, Digna suggests], but she is the same, and tells Marta not to torment herself. Marta admits she thinks Fina will end up leaving her. Digna suggests her dark outlook is only because of her guilt and that won’t happen. The phone rings and Marta looks both hopeful and fearful taking it. It was Fina asking to meet her after work to talk.

600    While putting up a print of a photo [farmland?] in her apartment, Fina hears the doorbell buzz and goes to let Marta in [taking a pause before opening the door]. Marta apologizes for arriving early, but Fina says she was just decorating. Marta thinks it’s turning out beautifully. Fina offers a drink, but Marta just asks why she called. They sit and Fina explains when Marta showed up unannounced the day before, it bothered her. Marta knows, apologizes, and promises not to do it again [annoyed tired face from Fina]. She respects Fina’s personal space. Fina doesn’t understand why everything between them lately is a disagreement. She wants to understand why. Marta says she doesn’t know but Fina suggests Marta does and asks what is happening to her. Marta apologizes again for hiding Bianca and explains with Brossard and everything and Fina she was insecure. Fina says Marta wasn’t like this. Fina asks if she herself can do anything different, but Marta insists no. Fina is more self-confident now after Argentina and isn’t the same girl who never left the colony. Marta admits that intimidates her somewhat. Marta admits she does feel a little smaller now. Fina puts it as she’s lost power in the relationship. Fina sees them as equals. Marta is still the same to Fina, but Fina is different to Marta, and Fina says she’ll have to learn to live with her as an equal and not someone overwhelmed by her girlfriend’s status.

Marta stammers a bit asking to confirm that means Fina, “was going to break up with you?” asks Fina. Marta nervously asks if that’s what Fina wants. A surprised Fina asks how could she want that? Of course she doesn’t want that. She just wanted to know what was going wrong. Now things will be easier. She tells Marta it was very brave what she admitted [Marta suggests: childish] and now the tables are turned and she comforts Marta. Marta admits she thought she’d lost Fina. “You’re not going to lose me, you crazy woman.” They kiss and Marta asks, if they continue being girlfriends (rip mujeres/wives) will Fina put a picture of her on the wall? Fina smiles and laughs, showing her the photo she hadn’t yet put up [Marta gasps and calls herself an idiot], the best for last, because “You are the most important thing.” More kisses and a forehead touch.

601    In the morning, Marta is quietly getting ready, trying not to wake Fina, but accidentally wakes her. Marta promises she wasn’t trying to escape when Fina asks, but she was trying to get home early so her family didn’t wonder where she was and so Fina’s neighbors don’t see her. [They’re on the bed]. Fina points out her family knows where she would be and her neighbors are an elderly couple who stay to themselves. Marta acknowledges it’s true about her family, but with all the coming and going, she teases that Fina will see how fast her neighbors get nosy, kissing her sweetly. They continue to trade kisses as Fina asks Marta to stay at least so she can make her breakfast. Marta suggests she’ll have to call the factory to tell them she woke up feeling unwell. Fina is amused, but tells her she can’t [Cute grumpy Marta asks why not?]. It’s a very important day for the company with the party, and Fina has a job interview later. She acknowledges it might be tough with prejudices about women doing this work, and she may have to get a job in a shop given her experience at the perfumery store. Marta goes to offer, but Fina cuts her off. “No supporting your little wife.” Marta wants to support and offer Fina a spot in the store if she needs it, but agrees when Fina suggests she’d be too comfortable there and it would be going backwards for her. She just wants Fina to keep it in mind. Marta agrees to stay for Fina to make coffee and gives Fina a swat on the butt, smiling, as she heads to the kitchen.

602    Marta and Fina sit down to talk in Fina’s apartment. Fina had called her to talk and she explains Chloe passed on Marta’s job offer. Fina insists she doesn’t want Marta to treat her like a little girl. Marta calmly (and slightly amusedly, for calling this result correctly) corrects Fina saying she didn’t ask Chloe for anything and even told Chloe that Fina would think it was Marta’s idea and say no. Fina is wary, but Marta swears she had no hand in it and that it was all the merit of Fina’s own work, and Fina deflates a bit. [Good faces and teasing from Marta here]. Marta says she wouldn’t be so foolish as to make that mistake. Fina agrees. Marta would love to help, but she recognizes Fina’s value of her independence and knows it has nothing to do with Fina’s love for her. Marta teasingly says it is a shame though, because Fina could have gotten this job on her own. Marta points out this job to be a good opportunity for Fina, one precisely the kind Fina loves, an opportunity still on the table, but leaves it there. Fina starts seeing the great opportunity she turned down and starts rethinking it. Marta goes to leave, sans photographer, when Fina asks if she could still make it. Marta teasingly thinks so, if she’ll let herself be helped and someone gives her a ride. Fina calls Chloe to let her know.  

