Chapter 5 - The Confrontation
Patricia’s eyes flickered with a sudden, sharp nervousness. "Now? But darling, you’re exhausted from your flight. Let the security team handle it in the morning—"
"Now, Patricia," Emiliano repeated. The tone was not loud, but it carried the weight of an absolute command.
He walked into the grand living room and sat down in the high-backed leather chair facing the hearth. He pressed a button on the intercom on the side table. "Rosa. Please come to the main living room."
Minutes later, the soft footsteps of the housekeeper sounded against the marble floor. Rosa walked into the room, her eyes fixed on the floor. Her uniform was neat, but the right side of her jaw was visibly swollen and discolored. Behind her, coming quietly down the stairs after hearing their father's voice, were Daniela and Martina. The two little girls stood in the shadow of the archway, holding hands, terrified of what was about to happen.
"Rosa," Emiliano said, leaning forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Patricia tells me you stole from her. She says you have been cruel to my daughters and that you laid a hand on her."
Rosa kept her head bowed. She didn't look at Patricia, nor did she look at Emiliano. "I have served this family with honor, Mr. Duarte. I have loved your daughters as if they were my own blood. But if you believe I am a thief and a violent woman... then I will pack my bags and leave tonight."
"Look at her!" Patricia cried out, stepping closer to Emiliano’s chair. "She won't even deny it! She knows she’s caught! Emiliano, call the guards. Have her arrested!"
"Dad..." a small voice echoed from the doorway.
Emiliano turned. Daniela was standing there, tears streaming down her face, pulling Martina behind her back.
"Dad, don't let her take Rosa," Daniela pleaded, her voice trembling violently. "Rosa didn't steal anything. Patricia put the bracelet in Rosa's pocket! We saw it! Patricia hit Rosa, not the other way around!"
"Daniela! Go to your room!" Patricia barked, her voice suddenly dropping its sweet tone, replaced by the sharp, cruel edge she had used all week. "How dare you lie to your father to protect a thief?"
"She isn't lying!" Martina cried out, breaking away from Daniela and running across the room. But she didn't run to Emiliano. She ran straight to Rosa, burying her face in the maid's apron. "Rosa protects us from her! Patricia scares us, Daddy!"
Patricia’s face flushed red with rage. "You ungrateful little brats! After everything I’ve done for this family—"
"That's enough," Emiliano said.
The room fell instantly silent.
May you like
Emiliano stood up slowly. He didn't look at Patricia. He walked over to Rosa and his daughters. Kneeling down on the cold floor, he wrapped his massive arms around both girls and pulled them tight against his chest. He felt them trembling, felt the months of fear and isolation melting into desperate sobs against his suit jacket.
"I am so sorry," Emiliano whispered into Daniela's hair, his own voice cracking. "I am so, so sorry I left you in the dark."
