After thinking about the conversation with the housekeeper, Mr. Sardino was more worried than before, so he called the building again, and the doorman assured him that she was still there. He had to think of something not to go with his wife to Luis' house. However, it was not necessary, she felt really weak to the point that the doctor wanted to admit her."No, no, doctor, I promise I won't move from the bed, and I'll have a nurse by my side the whole time," she communicated through signs, which Mr. Sardino translated for the others."Mr. Sardino, please ensure she doesn't get out of bed. The dizziness might cause her to fall and have an accident. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to call me or come immediately," the doctor advised."Don't worry, she will follow everything to the letter," he assured her, while she nodded. "We'll bring the nurse in now.""Very well, but if there's any sign of trouble, they should come here immediately," said the doctor, really concerned about
Then it dawned on him that Isabella wanted to escape from his questioning, and fear gripped his heart. Despite her assurances that she wouldn't leave them behind, he became so anxious that he called the security guards to check if she was still at the location. A sigh of relief escaped him when they confirmed that she was indeed there.His joy reached its peak when Isabella finally disclosed her whereabouts, granting him the opportunity to visit her. Mr. Sardino fell silent for a moment, relishing the excitement and unique bond he shared with his beloved granddaughter. He felt grateful that she had confided in him and entrusted him to help her. Love and pride swelled within his heart for Isabella, and he made a solemn promise to always be there to support her in any way she needed. However, he knew he had to go and discover what had driven her to hide in that place.Immediately after concluding the conversation, the grandfather contacted the market, specifically asking to speak with
He looks at her, distraught, apologising as if she were at fault for something. He pauses for a moment to observe her, and that's when she can no longer hold back and bursts into tears in his arms, causing him to momentarily forget everything else as he holds her tightly.He wants to make her feel safe and protected, to reassure her that he is there to defend her against the world. He embraces her with all his might, stroking her head and showering her with kisses while repeating over and over."I'm here now, Bella, I'm here now. No one will ever touch you like that again, I promise you. I promise, my dear.""Grandad, forgive me..., I..."Far from calming down, Bella cries even more despairingly as if releasing all the fear, pain, and suffering she has kept hidden in her chest. He continues to hold and stroke her, waiting patiently for her to calm down. Never in her twenty"three years had he heard her cry the way she does now; he knows he must let her be – she needs this release to b
When tycoon Santiago Sardino decided to settle the score, he did it in a big way. Not only did he have a network of contacts in the shadowy world of the mafia, where his name instilled fear, but he also had connections in the upper echelons of the country and politics.Santiago had built his business empire with cunning and determination, and over the years he had established strategic relationships with influential people in various fields. These connections gave him considerable power and influence, which he used wisely when necessary.But what few knew is that his weak point and at the same time his greatest strength is his family, especially his only granddaughter. Although he may appear to be a tough and fearsome man, his love and devotion to his family is unwavering. The relationship between Santiago and his granddaughter was special.Since she came into his life, she became his raison d'être and his greatest inspiration. He protects her tooth and nail, ready to face any challen
With evidence in hand, Santiago gathers his team of lawyers and heads to Isabella's father-in-law's house. His goal is to free his granddaughter without having to resort to a long and painful trial. Worried about what might be happening, Luis' father anxiously asked: “What's this all about? Go ahead, come this way.” He said trying to hide his nervousness. The atmosphere in the room was tense, and Luis' father could sense that something serious was about to be revealed. He prepared himself to listen to what Mr. Sardino had to say and wondered what his son had done to cause this unexpected visit and the serious attitude of Mr. Sardino and his lawyers.Luis' father stepped forward and showed them the way to his office, inviting everyone to come in, but Mr. Sardino ordered his lawyers to wait outside until they were called. Once the door was closed, Mr. Sardino took an envelope out of a folder and handed it to Luis' father. Luis' father took the envelope in intrigue, but when he saw it
Getting Isabella released was the goal for Santiago, more than his quest for justice. Even if it didn't go to trial, he had to get the heartless man to sign the divorce papers, to protect his granddaughter and make Luis pay. “I won't kill him for now,” he assured. “That would not be punishment enough. I will make him suffer and beg for the rest of his life. As for everything you own - it's already mine. I don't need you to give it to me. I warned you clearly I would ruin you and your family if Luis did anything to Bella, and I always keep my word. I'll leave it to my lawyers to get you to sign everything you need to.”“You can't do that, your son will go bankrupt too!” he shouted, desperate, seeing no way out but this one. “Let him go bankrupt!” was Mr Sardino's cold, forceful answer. “If he didn't know how to manage his affairs properly, I'm very sorry, but I won't let him touch his daughter's estate. And if you don't want your son to rot in jail, make him sign the divorce paper