At the party, Fina is taking pictures, everyone is having fun, Digna and Chloe are happy about Fina taking the job. Marta arrives and Chloe’s face goes sour when Fina goes to greet her, though she tries to hide it. That night, at Fina’s, she and Marta joke and talk about the party, Damian, his speech, the love toward him from the workers, and no one listening to Gabriel’s attempt at a speech. They sit together cuddling on the couch. Fina recalls the party from the 30th anniversary, and Marta points out that this time they were actually able to celebrate together. They talk about the photos Fina was taking and how excited Marta is to see them. Fina thanks Marta for convincing her to take the job. Marta’s fight with Tasio earlier comes up [he went over her and Claudia’s heads and “No”s to get Gabriel to put Paula in the store since being in the warehouses was making her sick]. Marta and Fina talk about him and how it’s terrible to do this as the store was Carmen’s place before his affair pushed her away. They wonder how you can do that to someone you love, can you really love them and do that? Fina says, “I would never be capable of doing something like that to someone I love.” Marta agrees from experience. Fina is excited for the photos she took of Marta and they talk of her loving this evolved and imperfect Marta more each day. They kiss and she tells her she’ll prove it, grabbing her hand and leading Marta to the bedroom.

603    Valentina and Chloe speak in the factory office about Hugo Brossard’s call to Chloe that he wants to hire Fina indefinitely and start an advertising department. Valentina asks if Chloe would be okay working with both Marta and Fina. Chloe says it won’t be easy but she will try, and calls Fina before she can change her mind. Fina comes to meet Chloe in the office bringing developed photos from the party. Chloe proposes the job to Fina, who in turn asks her what she thinks. She suggests it’s a good opportunity. Fina asks for some time to think. Later, in the canteen, Marta and Fina share a coffee while Marta looks at the pictures. Fina tells Marta of the job opportunity and the new department. Marta is amused at learning of the new department, but pauses with some hesitation learning she and Chloe and Fina would be working together in this scenario. They talk about this potential working environment, and wonder if Chloe was really uncomfortable even though she did relay the job offer. Fina decides to talk frankly with Chloe about it. Marta is very into this more confident, mature, decisive Fina. “I’m drooling.” (Ladies you are in the canteen. Por favor). In the factory office, Fina goes to talk with Chloe about her and Marta’s concerns, and to ask her if it would be hard for her to work with the three of them together. Chloe assures her she will be fine and so Fina accepts. 

604 In the factory office, Fina goes to talk with Cloe about her and Marta’s concerns, and to ask her if it would be hard for her for the three of them to work together. Cloe assures her she will be fine and so Fina accepts (not before giving her signature forlornCloe™ look which says she won’t be fine). In the store, Fina walks in as Marta and Claudia are talking of Tasio’s actions putting Paula in the store. Fina feels such memories walking back into the store and Claudia is very excited to see her. Fina tells them [looking at Marta] that she talked to Cloe and accepted the job. Everyone is happy to have Fina around more soon. Fina teases Claudia about her budding romance with Dr. Miguel Salazar, calming Claudia when she blushes in front of Marta, telling her it’s fine, it’s just Marta [who is amused and delighted by the news]. Marta heads out and Claudia asks how it’ll be the three of them working with the history between Marta and Cloe. Fina says she herself is fine, but it’s the other two for whom things could get awkward/uncomfortable.

605 The new advertising department has its first meeting. Fina, Marta, and Cloe are discussing work details. Cloe praises Fina’s vision and Marta proudly agrees. Marta touches Fina’s shoulder, making Cloe visibly uncomfortable. The meeting continues until it gets unceremoniously interrupted by Gabriel, who questions the creation of the department until Cloe tells him it was approved by Hugo Brossard himself. Gabriel claims Marta must have had something to do with it, because the De la Reina’s “always know how to place their lovers” [having just found out Paula is Tasio’s lover]. Marta puts Gabriel in his place, but Fina is very upset about him knowing about them and thinking Fina is only there because of Marta. Cloe and Marta try to get Fina to calm down, claiming he has no proof against them and they know more about him than he knows about them, but she storms off after saying she wants to be valued for her work and for people to know she got the job on her own merit.

Back at the big house, Fina is showing Digna the photos she took of her at the party. Fina tells Digna that Hugo Brossard liked her photos so much that he created the new advertising department. They talk about Marta, Cloe, and herself working together, and about Marta lying about Bianca’s call. Fina says that’s all resolved, but the problem is now Gabriel, and how he thinks Marta gave Fina the job just because they’re together. Digna repeats what Marta said before: they know more about him than he knows about them. Digna tells her the threat of Gabriel hurting them will always be there, and asks her if she’s going to let her fear of him dictate how she lives her life.

606 Marta and Cloe talk at the office; neither has heard anything from Fina since she stormed off. Marta’s reservations about the three of them working together come up again, and Cloe once again reassures her it’s okay, they’re professionals. Cloe encourages Marta to call Fina, but Marta refuses, saying Fina will most likely see it as an intrusion. Fina suddenly walks back in as if nothing happened, saying they have work to do. Cloe and Marta are glad that she changed her mind, and Marta squeezes Fina’s hand, making Cloe visibly uncomfortable once again. Cloe leaves them working to find Valentina. She tells her, on the verge of tears, that she can’t do it, that seeing the displays of love from Marta to Fina are killing her because Marta was never like that with her (boo fucking hoo). Cloe says she can’t take it anymore and is going to accept the job offer in New York.

