Chapter 1: The Woman Who Came Home
Chapter 1: The Woman Who Came Home
No one moved.
The rain pounded against the mansion windows as if the storm itself had been waiting for this moment.
Alejandro stared at Elena.
She looked thinner than he remembered. Her once-radiant hair had been cut short, her hands were rough from years of labor, and faint bruises circled both wrists.
But her eyes...
He would have recognized those eyes anywhere.
"Elena..."
His voice cracked.
Tears filled her eyes, but instead of running into his arms, she took a frightened step backward.
"No... please..."
Alejandro frowned.
"Why are you afraid of me?"
Before Elena could answer, Vivian Moretti descended the staircase with slow, confident steps.
"She's confused," Vivian said with a smile. "After everything she's been through, she doesn't always know what's real."
Alejandro's expression hardened.
"What exactly has she been through?"
Vivian shrugged.
"You declared her missing years ago. I simply gave a homeless woman a job."
The servants exchanged nervous glances.
No one dared speak.
Then an elderly butler stepped forward.
"Sir..."
Vivian shot him a warning look.
The old man's hands trembled.
"We've been waiting for you to come home."
Alejandro turned toward him.
"What do you mean?"
The butler swallowed hard.
"Mrs. Castillo never left this house."
May you like
The room went silent.
Vivian's smile disappeared.
