New BeginningsThe days passed with a tense calm in the mansion. Laura's recovery was progressing remarkably, showing more signs of vitality and joy each day. Tania continued to perform her duties as a nurse, meticulously following Guillermo's instructions, who was determined not to neglect his daughter's professional care for even a moment. The mansion, once shrouded in shadows, was beginning to brighten with laughter and shared moments.Valeria, for her part, had gradually gained Laura's trust and affection. She was no longer just the nanny who had entered the mansion to fulfill a job; her role had evolved as she assumed the function of a mother, a role that the little girl accepted naturally. For Laura, Valeria had become a maternal figure who filled the void left by Isabel, her biological mother, who ironically was Valeria's sister, although they never had the chance to meet in life. Valeria admired Isabel's photographs and was surprised by the strong resemblance between them, thu
Valeria's decision to dismiss Tania surprised Guillermo. He was completely unaware that Tania harbored a personal interest in him and was also not aware of the past tensions between the two women. Following the recent scare caused by Laura's illness, Guillermo was obsessed with her care and wanted to ensure that she was under professional supervision. Therefore, upon hearing Valeria's hasty decision, his discontent was immediate."Valeria, how can you consider dismissing Tania when you know that Laura has not yet finished her treatment?" he asked, incredulous.For Tania, Guillermo's words were a relief; she felt validated as they questioned Valeria's decision."Understand, dear," Valeria interjected in a conciliatory tone, "I don’t see the need for her to continue caring for our daughter now that she is completely healthy. I can manage her treatment under the eventual supervision of her doctor."Guillermo paused, hesitating before making a decision. He felt grateful to Tania for her s
As Guillermo and Valeria rushed to take Laura to the clinic, Tania was not far behind. Her anxiety to observe the situation was palpable; she could not miss a single moment of what was happening. A mixture of satisfaction and nervousness ran through her body. She knew that her plan had worked, but the uncertainty about Laura's condition worried her. As a nurse, she was aware that the pill she had given her would only make her sleep, but her concern gave her an air of genuine concern.At the clinic, Guillermo held Laura’s hand as the doctor examined her. Valeria, her eyes filled with tears, couldn’t stop thinking about the pills. How could she have made a mistake? Guilt consumed her, and she feared that Guillermo would blame her for what had happened. She tried to remember every detail of the moment she walked into Laura’s room, convinced that she had taken the right bottle. However, her nervousness was beginning to sow doubts in her mind."Doctor, what's wrong with my daughter?" Guill
When they returned to the mansion, the atmosphere was tense. Tania, with a smile that failed to hide her ambition, quickly stepped forward."I'll take care of taking Laura to her room," he announced, almost in an authoritative tone.But Valeria, with tears in her eyes, stood resolutely in front of him.—No Tania, I'll take her.Guillermo, aware of the growing friction between the two women, immediately intervened.—Valeria, please let Tania take Laura to her room. You and I have to talk.Valeria's gaze darkened. Tania's apparent victory, after Valeria's mistake in administering the wrong medicine, had sown a deep distrust in Guillermo, at least that's what Valeria imagined. When Tania left with Laura, Valeria, feeling the weight of guilt and pain, turned to Guillermo.—Don't you trust me anymore, Guillermo? It was enough for me to make one mistake with Laura for you to lose trust in me and place all the responsibility for our daughter on that woman.—It's not that, Valeria. I'm just t
After reading the story to Laura, Guillermo and Valeria looked at each other with complicity. They both knew that it was the perfect moment to share the fabulous news with the little girl."Laura, darling," Guillermo began, crouching down to his daughter's height. "We have something very special to tell you."Laura, her eyes shining with curiosity, smiled and settled into her bed.—What is it, Dad? Tell me now! Is it a present? —she said excitedly.Valeria took Guillermo's hand, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.—Well, it's not a gift, but I'm sure you're going to like what we're going to tell you. It's that... —said Valeria, in a sweet voice— Your dad and I have decided to get married.Laura's eyes widened, and a laugh of joy escaped her lips.“Really?! That’s unbelievable!” she exclaimed, jumping out of bed and hugging her parents tightly. “I’ve always dreamed of seeing them get married. I’m going to have a wedding!”Guillermo and Valeria looked at each other, their heart
