relationships. At the start of the novel, Gaspar reflects on his life after leaving a theater with a group of friends, a moment that stirs an internal crisis about the quality of life. As he walks through the cold streets of Madrid, he observes various societal figures—streetwalkers, drunks, and workers—and grapples with discomfort at the idea of charity and the connections between humanity. His attention is soon captured by Rita, a fragile woman he encounters at a doctor’s office, who keeps her tragic story and struggles concealed. Their subsequent relationship, marked by moments of tenderness and sadness, unfolds against a backdrop of societal norms and personal desires, setting the stage for conflict and emotional exploration. (This is an automatically generated summary.)