Episode 2 of "Breathless," alias "Respira," opens with Rodri's psyche shattered by the tragic demise of the young girl. Facing an impending interrogation by the hospital's governing board, he finds solace in Jesica's attempts to shield him, though her efforts are met with denial. Desperate, she turns to Lluis, entrusting him with Rodri's care. The sight of Jesica and Lluis holding hands, a tender moment shared, catches Biel off guard, stirring unexpected emotions. Amidst their private conversation, the couple plots to introduce Lluis to Jesica's parents as her beloved partner, marking a milestone in their relationship.
During the grueling investigation, Lluis reveals a bombshell: the mother alleges that her signature has been falsified, a revelation that could land Rodri behind bars. This news sends Rodri into a tailspin, his resolve wavering as he contemplates abdicating his responsibilities. As he flees the scene, Jesica chases after him, pleading that the brother was at fault, yet Rodri's conscience weighs heavily, unwilling to embroil the family in further turmoil. Accepting her words that no attendant should have left him unsupervised in the operating room, he still departs the hospital, his spirit bruised.
Elsewhere, a tourism fair buzzes with activity, and Patricia's presence adds a layer of intrigue. When queried about relinquishing her presidential post, she stands firm in her refusal. Her subsequent visit to the public hospital, however, finds her disillusioned as Dr. Moa's reputation as the foremost oncologist echoes throughout, their interactions tinged with sarcasm and unfiltered honesty.
Without delay, Patricia embarks on her chemotherapy journey, with Biel by her side, offering words of encouragement that liken her battle with cancer to a political campaign. The scene shifts to Patricia rallying reporters to chronicle her courageous fight, a move that incenses Moa, who urges her to expel them promptly.
Concurrently, May and her attendant Leo receive Joana, a fragile figure who may have fallen victim to a heinous crime. Leo's nerves are frayed, sensing judgment in May's demeanor. Their ideological clash intensifies as May advocates for caution in accusations, while Leo advocates for an unwavering belief in the victim's narrative. After the examination, Joana's face betrays her despair, realizing that evidence may be elusive, leaving her case hanging in the balance.
Her elevated state rendered her memories of the incident blurred and vague. The solitary evidence left in her possession was a shattered necklace, potentially holding the imprint of the perpetrator's finger. Yet, the prospect of confronting the authorities filled her with dread, prompting Leo to intervene by falsifying a report. May caught wind of their deceit, but Leo smoothly feigned support, backing her narrative.
On another front, Biel's frustration mounted at Jesica's handling of Rodri's situation. He discerned that her annoyance stemmed from deeper roots, namely her concealment of her romantic entanglements. She dismissed his concerns as irrelevant, while he feared the repercussions of an illicit relationship with the director's beloved.
Elsewhere, Quique's visit to Oscar, who was gradually recovering, underscored their shared anxiety over pending HIV test results. Their situations diverged drastically; Quique, a PrEP user, had faltered during a wild night, whereas Oscar had never ventured into the realm of prevention. Oscar's dread of confessing to his mother was mitigated by Quique's reassurance. Later, Pilar approached Quique, expressing gratitude for his solace to her son while declaring her unwavering commitment to uncover the instigator behind Oscar's drug involvement.
Quique's mind flashed back to Rocio's presence at the hospital when he escorted Oscar. He begged her secrecy, aware that divulging the truth would curry favor with Pilar. However, Rocio saw an opportunity to strengthen her bond with Pilar and hinted at exposing Quique's role should Pilar inquire directly. Quique's angst spilled over into a heated exchange with May, who bore her own grievances against Leo.
As they parted ways, the underlying dynamics between May and Rocio revealed themselves in a tender embrace, punctuated by Rocio's gentle admonition for May to relax, mindful of her pregnancy. May, fuelled by resentment, snitched on Leo, only to be met with Rocio's counsel on the importance of camaraderie among doctors. May's cynical retort about Rocio's potential betrayal was skillfully sidestepped.
Regarding Patricia, despite her assurance that her initial chemotherapy session would pass uneventfully, she violently purged her insides. As the nurse scoured for Moa, she mysteriously vanished. Amidst the chaos, the Emergency Room swelled with fairgoers afflicted by food poisoning, prompting Moa to surmise that Patricia had inadvertently contracted the illness at the fair prior to her treatment. Biel and Moa hastened to her abode, only to discover her in a state of unconsciousness. Moa's relief was palpable as he managed to rouse her from her slumber.
Meanwhile, Quique's world lit up when he received news of his HIV test's negative result. Overwhelmed with joy, he made his way to Oscar's room, only to stumble upon Oscar weeping inconsolably alongside his mother. A jarring realization dawned on Quique—Oscar's test must have been positive.
The ER once again found itself short-staffed, necessitating the presence of all interns. Quique encountered Rodri, weeping in the shower, and coaxed him back into duty. Rodri was plagued by self-doubt, feeling he couldn't measure up to his father's or sister's prowess as doctors. Quique reassured him of his own inherent abilities as a physician, revitalizing his spirit.
Amidst the frenzy, Rodri was tasked with a perilous case—a patient on the brink of exsanguination. Guided by Nurse Blanca's encouragement to trust his instincts, he intrepidly intubated the patient, emerging victorious. Jesica hailed him as a lifesaver, her praise a balm to his frayed nerves.
Elsewhere, Joana took a bold step, reporting her assailant, Hugo, to the authorities. As Hugo was escorted away, his mother, Leo, stood frozen in disbelief.
Rodri's fleeting joy was soon marred by the angry confrontation of the deceased girl's mother. She accused him of orchestrating a legal harassment through a threatening lawyer, all because of a forged signature. Her fury was palpable as she cursed his conscience with the memory of her daughter's untimely demise. Rodri, his defenses shattered, tried to explain his innocence, only to be met with silence and indifference from the overworked medical staff.
In a climactic moment at the end of Breathless Episode 2, Rodri ventured onto the rooftop, broadcasting his anguish live. He laid bare the hospital's understaffing crisis and the frequent neglect of first-year interns. Yet, he bore the brunt of guilt, convinced that the girl's death was a direct consequence of his shortcomings. As he inched towards the edge of the roof, the live feed abruptly cut, leaving viewers to ponder the dire consequences that might have ensued.