The atmosphere in the mansion became thick and tense after the mysterious woman's surprising appearance. All eyes focused on her, and the silence became palpable, as if time had stopped. Guillermo, stunned, was speechless, while little Laura clung to Tania, trembling with fear and not understanding what was happening.“Who are you?” William asked, his voice shaking with confusion and disbelief. “How dare you come in here to interrupt my wedding? Who let you in?”The mysterious woman, with a cold and determined look, removed the veil that covered her face. The scar that crossed her cheek was a reminder of her pain, a mark that spoke of all the suffering she had endured.“I am Isabel, your wife,” she replied, her voice firm but full of resentment. “The woman you thought was dead, the woman you betrayed with my sister Natalia.”The impact of his words resounded through the room like thunder. The guests exchanged glances, unable to process the revelation. Laura, her heart pounding, took a
The guests began to leave, completely confused and surprised by Isabel's unexpected appearance. Valeria, devastated, felt caught between the revelation and the emotional chaos that surrounded her. Her mind revolved around a single idea: Laura."I'm going up to Laura's room," Valeria announced, her voice breaking. "She must be very confused. Besides, you two have a lot to talk about," she said, addressing Isabel and Guillermo."It's better for you to be with Laura," Guillermo replied, his concern evident in every word.Isabel stood before William, filled with hatred and helplessness, fighting against conflicting feelings. Seeing him again, after so long, she realized that she still loved him as much as the first day.As Valeria walked up the stairs, Isabel looked at Guillermo sarcastically.—And now what are you going to do? Because you don't expect that woman and I to live together in this house that my parents left me.Guillermo looked her straight in the eyes, his expression serious
Isabel was shocked to discover that Valeria was her lost sister. Disbelief enveloped her like a heavy cloak, and her voice trembled, not knowing how to assimilate such a truth.“What’s going to happen now?” Isabel asked excitedly. “Do you realize what this means? You were about to marry my other sister, just like you did with Natalia. You never cared about me; as soon as you thought I was dead, you didn’t hesitate to marry her.”“That’s not true!” Guillermo exclaimed firmly. “Natalia forced me into that marriage. She knew I didn’t love her; I never really felt anything for her. It’s just that, because of your illness, I felt lonely and disturbed, and she took advantage of that to seduce me at the moment when I felt most vulnerable.”—Don't make me laugh, Guillermo. Are you going to tell me that that night, when I found you kissing Natalia while I was suffering from my illness, you did it because she forced you? —said Isabel sarcastically, letting hatred show in her eyes.—It's true th
Valeria felt a sense of unease as she observed the expression on Guillermo's face. It was evident that something was wrong, although the magnitude of what was about to unfold was hard to anticipate.—Guillermo, what’s happening? —she asked, trying to keep her voice calm.Tania, who had been on the sidelines, watched with a contained smile and then approached Guillermo with a challenging attitude.—I think I’ll retire to my room —she announced, feeling confident that she had the right to occupy that space in the mansion.Valeria, sensing the tension rising, decided to be direct with Guillermo.—What does this mean, Guillermo? You told me you were going to find a place for Tania. When is she leaving this house?—Tania is not leaving here —Guillermo replied firmly.—What? That’s not what we agreed on!—I’m sorry, Valeria, but Tania is not well and she’s expecting my child. I can’t leave them on the street under those circumstances.—No, that can’t be. You can’t force me to live under the
Valeria and Javier were in the park, enjoying the fresh air around them. Javier was trying to keep the conversation light, but Valeria seemed lost in her thoughts.“Do you know?” Javier said, breaking the silence. “This place has always seemed magical to me. The tranquility of the park contrasts with the chaos of everyday life.”Valeria nodded, though her mind was distant. The image of Guillermo, upset and hurt, occupied her thoughts.“You're right,” she replied, making an effort to smile. “It's a good place to disconnect from reality.”Javier observed her, noticing the sadness in her eyes. He wanted to offer support in this moment of vulnerability, hoping to regain her trust.“Valeria, if you need to talk about how you feel, I’m here to listen,” he said sincerely.She looked at him, feeling a spark of gratitude. However, the shadow of Guillermo was always present. Valeria was sure of her feelings for him, but the issues surrounding Tania's pregnancy made her doubt the validity of her
Valeria approached the door with her heart racing, nervous about Guillermo's possible reaction to Javier's visit. When she opened the door, she found Javier, who greeted her with a smile and a bouquet of orchids, her favorite flowers."Hello, Valeria," Javier said, extending the flowers toward her. "I passed by a florist and remembered that these are your favorites."Valeria felt a knot in her stomach; the beauty of the orchids contrasted with the emotional storm surrounding her."Thank you, they are beautiful," she replied, trying to smile despite the sadness overwhelming her. "But you shouldn’t have bothered."Javier noticed her expression and, with a gentle gesture, stepped a little closer."Are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. "Is something wrong, Valeria?"The accumulated pressure overflowed at that moment. Unable to contain herself, Valeria threw herself into Javier's arms and began to cry, seeking comfort in his closeness, as she only considered him a friend.
