I can see that Marta is really happy about her achievement. She immediately informs me that the job is with a French company. The same one we were looking at yesterday and she asked me to help her translate the ad into French.
"Of course. What happened? Is that the one? What role is it for?" I fill her with questions, happy for her, and at the same time worried that she's been cheated. I should have gone with her, I think."An Illustrator! Can you believe it?" she exclaims, brimming with excitement. "This company specialises in marketing. They are expanding to France and needed a native French speaker. And who is a native of France? Me! Ha, ha, ha... I called them, and they immediately invited me for an interview. Grandpa drove me there, and they accepted me on the spot when they learned about my work experience and qualifications." I can't believe she was so lucky. We hugged each other jumping up and down and laughing happily that she was accepted into aI walked away, glancing at Isabella in the rearview mirror as she watched me depart. That girl is perceptive, opening up to me like that. So, a wild night? She doesn't strike me as the type to have a fling with a stranger. She mentioned she's not married; what led her to make such a decision? "A night of recklessness and madness." Those were her words.I continued towards my house on the outskirts. As I passed the doorman, he informed me of a visitor. Who could it be? Two cars were parked in my driveway; one I recognised as my parents'. The other remained a mystery. Resigned, I anticipated another challenging encounter with them.Unlocking the door with my keys, I headed towards the voices coming from the terrace adjacent to the dining room. My tension spiked when I identified the guests. It was my parents, accompanied by Adele, who approached me eagerly, attempting a kiss as a greeting. I sidestepped her advance, avoiding her attempt to cling to my arm.
I look around the room at the faces of my family. They all look so worried and concerned. I know they want to help me, but I don't think they can. This is something I have to figure out on my own."Don't behave like that, Rafael," My father interjected and spoke to Adele's father. "Let's give it a bit more time, as they agreed. We can continue working together as before. You need to understand.""I won't let my daughter linger without hope any longer. If Christian don't make a decision within a year, I'll consider the engagement terminated. Come, Adele." He says firmly.I smiled openly, it's just what I wanted to hear. I am determined to end this farce and the persecution they have with me to force me to declare Adele my fiancée, so hearing her father say that I immediately added."The engagement is over; there's no need to wait a year, Mr. Rafael," I asserted firmly and assuredly to dispel any doubts. "Adele is free to pursue any relationship
"Alright, let's put an end to this," Dad interjected, gesturing for Mum to cease speaking. "But son, you're excelling in your company, which suggests you could return to ours and even assume control alongside your sister.""Dad, that's not on the cards for now." I rush to stop him in his attempt to get me to return to work for him."Son, you need to come back to your family, to your life." He insists, I know he's saying it because he thinks it's best for me, but I refuse."I'll only do so when I feel the time is right, not now, alright?” I answer and change the subject immediately. “ How long do you plan to stay here?""One week. Don't fret, we won't encroach on your space; we'll lodge in a hotel in the city centre. This place is too far. Have you considered purchasing a flat closer to your workplace?" My father again wants to interfere as usual in my decisions."I like it here. The commute doesn't bother me. It feels familiar, and I enjoy the drive each day." I explain, trying to mak
Eva was taken aback. It was the first time Santiago had threatened her with divorce, and that couldn't be a positive sign. Dr. Alfonso undoubtedly had something to do with this, she was sure. Santiago was beginning to realise what she had been doing to him for years, she reflected. However, his recovery was rapid. She concealed her embarrassment behind a hypocritical smile that barely touched her lips."Don't be like that. I'm sorry for what I said before. You know that if she doesn't love me, I don't love her either. But that doesn't mean I wish her harm. It wasn't today, it was yesterday when I saw her. She appeared to be emaciated, although not entirely bad," Santiago explained. Santiago sank into the chair slowly, his gaze fixed on Eva. Something was being concealed, he sensed it, and was determined to uncover it. He vowed to rise early and visit the doctor without delay; he promised himself not to let any more time pass before seeing his mother and daughter. Yet, a nagging conc
Santiago acquiesced to the request, although his thoughts lingered on the prior accusations. Nonetheless, Eva persisted, unveiling a new revelation that triggered alarms in Santiago's mind. "You make the call, but kindly refrain from any altercations with my mother or, even more so, with Isabella. Are you certain Isabella is coming? I understand she works in France, so it's peculiar that she would abandon her esteemed position there. Perhaps she's merely visiting." Eva spoke with a mischievous glint in her eyes, prompting Santiago to suspect she harboured concealed intentions. "She's back for good. Your father informed the doctor. I overheard their conversation distinctly, and you know what?""What?""She's back for good. She's neither wed nor engaged!" she disclosed with a gleam in her eye, leading Santiago to suspect she was plotting something."How do you know? Perhaps she has a clandestine partner in France," Santiago posited in an attempt to counter Eva's insinuation. Unfazed,
