Bitter. He ruined me. I was going to raise someone else’s child again. It’s not funny. Why is my life a joke? She pointed first at me and then at Julián. His complete downfall was unfolding right before my eyes with miserable, detailed starkness. The man who had doubted my loyalty and thrown me out like trash. Now I was experiencing the exact same betrayal, but a hundredfold. At that moment, the rear window of the Mercedes rolled down and Lili stuck her head out, woken by the shouting.
Mom, Dad, Julian. My daughter’s sweet, clear voice cut through the tension like a cool breeze. Julian smiled, walked to the car, unbuckled her seat, and scooped her up in his arms. He hugged her tenderly, and when she said “Dad” again, he slowly turned to Miguel, who was still completely frozen. Julian looked him straight in the eyes. His voice was clear, firm, unwavering. It wasn’t just for Miguel; it felt like a declaration to the whole world. Yes, I am Lily’s father, her biological father.
Then, with his free arm, he put his arm tightly around my shoulders. “And this is my family. Is that clear, Miguel?” Each word landed like a hammer blow, shattering what little remained of Miguel’s pride. He took a few steps back. His eyes were completely unfocused as he stared at the family before him. Then, staggering, he turned and walked away down the street. In the streetlights, his shadow looked lonely, defeated, insignificant. As I watched him go, my mind was a whirlwind.
The twisted plan Miguel and Chloe had devised to destroy me had ended in perfect irony. That night, the image of Miguel’s brokenness and Julián’s firm declaration replayed in my mind over and over. On the way back, Lili was awake, so I didn’t ask any questions. But when we got to the attic and Marta put Lily to bed, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I sat down across from Julián in the living room and stared at him.
What happened to Miguel Ichloé? Did you do all that? Julián wasn’t surprised. He was silent for a few seconds and then nodded slowly. Yes, I had suspected it, but hearing it from him made my heart race. I knew Julián was intelligent, but I never imagined he could be so calculating. Why? I asked, my voice slightly trembling. Why would you do something like that? Julián stood up, walked to the windows, and gazed silently at the city. He let out a long sigh. Because they dared to hurt you.
His voice was low, cold, charged with an intensity I’d never seen in him before. I couldn’t just stand idly by and watch the people who had trampled on me go on with their lives as if nothing had happened. They had to pay. He turned to me. It was simple. I used their own weaknesses against them. He paused before continuing. Chloe is an ambitious and materialistic woman. She didn’t go back to Miguel for love; she went back for his money and his lifestyle. Then he explained everything.
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