Summary

In Chapter 11, Victor spent 11 months “in the concentration camp” (244). Then one day, the camp’s commandant collapsed. Unconcerned with the consequences, Victor rushed to his aid and restarted his heart with a defibrillator (246). He also took part in the commandant’s surgery afterwards and gained respect at the hospital.

Shortly thereafter, Victor was granted parole. He and Roser made plans to leave Chile for Venezuela. Victor felt “too old to live in fear” (249). They soon made their flight.

Although Roser and Aitor had sworn never to reveal their affair “to their partners,” Roser broke the pact (251). The relationship had ended when Aitor was injured and paralyzed. Roser told Victor everything. Her confession hurt him, as he had fallen in love with her.

When Franco died in 1975, the Dalmaus discussed the possibilities of returning to Spain. Roser convinced Victor to wait “before...