Valeria arrived at the clinic with a mixture of nervousness and determination. In the waiting room, she met Guillermo, who was accompanied by Natalia. The atmosphere was tense, since Natalia, after learning that Valeria was going to take the test, did not want to be separated from him for a moment.“Hello,” Valeria greeted, trying to maintain her composure.—Hi, Valeria. Thank you for coming, Guillermo replied, aware of the seriousness of the situation.—You have nothing to thank me for, I do everything for Laura.Natalia kept looking at her with an expression of hatred in her eyes.—Don't think this means you can be close to Laura. Guillermo only called you because of the emergency of the case, but don't get your hopes up that you're going to enter the mansion again.—That's enough, Natalia! This is not the time or place to look for more problems. The most important thing now is Laurita's health. Please, behave yourself and think of your niece first and foremost.—That's right, you d
The bone marrow operation was a quick and simple procedure, although not without risks. Valeria had been informed that, although the operation itself was not complicated, it required special care in the post-operative period to ensure that everything went well.After a couple of hours, the doctor returned to Valeria's room where Guillermo was, who was very anxious to know the results of the operation.He had taken advantage of Natalia's absence to be able to approach Valeria, the doctor came in and upon seeing them the first thing he said this time with a more relaxed expression:"The operation was a success," he announced. "Laura is recovering and, although she will be a little weak for the next few days, her health is stable. We just have to wait a few days to be completely sure that her body will not reject the transplant."Guillermo and Valeria looked at each other with a big smile that lit up their faces."What great news, doctor!" said Guillermo, visibly moved. "And can I see he
Days later, Laura was in the mansion, surrounded by a warm and familiar atmosphere. Guillermo had done everything possible to ensure that his daughter was surrounded by peace and quiet, since her recovery depended on it.Valeria was at her side, attentive to her every move, feeling a mixture of joy and anxiety for her daughter's recovery. The bone marrow operation had been a success, and Laura's health was improving day by day, which filled Valeria with hope.Valeria sat in a chair next to Laura’s bed, watching her as she slept. The evening light filtered through the curtains, creating a golden halo around the room. It was a moment of peace that Valeria treasured, knowing that each passing day was a new opportunity to strengthen the bond that had been absent for so long.Nurse Tania suddenly entered with a slightly fake smile, as she couldn't stand Valeria's presence in the mansion. However, Guillermo had decided that Tania should continue with her work as a nurse, since after the tra
Valeria, stunned by the scene she had witnessed between Natalia and Guillermo, quickly headed to Laura's room. Confusion and pain accompanied her as she tried to concentrate on caring for her daughter. Laura, although still a little weak, smiled at the sight of her, which gave Valeria a brief respite in the midst of the emotional storm she was facing."Why are you sad, Valeria?" the little girl asked, while enjoying one of the cookies she had brought her.—I'm not sad, Laurita. I just have a bad headache, but it will soon pass. You better finish your cookies and drink all your milk; you should take your medicine in a moment — Valeria answered, trying to hide her anguish.Laura obeyed, while Valeria struggled to control the anger and pain that Natalia and Guillermo's kiss had caused her. She knew she had to be strong, especially for her daughter, who was the driving force that kept her going.As the hours passed, the atmosphere in the mansion became tense as night fell. Valeria was in
The day dawned bright and sunny, but the light entering through Laura's window couldn't dispel the unease she felt inside. The night before, she had heard shouting coming from the living room, and those echoes still resonated in her mind. She stretched, sensing that something significant was happening. A knot in her stomach indicated that the morning's calm wouldn't last long.With a deep sigh, she got out of bed and approached the door. Curiosity and concern propelled her down the stairs, each step echoing in the tense silence of the hallway. Upon reaching the last step, she paused and peeked around the wall leading to the living room.From her vantage point, she could see Natalia and Valeria standing face to face, their expressions reflecting the intensity of the argument. Natalia, with her arms crossed and her face flushed, seemed on the verge of exploding.—You can't just show up and claim what doesn't belong to you! —shouted Natalia, her voice heavy with anger—. You've been out o
Guillermo observed Laura, her expression grave and worried. His daughter’s question had cast a shadow over the atmosphere, and he understood that it was not the right time to address such a delicate topic.—Daughter, it’s not the moment to answer that question —Guillermo said, striving to maintain his composure—. I need to resolve some issues, and then we will talk about it. I suggest you go to your room; you shouldn’t overexert yourself, remember you are still recovering.Laura nodded, feeling a whirlwind of emotions, and left the room, leaving the palpable tension behind. Valeria, aware of the weight of the situation, decided to accompany Laura to take the opportunity to talk with her.—Come on, Laura —Valeria said softly—. I want you to know that I am here for you. We will go to your room for breakfast, and in the meantime, we will have a long conversation.Meanwhile, Guillermo was left alone with Natalia. The atmosphere was tense, and the words they were about to exchange would be
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
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