Chapter 2 - The Confession
The entire restaurant watched in stunned silence as the billionaire confronted his own blood.
Mateo signaled to his head of security with a single, sharp nod.
"Take Valeria to the cars," he ordered coldly.
"If she tries to run, break her legs."
Valeria screamed and protested, but the massive guards dragged her out of the VIP room without hesitation.
The governess, terrified of facing Mateo's wrath, quietly slipped out behind them.
Mateo turned back to Elena, who was still rocking the little girl on the floor.
Isabella had stopped crying, but she refused to let go of Elena's neck.
For the first time in three years, the child looked peaceful.
Mateo knelt down again, his imposing presence softening just a fraction.
"What is your name?" he asked, his tone entirely different now.
"Elena," she whispered, tears streaming down her exhausted face.
"Elena Vargas."
Mateo looked at the child he had raised, the child he loved more than life itself.
He realized in that agonizing moment that he was looking at a mother holding her stolen baby.
"I did not know, Elena," Mateo said firmly, making sure she looked him in the eyes.
"I swear on my life, I believed she was legally mine."
Elena looked into his eyes and saw no lies, only the shattered reality of a betrayed father.
"They told me she was in a box," Elena sobbed, burying her face in Isabella's hair.
"I have mourned her every single day."
Mateo stood up and offered his hand to the fragile waitress.
"Then let us leave this place," he said gently.
"You are coming with me to my estate."
"Nobody will ever take her from you again."
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Elena hesitated for a second, but the warmth of her daughter in her arms gave her strength.
She took the billionaire's hand and let him pull her up.
