—My children saw you, Valeria. They saw you put him there. They heard you say you were going to send them to boarding school.

Valeria paled, but tried to maintain her composure.

“They’re children, they’re lying. I did it for us, Alejandro. Those brats are an obstacle to our happiness. We deserve to travel, to be alone…”

“A future?” Alejandro let out a dry laugh. “You didn’t want a future with me, you wanted my credit card.”

With a violent movement, Alejandro threw the gold Rolex against the stone wall. The watch shattered into a thousand pieces, diamonds scattering across the floor. Valeria screamed in horror.

—That’s the value your “love” has for me. Trash. Get out of my house. Now.

Valeria tried to protest, threatened legal action, but Alejandro was relentless. He demanded the engagement ring back, threatening to call the police for theft and child abuse. Furious and humiliated, Valeria threw the ring down and stormed out, slamming the door behind her, watched by all the staff who silently celebrated her downfall.

When the door closed, the silence in the house changed. It was no longer oppressive. It was peaceful.

Alejandro went to the kitchen. He found Clara and the children laughing, despite the bandages and the fright.

“Sir?” Clara stood up. “Would you like me to prepare something for you?”

“No, Clara. We’re cooking today.” Alejandro rolled up his sleeves. “And please, stop calling me ‘sir.’ From today on, you’re part of this family. No more uniforms or gloves. I’ll triple your salary, but I ask… I beg you to stay. Not as an employee, but as the guide I need to be the father they deserve.”

Clara smiled, a smile that lit up the kitchen more than all the luxury lamps.