Episode 19

Far away, Lucy was puzzled by Daniel’s sudden overtures. She had just seen the message he sent and deemed his words unnecessary, convinced of their insincerity.

“He never accepted my friend request, but just yesterday he liked my photos and posts, and even messaged me. Could it be that after Isabel’s death, he’s lost his senses?” she murmured quietly to herself while pondering her own situation. Daniel had never cared before.

Lucy tossed her phone aside, settled onto her bed, and contemplated her future. After eight long years in medical school, and giving it all up for her marriage, she considered returning to her career. However, Leonardo was insistent that she take over the family business, the Navarro enterprise. This left her torn, especially since she hadn’t realized the extent of their wealth.

With her mind racing, Lucy headed to the bathroom. Stripping off her clothes, she stepped into the shower, alone with her thoughts, revisiting her time with Daniel. She cried a lot, recalling two years of craving affection and attention from him, only to be met with disdain. Yet now, Daniel’s demeanor had changed, prompting Lucy to distance herself from this man who had become a stranger.

After her shower, Lucy donned light pink trousers and a black blouse, pairing them with casual slippers. After applying a bit of perfume, she planned to leave, but was halted by her ringing phone. Glancing casually at the caller ID, her eyes widened at the sight of Daniel’s name. Uncertain of how to respond, Lucy answered:

“Hello, Mr. Daniel. What do you want?” she replied curtly, rendering Daniel even more agitated.

He cleared his throat a few times before speaking.

“I was just checking if you’re okay or need anything. You didn’t ask for anything in the divorce settlement. Maybe you need help moving back in...”

“I don’t need anything,” Lucy cut him off, suspecting that he was trying to ensure she’d actually leave so he could be happy with Juliana.

“Which hotel are you at? If you need to stay at our house for a while, I can leave and…”

“Sorry to be blunt, but I don’t need your help,” she declared, causing Daniel to feel slightly embarrassed, but something prevented him from giving up.

At a loss for words, Daniel fell silent for a few moments, then inadvertently uttered:

“I miss you. Can we meet? I need to return the gift you left in my car, and I want to make sure you’re okay,” he said, causing Lucy’s heart to race. But then she remembered their last intimate encounter, where she had been mistakenly called Juliana, and that pain wouldn’t easily be forgotten. Masking her feelings, Lucy replied:

“Oh, silly me, always forgetting things. But it's not worth it for me to come get it, so you can keep it.”

“Though I know you’ll never use it,” she added silently. Before Daniel could respond, Lucy ended the call and disposed of her SIM card, cutting ties with Daniel.

“He only misses his maid, with neither me nor Nancy around. Move on, forget that man, he doesn’t deserve your love,” she comforted herself, then left the room and headed to the dining room, where she found Leonardo.

“Good morning, Grandpa,” Lucy greeted the older man before sitting down beside him.

“Good morning, dear,” he replied with a smile.

Lucy helped herself to some warm milk, enjoying bread, a boiled egg, and some porridge. Leonardo chuckled and asked:

“Now that you’re well-fed, tell me, Lucy, what are your next steps?”

“Let’s not rush things,” Lucy said with a smile, wiping her mouth with a napkin. Clearing her throat, she continued, “Just kidding. I think it’s time for a fresh start, to leave the past behind, meet new people, and especially to occupy my mind with something productive. Grandpa, we’ll run the Navarro Group with an iron fist, and no one will do what they did in the past. You’re my commander,” she finished, saluting him.

Leonardo was thrilled to see his granddaughter so enthusiastic, but offered his perspective.

“That’s great, but give it some more thought. In the meantime, I’ll sort out your documentation so you can take your rightful place. I know I’m acting like a dictator, telling others what to do, but this time it’s all about you. I want, I need to see you happy. You will always be my little girl,” Leonardo said, affectionately stroking Lucy’s hair.

“I love you so much, Grandpa. Don’t dwell on the past. I’ll be fine, and of course, I’ll need your care. You for me, me for you, and God for us all.”