607 Fina and Marta are talking in the office. They talk about having dinner the night before (and dessert wink wink), and how Fina wishes Marta could’ve stayed the night. Marta says she’d love to, but she’s scared of being seen and someone putting two and two together. Fina says she misses Marta in bed, Marta answers that she misses Fina’s body at night. They kiss (and continue being poetic, okay Sappho) before getting interrupted by Cloe, who announces that she accepted the position in New York. Marta is shocked by the news, and tells Cloe she hopes her decision to leave has nothing to do with what has happened the last few days [the three of them working together]. Cloe says it’s a purely professional decision. Cloe leaves and Fina asks Marta if she’s okay. Marta says she’s confused about the sudden change of heart, and Fina replies that she must’ve thought it over and realized New York is more stimulating than staying in the colony. Then she tells Marta “You would have done the same, wouldn't you?” Marta says she supposes so.

Marta heads down to the store to find out from Valentina the real reason why Cloe is leaving. Valentina claims it’s because it’s a great opportunity, but Marta doesn’t believe it. Marta is afraid Cloe is running away because of something she might’ve said. Valentina says it wasn’t something Marta said, but rather a collection of feelings, and says that problems are sometimes best faced from a distance [implying that the situation of the three of them working together is what made Cloe leave].

608 Digna has organized a farewell party for Cloe at the big house. Valentina, Claudia Digna, Fina, and Marta are there. Marta calls Cloe a breath of fresh air and Fina looks very uncomfortable the entire time. Back at the office, Cloe is finishing some work, reminiscing about the start of her relationship with Marta, when Marta walks in. Cloe thanks her for the party, but Marta says it was Valentina’s idea, with Digna’s help. Marta says lovely things about her, and thanks her for bringing light into her life during dark days. Cloe finally admits she’s not just leaving for the job and Marta apologizes, but Cloe says that’s life and that she’s glad Marta is happy. She says not to complicate things with Fina and be happy, then calls her mon amour and kisses her (it was a friendship kiss guys, don’t worry). Marta tells her to be happy as well and they hug one last time.

609 Begoña visits the big house and Digna offers the Casa de los Montes so that she can be alone with the kids for a few days. Marta agrees.

610 Marta and Claudia discuss the reformulated perfumes and how Tasio helped Gabriel because he owed him for putting Paula in the store (beautiful mother/daughter bonding time). Digna answers the phone at the big house. It’s Bianca [and it’s not a long-distance call] looking for Fina. Digna says Fina doesn’t live there anymore. Bianca knows, but she has been calling Fina’s apartment and getting no answer, and since she knows Fina spends time at the bighouse, she would try her luck. Digna says she could try looking for her at her work and offers to give her the number. Bianca says she has it already. 

611 Digna (quite coldly) lets drop that Bianca called the house the day before asking for Fina, and could Marta let her know because Bianca hasn’t been able to reach her. Later, Fina is outside the canteen looking at some photos when she hears a voice she recognizes. She looks up, surprised, to find Bianca standing in front of her. “But what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in Argentina?” Fina says. “You’re so happy to see me that you want to send me back to Argentina already?” Bianca replies. Fina says she simply wasn’t expecting to see her, and Bianca says that she called and left her a message, to which Fina replies she was going to call back later. “There’s no need for that, I’m here”. Fina finally smiles and they hug. Bianca talks about Fina’s smell, the scent of spring. Bianca says she’s here for business, an interview with an art dealer in Madrid, and she took advantage of the trip to visit Fina, “How could I not come and see you?” [What a coincidence, no?, says Fina]. “I hope it didn’t bother you?” “No, of course it didn’t bother me. I was really looking forward to seeing you again”. [Note that 13 episodes ago, Marta showing up unannounced at Fina’s apartment did bother her.] Bianca asks Fina if she’s back to her old job as a salesgirl (with the photographs Fina was studying quite visible on the table, mind you). Fina tells her that she’s now working in the advertising department. Bianca seems ecstatic, “They finally see your talent!”

Fina apologizes to Bianca for the way she handled things. Bianca admits she was deeply hurt that Fina didn’t want to return to Argentina with her. “But that’s life, sometimes you win, many other times you suffer.” Fina says she’s sorry for breaking up with her over the phone, but that she didn’t really have other options. Bianca herself apologizes for having said the things she said and hanging up on her. “Thankfully we were able to bring things to order afterwards, find each other again and be what we are [scoffs] two good friends”. Fina is relieved that Bianca doesn’t seem to hold a grudge against her. “A grudge against you?” Bianca says. “After everything we went through together? Impossible”. They talk about Fina’s work.

612    Marta meets Fina out at a cafe. They chat about the photos Fina took for the new campaign and Chloe’s departure when Fina reveals she had an unexpected guest visit her that morning. Bianca told her she is staying in Toledo and will be around Madrid on business for a few days. Marta is stunned and a bit concerned about Bianca being there in person. Fina gently but firmly assures Marta that Bianca’s visit means nothing [more than platonic] for her and that everything will stay the same between them [Fina and Marta]. Marta disbelieves Bianca’s intentions and reason for coming. Fina disagrees but is regardless not unhappy to be able to explain the breakup in person. Marta reminds Fina that her own original intention was to come to Spain to close her story with Marta and feels ridiculous asking what Fina felt seeing Bianca. Fina assures her she doesn’t sound ridiculous and insists Bianca is just a friend now, a part of a very complicated part of her life, and that it was nothing like seeing Marta and in a second knowing their love was still there just as strong. Fina avows, “I can no longer imagine a life without you.” Marta reciprocates.

