Chapter 4 - The Venom of a Scorned Woman
Across the city, in a luxury penthouse overlooking the skyline, Paulina Robles was furiously pacing back and forth.
Her phone was pressed tightly to her ear, her manicured nails digging into her own palm.
"I want the story everywhere by tomorrow morning," Paulina hissed into the receiver.
"Tell the tabloids that Diego Villaseñor has lost his mind and is being manipulated by a gold-digging maid."
The man on the other end of the line, a notorious gossip columnist, chuckled darkly.
"That is quite the headline, Paulina, but I need some proof if I am going to run with it."
"I will send you photos of her," Paulina promised, her eyes narrowing with malicious intent.
"Make sure you mention that she claims the child is his, but she conveniently hid this secret until he was about to get married."
Paulina hung up the phone and threw it aggressively onto the velvet sofa.
She poured herself a generous glass of expensive whiskey, taking a long sip to calm her boiling nerves.
She had spent months planning her perfect wedding, mapping out how she would merge her family's wealth with Diego's empire.
She was not going to let a common servant take everything away from her.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Diego was completely unaware of the incoming storm.
He was sitting on the floor of the guest suite, awkwardly trying to help Valentina build a tower out of wooden blocks.
Marisol watched them from the balcony, a steaming cup of coffee warming her hands.
She still couldn't believe how natural Diego looked sitting on the floor with their daughter.
Despite his billion-dollar companies and his ruthless reputation, he was incredibly gentle with Valentina.
He cheered loudly when she successfully balanced the final block on top of the wobbly tower.
Valentina clapped her tiny hands, her serious demeanor completely melting away as she laughed.
Diego looked up, catching Marisol’s eye through the glass doors.
He smiled at her, a look of such pure adoration that it made Marisol's breath catch in her throat.
But the peaceful moment was fragile, and they both knew the real world was waiting just outside the gates.
Diego stood up and walked out onto the balcony, wrapping a warm arm around Marisol’s shoulders.
"Tomorrow, I am bringing a doctor to the house," Diego said quietly.
Marisol tensed slightly, looking up at him with sudden worry.
"Why? Is Valentina sick?" she asked quickly.
"No, she is perfectly healthy," Diego reassured her, kissing the top of her head.
May you like
"But I need to establish paternity legally, so I can give her my last name and protect both of you from whatever Paulina tries to do."
Marisol nodded slowly, leaning into his embrace and praying that his protection would be enough.