On the other hand, Santiago revisited his mother, parking his car at a distance this time. Waiting until nightfall, he crept through the garden surrounding his parents' house, reminiscent of his youth when he would sneak away from home. Eavesdropping by his bedroom window, he overheard a conversation between his father, mother, and daughter."Mima is right, Grandpa. That car she mentioned was Dad's; I remember it clearly. Yes, Mima, Dad is on his way to see you; he adores you.""Bella, don't get your grandmother too excited. If it were Santiago, he wouldn't need to keep his distance; he knows our doors are always open to him. Even if I was upset, I would never stop him from visiting his mother.""Mima says he's scared of you; that's why he hasn't come.""And what would you have me do? Should I leave so he can visit?""She didn't say that, Grandpa. Can you go talk to him? Maybe it's as I said; Dad feels guilty for missing Mima's surgeries and doesn't know how to face us now.""Coming,
The revelation left me momentarily speechless. Christian seemed so different from my recollection, yet the connection was undeniable."Why does your face look so different now?" I blurted out.Christian's response was staggering. He had undergone extensive facial reconstruction following an accident that had left him severely injured. I struggled to process this newfound information."I can't say that I truly know you," I confessed. "We didn't exchange many words during the flight. I was engrossed in my book. You kindly escorted me home when taxis were scarce, but we didn't keep in touch afterward. You mentioned being friends with my grandparents and called me 'Bella.'" Christian appeared intrigued by my account and inquired with genuine interest:"Are your grandparents still alive?""Yes, they reside with me," I confirmed. "Why do you ask?"Christian's suggestion that my grandparents might aid in triggering memories from his past intrigued and exhilarated me."Perhaps they could assi
Adele entered her father's office, where he was engaged in a conversation and gestured for her to wait. She stood still, feeling scared in the centre of the room. As the call ended, her father walked around the desk and suddenly delivered a forceful slap that sent her tumbling face down onto the floor. He glared at her with intense hatred."You couldn't even handle that properly?! You had him under your control, with his memory loss! No one knew about your affair with another man! And now he's rejected you, he's rejected you! I don't know if he'll recall what you did, but everyone knows you cheated on him, and he's turned away from you!""I'm sorry, Dad! I swear I don't know what came over me when I did that foolish act. Give me some time. If I fell in love with him once, I can do it again, especially now that he has no memory. I've met Luis Ibáñez, who now works with him and they're becoming close friends. He promised to help me locate Christian. I'll show up without raising any susp
Days pass with shared laughter, warm embraces, and exciting adventures. Always supporting each other through good times and difficult moments, building a united and resilient family. Isabella and Christian found happiness in their love and in the beautiful family they formed. Time has passed, and they find themselves at a stage in their lives where routine and responsibilities intertwine with moments of tenderness and complicity.On a quiet afternoon, Isabella decides to climb onto a chair to reach a book on a high shelf. Christian, concerned for her safety and that of the baby she's carrying, calls out to her in an alarmed voice:"Bella, wait right there! You'll fall!" Christian shouted, trying to stop her. "You can't do that, eight months pregnant. If you fall, you could both get hurt. That's why I can't go to work at the office without making a fuss. You're always doing crazy things."Isabella smiles and jokingly replies, "You're exaggerating."They bo
Now seeing their parents hugging and kissing happily. Isabella gazes at Christian, her eyes brimming with a mixture of excitement and anticipation. The air around them is charged with expectation as their friends and family turn their attention to Christian, silently urging him to follow suit. Christian, who had meticulously planned this moment with Rodrigo and David, stands there with a knowing smile, watching as events unfold precisely as he had envisioned.His eyes briefly flit to his parents, who are visibly moved, their faces etched with pride and joy. They offer him an encouraging nod, their silent approval warming his heart. The room seems to hold its breath as Christian, without further hesitation, gracefully drops to one knee before Isabella.With tender reverence, he takes her delicate hand in his, his touch sending a shiver of electricity through both of them. His eyes, pools of adoration and unwavering devotion, lock onto hers. In that moment,
Santiago bursts out laughing upon hearing his daughter's question. He knows her well, and when his in-laws asked to come, he agreed even against Susan's wishes, who thought they should give Isabella more time to adjust."Didn't I tell you?" Santiago says, watching Susan's eyes widen as she nods, then turns to her daughter to answer."You can meet them whenever you want, they're desperate to come!" She pauses to look at Santiago, who can't stop smiling. "You're right as always, Santi, they're in the car waiting, Isabella.""Dad, call them to come right now! I want to finally bring our whole real family together!" Isabella exclaimed, feeling that at last everyone was going to be happy.The emotion intensifies in Santiago's voice as he hears Isabella's words. He feels overwhelming happiness seeing his daughter's desire to bring their whole real family together. Without wasting time, he takes out his phone and calls his in-laws, telling them to enter the estate