613    Marta is doing work at the big house when Digna walks in. Marta tells her about Bianca’s arrival. Digna asks why she’s come, if she’ll return home eventually, how Fina took it. Marta tells her what she knows and that Fina was surprised. Marta and Digna agree that being able to talk in person about the breakup was something both likely needed. Digna checks in on Marta, asking if she’s worried, but Marta says she thinks she has no need to be given Fina’s very natural assurances of not feeling anything anymore for Bianca and that she is still in love with Marta as always. They agree the situation is strange, but Digna encourages her to take it in stride and suggests she strengthen her relationship with Fina and propose meeting Bianca. Fina comes in and Digna tells her Marta told her about Bianca, even proposing she come to visit the house, Fina declines but thinks they’d get on well. Marta proposes that she and Fina meet Bianca together and Fina agrees.  

614    Fina and Bianca are talking in the park. They’re talking about a necklace that Bianca bought that is a staple in Toledo and is something Fina grew up seeing. Bianca talks about the historical origins and Fina sees it in a new light. Bianca gives it to and puts it on Fina. She comments it’s a jewel for another jewel. Fina asks what Bianca thinks of Marta [as fascinating as the technique in the necklace they were talking about, she says]. Fina was worried Bianca would be bothered after everything, but she says the only thing that would bother her was Fina being with someone who doesn’t have her best interests at heart. [some casual touching happening in this conversation]. They talk about the breakup, Fina promising to return and not doing so, Bianca being mostly fine now and mature about it and acknowledging she encouraged Fina to see Marta. She doesn’t want to lose Fina from her life. She is important to Fina too and Fina wants her in her life too, because she owes Bianca one. They go stroll around town arm in arm. 

Later Fina finds Marta in the office in the big house. They chat about her nice walk and Fina tells her about the necklace and seeing Toledo through new eyes. The revelations are her own, she says when Marta asks about Bianca, but came about based on Bianca’s impromptu art history lesson. Bianca had to go back to her hotel and Fina wanted to come and be with and see Marta who is happy the walk was nice and did purposefully leave so they could talk alone. Marta admits she can see how Fina fell in love with Bianca with all they have in common. She’s not bothered, as Fina asks, just a little scared. [a calm, vulnerable, flirty rapport here]. Fina assures Marta the two of them have much more in common and she loves Marta just because, for how Marta makes her feel, that nothing in the world is more worthwhile than being with her [giggles]. Marta is still a bit worried Bianca will try to get Fina back. Fina insists Bianca knows it’s over forever, that Fina chose Marta. But what if she stayed and there was a low moment in their relationship? Fina points out she could have thought the same with Chloe. Touché, says Marta. Fina says she is still the same, the only thing changed is that she is even more in love with Marta. [They kiss sweetly. IN THE BIG HOUSE OFFICE WITH THE DOOR OPEN!!] That night Marta and Digna talk about work and Marta meeting Bianca. Marta found her “too charming.” Marta knows Fina loves her and chose her, but she worries she has more in common with Bianca. Digna doesn’t like Marta still being so insecure since Fina returned (point of debate on when and why) and wants her to fully believe she is a strong extraordinary woman, that she shouldn't punish herself for being vulnerable, and that opposites also work well in relationships.

615    Marta is talking with Digna about work when Doña Clara arrives at the big house [warm greetings all around]. She came to tell Marta all the documentation has been received and they’re ready to read Pelayo’s will, which she hopes they can do it next week in Toledo. Marta agrees and sits to talk with her while Digna heads out. Marta takes the opportunity to tell her Fina is back and Dona Clara is happy to hear that and happy Marta can be happy with a partner. 

Later in the factory office, Bianca comes in while Marta is working to wait for Fina who is meeting with her soon. They greet politely and Bianca looks at some pictures of Fina’s and they chat. [Bianca makes repeated comments that sound nice but hold an insult or judgment or warning within]. Marta admits it hasn’t always been easy for her and Fina to be together safely, to which Bianca recounts how lovely and beautiful her and Fina’s life in Argentina was and how Fina has so much talent, that perhaps it was FIna’s sensitivity that led them to click so easily. She says they were very, very, very happy and things were simple. Marta is calm and polite as she comments she is lucky to have Fina with her every day. Bianca gives her advice to learn how to keep Fina now, that Fina is worth more than a still life [meaning the photographs she is now taking but also the implication is a life with Marta is still (and implied to be lesser)]. Marta agrees, but says this is what Fina wants. Bianca suggests they don’t know what Fina wants. Fina walks in straight for Marta, greeting her with a “Hello, love.” Marta points out Bianca, who Fina didn’t expect to see there, and takes her leave to let them say goodbye [Bianca is leaving earlier than expected]. [Fina seems a bit awkward to be affectionate with Marta, a sweet chin touch from Marta, with Bianca right there].   Saying their goodbyes in the office, Fina and Bianca talk about Fina’s photography and artsy stuff (perhaps a bit too much knee touching by Fina for my taste). They’re glad to have been able to talk in person after the phone breakup. Bianca is glad everything is working for Fina, life, love, and work, but Fina admits her photos aren’t working as well here as in Bianca’s studio. [Fina is very happy and animated talking to Bianca]. Bianca tells Fina to not forget she is an artist. They agree they aren’t the types to say goodbye, never. They hug and Bianca touches Fina’s face (emotional and suspiciously almost kiss looking).

