Renato Rinaldi, now twenty-eight, is strikingly handsome, tall, and well-dressed; his eyes a deep blue like the sky itself, but his heart is as impenetrable as steel. Women sigh in his presence, taken by his appearance, until they hear him speak, his words cutting and icy cold. Renato is known to be ruthless, wishing to savor life unencumbered by romantic ties. Hardly anyone can stand him, save for his loyal assistant who for three long years has tended to every detail of his life.

Renato is the adopted son of the Rinaldi Castro family. He has always been aware of his origins and is deeply grateful for the home that nurtured him. Yet, shadows loom over him, particularly on the anniversary of his biological father's death—a date that invariably darkens his mood.

"Helen," he barks irritably over the intercom, setting a glass on his desk. "It's late, you can leave."

"Do you need anything else?" Helen asks, concern in her voice. She knows the significance of this day and how it particularly affects her ungrateful boss. "Should I call a taxi for later tonight?"

"No," is his terse response.

"Okay. Try not to stay up too late. Remember, we have an early meeting tomorrow."

"I know that. Now go."

"Alright." Helen hangs up, her gaze lingering on the door, wishing she could comfort him, but understanding her place. She gathers her belongings and exits into the chill of the midnight air that bites at her bones.

Renato pours himself another whiskey and gazes out the large window at the windy night, the trees struggling to remain upright. He watches as his secretary struggles to keep her skirt, which reaches her slender ankles, in place while trying to hail a taxi without success until finally one stops for her.

Once he sees her safely away, Renato returns to his desk, his thoughts adrift in nostalgia, remembering how his life was turned upside down overnight, transforming the joyful boy within him into a man marked by severity, coldness, and resentment.

Ten years ago... It was a beautiful summer day. The family was about to sit down for lunch when a court notice arrived from Spain, specifically from the penitentiary, summoning Renato to meet with his dying father—a last request the judge could not ignore.

"Son, you don't have to go if you don't want to," April spoke as both mother and lawyer. "You owe that man nothing."

"I know," he replied, looking at the letter in distress. "But part of me needs to understand why he did it."

"April, don't press the boy; he still has a few days to decide," Facundo interjected calmly.

"Fine, but if you choose to go, I'm coming with you," April determined, rising from the table. "I will represent you against that monster," her last words as she left the room.

The following Wednesday morning, the family headed to Spain, planning to stay at their old home. Memories of their first months with Renato flooded back for the couple, as if time had not passed.

"Son, do you know how much you made your mother suffer?" Facundo said with a smile. "She yearned for you to call her 'mom,' and you were just so stubborn."

"I was always more rebellious with her; but from day one, you adored him."

"That's not true; I love both of you equally," the teenager replied, embracing them. "You two are my favorite parents in the whole world."

"And you are our son."

"Hey, I thought there were no favorites," Abigail chimed in, descending the stairs and tying back her long hair.

"We're all the same, aren't we?" Lorenzo added, finishing the sentiment.

"Yes, my loves, you are all equal," Facundo reassured, opening his arms for a group hug. "Come here."

The teenagers rushed into the arms of their family, drawing strength, well aware that Reni faced a difficult tomorrow—a show of their support.

The next morning, April, Facundo, and Renato went to the penitentiary, where they were told that only two could enter, prompting Facundo to wait in the car.

April squeezed her son's hand for support, and an officer led them to the infirmary due to the prisoner's frail health. Inside what looked like a hospital room, a gaunt man with eyes the color of Renato's lay in bed.

"At last, you've come," he rasped, eyes on the boy. "I've waited for this all my life."

"Here I am. What do you want?"

"I want to know if the priests managed to rid you of the evil in your heart. If I did right to sacrifice your mother and entrust you to God."

"My son harbors no evil," April interjected.

"What are you doing here?" he bellowed upon spotting April, his eyes wide with shock. "You were the chosen one, the demon incarnate. You have the mark!"

"I am none of those things! And I'm sorry you couldn't see beyond my appearance in your twisted mind."

"Tell me you're not with this woman! Tell me!" he shouted, grabbing the boy, the frail patient disappearing.

"She's my mom," Renato replied, frightened and teary-eyed.