The next day, sunlight gently filtered through the curtains, illuminating the room where Guillermo and Valeria had shared a night of passion and promises. Valeria slowly awakened, feeling Guillermo's warmth beside her. A sigh of satisfaction escaped her lips as she recalled the intensity of the previous night. However, the reality of her situation soon hit her hard.Carefully, she got up, trying not to wake Guillermo. She needed a moment to reflect, organize her thoughts, and prepare for what was to come. As she dressed, her mind filled with concerns: “How would they face Tania’s presence?” The mere thought of her possibly interfering in their relationship again caused a knot to form in her stomach.Guillermo woke up shortly after, stretching and smiling upon seeing Valeria.“Good morning,” he said in a still-sleepy voice. “How do you feel today, my love?”“A bit confused,” she replied, biting her lip. “You need to talk to Tania.”Guillermo’s expression turned serious.“I know. Althou
Guillermo sat on the edge of Tania's bed, watching as she settled into the sheets. The tension in the air was palpable, and although his mind was filled with thoughts of Valeria, he couldn't ignore Tania's presence, who looked at him with expectation."Do you feel better?" he asked, trying to sound indifferent."A little, thanks. I just need to rest for a while," Tania replied, smiling sweetly. "But, Guillermo, there's something we should talk about."He frowned, aware that the conversation could be delicate."What is it about?" he inquired, crossing his arms."About Valeria..." Tania began, her tone soft yet firm. "I know you love her, but you can't let her make you feel less. You deserve someone who values you."Guillermo felt uncomfortable. Despite his anger towards Valeria, a part of him still wanted to protect her."I won't allow you to speak about Valeria that way. Her situation has been very difficult, especially knowing that you are expecting my child.""But Valeria's anger fa
Guillermo, visibly upset with Valeria, asked, “Are you expecting someone?”“No, but maybe you should open the door; it could be one of your lovers,” Valeria replied disdainfully. Guillermo chose to ignore the comment, not wanting to prolong the argument. When he opened the door, he was surprised and quickly looked at Valeria.“The visitor is for you. It’s your ex-fiancé, Javier. So, why don’t you go greet him?” he said, with a tone heavy with sarcasm and jealousy. Valeria, stunned, couldn’t understand why Javier was there after so long.“What are you doing here, Javier?” Valeria asked, her face paling.“Hi, Valeria. I see you weren’t expecting me. I just stopped by to say hello, but if I’m bothering you…”Frustrated by Tania’s presence in the mansion, Valeria decided to respond to Javier to unsettle Guillermo: “No, of course you’re not bothering me. You just took me by surprise, but please, come in. I have the right to receive my friends too.”Consumed by jealousy, Guillermo couldn’t
Guillermo observed Valeria with an expression of anguish, aware that the words he was about to say could have significant consequences.“Valeria... darling, it’s just that... Tania is here, but I don’t want you to worry. I’m trying to manage the situation,” he replied, striving to sound convincing.Valeria frowned, feeling a chill run down her spine; the nightmare seemed to be returning to her life. Her gaze hardened.“Manage the situation? How can you say that? She represents a threat to us! Don’t you realize?” she exclaimed, feeling anger beginning to bubble up inside her.“I know, but...” Guillermo hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. “She claims to be pregnant, and I need to verify if it’s true. I can’t ignore something as important as the possibility of a child.”Valeria stood frozen, her eyes widening in disbelief.“Pregnant? By you? Ha! Don’t make me laugh,” her voice trembled between disbelief and pain. “And how can you be sure that the child she is expecting
Guillermo crouched down next to Tania, taking her pulse while trying to remain calm. "What’s wrong with you?" he murmured, worried. Tania, still pretending to be unconscious, presented herself to him as a fragile and defenseless figure, a stark contrast to the defiant woman who had stood before him moments earlier. As he held her, his mind filled with confusion. "Is it possible that she’s really pregnant?" he pondered, feeling a mix of anguish and responsibility. The idea of a child potentially on the way tormented him. Suddenly, Tania opened her eyes, blinking slowly. Guillermo felt an immediate sense of relief, though unease lingered. "What happened?" she asked, in a weak voice, trying to maintain her masterful act. "You fainted suddenly. I think you need to rest, Tania." She slowly sat up, rubbing her head. "I'm sorry... I don't know what happened. I just feel so overwhelmed," she replied, her tone trembling. Guillermo watched her, trying to discern whether her reaction was
When Guillermo opened the door, his expression turned serious upon recognizing Tania.“¡Tania! What are you doing here?” he asked, trying to maintain a neutral tone.“Hello, Guillermo,” she replied, offering a smile that did not reflect sincerity. “I didn’t think my presence would make you so nervous.”Guillermo felt a knot in his stomach. He was aware that Tania represented a complicated chapter of his past, one he had tried to leave behind.“I asked you a question,” Tania continued, adopting a firm posture. “What are you doing here?”“I came because I have something serious to discuss with you,” he said, his tone becoming more grave.“Talk? You and I have nothing to discuss. I think you’ve done enough with the manipulation you orchestrated to separate me from Valeria, but you didn’t get your way.”“What happened between us wasn’t manipulation; you made me yours, and you enjoyed it.”“That’s a lie! I don’t remember anything. It’s all been a ruse to separate me from Valeria, and that