Chapter 2: The Missing Years
Chapter 2: The Missing Years
Three days later, the mansion felt different.
Warmer.
Alive.
Lucia sat in the garden watching her daughter, Sofia, chase butterflies across the lawn.
Alejandro joined her quietly.
For several moments neither spoke.
There was too much history between them.
Too many lost years.
Finally Alejandro broke the silence.
“Why didn't you keep trying to find me?”
Lucia looked down.
“I did.”
He frowned.
“What do you mean?”
She reached into her purse and removed a small bundle of envelopes.
Yellowed with age.
Returned to sender.
Unread.
“I wrote every month,” she said softly.
Alejandro took one.
Then another.
Then another.
Dozens.
His chest tightened.
Every letter had been addressed to him.
Every one had been intercepted.
Never delivered.
His hands shook.
Inside the first letter was a photograph.
A newborn baby.
Their daughter.
The second contained a hospital bracelet.
The third described Sofia's first steps.
The fourth her first word.
Everything he had missed.
Everything that should have been shared.
Alejandro closed his eyes.
No amount of wealth could buy those years back.
“I should have been there.”
Lucia's eyes filled with tears.
“I know.”
The honesty hurt more than blame.
Across the garden, Sofia laughed.
The sound seemed to reach both of them at once.
Alejandro looked at Lucia.
“I can't change the past.”
“No.”
“But maybe we can give her a better future.”
For the first time, Lucia smiled.
May you like
A real smile.
And Alejandro realized it was the same smile he had fallen in love with years ago.
