It was a kind of astonishment — the astonishment of a person who had spent his whole life being taught that he was worth nothing, that he existed only to be used, that no one would ever help him without wanting something in return, and who was now holding proof, in his own healing body, that all of it had been a lie.

Someone had given him a piece of themselves and asked for nothing.

Not money.

Not obedience.

Not silence.

Nothing.

“I have to thank him,” Santiago said at last.

“You will,” Magdalena said.