Episode 5

...Damian narrates...

I lowered my gaze a little, observing the photo that I once adored with all my soul. Everything changed when Josefina confessed to me that Bella was not my daughter, but the daughter of my brother Manuel.

That day, Josefina ripped my soul out without mercy, my heart was shattered in the blink of an eye.

She killed everything good that was once inside of me. I went crazy, I grabbed Josefina by the shoulders and hit her.

I never did anything like that to any woman. I never imagined that the worst of me would come out.

Blinded by the immense pain I felt at that moment I tried to abuse her. I wanted to put out the fire inside my body. I wanted so badly to make her suffer.

That night, Manuel entered the room, luckily I didn't make a mistake that I could never forgive myself for.

He confessed that he loved the woman I had introduced to him as my wife years ago.

That from the first moment he saw her he fell in love with her. That it was something they had not planned, things happened and they both swore eternal love. From that immense love Bella was born, the baby I considered mine.

We fought violently that night. He left with Josefina, leaving Bella under this same roof as me.

That night I got drunk, every word Josefina confessed to me was still deep inside my head. Even so, the love I felt for her was much stronger than the hate I felt.

I tore up all the pictures I had of her and Manuel in the mansion, her clothes like everything she touched was burned and given to the poorest.

That night was one of the longest nights of my life.

The next morning, while I was trying to assimilate the pain of the double betrayal, the news of Manuel and Josefina's accident reached the mansion.

I didn't know how to feel; a part of me was happy that justice had finally been done, but the other part was devastated.

I loved Josefina intensely even though it hurt to admit it. We shared many years together. They couldn't be erased overnight.

It was a mixture of feelings and emotions never experienced. The only photo left of Josefina in this house I never dared to break, it was like a dagger that was digging into my soul every day.

It was like waking up and remembering that she betrayed me with my own little brother.

Bella was not to blame for what her nefarious parents did to me; so she stayed in my care, no one knows that she is not my daughter, but my niece.

“Are you okay?” I heard Grandma's voice again and I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Stop worrying about the glass. I'll take care of picking it up,” I replied coldly.

Grandma puts all her attention on Rocio, the girl tilts her head avoiding eye contact with Grandma.

"What is your name?"

Rocio is speechless, her hands tighten on the sheets beneath her. She avoids looking up and letting Grandma notice her clear nervousness.

“Her name is Valentina, she is the daughter of an employee who worked for my parents many years ago.”

I answered for Rocio, the girl doesn't even know how to lie, it amuses me, I can't lie to myself.

“Damian, a maid lying in your bed, are you serious?” Grandma was too smart not to realize I'm lying to her.

“Grandma, that Valentina is the daughter of a maid is the least of it. Because of me she had an accident, you must be kind to her. Isn't that what you always tell me?"

I turn around and walk away from the bed. I feel Grandma's gaze fall on my back. Those piercing blue eyes are like stabbing crystals.

“Ma'am, I'll be right back,” Rocio says awkwardly.

"No way!"

“This is my house. Here I am in charge and no one else, is that clear?

I immediately turn to look at Rocio de los rios. She gives me a pleading look, it seems that she doesn't want any more trouble.

"Am I hearing right? You're putting the daughter of a maid above me."

Grandma got upset, however, it's something I don't care about. This is my house, I make the rules, whoever doesn't agree, the doors of the mansion are very large and they can leave whenever they like.

“Her name is Valentina, get used to the idea that she is going to work in this house as Bella's nanny.” It was my last word.

“Bella already has Salma to take care of her. She doesn't need to be looked after by a girl who doesn't even know how to look after herself.” Grandma was beginning to be against Rocio.

That started to bother me. I hated that people think they are superior to others just because they were born into more fortune.

"Bella is my daughter, lest you forget, Grandma. I decide who takes care of her."

Grandma opens her lips as if trying to tell me something, but in the end she remains silent.

“Damian, as soon as you're done taking care of this girl, go to the office.”

After saying those words, Grandma leaves the room. Left alone, Rocio begs me to let her go.

“Please let me go. I do not want any more problems.”

“Do you believe in princess stories?” I ask her and in response she shakes her head.

…A no, is her answer…

“My life has not been easy since my parents died. My grandmother was very cruel to me, and together with my first they have made my life impossible. And when I thought I had found Prince Charming, the idiot turned into a horrible toad.”

I approached Rocio, placing my hand on her face. I know everything about her. Last night I investigated everything related to Clemencia de los rios's second granddaughter.

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