Luis's father remained impassive, not revealing much about his wife Liana's situation. "I've done nothing to Liana. She's pregnant and has a threatened miscarriage. She was admitted to a clinic to care for the pregnancy and prevent her losing it, like the previous ones," he explained, with a tone of genuine concern. Disbelief was reflected in Eva's eyes. She had heard disturbing stories of Liana's treatment by her husband. Staring at him firmly and fearlessly, she asked: "Did you admit her to take care of her from your blows? Is that true? You don't have to fool me. I know you beat her. She used to live crying in the school's corners." Eva accused him firmly.Oswaldo felt a mixture of anger and frustration. He had not expected Eva to be so aware of the family problems he was having with his wife. "Eva, Eva, Eva..." he sighed. "You're still young, you need to watch your mouth. Is it true your father's gone bankrupt?" He abruptly changed the subject, trying to divert the conversa
The encounter with Eva had blinded Oswaldo's judgement, and he had been caught in her web for years, he recalled as he looked at the papers left by the Sardino patriarch. "That's why I said we must wait a few years, while I make Santiago junior ask his father for the inheritance early. I'll make Santiago fall blindly in love with me. You know he's a nervous wreck now, the drugs have destroyed him. I'll help him, make the psychologist help me make Santiago dependent on me, trusting me blindly. You'll see. But you must promise you'll wait and help me in everything." Eva had asked him with a certainty that almost convinced him that everything would be all right.He looked at her without understanding what she meant by "everything". Eva immediately explained that she knew nothing about business. Besides, old Sardino sure as hell wasn't going to let her in on his son's stuff. He had told her so the night he showed up with Bella. He stated that he would never let her touch anything of his
In response to Dr Davis's question, the doctors explained that at that time, the transplant was still behaving normally, and all other organs were functioning properly. They believed that only her brain, due to the massive blow she had received in the accident and the lack of oxygen she experienced for some moments due to blood loss before reaching the hospital, could have caused a major failure that they were yet to identify. All they could do at this point was wait, although they would continue to run tests to try to discover the cause of her coma."That's all we have to say regarding Isabella Sardino," the physician concluded."Isabella Thompson," Christian clarified. "She's my wife. Her name is Isabella Thompson Sardino.""I apologise, Mr Christian," the doctor said, embarrassed. "So that's all for now regarding Isabella Thompson Sardino."Everyone remained silent, listening to the various reports on the other patients, their hearts heavy with the knowledge t
Santiago looked at him with satisfaction. His best friend had resigned from his position at his parents' request to help uncover Eva's misdeeds, and he had succeeded. His best friend had helped him become who he always was. Affectionately, he told him he would make him vice-president of his companies, as he wanted to continue working in his father's, and couldn't remain divided between the two."You don't have to do that, Santiago. I'll continue to help you in any way I can," Adrian said, grateful and amazed."It's time for you to return to your position and practise the career you studied for, Adrian," Santiago said with a smile. "Now, focus on finding Eva, or that Nestor along with Oswaldo. Blast, I'd forgotten! Do you remember where Luis's mother's parents' house is? Go there immediately to fetch the lady, and take her to our house or bring her here to be with her son, daughter-in-law, and grandson. I'm sure her husband will do everything possible to find her and make h
Santiago couldn't stop gazing adoringly at Susan, who was sleeping peacefully in the bed. He was overjoyed that she had been able to donate her liver to his daughter, for whom he had shed so many tears. Santiago left her side for a moment when he saw a man entering the room alongside his friend and assistant, Adrian."What do you mean she's disappeared? Who could have paid such an enormous bail?" Santiago asked furiously upon hearing the news."You won't believe this, Santiago, but it was that Nestor chap, the son of the sultan who bought Adele and wanted Christie, Christian Thompson's sister," his friend and assistant Adrian told him."What does he want with Eva?" Santiago asked, both intrigued and worried.Adrian shook his head, saying they had no idea. He explained that Nestor had shown up at the police station with a judge's order to release her on bail, along with Oswaldo Ibáñez. They had paid the astronomical sum requested for her release and
