THE PAIN OF BIRTH AND BETRAYAL
The air inside the hospital’s private suite smelled of medicine and was already cold… but nothing was colder than the hearts of the people surrounding Isabella .
She had just given birth to her son, little Lucas . She was weak, with pale lips, and could barely move her body after the painful delivery.
Instead of a hug from her husband or a loving kiss, a thick brown envelope was brutally thrown at the foot of her bed.
” Sign it, ” ordered Doña Matilda , her mother-in-law, who had always despised her. She stood at the foot of the bed, covered in expensive pearls, her face contorted with disgust.
Isabella looked at her husband, Adrián . He was off to one side, his head down, unable to look her in the eye. Beside him, clinging to his arm, was Sofía , the woman Isabella had long suspected.
Sofia wore a striking red dress, as if she were going to a party, and a mocking smile on her lips.
“Adrian…?” Isabella whispered through tears. “What does this mean? I just gave birth to our son…”
” That’s just your son, ” Sofia interrupted, stroking Adrian’s arm. “Don’t drag Adrian into this. The charade’s over, Isabella. Sign the divorce papers. You’re finished.”
CONTEMPT FOR THE “POOR”
Isabella gathered her strength and tried to take Adrian’s hand.
—Adrian, say something! Why are you doing this to me? You promised me!
He withdrew his hand. Finally, he looked at her, but there was no love in his eyes anymore, only weariness and selfishness.
“Isabella, understand me,” he said coldly. “My family’s company is bankrupt. We need investors, connections. And what do you have to offer? You’re an orphan from the countryside. You have no money. You have no family name. You’ve only ever lived off us.”
” Sofia ,” Doña Matilda said, pointing to the mistress, “is the daughter of the owner of a steel company. If Adrian marries her, our business will be saved. So stop making a scene. Grab your bastard and get out of here!”
“Bastard?” Isabella’s eyes widened. “He’s Adrian’s blood and flesh!”
“We don’t care!” Sofia shouted. “This family needs an heir of noble blood, not the son of a wretch. We’ve given you plenty of time to pack. In fact, your things are already lying around in the lobby.”
AT THE COMPANY
Isabella remained silent. She dried her tears and looked at each of the faces that had broken her: Doña Matilda, greedy; Sofía, venomous; and Adrián, cowardly and spineless.
He slowly picked up the pen.
“Are you sure?” Isabella asked, her voice surprisingly cold. “Adrián, this is your last chance. If I sign this, there’s no going back. I’ll disappear from your life, and you’ll never see your son again .”
“Sign now! Stop the drama!” shouted Doña Matilda. “We’re doing you a favor. We’re freeing you from a life that was never good enough for you.”
“Okay,” Isabella replied.
Without hesitation, he signed the document and threw it at Sofia.
“I hope you’ll be happy,” he said, getting up with difficulty despite the pain from his stitches. “Remember this day well. The day you threw your own luck away.”
Doña Matilda and Sofía burst out laughing.
—Luck? You’re the misfortune! Get out!
LEAVING THE HOSPITAL
It was raining heavily outside. Isabella held Lucas, wrapped in a blanket. She didn’t have an umbrella. At her feet was a small bag with her belongings.
From the fifth-floor window, Adrian and Sofia watched her walk in the rain.
“Poor Isabella,” Sofia mocked. “She’s probably freezing to death with the baby. She deserves it.”
“I feel a little sorry for him…” Adrian murmured.
“Pity?” Doña Matilda replied. “Pity is for people, not for trash. Let’s go. We have to get ready for the Great Merger Party next month. They say the mysterious CEO of Valdez Global will be there . We have to win him over.”
While they were laughing upstairs, a miracle was happening downstairs .
THE ARRIVAL OF THE REAL FAMILY
Isabella was soaked, about to take a taxi, when suddenly a caravan of ten black Rolls Royce Phantoms stopped in front of her.
The guards and the people around them were stunned. Only kings and tycoons used those cars.
The door of the first car opened. An elderly man in an impeccable suit stepped out: Mr. Wong , the Valdez family’s trusted butler.
He quickly shielded Isabella and the baby with an umbrella. Behind him, dozens of bodyguards descended and bowed simultaneously.
” Welcome back, Lady Isabella ,” he said with deep respect. “Your grandfather, the Chairman, is expecting you. The private jet is ready.”
Isabella looked up at the hospital window, where her ex-husband lay. Her eyes were no longer those of a humiliated woman… but those of a queen .
“Mr. Wong,” he ordered. “Activate the plan. I want to buy this hospital right now . And cancel all of the Buenaventura family’s loans at our banks.”
—As you wish, miss —he replied, bowing.
Isabella climbed into the Rolls Royce. Her life as a “poor orphan” was over.
She was Isabella Valdez , sole heir to Valdez Global , an empire richer than the combined fortunes of Adrián and Sofía.
THE FALL OF THE BUSINESS
A month later, the Buenaventura family didn’t understand why everything was falling apart.
His construction company lost suppliers. Banks demanded advance payments. Clients fled.
“Mom! What’s happening?” Adrian shouted desperately.
“I don’t know,” replied Doña Matilda. “But tonight, at the Grand Charity Gala , everything will be sorted out. The CEO of Valdez Global will be there. If we can convince him, we’ll make billions!”
“Leave him to me,” Sofia boasted. “I’m sure I’ll make him fall in love with me. I’m beautiful, rich, and intelligent… unlike that Isabella who must be begging in the street.”
THE GRAND NIGHT
The gala was held at the most luxurious hotel in the country… owned by Valdez Global .
Politicians, celebrities, and businesspeople arrived.
The lights went out. The spotlight illuminated the grand staircase.
—Ladies and gentlemen—announced the host—. With you, the owner of Valdez Global, the woman behind Asia’s economic growth… Ms. Isabella Valdez!
A woman appeared wearing a golden dress covered in diamonds and a sparkling crown. Her beauty was serene, but her presence commanded respect.
RECOGNITION
Adrian paled.
Doña Matilda dropped her glass.
Sofia opened her eyes as if she had seen a ghost.
—¿I-Isabella…?
“No… it can’t be,” Adrian stammered. “She was poor!”
Isabella took the microphone.
“Good evening,” he said in a firm voice. “Tonight I will cleanse my company of parasites and opportunists.”
He walked straight to the Buenaventura’s table.
THE FINAL JUDGMENT
“Thanks to those divorce papers,” Isabella said, “you have no rights to my fortune today. Nor to my son.”
He took out a folder.
—Cancellation of contracts. Seizure order. Starting tomorrow, you will lose everything.
“Guards,” he ordered. “Get this trash out. It’s ruining my night.”
FINAL
Isabella received a standing ovation. But her greatest victory was her son, now asleep and safe.
That night, while she rested in her mansion,
the Buenaventuras slept in the street, in the rain .
END
