The meeting

Valeria was plunged into deep sadness and loneliness in the small living room of her house, surrounded by memories of her parents.

The photos on the walls and the old furniture constantly reminded her of the life she had lost in the blink of an eye. Since the tragic death of her parents in a car accident, her financial situation had become unsustainable. The medical expenses were exorbitant and despite the doctors' efforts to save them, they were in vain. This led Valeria to go into debt not only with the clinic, but also with the funeral arrangements, further aggravating her desperate situation.

They had left her the house as an inheritance, but they had not left much property. The debts were piling up and the mortgage on the house was about to expire. Valeria felt trapped, without resources and without a stable job. Desperation consumed her; every day she spent without work was one more step towards losing her home.

One afternoon, while reviewing her options, she came across an advertisement online for selling eggs. The sum of money offered was considerable and could solve her financial problems. However, the idea of selling a part of herself was disturbing.

She spent days thinking about the proposal, struggling with her feelings and the need to survive. The pressure of debt and the fear of losing her home led her to make the drastic decision to go to the fertility clinic. A friend who worked at the fertility clinic had recommended this option to her, assuring her that many women did it to improve their financial situation.

—It's a great opportunity, Valeria. You have nothing to lose by trying. Besides, it won't affect you when you decide to have children in the future. I can help you so you don't feel alone.

—Rebeca, all of this seems very invasive to me, but at the same time I am very afraid of losing this house, it is the only thing I have left from my parents, and besides, I have nowhere to go.

—Don't worry, everything will be fine, I promise. And besides, I'll be there to give you all my support.

Valeria, finding herself on the verge of losing everything, listened to her friend's advice and agreed to go with her to the clinic to begin the procedure.

The process was quick and professional. The doctors explained everything in detail and assured her that her eggs would be used to help couples who were unable to have children. Valeria, although with a heavy heart, was relieved to receive the money.

With that amount, he could at least pay off his mortgage debt and save some extra money to survive for a few months.

However, she couldn't stop thinking about the idea that somewhere in the world, a woman could have a child thanks to her eggs. That child would be biologically hers. What would happen to them? Who would be the parents of these possible children? These questions tormented her, but Valeria tried to move on with her life, despite the anguish that consumed her.

(…)

Time after…

During a routine medical check-up, Valeria sat nervously in the waiting room. The doctor finally called her and invited her into his office.

—Valeria, I have the results of your tests. Unfortunately, it is not the news we were hoping for.

"What's wrong, doctor?" Valeria asked, her heart racing.

—We have found a condition that affects your reproductive system. This disease has caused your ovaries to stop functioning properly, which means you will not be able to have children.

“Is there no chance? No treatment?” Valeria said, her voice shaking.

—I'm very sorry, Valeria. We've explored all options, but the condition is irreversible.

—I can't believe it... I've always dreamed of being a mother. How am I going to carry on? —Valeria had tears in her eyes.

—I understand that this is devastating for you. It is important that you take time to process this news and seek emotional support. There are many ways to build a family and find happiness, even if it seems impossible right now.

"I feel like I've lost a part of myself. I don't know how I'm going to get over this," Valeria said, crying.

—I'm here to help you with whatever you need. You're not alone in this, and there are resources and people who can support you.

For Valeria, it was devastating to hear this news just after having sold her eggs. She felt helpless and in pain at the thought that instead of selling them, she could have frozen them and in the future maintained the hope of being able to have a child.

She felt alone, without her parents, without a job, and she had almost nothing left of the money she had been given for selling her eggs.

As time went by, her obsession with wanting to have a child grew, and the mere thought of never knowing what it was like to be a mother tormented her more and more.

The confinement and loneliness made her keep the fixed idea of knowing what had happened to her eggs. So without thinking twice, she went to look for her friend Rebeca at the fertility clinic. She wanted to know at all costs who had given them to.

She was obsessed with finding the children that could have been born from her eggs.

—Please Rebeca, I need to know who my eggs were given to.

—Valeria, for God's sake! That's impossible. The clinic cannot reveal the identity of the women who have undergone the fertilization process. Don't insist any more.

—You encouraged me to go through the process, and now you don't want to help me. I'm not going to do anything bad, I just want to know what happened to them, if they managed to procreate a child.

After hours of insistence from Valeria, Rebeca had no other choice but to help her friend. Deep down, she felt very sorry for her situation. She gave her the name of the family that had bought her eggs, but with the promise that Valeria would not do anything that would harm the family, much less her.

—Remember that my job is at stake, so don't do anything that will harm me and forget about it, Valeria. —Rebeca told her very worried.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything to harm you," he said as he walked away.

When she got home, she started searching the internet for everything related to the Martinez family. Being a very common surname, it was difficult for her to find the right family. But her perseverance helped her find their whereabouts.

She was able to discover that the family had produced a beautiful baby girl with her eggs. On the one hand, she was thrilled to know that a part of her lived on in that child. On the other hand, she was consumed by desperation and the desire to reclaim her daughter.

(…)

Days after…

The days went by and Valeria kept the fixed idea of one day being able to meet her daughter. However, the economic problems had returned and the debts were piling up since she couldn't find a good job. She was desperate, even though she no longer owed the mortgage on the house, she had no money, the bills began to pile up, and desperation invaded her.

One afternoon while sitting in a café, his eyes stopped on an advertisement that immediately caught his attention:

“Nanny wanted to care for a 4-year-old girl. Good salary. Interested parties please call 555-1234. Martinez family.”