"Let go of my son," April ordered, prying the man's hand from Renato's arm. "Do not touch him."

"If she's your mother, then you are still cursed, and any children born from you will bear the mark. You are a child of the devil."

"You're insane!" April spun to face Renato, who was visibly shaken. "Son, don't listen to him. Let's leave."

"You caused all of this, it's your fault I'm here, you made me kill the love of my life. From childhood, you haunted me, the evil among the nuns, and now you curse him. Listen well, you will never have a family. You are doomed to live alone and without love."

"Listen, you wretch," April warned, stepping close enough to instill fear with her dark side. "Say one more word, and I swear I'll kill you. I am a good person, but don't anger me. Don't mess with my son, or you'll pay dearly."

"Enough, mom, let's get out of here. That man is not my father."

"Of course, I am, you brat; my blood runs in your veins. Ha! No matter what this woman claims, she is not your mother."

"Guard!" April called. "We want out."

As the guard opened the door, the man grinned maniacally, having already planted the seed of doubt in the boy. His goal was achieved; he knew nothing would ever be the same for the child now staring at him in terror.

Two days later, the family was informed that Lucas Tenesi had died of cardiac arrest.

After recalling each of the words that the dying old man said to him and after having several drinks, Renato fell asleep on his office couch. The next morning, Helen arrives an hour early with a suit for him, which she picked up two days ago from the dry cleaners and kept in her apartment, knowing the state her boss would be in after his confrontation. She knocks on the door and hears him complain, then enters, places the suit, along with a bag containing the tie and underwear, on the desk. She turns on the personal coffee maker in the office, presses the button for an extra strong espresso, then approaches him, strokes his face gently, and delicately rearranges the hair falling across his forehead, taking advantage while he's still sleeping, withdraws her hand, steps back, and whispering close to his ear, she says:

"Boss, you have an hour to get ready. Wake up."

"Go away! Leave me alone, I just want to sleep."

"Boss, the Germans are arriving."

"You're unbearable, you're just like my mother, always nagging." he protests and tries to cover his face with a pillow.

"Boss, I don't mean to bother you, but you need to get up; we have a meeting."

"Tell me, why haven’t I fired you?"

"Because I'm efficient." she loudly retorts so that he can hear her. "And the only one who puts up with your tempers and because nobody wants to work for a grouchy, ungracious, good-for-nothing ogre." she whispers under her breath, while searching for a clean towel in the private cupboard in the bathroom.

"You're hideous, you should wear your hair down sometimes and change your style of clothes. Even my grandmother was more feminine."

"Boss, there is nothing wrong with my clothes." she replies and automatically inspects herself. "Now please, you must get up."

"It must be that for which I hired you and why I don’t fire you. You're not a threat. You're ugly and dress poorly; I could never be interested in a woman like you. You wouldn't attract me even if I were drunk."

"Boss, your things are on the desk and your coffee is ready." Helen exits the office with tears in her eyes, each day it was harder to endure that man’s contempt.

An hour later, the Germans were in the boardroom, and Helen greets them as if nothing, after having cried for ten minutes in the ladies’ bathroom unnoticed.

"Good morning, the CEO will be with you shortly." she says very efficiently in German. "Would you like anything to drink?"

"Coffee and aspirin." Renato answers as he enters without looking at her.

"Anything for you gentlemen?"

"No, thank you."

The young woman goes to fetch the beverage for her boss and when she returns, he looks at her with a frown. As she leans in enough to hand him the cup, he reprimands her harshly in her ear.

"You mustn’t cry at work, go and touch up that makeup; you’re looking haggard; cover up those under-eye circles. You look dreadful; you’re the first image people see of this place, and surely you'll cause me to lose a great deal of business."

"I'm sorry."

"Put aside your personal issues. This is an important meeting."

"I know." she answers and leaves.

"Well, if there are no further interruptions, let's begin." the CEO speaks in English, as he does not know German, but as he starts to look for a report, it is not among the papers. "Excuse me, I’ll be right back." Renato apologizes, stands up, goes to the door, and is surprised to hear his secretary.

