Episode 15

After spending the entire afternoon at the mall, the pair of friends decided to head home. Carol was beaming with the joy of companionship, while Lucy offered up nothing but feigned smiles. She had just exited a marriage where she loved in solitude for two years, enduring countless humiliations amidst fleeting moments of happiness. It was a challenge to pretend that nothing had happened.

Having instructed the security guards to take their shopping upstairs, Carol and Lucy settled onto the sofa. Carol broke the silence first:

"People who know who I am think I'm weird, and those who don't know think the same. But once they meet you, they'll realize that you are the epitome of oddness," she joked, laughing at her own words which caused Lucy to roll her eyes, marveling at her friend's eccentricity.

Carol, a striking 25-year-old with olive skin and long, night-dark hair, had a beautiful physique. Her almond-shaped eyes and enchanting smile gave off a fragile air, but in truth, she was a member of Leonardo's security team, a woman capable of outmatching any man.

"I have no patience for your antics; everyone has their quirks," Lucy retorted with pride, then crossed her elegant legs and gazed at Carol.

It was then that Leonardo arrived. He walked over to Lucy, sat down close to his granddaughter, and said:

"Carol, Lucy's safe now. You can join the other guards, and if we need you, we'll call," he directed at Carol, but his gaze remained fixed on Lucy, leaving her feeling threatened.

Despite feeling unsettled, Lucy managed a bitter smile and said:

"I thought Carol was here because we're friends, not just to look after me. It's hard to know who's being genuine or who's just earning a living." Lucy's glance lingered sadly on Carol, who was already making her way out.

"We need to talk about you. From a woman bubbling with joy and gusto for life, you've become visibly shaken, crying often and forcing smiles. It's become routine," the older man spoke, prompting Lucy to heave a sigh at the thought of Maria's loose tongue.

"It was just a moment of weakness; I'll be fine, don't worry. Tomorrow, I'll start job hunting. You might be here to stay, but I can't live off you, I just..."

"I just want to know what happened in that house. We've always talked on the phone for hours, but you never mentioned that he was bad news," Leonardo said, anger creeping into his voice.

"People make wrong choices; it's okay. I've divorced him, and now I just want to leave the past behind," she replied before standing, intending to leave the room.

Leonardo persisted, despite Lucy's reluctance:

"I'm just worried about you. Tell me, why did you two separate?" he asked, standing to meet her level.

"I was tired. Plus, I found out he was with someone else, so I had no choice but to give up," Lucy confessed as silent tears streamed down her beautiful face, causing Leonardo great heartache. He enveloped her in a tight embrace, offering silent comfort while Lucy continued:

"I don't blame him for not loving me, but I deserved some respect. He could have asked for a divorce. My heart would ache just as it does now, but I would understand, since we can't choose who we love."

Recalling the past and how everything unfolded, Leonardo sat down again, his expression one of profound remorse. He felt guilty for his granddaughter's misfortune.

"I'm sorry for involving you in this mess. On his deathbed, I promised Antonio Carlos that I'd look after Daniel, so I thought by giving the hand of the Navarro Group heiress— a respected doctor with a generous heart, lovely and kind—I would somehow be fulfilling my promise. But I failed you. I am so sorry."

Lucy, stunned, collapsed onto the sofa. Leonardo let out a long sigh, dreading the complicated conversation ahead.

"Why are you saying this? Our last name is Viana; I don't understand anything anymore," Lucy questioned, struggling to remain calm.

Leonardo knew he could no longer avoid the conversation and finally opened up about the painful truth.

He recounted how in the 90s, the Navarro Group became the top technology company in the United States, making the Navarro family the target of envious groups wishing to destroy them. They were ruthless, even resorting to murder; Leonardo's wife, two sons, a grandson, and two daughters-in-law were killed, leaving only Lucy and himself.

"So, who was that woman who raised me, claiming to be my grandmother?" Lucy asked, clearly puzzled.

"Just an employee," Leonardo replied bluntly.

He continued his grim tale, explaining that after the murders, he relocated to a rural area, secured false documents for Lucy, and remained CEO of the Navarro Group, managing affairs over the internet while using cutting-edge technology to disguise his location.

"And why do you think we're safe now?" Lucy asked, tears flowing upon the realization that her life had been a lie.

Hearing her words, Leonardo coughed gently and said:

"I had them all killed: dismembered, burned, most guillotined. No one messes with my family and gets away with it."

As Lucy absorbed his words, she felt the urge to flee. The man before her was unrecognizable; afraid and confronted with a life of lies, how could she be certain of his truth now?

Contemplating Leonardo's statement, Lucy forced a smile and said:

"Stay away from Daniel; I still love him."

"Just let me know when you stop loving him," he replied, settling back onto the sofa.

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