Night had settled in the mansion, enveloping every corner in a tense silence. Valeria, with her heart still agitated by Guillermo's message, felt that the kitchen became an uncertain refuge. While she was preparing Laura's dinner, her thoughts were overflowing like the pasta boiling in the pot. “What does this message mean?” Why are you writing this to me and not telling me what's really going on? I must talk to him, so he can tell me the truth. I know he's hiding something from me. —she murmured to herself, feeling the weight of uncertainty.Laura entered suddenly, interrupting his reflection. The little girl, with her messy hair and a smile that illuminated the atmosphere, approached Valeria. “Is dinner ready yet?” "I'm hungry," he said, stretching his little hands toward the table.Valeria smiled, trying to hide her agitation. —There's very little left, darling. Would you like to help me set the table?Laura nodded excitedly and began to take the dishes out of the cupboard. While t
Guillermo felt the pressure rising in his chest. The image of Laura, vulnerable and in need of stability, tormented him. He knew he couldn't risk losing her, and the threat of Natalia loomed over him like an ominous shadow.—Valeria… — he began, his voice shaking as he looked at Natalia, who had a menacing attitude, waiting to hear what he would say. Guillermo knew that Natalia was willing to do anything, so he gathered his courage and said to her:—Yes, it's true, Natalia and I are going to get married.Natalia felt a great relief and showed a satisfied smile, but Valeria's expression was devastating. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Minutes before, Guillermo had sent her a message where he clearly showed her that he loved her, and not content with that, he had kissed her. Valeria felt deceived and betrayed.Tears fell down her face. She was paralyzed, her face had turned pale as she looked at William, filled with pain and anger at the same time.“How could you do this to m
Rebeca revealed the whole truth to Javier, expressing her anguish after losing her job for helping Valeria provide information about the family that had acquired her eggs.Javier, visibly shocked, could not believe what he was hearing. "That's impossible, Valeria couldn't have done something like that," he replied, stunned.—She was desperate and I decided to help her. In a way, I felt guilty for having betrayed her to you. But if I hadn't encouraged her to sell her eggs, I'd probably be at my job right now.-What do you mean by that?—I lost my job because of Valeria. The clinic realized that I broke the rules by providing information about the family that acquired the eggs. I should never have listened to Valeria, but I felt remorse for what you and I did to her. Now, life has punished me, and I am the one who finds myself unemployed and about to be evicted from the apartment, since I owe several months of rent.—I understand how you feel, Rebecca, but in some way, I feel responsibl
Guillermo looked at Valeria with concern, his face reflecting the anguish he felt when he saw her cry.“What’s going on here?” he asked again, his voice shaking slightly.Valeria, with tears in her eyes, tried to regain her voice.—Guillermo, I… what happens is that… —Valeria looked at Natalia and at the same time at Guillermo, she didn't know if she was going to dare to tell him the whole truth, but the words didn't come out of her mouth. Javier just observed the situation with a lot of tension, and now he saw Guillermo as his rival.Natalia crossed her arms and stepped forward to Valeria. “The thing is that Valeria has decided to quit her job.”Guillermo frowned, looking alternately at Valeria and Natalia. “What are you talking about, Natalia? Valeria, is that true?”Valeria lowered her gaze. It was obvious that it was not convenient for Natalia to tell her the truth. Deep down, that made her breathe a sigh of relief, but at the same time it meant having to abandon everything to avo
Valeria and Javier walked away from the mansion, but the pain in Valeria's heart was overwhelming. Every step they took distanced her further from Laura, and the promise she had made to her daughter echoed in her mind, intensifying her anguish. She knew she had to find a way to return and protect her from Natalia.As they walked, Javier looked at her with concern.—Valeria, are you okay? I can't believe what just happened. In a way, I feel guilty. Forgive me."I'm not well at the moment. I can't think of anything but my daughter," she replied in a trembling voice. "I can't leave Laura in the care of that woman. She's capable of anything."—I understand your distress, Valeria, but what you did is serious. Don’t you realize that you could face legal consequences? Besides, that child is not your daughter; she belongs to that family, even though she was conceived with your eggs. You signed an agreement in which you promised not to have contact with the family that obtained the eggs, and y
Guillermo and Tania entered Laura's room and found her in bed, shaking and with her skin covered in sweat. Tania immediately approached, examining the girl with concern.—Laura, honey, it's Tania. Everything's going to be okay, your dad is here —she said, approaching her tenderly.—Dad… —Laura whispered, narrowing her eyes."I'm here, my love. Everything is going to be okay. We'll do our best to make you feel better," Guillermo replied, gently taking his daughter's hand.Tania began to review the medical equipment and medications available.“We need to stabilize her before we take her to the clinic. I’m going to give her oxygen and some medication to control the fever,” he explained, moving quickly and determinedly.Guillermo watched, feeling the anguish wash over him. Every second seemed like an eternity. He couldn't stop thinking about how they had gotten into this situation, with his daughter sick and Natalia trying to manage their lives. He felt guilty for having agreed to marry N
Guillermo dialed Valeria's number with trembling hands. He hadn't heard from her since Natalia kicked her out of the mansion. He felt deceived, since Valeria, forced by Natalia, had lied to him, making him believe that she had resumed her relationship with Javier.Seeing the necklace with the pendant that bore the first letter of her name, she felt that fate was sending her a signal. She had her suspicions: she believed that Valeria could be Isabel and Natalia's long-lost sister. If her suspicions were true, she would do everything possible to ensure that Valeria received the part of the inheritance that her parents left her, even though at that time they knew nothing of her whereabouts.He felt a slight hope that he could change his destiny. Valeria, being Laura's aunt, also had the right to be part of her life. However, Guillermo did not suspect that Valeria was not only the girl who had been abruptly kidnapped when she was a baby, but also the woman who had sold her eggs. As fate w
After a long wait, the doctor appeared in the room."How is my daughter, doctor?" Guillermo asked, with an anguished expression, while Valeria held his hand in support.—Mr. Martinez, I regret to inform you that the news I bring is not encouraging.—What do you mean by that, doctor? Please speak. How is my daughter?—Laura has not responded to the treatment as we had hoped. In recent weeks, her health has worsened considerably. The last thing we have left is to perform a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible, it is the only chance we have to save her life.Both Valeria and Guillermo were shocked; Laura's situation was deteriorating with each passing minute.—My God! Then do whatever it takes, doctor. Perform the transplant on my daughter, please save her — Guillermo said, putting his hands to his head, overwhelmed by anguish. Valeria placed her hand on his shoulder, trying to comfort him and at the same time trying to stand firm before him.—It's not as simple as you say, Mr. Mar
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