617    In the factory office, Fina is going over prints with Marta who is checked out admiring Fina and thinking of how happy she is to look at her. Marta’s having trouble separating the personal and professional looking into Fina’s eyes. They kiss and Fina playfully reminds her where they are as Marta grumbles. Marta tells her of the dream last night she had of them in a hotel by the sea, a dream she’d like to fulfill, as would Fina. There’s a knock at the door and Bianca enters. Bianca was supposed to leave, but the art dealer proposed she do an exhibition so now she is staying longer in Spain and has decided to paint in Toledo. She has come to relay that the art dealer wants Fina to photograph her process [and spend lots of time with her] like she did in Argentina and that it would be such a good opportunity for her. Fina says no, given her job at the Perfumery, but Bianca insists it’s Fina or she won’t have anyone do it. She insists it’s a unique opportunity, compliments her, and keeps pushing. She stops and agrees to let Fina think it over, giving her a booklet from one of her other exhibitions as a gift. Bianca mentions looking at the images, that she is the one who cut Fina’s hair [“I cut off that ponytail”]. [Marta stands in the back, verbally supportive of Fina, but increasingly visibly uncomfortable, as Bianca and Fina largely speak].  

618    While talking business with Andrés in the warehouse, Marta admits what is really worrying her is Bianca being back, and that it seems to Marta she is back for Fina. She tells him how Bianca proposed the job and insisted even after Fina turned her down, even insisting to Marta like she was the one to give permission. He tells her she has nothing to worry about, but she worries that this close collaboration between recent exes would risk everything for herself. She mentions when Bianca was leaving before, she implied Fina would be better off not in Toledo with Marta. Marta is uncomfortable and suspects Bianca has ulterior motives, but she knows she can’t keep Fina from this job on only that or it would damage their relationship and create distance which is what she suspects Bianca wants. He tries to reassure her.  

619    Fina is looking over Bianca’s catalogue in the kitchen of the big house, waiting for Marta, when Digna pops in. Fina tells her about Bianca being back and the exhibition and job offer. Digna is supportive and happy. They talk about her reticence to accept the job as she is worried about Marta being uncomfortable, which Fina does not want. Digna does question if Bianca could have ulterior motives which Fina vehemently denies, insisting she is very professional and it’s only about work. Marta arrives and Digna leaves. They talk about the job and Marta’s feelings. Marta thinks Fina should accept, but Fina expresses her worries about Marta’s feelings. She knows Marta won’t tell her the truth, that she doesn’t want Fina to spend all this time with Bianca, but also that she loves Fina and doesn’t want to ruin this hope and opportunity for her. Fina, loving Marta just as much, doesn’t want to make her uncomfortable, so asks her to decide. Marta only wants to support Fina in what makes her happy, so Fina decides to take the job. They want to share in each others’ happiness [Fina calls her the “love of her life.” Face touching, hand kissing].

620    Fina goes to the canteen to meet with Bianca, arriving before her, and chats about art with a dazzled Mabel. Bianca walks in, asking if she’s interrupting to which Fina responds “No, you never interrupt,” and introduces her. Talking, Bianca directly asks if she has thought about the offer, wondering if she will make Bianca beg some more. Fina is amused and not irritated by this. Bianca says being direct is the way Fina likes it. Fina starts to explain her thoughts and Bianca assumes the biggest reason for saying no would be Marta, but Fina firmly tells her fear of jealousy would be a childish reason to reject the offer [fear of jealousy is not the same as respecting your partner’s discomfort]. Bianca insists anyone could see they’re friends, that they only have a beautiful friendship, to which Fina agrees: friendship. Fina lights back up at the mention of a creative process as Bianca continues and says she’s eager to get started. 

Later, in the big house, Damián and Doña Clara are talking when Digna walks in with Bianca’s catalog. Apparently Doña Clara is a big Bianca Forner fan and they start talking about her being a friend of Fina’s and her work. 

621    In the big house, Fina is telling Marta about working with Bianca to find her a studio but having no luck so far as she needs a big space with a lot of light where she can paint. Marta gets a little lost as Fina talks technical photography details, but says she loves hearing her talk so passionately about her work. Fina in turn appreciates Marta’s support in this and everything. Marta appreciates Fina’s support both when she was director and now as a shareholder. She mentions dealing with the transition back to the old perfume formulas*. Marta gets a call from Doña Clara confirming the meeting with the notary for the reading of Pelayo’s will [Fina becomes visibly uncomfortable and wants Clara to leave as soon as things are done]. Marta leaves for a minute as Damián enters and asks Fina if she thinks Bianca might do a commissioned piece for Digna from him. She can’t quite say but will put them in contact. 

622 Fina and Digna are at the big house, talking about Marta’s role in Fina accepting the job Bianca offered. Doña Clara arrives, as she is meeting Marta to go to Pelayo’s will reading together, and greets Fina fondly, telling her Pelayo loved her very much. Marta arrives and Doña Clara proceeds to say how wonderful her son was. Fina, visibly uncomfortable, leaves quickly.