"Ungrateful, that’s why I woke you up you miserable wretch, good-for-nothing, all you do is complain." the girl mutters under her breath on the other side of the door in English so the rest of the employees don’t understand, with the bad luck that Renato had gotten up and was about to leave to look for a folder but hears these words, a half-smile forms on his face, and he asks seriously:

"Anything else you left out?"

"I'm sorry." Helen apologizes and sits at her desk surprised. "What do you need?"

"I need the comparison charts; they’re not in the folders."

"I’ll bring them right now."

"Helen, you seem irritable today. Are you on your period?"

"WHAT?!" she asks offended. "How can you ask me something like that? And no, I’m not on my period."

"Helen, the Germans are waiting for me, give me those reports, hurry up, I need them now. Later we can talk about your menstrual cycle."

"Here." she hands him a brown folder and begins to gather her things.

"What are you doing?"

"I’m leaving; I no longer want to work for you. You are disrespectful; you can't talk to me like that."

"You can’t resign; you yourself set that clause."

Renato reenters the boardroom to continue the meeting as if nothing had happened. An hour later, the men shake hands—apparently, the deal was a resounding success and to celebrate, they will go to a restaurant at night for dinner. Once everyone says goodbye, the CEO leans back in his chair—he has a terrible headache, so he calls his assistant to the office.

"Helen, I need you to make reservations at a restaurant for tonight. You’re also included, so try to find a dress suitable for the occasion."

"I'm sorry, but I won’t be able to join you tonight."

"I don’t want excuses; I'll see you at dinner whether you like it or not; besides, I’m sure you have nothing more important to do." he speaks and looks at her with disdain. "Now get something stronger; the aspirins are not working, and I have another meeting."

"Sir, you've already taken too many aspirins for one day."

"It's not your concern, go to the pharmacy."

"Okay." the young woman exits the office, genuinely worried for her terrible ogre.

Helen leaves the building, heads to a pharmacy, angry at herself for not being able to respond to her boss as he deserves. Tonight is her mother's birthday, and once again she will miss a family celebration. When she finally gets a stronger headache medicine, she returns to the office, about to enter when April recognizes her at the elevator doors.

"Helen, please wait."

"Mrs., it's good to see you here."

"Call me April, Mrs. was my mother." she approaches and gives a very affectionate kiss. "Tell me, how has my son been?"

"In a foul mood, unbearable and with a headache."

"Seems like you're not having a good day either." she inquires, raising an eyebrow. "What's happening?"

"Today is my mother's birthday, but your son only thinks of himself and forbids me from attending."

"Don’t worry, I’ll talk to him."

"No, Mrs., that’s not necessary. I will go to the work dinner and then stop by to greet my mom."

"No way, family comes first."

"Thank you. But please, if he refuses, don’t insist."

The elevator doors open on the top floor, April enters her son's office without even announcing herself, and the young woman follows her embarrassedly, holding the bag with the medicine, and when he sees such a fuss, he looks up to meet his mother’s piercing gaze. The girl approaches the desk, places the package on the table, and exits without a word.

Renato rises listlessly from his desk and kisses his mother in greeting; she detects the scent of whiskey in the room and frowns, yet on him, it appears not a single drop lingers.

"Son, tell me you haven't been drinking to oblivion?"

"Mom, I just had a few drinks and spilled a glass; I've already asked for the carpet to be cleaned."

"That man is not worth your suffering." She takes him by the shoulders to look him in the eye. "Forget all he told you; you need to be happy. Start a family, have a wife who loves you, and give you children."

"I don’t plan on bringing any child into this world, much less to be marked as the chosen one."

"That's nonsense." Abril is losing her composure, for years she’s had the same talk and he doesn’t see reason, pacing like a caged lioness until she looks at him furiously and says, "Look at my face; I've lived with this all my life," pointing to her eye. "And no madman will ruin my joy of seeing my eldest son start a family and be happy. Because listen well, you are Renato Rinalde, you have nothing to do with that lunatic and I know that our blood doesn’t run through your veins, but your heart was forged with the most pure and sincere love there is and it's time for my Reni to come back."

"Mom, I'm sorry, but that child you long to see again is stuck in the past."

"What are you afraid of? Look at your brothers; none were born with any birthmark, that theory is false."

