Chapter 3 - Out of the Shadows
The master wing of the Villaseñor mansion was a place Marisol had only ever entered to dust the furniture and change the silk sheets.
Now, Diego was gently guiding her and Valentina through the massive mahogany doors as guests, not as servants.
"You will stay here, in the main guest suite, right next to my room," Diego explained, opening the door to a beautiful, sunlit bedroom.
The room was larger than the entire apartment Marisol had grown up in.
It featured a massive king-sized bed, plush cream carpets, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lush gardens.
Valentina immediately dropped Marisol’s hand and ran toward the massive fluffy rug in the center of the room.
She giggled as her little duck-pattern socks slid across the soft material.
Diego watched her, a genuine, heartbreaking smile spreading across his usually stern face.
"She has my smile," Diego murmured, his voice thick with unspent emotion.
Marisol stood awkwardly near the doorway, still wearing her damp maid’s apron.
"Diego, I don't know if this is a good idea," Marisol whispered, wringing her hands nervously.
"I am still an employee here, and people are going to talk."
Diego turned to her, closing the distance between them until he was standing just inches away.
He reached out, his warm fingers gently untying the strings of the apron at her waist.
"You are not an employee, Marisol," he said firmly, sliding the rough fabric off her shoulders and tossing it onto a nearby chair.
"You are the mother of my child, and you are the only woman I ever truly wanted."
Marisol felt a blush creeping up her neck, her heart doing a frantic dance in her chest.
"So much time has passed," she argued weakly, looking down at her worn-out shoes.
"We are different people now."
"I don't care," Diego replied instantly, lifting her chin so she was forced to look into his eyes.
"We lost three years because of a terrible betrayal, but I am not losing another single day."
Just then, a soft knock echoed from the open doorway.
It was Maria, the head housekeeper, holding a tray with fresh juice and a plate of warm cookies.
Maria’s eyes widened slightly as she saw Diego standing so close to Marisol, but she quickly masked her surprise with a professional smile.
"I brought some snacks for the little one, sir," Maria said respectfully.
"Thank you, Maria," Diego said, stepping back slightly to give Marisol space.
"Please inform the rest of the staff that Marisol is to be treated as the lady of this house, effective immediately."
Maria nodded quickly, her eyes twinkling with a hint of genuine happiness for the young mother.
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As Maria left, Valentina grabbed a chocolate chip cookie and happily sat on the edge of the massive bed.
For the first time in three years, Marisol felt a tiny, fragile spark of hope ignite in her soul.