Marta goes to Fina’s apartment after the will reading. Fina mocks Doña Clara’s declarations about her son, “Don’t be cruel,” Marta says, “She’s suffering a lot and is not to blame for what her son did.” Fina understands, but she can’t stand hearing praises for the man who ruined her life (only your life, Fina?). Marta says at least now they’ll regain a sense of normalcy. Fina says simply seeing Doña Clara brought all of it back. “You weren’t supposed to meet”, Marta says, to which Fina replies she was there because Damián told her Digna had a surprise for her [Anise tortitas, which Fina stress ate. Yes, all of them]. Fina asks about the will: because of the prenup, most properties will go to Clara, except a hotel Pelayo left Darío. “But do you think that’s wrong?” No, says Marta, but she remembers how Pelayo reacted when Marta suggested adding Fina to her own will. “Seems he didn’t have the same reservations.” Fina asks if he left Marta anything, to compensate for the harm he did to them [note that earlier it was her life he ruined, but now it’s the damage done to them]. Perhaps because of guilt, Marta says, he left her his properties’ usufruct, and a lifetime pension. Fina assumes Marta won’t take it, but Marta asks why she shouldn't. “Out of dignity?” Fina says the money is dirty and she couldn’t accept anything that came from him because he hurt them. “But it’s your choice”. Marta says nothing.

Marta and Fina are talking about tomorrow’s plans. Marta brings up the will again as Fina seems upset, but Fina shuts her down [as she does every time Pelayo is mentioned]. As Marta leaves, Bianca appears at the door. “Am I interrupting?” Bianca asks. No, Marta is leaving. Fina kisses Marta goodbye on the cheek while Marta stares daggers at Bianca (probably cursing her, her ancestors, and her descendants in the process). Marta leaves. Later, Bianca tells Fina she rejected Damián’s commission because she’s too busy with her exhibition [which she hasn’t started working on]. Fina tells her she can include Digna’s painting in the exhibition. [Don’t put me in this position Fina]. Fina convinces Bianca by telling her how wonderful Digna is. But where will I paint the woman? Bianca asks. She doesn’t have a studio. Fina offers her apartment. Bianca refuses at first because she doesn’t want to upset Marta. “I don’t think she’ll mind,” says Fina. “Or she might, but it’s only temporary, right?” Fina shows her the place where she can work: a large daylighted room. Bianca accepts, and offers to pay rent, but Fina refuses: “You took care of me in the worst moment of my life. I owe you this and much more.” Bianca will get settled tomorrow.

Later at the big house Marta and Damián are talking about Pelayo’s will when Bianca interrupts (as she does). She tells Damián she is going to do the portrait, because she [really Fina] thought she could include it as part of the exhibition. Marta has no idea what they’re talking about, and Damián explains he commissioned Digna’s portrait. “You’ll paint it here?” Marta asks. Bianca says she’ll do the sketches at the big house but fails to mention she’ll be doing the actual painting in Fina’s apartment. “What finally convinced you?” Damián asks. Fina, Bianca replies. They talk about how wonderful Digna is, and how wonderful Fina is, and Marta is pulling at her lock of hair and is visibly upset.

623 Marta is approached by Manuela at the big house with freshly baked goodies that she’ll take to Fina as a surprise, hoping to “sweeten” the disagreement they had the day before. Digna and Marta talk about Pelayo’s inheritance. Marta says she has the solution to their problem, but will tell her later. Digna tells Marta she doesn’t like it when she and Fina are upset with each other, that their love should be above all circumstances. Marta says that she knows, but what she doesn’t know is how long the circumstance will be swarming about (pulular is such a great word). Digna asks what she’s talking about and Marta tries to change the subject but Digna doesn’t budge. Marta eventually caves in and confesses that Damián commissioned Bianca a portrait for Digna, which she’ll paint at the big house [or so Marta thinks]. Digna says she wouldn’t feel comfortable with that arrangement knowing Marta doesn’t want Bianca hanging around. Marta says not to listen to her and accept. “I have to assume Bianca is an important part of Fina’s life, and will remain part of her life”. It’s also a way to demonstrate she can manage it and live with it, Marta says. Digna is in disbelief: “One thing is for you to accept and respect Bianca is a part of Fina’s present, and another thing is for you to voluntarily want to bring her into your life.” Digna tells Marta it feels like Marta has an obligation or is trying to prove something, and that she probably hasn’t reflected on it enough or thought about the consequences. Marta says she has, and that Digna should let her act as she sees fit. She tells Digna once more to accept, and let it be Bianca who paints her because Digna is a fan of her work, and refusing will only raise questions Marta doesn’t want to give answers to. Digna finally accepts and says she’ll act surprised when Damián tells her.