"I fear that everything written in those diaries is true." He confesses at last, kneeling on the floor and crying like a child. "I fear that if I fall for an innocent woman, I might commit the same madness as that man and kill someone."

"Son." Abril kneels beside him, uncaring that her dress wrinkles, and embraces him. "That will never happen. That man wrote many incoherencies; you mustn't heed them."

Abril holds her son with much love, and he rests on her lap as he did as a child, she soothes his head until he finally calms down, yet her mind is on the day they received a box.

Ten years prior, still in Spain when they were notified of Lucas Tenesi's death, there were mere hours left before their flight home when the mansion's doorbell echoed in the space. Opening the door, a postal worker held out a box, a package sent from the penitentiary containing all the deceased's possessions. Abril refused to accept it, but Renato still sought some answers and took delivery under the condition that it could only be opened in Italy and in the presence of his parents, so they traveled home with a looming curiosity in their minds.

Upon opening the parcel, its contents were chilling, with books and notebooks explaining the chosen one's theory, how he'd lead a life of misery and the atrocities he might commit by having an heir with the mark of evil. The only valuable thing that truly served the poor boy was finding a photograph of his mother; the woman was very beautiful, blonde, wavy-haired, and with the same eye color as Renato. Of all the things in that eerie chest, it was the only thing he kept, as that woman gave her life to protect her baby. Seeing the boy absorbed in those pages, reading day and night, turning his son colder and more distant by the day, Facundo opted to get rid of it all, but it was already too late. The damage had cut deep into the young man's heart, and he never got the answer he wanted; he was just looking to see his father repent, and that never happened.

Renato stands and helps Abril to her feet. He hugs her affectionately and says,

"I'm sorry, mom, but it's late and I must get ready for a meeting."

"Renato, go home and rest a while."

"I will."

"Son, by the way, I gave Helen permission not to attend the meeting today. It’s her mother’s birthday, and you know what I think of such dates."

"That's fine, but don't interfere in my affairs again. She's my employee, not yours."

"She's a very sweet girl who fears you," says Abril. "You should be more accommodating."

"I'm as accommodative as I can be."

"Okay, darling." The woman sighs and kisses her son’s cheek. "I'll let you get back to work, see you at home for family lunch on Sunday."

"See you on Sunday."

Abril leaves the office and winks at the secretary as she passes by; the young woman understands she's secured permission and feels relieved. She watches the elevator doors with a smile when she feels her boss's piercing gaze reach the depth of her being; she turns to see him signaling her to enter his office. She follows, noticing his toned back, wearing only a shirt that contours the muscles of his well-built arms, and wonders what it'd be like to feel his embrace. She’s lost in imagining his warmth or him protecting her, but suddenly his voice snaps her back to reality

"If you had a birthday party, you should've told me instead of telling my mother what a monster I am."

"Boss… I," she stammers, pulled out of her reverie.

"Never mind; don’t say anything. You have permission to go to the celebration but don’t accuse me to my mother again. You’re not five years old."

"I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention."

"Tell me, were you crying before the meeting because you wanted to go to a birthday?"

"No, I wasn't crying," she lies blatantly, and he looks at her amused.

"Really? Your eyes looked teary, and your makeup was smeared."

"I have... allergies," she says hesitantly.

"Fine, I'll pretend to believe you, but remember, I don't like to mix things. Personal matters stay out of this building."

"I know."

"So no crying in corners over a boyfriend or your mommy."

"I don’t have a boyfriend, and I wasn't crying over my mom."

"Oh? So now you're not denying that you were crying."

"No, I… I wasn’t… I wasn't crying," she responds uncertainly, looking at the floor, and desperately asks, wanting to escape his presence, "May I go?"

"Alright, go. See you on Monday."

"Goodbye, sir."

"Ha-ha, goodbye, you're terrible at lying."

Renato watches the door, unable to believe that someone would fear him so much, or worse still, lie so poorly to his face, but well, at least now he knew this girl didn't have a boyfriend, and that's one less problem. If all goes as planned, in a month they'd both be traveling to Germany without a set return date. There were just a couple of things left to coordinate and to convince the young woman to accompany him.