Dr David, upon finding Adele, immediately took out his phone and informed his wife of what was happening. It appeared to be true that someone had paid to have her moved, and they were planning to take her away despite her being intubated and connected to various machines. It was clear they were preparing to remove her. He waited patiently until she was left alone for a moment, then quickly moved her into the lift, pretending he was taking her for a test on the ground floor."Christie, it's her," he called to his wife, who came with Adele's mother. "They were going to take her away. Do you have somewhere to take her, madam?""Yes, yes, let's take the lift to the roof," Adele's mother requested, stroking her daughter's forehead. "There's a helicopter waiting for me up there.""That must be why they haven't taken her yet," said Christie, helping to push the trolley towards the lift. "They're waiting for yours to leave so the other one can land."They immediately did
Susan fell silent for a moment at Santiago's question, as he watched her, still incredulous that he had finally found her."I don't know, Santiago. I was terrified when I found out," she began softly. "Eva also frightened me a great deal. I was foolish. I should have told you. We were young, but you had said you would marry me, even without knowing I was pregnant. Forgive me for not trusting you!""We were all fools," Santiago hastened to say. "I was, for not noticing how much our daughter resembled you from an early age. For not running to find you. I should have followed you, asked for explanations about why you left me with just a message.""That doesn't matter now. What's important is that our daughter is alive. I have a daughter, Santiago, with you!" she said, smiling happily."Yes, Susi, we have a beautiful daughter," Santiago replied with a happy smile and added, "We also have two grandchildren: Lucas and Lucía. They're twins.""I have two gran
"Yes, twins, Lucas and Lucia. They're in hospital too; we don't know anything about them yet. But I'm certain your daughter won't forgive you if you hide this from her, let alone if she could save her only daughter and you don't tell her. She'll hate you for life.""Good Lord, Sardino, you should have told me this when we spoke earlier so I could prepare her gradually! How do you think she'll react when she learns her daughter is alive?""She'll be overjoyed, you'll see.""You're right. She believes she's dead; she puts flowers on her grave every day. God, how terrible, how terrible! Wait here, I'll call my daughter! But don't pressure her! We'll do whatever she decides!""Thank you, Samuel, thank you so much!"They fell silent, watching as Samuel left the office cursing Eva. After a few minutes, a beautiful Susan entered. Despite being forty-two years old, her beauty was incomparable-her smile, her eyes, her hair. Everything was like Bella's, and to everyon
They advanced into the mansion, observing their surroundings where time seemed to have stood still. Nothing had changed since their last visit many years ago. They sat nervously where the maid directed them."Son, calm down," Mr Sardino urged Santiago, who was fidgeting incessantly. "Everything will be fine. You weren't to blame for anything!""Don't say that, Dad!" Santiago protested. "I should have realised sooner! Bella is her spitting image! Why didn't we notice when she was a child? Besides, it's been so many years. Do you think she'll remember me?"They were interrupted by the smiling entrance of Mr Rivera, who approached them, shaking hands and embracing them enthusiastically. Although they had grown apart after what happened with their children, they had always been great friends and still maintained many business interests in common."Good afternoon, Santiago. Are you alright?" Mr Rivera asked, noticing his nervous movements. "What brings about thi
As they arrive, they see everyone still waiting for news about the children. They turn upon hearing them, while Christie goes and embraces her brother, covering him with kisses, crying."What is it, Chris?" Christian asks, pulling away."It's Bella.""What's wrong with Bella?" Santiago and the grandfather ask simultaneously."We've just run into the doctor treating her. He was looking for you to tell you that they need to fetch Bella's mother. None of the others are compatible with her, and the only hope left is that her mother might be, as she has the same blood type.""As soon as we know about the children, we'll go for her," Grandfather Sardino says."No, it has to be now," Mr Thompson replies very seriously."Why?" Santiago asks."Because if they don't perform the transplant immediately, the doctor doesn't think she'll survive.""Oh God, don't tell me that, don't tell me that! My Bella can't die before I ask for her forgiveness
At that moment, they see Doctor David, who was inside the operating theatre where the adults were, running towards them."Christian, you need to come urgently," he requests with urgency."Has something happened to Bella?" Christian asks, standing up frightened."No, it's not about Bella," Doctor David assures him."Then who? I don't want to move from here, from beside my children," he says, sitting back down."Néstor is out there, demanding they give him Adele, and I thought you could say you're her fiancé and prevent it. She's really in a critical condition, she has two gunshot wounds to the torso and has lost a lot of blood, just like Luis. The worst of all is the other woman.""Vivian?" Christie asks intrigued."Yes, she'd already been shot once and they gave her two more," David replies. "She's in a very bad way, I don't know if she'll make it. But come on.""Vivian must have prevented Eva from killing the children," says the