Santiago is in a state of indescribable happiness seeing the woman he has loved all his life and knowing that she is the mother of his only and beloved daughter. The joy he feels is so overwhelming that it's difficult for him to express it in words.As he observes Susan, his heart fills with gratitude and amazement. Every familiar feature on her face reminds him of the shared moments and experiences they've had together. The emotion completely envelops him as he sees them finally together, making him feel as if he were in a dream come true.The smile on Santiago's face is radiant, his eyes shining with pure and sincere happiness. He can't help but feel a deep connection with Susan, knowing that together they have created the most precious gift of their lives: Isabella. The realisation that their love has borne such wonderful fruit fills him with immense joy."Dad, could you get me a glass of water, please?" Isabella calls him, smiling as she sees how his e
Isabella looks at her father, whose face is lit up with happiness. And she knows, her father will finally be very happy with the love of his life. She can't help but smile seeing him like this. And she knows he's waiting for her to finally accept Susan, which is why he confessed this to her."My real mother did that for me without even knowing me?" she now asks emotionally, feeling that it's true, she has a mother who loves her and was willing to risk her life to save hers."Yes, my daughter!" Santiago answers, letting tears roll freely down his cheeks without hiding them. "Your real mum is very good, she's the kindest and noblest person I've ever known in my life! You look a lot like her, Bella. Now she's there in the car, waiting for you to receive her. Do you want to meet her, Bella?""Of course, Dad! I'm overjoyed to know that I'm not the daughter of such an evil woman as Eva!" she exclaims, feeling the urge to see the person who brought her into the world."
After saying this, Grandpa leaves towards the garden. Marta moves forward to take all the tests that Isabella still has on her lap, reviews them unable to believe it's all real, then turns to Isabella and says:"Bella, I'm impressed with your life. It's truly a soap opera. I want the rights to write it," she says enthusiastically."Ha, ha, ha... Marta, stop teasing me," Isabella plays along happily, not letting go of Christian's hand.They both laugh with Marta, who keeps insisting she's not joking. She assures them she'll write their story. She'll make an incredible novel about their lives, she's sure it will be a huge success. And although she claims she doesn't usually write this type of romantic plot, their story has everything: intrigue, secrets, betrayals, mobsters, which makes it unique."I'll write it, I swear I'll write it as soon as I finish writing this book!" she declares as everyone looks on."Do what you want," Christian and Isabella say
"The grandfather takes it, intrigued, as Marta and Tina look on curiously. He opens it and pulls out the paternity tests, which prove that Christian is the father of the children. He looks up, staring at them in disbelief. Marta, seeing his surprised expression, moves her wheelchair forward and snatches the paper from his hands. She reads it and bursts out laughing."I knew it!" she exclaims excitedly. "Lucas looked too much like Chris!""What is it?" Tina asks in sign language."Grandma, Christian is Lucas and Lucia's father! He was the one who spent the night with me at the hotel! He was the one who got me pregnant!" Bella explains."But that's not all, grandfather," Christian adds. "I remembered everything! All my memories came back!""Congratulations, Chris!" Marta shouts again, excited. "Congratulations on both things!""Many congratulations!" The grandfather hugs him.He still can't believe that Christian is the father of the children. He sep
After Isabella asks that question, looking at him with a huge expression of despair and at the same time of pain, Christian hurries to answer."No, no Bella, nobody raped you," he says firmly, still looking into Isabella's beautiful and fearful eyes. "That child you're expecting is mine.""Yours? Don't deceive me, Chris, I know very well you can't have children!" Isabella asserts."I couldn't," he affirms as he stands up again, leaving Isabella confused by his words.Christian takes another yellow envelope and returns to the bed where Isabella has sat up, intrigued. He hands her the results of the tests he had done to see if his sperm were viable, and gives them to his wife, who opens her eyes, still unable to believe it."What does this mean?" she asks as if needing to hear it."It means I was the one who got you pregnant, when you came to sleep with me those nights and that afternoon when we made love in the shower," he explains calmly and confi
Slowly, she takes out the white papers under Christian's smiling gaze. Isabella finally finishes taking everything out and sees two paternity tests, but she doesn't read them. She still doesn't understand."What does this mean? Did you find the father of my children?" she asks immediately."Yes, I found him!" Christian exclaims, unable to contain his joy in front of Isabella's gaze, who doesn't understand why he's behaving like this."Did you really find the biological father of the twins?" she asks incredulously. "Who is it?"Christian looks at her for a moment that seems eternal to Isabella. Her heart races as she considers the possible consequences this fact might have for her and her children. Now that everything seems to be going well, she doesn't want to introduce a stranger into her children's lives. Above all, she'll have to face the truth and tell them she lied when she said Christian was their father when he wasn't. That's why she doesn't understand the