Marta arrives at Fina’s apartment with goodies. Fina wants to tell her something but Marta says to tell her while they eat. We can make coffee, Marta says. Fina hesitates, avoiding Marta’s eye. What? Marta asks. Fina replies she is surprised that Marta showed up “like this” after what happened the day before. Marta says she couldn’t let it lie, that they need to talk, and Marta wants to understand Fina’s posture about Pelayo’s inheritance. “Do I need to explain to you again why I don’t want anything from that man?” Fina says. Marta says she knows they both suffered, but they can’t let Pelayo continue to dictate their lives, even in death. Fina wants to change the subject but Marta stands her ground. “Are you going to listen to me?” They sit down and Fina seems willing to listen [for one second]. “Why don’t we use the money for something that will make us happy?” Marta proposes. Fina refuses once more: “His money disgusts me. If I didn’t take it in Argentina, do you think I’m going to take it now? I don’t know why it’s so hard for you to understand.” Someone’s at the door, turning the key. “Who is trying to come in?” Marta asks. Bianca. “She has the house keys?” [Marta looks aghast, Fina doesn’t seem particularly bothered.] Bianca walks in with an easel and some canvases like she owns the place. Bianca drops her signature “am I interrupting?”. “No,” Fina says, “we were just having some breakfast, care to join us?” Bianca walks to the back room to set up shop. Marta is stunned. “That’s what I was trying to tell you. Bianca needs a place to paint.” Marta finishes for her: “And you offered her your place” (Marta looks even more betrayed if possible). Fina explains, Marta accepts the explanation. Bianca offers to make coffee, or mate [Fina has no mate]. Sure, Fina says, you know where the coffee pot is (Marta looks like she wants to jump off the San Martín bridge). Marta says she has to go and Fina offers to walk her to the door, without giving Marta a second look. [Marta stands for a few seconds stunned after Fina says that, before following her and leaving]. Bianca stares ominously with her arms crossed.

624 Fina arrives home and is greeted by Bianca. Fina tells Bianca she’s been turning Pelayo’s will over in her mind. “Marta believes accepting the money would be a kind of compensation for all he did to us, but I couldn’t use the money knowing where it comes from.” “It’s easy to understand”, Bianca says. She remembers how Fina was in a bad way when they met in Buenos Aires. Fina tells her that lately Marta has been disappointing her a lot. Bianca says it’s a shame because it seems Marta cares more about family times and last names than facts. Fina says “But she’s not like that.” She doesn’t understand why Marta is behaving that way. Bianca says she knows how to cheer her up and goes to the kitchen. 

Surprise! Bianca has been making dulce de leche and alfajores: [“You don’t mind do you?” “Of course not, you can use the kitchen whenever you want”]. She tells Fina to open up and spoonfeeds her. Bianca tells Fina she was right about Digna, that it’s impossible not to admire the woman. Fina reminisces about the first time she tried alfajores on the porch of Bianca’s house [Our house, Bianca corrects. Our house, repeats Fina]. [Note that Marta tried endlessly to make the Casa de los Montes their house but Fina never accepted it as such]. Fina says that’s when she realized she could be happy. They’d spend hours and hours talking about everything, and time flew by. Bianca says those were the best afternoons of her life [They are sitting side by side on the couch and are slowly getting closer]. Fina says to open up and spoonfeeds Bianca. (The look Bianca gives Fina is obscene). Fina touches Bianca’s chin and leans in, looking at her lips. It isn’t until Bianca moves even closer and brushes a lock of Fina’s hair that Fina leans away [they were a breath away from kissing]. Bianca looks visibly annoyed. “Forgive me,” Fina says, “I got carried away”. Bianca says, “So did I, and I love it. I like remembering with you. What should I do, try to forget?”. “We’re never going to forget this”, says Fina. “I know we’re not together now, but no one will ever be able to erase how important you have been to me. And still are.” [Bianca kisses Fina’s hand and gives her another (obscene) look]. Fina smiles. Bianca cozies up to Digna at the big house with alfajores and dulce de leche. Marta comes in and they offer her to try the sweets. Marta refuses and leaves, saying she has work to do. Digna stares after her, correctly assuming Bianca’s presence bothers her. Marta hides behind the door and sees them interact, looking upset. Digna sits with Marta after Bianca leaves, telling her she could see Marta was uncomfortable with Bianca around. Digna says she doesn’t want a portrait to become a problem for Marta. Marta downplays it, and Digna tries to look for a solution. Marta cuts her off, saying that Bianca is a part of Fina’s life, whether she likes it or not, and she’s going to have to accept it. “Was a part of Fina’s life, not anymore,” says Digna. “But she’s working in Fina’s house.” Yes, but only working, she’s staying at a hotel.” Marta remarks Bianca is important to Fina, and she’s a charming woman, how can she not feel a little insecure? So are you, Digna says. 

625-631 UNDER CONSTRUCTION

[ignorant-rat-carcass]

One year apart, to the day.

[lifeisbettergay]

Fina, girl, I'm waiting for you to crash and burn so spectacularly and I am sure it will be painful for you but hopefully will start the road to healing and not just disagreeing with Marta and running away if she disagrees because she's totally not trying to see your perspective at all, not like you who can do that in an instant and decide it's a shitty take and she has clearly forgiven him, and also isn't your ex so understanding and awesome and thinks all of your thoughts are reasonable and cool!!!

[lifeisbettergay]

10/10 recommend roleplaying Mafin having a circular argument like they have been. Very fun and interesting to try to see from and argue from Fina's perspective. And poor Marta is fighting an uphill battle 🫠

[mafin-libertad]

Introspección

[bluehonolulu]

[ozmoz]

They have such an insane chemistry!!

