Chapter 10 - The Choice
Héctor left the bedroom, leaving the photograph of Leo resting ominously on the nightstand. Valeria sank to the floor, pulling her knees to her chest, completely paralyzed by the impossible choice before her.
If she spoke the truth, Héctor would have her little brother murdered in his hospital bed. If she remained completely silent and walked away with her life, Alejandro would be assassinated tonight, and Mateo—the little boy who had finally learned how to cry in her arms—would be ruthlessly slaughtered.
She looked over at the bed. Mateo was curled into a small ball, his thumb in his mouth, looking so incredibly fragile. He had already lost his mother. He had lost his voice. Valeria simply could not allow him to lose his life.
She pulled out the leather diary and the silver key from her pocket. The safety deposit box contained the financial proof of Héctor's betrayal. But the bank was downtown, and she was trapped inside the heavily guarded mansion.
She needed Alejandro to believe her without the bank documents. She had to show him the diary.
Valeria stood up, her resolve hardening into pure steel. She wasn't just a poor maid from Santa Catarina anymore; she was the only shield standing between a traumatized child and a monster.
She hid the diary inside her uniform and walked out of the room, telling the guards she needed to fetch fresh towels. Instead of going to the laundry room, she marched directly toward the east wing, where Alejandro’s heavily fortified private office was located.
“Halt,” a large guard commanded, crossing his assault rifle in front of the massive oak doors. “The Boss gave strict orders. No one disturbs him.”
“It is a matter of life and death regarding his son,” Valeria lied smoothly, her voice steady and demanding. “If you stop me, and the boy gets hurt, you will be the one answering to him.”
The guard hesitated, unnerved by the absolute authority in the young maid's voice. Slowly, he lowered his weapon and knocked on the heavy doors.
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“Enter,” Alejandro’s voice barked from inside.
Valeria pushed the doors open, stepping into the lion's den to change the course of their lives.