Valeria's heart began to pound. The Martinez family… her daughter. She couldn't believe the coincidence. Her daughter's mother had recently passed away in a tragic car accident, and now they were looking for someone to care for the little girl.

This was her chance to get close to her daughter, to get to know her and give her all her love and affection. Determined, Valeria wrote down the number and left the café. She walked through the streets of the neighborhood, observing the trees that lined the sidewalks and the houses with well-kept gardens. The afternoon sun illuminated everything with a golden light, creating an almost idyllic atmosphere.

Arriving at her apartment, Valeria dialed the number on the ad. After a few rings, a male voice answered. “Hello, Martinez family?” Valeria said, trying to remain calm.

—Yes, I'm Guillermo Martinez. How can I help you? —answered the voice on the other end of the line.

"I'm calling about the babysitting job. I'm interested in the position," Valeria said, feeling a knot in her stomach.

—Perfect. Could you come tomorrow at 10am for an interview? —Guillermo asked. —Sure, I'll be there. Thanks —Valeria replied before hanging up.

—Very well, bring your recommendations, and all your documents in order.

—Okay, I'll do it. —I hung up— That night, Valeria could barely sleep. Anxiety and excitement kept her awake and she couldn't wait to call her friend Rebecca and give her the big news.

—Have you gone mad, Valeria? You can't accept that job.

—Relax, Rebecca, nothing is going to happen. It's just an interview, and I haven't gotten the job yet. I'm just happy to see my daughter even if it's just once.

—Valeria, she is not your daughter, understand that. That girl belongs to that family.

—But she was conceived with my eggs, biologically speaking, that child carries my genes. Besides, the woman who had her thanks to me, just died in a car accident, my daughter needs me.

—My God! Poor family. But even so, that doesn't give you the right to go and break into that house, and you promised me that you weren't going to do anything to look for the Martinezes. Do you realize that I could lose my job because of you? I violated protocol by revealing the identity of that family.

—Rebeca, my friend... please, I'm not going to do anything to harm you, I promise.

—Then don't go to that interview, he said firmly.

—I'm just going to the interview, I want to see my daughter at least once in my life.

(…)

The next day, she got up early, dressed carefully and went to the address that Guillermo had given her. She was very nervous, she only wondered what would happen when she had the little girl in front of her.

The Martinez house was an impressive mansion, surrounded by lush gardens and with an elegant facade.

Valeria was amazed by the imposing nature of the mansion. As she was about to ring the bell, she took a deep breath and knocked. A maid opened the door and led her to a living room where Guillermo was waiting for her.

Guillermo was a tall, handsome man with dark hair and blue eyes. Despite his imposing appearance, there was a palpable sadness in his gaze.

—Hi, I'm Valeria Lombardo. I'm here for the interview for the nanny position. I called yesterday —she said, trying to sound confident.

Guillermo stared at her in surprise. For a moment he thought: “She looks a lot like Isabel.” His thoughts made him fall silent. He couldn’t believe how much Valeria resembled his late wife.

"Is something wrong, sir?" Valeria asked, surprised. While he, trying to hide his shock, immediately smiled and answered:

—Hi, Valeria, no, nothing is wrong, just that... come in, please —Guillermo replied, stepping aside to let her in.

The interior of the house was even more impressive, with elegant furniture and sophisticated decor. William led her into a sitting room and offered her a seat.

—Thank you for coming and being so punctual, that speaks highly of you. As you know, I am looking for someone to take care of my only daughter, Laura. It has been a difficult time for us since the tragic death of my wife —said Guillermo, his voice filled with sadness.

"I'm very sorry for your loss, what happened is very unfortunate," Valeria replied, genuinely moved.

—Thank you, Valeria. —He paused, trying to compose himself before continuing. —Laura is a wonderful girl, but she needs a lot of attention and love, especially with the loss of her mother. The poor thing has been a little confused and needs a lot of affection. Do you have experience taking care of children? —Guillermo asked.

—Yes, I have worked as a babysitter before and I have also taken care of my younger siblings —Valeria answered, trying to sound convincing.

—Well, I'm glad you have experience with children. I'll keep your details and call you back with an answer. Is that okay with you?

Valeria rubbed her hands together, she was very nervous, deep down all she wanted was to be able to see the girl.

—And where is the girl?

—She's in her room, but there will be time for you to meet her.

"And it can't be now?" she said anxiously, afraid that he wouldn't choose her for the job and that she wouldn't be able to see her daughter. Guillermo noticed that she was very anxious, but he attributed it to the fact that she was perhaps nervous about the interview.

At that moment, Laura entered the room unexpectedly, which made Valeria's heart jump in her chest.

She was an adorable little girl, with light brown hair and blue eyes, just like her father. Valeria felt a pang in her heart when she saw the little girl; she couldn't believe that she was in front of her daughter for the first time.

—Laura, darling, this is Valeria, maybe she could be your new babysitter if you like —Guillermo said, smiling at his daughter.

—Hello, Valeria, my name is Laura —she said with a shy smile.

—Hello, Laura, it's a pleasure to meet you, you're a very beautiful girl — Valeria replied, smiling.

Guillermo watched the interaction between Valeria and Laura, and seemed satisfied; the connection between the two was not long in coming, and the little girl seemed to feel comfortable and calm.

—I think you might be the right person for this job, however, I have other candidates who also applied for the position, so as soon as I make a decision, I will call you.

Valeria left hoping that she would be the chosen one; she just wanted to be close to her daughter, even though she didn't know that she was her biological mother.

(…)