[caskettmyheart]

Mafin ficlet: Cannot but tried anyway

Summary: What is it exactly she's done this time? Done too much? Not enough? Fought too hard or too little of them? She truly cannot remember how they got here; How they got to this point in time where all they seem to be able to do is argue and fight. Every single conversation she tries to have starts with her opening her heart and being met with accusations and yelling and then the comfortable silence of her own thoughts. "No puedo más." This is not how it starts, but it is how it ends.

[snapdragon-rawrz]

so this is basically hwo it is

[once-more-with-anxiety]

hate it when people say "you cant make everything gay". yes I fucking can???

[teaboot]

Do the AI people know that the rest of us who never got on the bandwagon are still doing everything the same way we always have

[teaboot]

The AI boom has changed literally nothing about my day to day life except I now have to work harder to get access to reliable information, all the important admin work is being done wrong, and I keep getting DMs letting me know the perfectly ordinary and plausible photo I liked was actually a fake image generated by a fascist to generate views and churn out ad money for the purpose of funding their tree-powered puppy-flushing toilet

[teaboot]

"But how are you living life WITHOUT Doctor Leroy's Magically Invigorating Nerve Tonic? I can't imagine getting anything done without it!" <- old-timey 1800s guy who has been drinking crank and goat piss daily for the price of a shiny nickel

[clairedsfield]

if you read this, please don't repost my mafin gifs without credit </3

[clairedsfield]

friendly reminder

[sunsetbuddie]

we used to get christmas episodes of television. halloween episodes. valentines. we used to get television that felt like part of your life. like it was happening alongside your life. now we mostly get 8 episodes dropping all at once every two years and they don't have time for any of that. i miss characters living alongside us

[ozarkthedog]

"I miss characters living alongside us."

What a perfect quote.

[fandomnatic]

If people are leaving Wattpad because of the censorship, then coming to AO3 only to beg for censorship what's the point? It’s called Archive of Our Own for a reason, it is ours. For us and by us.

Because apparently it needs to be spelled out, I’m writing out some of the unwritten rules of AO3:

Don't like, don't read - you can have your own opinions but if you don't like it just scroll past, it's that easy. Let it be.

Read. The. Tags. - the tags are warnings of what the story will include. That is your guide. If there is something you're not comfortable with in the tags then scroll past. The AO3 tagging system is genius and lets you filter out the things you don’t like, so you don’t even have to see the stories you might not be comfortable with if you don’t want to. Use the tags.

Do not spread the stories outside of fandom spaces - fanfiction is for the fans. Especially when it’s RPF it is not to be referenced or brought up to the people who it is about. They are all very aware that it is made but that doesn’t mean they want to read it or know about it. I don’t care what you say, it is unavoidable and as long as it is not widespread and stays in its own space it is not harmful. It is up to the fans to respect that. (That being said if the people who the RPF fics are about search them up or reference fics themselves that’s a bit different and the rules change a bit.)

Respect the authors - the authors spend their own time writing stories, many of which are genuinely incredibly written and well thought out, for absolutely nothing in return. You get to read pieces of work for free by authors who are doing it for free. Do not go to the comments and complain or say they should have done something else or report because they wrote something you’re not comfortable with. And respect the authors wishes when they say not to share their work anywhere else.

Basically just respect fandom spaces, keep them separate from reality, and mind your own business. It’s so easy.

It’s a very under-appreciated thing to have an archive where people can put their work out for the world to see and make art that can be appreciated and easily accessed by other people on a wide scale, and it needs to be protected.

[frenchcurious]

Ford 3-Window Coupe 1934. - source Amazing Classic Cars.

[bloomsberries]

Preview for SDL ep. 633

MURDER HER, MARTA!

new outfit unlocked!

[bloomsberries]

Marta and Fina meet up at the office. Fina has the pictures from the event (in record time) and Marta is very happy with them. She invites her to the theater in Madrid—but we all know what happens when Marta invites Fina to the theater. Anyway, Fina can’t go because she’s getting together with the three other women in the photographer’s association she’s just joined. Doña Clara calls and Fina tells Marta that she hopes she’s stopped bothering her about the whole foundation presidency thing. Marta says yes, but finally admits she couldn’t get out of joining the board. Fina is upset, and Marta tells her she’s being unfair. It’s then that Fina admits that when she was sick she received her last rites and she prayed that she would live because she didn’t want to die without seeing her again. And that when she got better and realized she wouldn’t be able to see her again, she wished she hadn’t been saved. This she tells her to explain part of the horror she lived through thanks to Pelayo, and why she can’t stand the idea of Marta being tied to him forever.

Marta comes home on a stormy night and Clara is waiting for her. She’s going to be leaving on her trip soon. She wants to get the foundation going soon. She invites Marta and Fina for Sunday dinner but Marta begs off. Clara suspects something is off, but Marta keeps denying. Finally, Clara says something that shakes Marta to her core: it was Bianca Forner’s idea. The foundation with Pelayo’s name. As soon as Clara is out the door, Marta tries to call Fina, but she remembers she’s out with the association women.

Preview in the next post.

[clairedsfield]

sdl ep. 628

[clairedsfield]

sdl ep. 630