Chapter 5 - A Father’s Blindness
When Daniel Alvarez returned from Germany, he brought gifts. A designer handbag for Vanessa, and a beautiful, expensive porcelain doll for Maya.
At the dinner table, Daniel smiled warmly at his daughter. "Do you like the doll, Maya? I saw it in Munich and thought of you."
"I love it, Papa. Thank you," Maya said quietly, her voice strained. She was sitting on a soft cushion Marta had secretly placed on her chair, but every breath still felt like a struggle.
"She barely touched her dinner, Daniel," Vanessa chimed in, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "I tell her she needs to eat to grow big and strong, but she’s just so stubborn lately. And her grades... I had to speak to her teacher again. She's simply not putting in the effort."
Daniel frowned, looking at his daughter with a mixture of love and disappointment. "Maya, is this true? You know how important your education is. Your mother would have wanted you to excel."
Maya's eyes welled with tears. She looked at her plate. "I'm trying, Papa. I promise."
"Don't pressure her, darling," Vanessa said, reaching over to pat Daniel's hand. "I'll handle her. You have enough on your plate with the merger."
From the kitchen doorway, Marta watched the exchange, her hands gripping her apron. She saw the manipulative dance Vanessa was performing, keeping Daniel distracted and guilty about his long absences, while painting Maya as a troubled, lazy child.
Later that evening, Marta tried to approach Daniel in his study.
"Mr. Alvarez? May I have a moment of your time?"
Daniel looked up from his laptop, looking exhausted. "Yes, Marta? Is everything alright with the household budget?"
"It's about Maya, sir. She is very ill. She has a severe spinal injury that—"
Before Marta could finish, the study door swung open. Vanessa stood there, a cold smile on her lips. "Daniel, darling, your sister is on the phone. She wants to discuss the holiday plans."
Vanessa then turned her icy gaze to Marta. "Marta, didn't I ask you to polish the silver tonight? Please don't interrupt Mr. Alvarez with household trivialities. Go."
May you like
Daniel waved a hand dismissively. "We'll talk later, Marta."
Marta had no choice but to retreat. She knew "later" would never come. Vanessa was guarding Daniel like a hawk, ensuring no truth could ever reach his ears.
