Chapter 2 - A Perfect Woman at the Perfect Time
In public, Patricia was flawless.
She attended charity events beside Emiliano, remembered the names of his employees, and sent handwritten cards to important clients. She helped Lucia prepare for a school presentation and arranged private art lessons for Sofia.
Lifestyle magazines called her “the graceful future Mrs. Vega.”
Emiliano believed he had been given a second chance.
At home, however, Patricia’s warmth changed depending on who was watching.
At first, the changes were small.
She corrected the girls’ posture during breakfast. She replaced their colorful clothes with expensive outfits she considered more appropriate. She removed photographs of Elena from the downstairs hallway, claiming the frames did not match the new design.
When Lucia protested, Patricia smiled.
“Your father deserves to move forward.”
Rosa quietly returned the photographs to the girls’ bedroom.
Patricia discovered them that evening.
“You seem confused about your position,” she told Rosa in the pantry.
“My position is to care for this family.”
“Your position is to manage towels, groceries, and staff schedules.”
Rosa met her gaze.
“I was here before you arrived.”
Patricia stepped closer.
“And you will not be here after I become Emiliano’s wife.”
Rosa did not report the threat.
She knew Emiliano was happy. She also knew he hated conflict between people he loved. Without proof, Patricia would dismiss the conversation as a misunderstanding, and Emiliano would be forced to choose between them.
Rosa feared he would choose the future he desperately wanted to believe in.
The girls began leaving small signs.
Sofia stopped drawing wedding dresses and began drawing locked doors.
Lucia asked whether boarding schools allowed sisters to share rooms.
One evening, Rosa found Sofia hiding inside the laundry room.
“Miss Patricia said Daddy will have a new family after the wedding,” Sofia whispered.
Rosa knelt beside her.
“You and Lucia are your father’s family.”
“She said he will travel more after they get married.”
“What else did she say?”
Sofia looked toward the doorway.
“She said I should stop acting like a baby because Daddy is tired of feeling guilty.”
Rosa’s heart tightened.
That night, she waited outside Emiliano’s office until his final video call ended.
“Do you have a minute?” she asked.
“For you, always.”
Rosa entered and closed the door.
“The girls are afraid.”
Emiliano removed his glasses.
“Of the wedding?”
“Of what will happen after it.”
He sighed.
“Change is difficult for them.”
“This is more than change.”
Rosa told him what Sofia had said.
Emiliano’s expression grew troubled, but only briefly.
“Patricia would never tell them I was tired of them.”
“I believe Sofia.”
“So do I. But children sometimes misunderstand adult conversations.”
Rosa stared at him.
“Or adults sometimes hide behind a child’s age because the truth is inconvenient.”
The words struck him.
Before he could respond, Patricia appeared in the doorway carrying two cups of tea.
“Am I interrupting?”
Her smile was gentle.
Rosa recognized the warning behind it.
May you like
Emiliano did not.
---
