Her adoptive family tied her to a post and called her a failure until her billionaire husband showed up and what he did shocked everyone. The tables were covered in white tablecloths with centerpieces full of roses and candles that smelled like jasmine. The place was shining with hanging lights and a group of musicians were playing something elegant as the guests were arriving. Everyone was dressed up in expensive clothes, strong perfumes and laughter filled the room. It was a big wedding, one of those that look like something out of a magazine. In the middle of it all, Jimena was smiling, dressed as a bride
in a tight, shiny dress that made it clear that she was the center of everything. She walked around greeting her aunts, cousins, friends and anyone who came up to congratulate her. Her mother, Patricia, never left her alone for a second. She adjusted her veil, spoke to her softly, and caressed her arm as if it were a jewel that she didn’t want anyone to touch. On the other hand, Renata walked with a tray in her hands. She was wearing a simple, pretty dress but nothing that attracted attention. She helped arrange glasses and check that
they weren’t nothing was missing from the tables and to make sure that the air conditioning wasn’t too loud. No one treated her badly, but they didn’t treat her like part of the family either. It was like she was an employee or a guest that no one knew well. Every time someone asked her if she was a friend of the bride and groom, she would just say, “I’m Jimena’s sister.
” Some were surprised, others just smiled without much interest and continued with their drinks in their hands. From afar, Patricia watched her with an uncomfortable face. She spoke quietly to one of her sisters-in-law and they both giggled. The family from the valley had always been about appearances. They cared more about what people would say than anything else. And for them, Renata didn’t fit in completely. She was adopted when she was 11 years old after her mother died in an accident. Since then, she lived with them, but they never treated her the same as Jimena. They gave her a roof, school, and clothes. Yes

but that affection was not equal Renata realized very soon that she was in a house where love had conditions That day however she did not think about that She had made an effort to help with the organization She had gotten up early to make sure that the flowers were in good condition, that the waiters knew their positions and that the cake arrived on time She did not do it to impress anyone, she just wanted the wedding to go well Despite everything, she loved her sister although Jimena never gave her that place Since they were children, Jimena treated her as competition She hid things from her,
blamed her for pranks and if Renata got good grades she made sure to minimize it in front of the others Patricia, instead of correcting her, celebrated each of her rude remarks disguised as jokes The ceremony was already over and everyone was at the party The groom Julián seemed somewhat uncomfortable He was not one of those men who enjoy big events Whenever he could, he escaped to smoke or have a drink at the bar Her parents however were delighted Wealthy people, politicians, businessmen, even a soap opera actress were sitting at the VIP area of ​​the living room It was the event of the year
Jimena had planned everything to make an impact from the invitations to the decoration and the gift list She wanted everyone to see her as a queen Meanwhile Renata took refuge in the kitchen for a moment she sat next to the dessert fridge and drank a glass of water Her feet felt swollen from walking so much She closed her eyes for a few seconds and thought about Daniel They had been seeing each other in secret for months No one in the house knew she was dating him He was different from anything she had ever known intelligent calm with a firm gaze and a way of speaking

that made her feel safe He told her she was brave, that she had a strength that she didn’t even know she had proposed something to her two weeks ago that had her nervous He wanted to marry her but Renata hadn’t said yes yet Something inside her told her that she had to close one stage first before opening another And this wedding, no matter how much it hurt, was her way of doing it She returned to the hall just in time to see Jimena and Julián make their official entrance as husband and wife Everyone applauded and threw
white petals at them Patricia was crying excitedly She squeezed her husband Don Ernesto’s hand who just smiled without saying much He was always more reserved He was never rude to Renata but he wasn’t a close father either, always busy always on his phone always with a trip ahead of him At that moment someone accidentally pushed her It was a fat woman in an emerald green dress who could barely walk between the tables She didn’t even apologize Renata just fixed her hair and kept walking She ran into Rodrigo, her adoptive brother, who smiled at her with
complicity He was the only one who truly treated her like family he gave her a quick hug and asked if everything was okay. She nodded, although inside she felt a strange mix of sadness and resignation. The photographers went from one side to the other, capturing every laugh, every glass raised, every moment that could be shared later on social media. The DJ was already ready and the dance floor lit up with colored lights. Jimena got up on a platform and shouted, “Let the party begin.” Everyone applauded. The music turned up. Renata moved away a little. She sat near the garden from where she could see without being

sight She allowed herself to smile not because of the wedding but because of what she knew was coming No one in that place imagined that the story was going to take a turn No one was ready to see how the failure of the family had some up her sleeve Since she was a child Renata always knew that she was not like the others in that house not because they told her with words but because of the looks, the silences, the small gestures that although they seemed like nothing, hurt more than a slap At age 11 she arrived at the valley’s home with an old backpack, a couple of
changes of clothes and a broken heart Her mother had died in a car accident and there was no other family to take care of her Patricia, who was a distant friend of her mother, offered to take her in, said she did it out of love, compassion But over time Renata understood that she did it more for how good she would look to others than out of true love The first months were calm they bought her new clothes, enrolled her in the same school as Jimena and presented her at church as the newest member of the family
Everything seemed perfect but little by little things started to change Yes Jimena If Renata got an eight it was an effort If Renata got a 10 it was pure luck If Jimena broke something nobody said anything If Renata left a glass in the wrong place she would be showered with criticism And it wasn’t just Patricia Several aunts followed that same pattern Even Don Ernesto, although more neutral, never raised his voice to defend her A memory came back often to her The day it was her birthday Trecha thought that maybe she would finally have a party or at least a cake At school everyone sang to
her When she got home she saw the table full of balloons and decorations she was excited but when she got closer she realized it was a surprise dinner for Jimena because she had been chosen for a singing contest No one mentioned her birthday not a candle not a word When she said it in a low voice Patricia only said “Oh we forgot, right?” And she gave her a quick hug as if to get rid of the commitment Since then she learned not to wait too long, to go unnoticed, to do things well but quietly to be useful without getting in the way In high school she had a moment of

rebellion She dyed her hair red, enrolled in an acting workshop, and even thought about moving in with a friend, but she didn’t because at the end of the day, no matter how little she received, that place was her home. She had no one else and inside she still held on to the hope that something would change. The cracks between her and Jimena grew wider over the years. The worst thing was that Jimena didn’t hate her directly. She did everything with a smile. She would call her “Little Sister” in public, but in private she treated her like she was
a burden. When they had visitors, she would send her out for ice or make her serve snacks while she stayed behind telling false anecdotes to look good. Once, during Christmas, Renata prepared Don Ernesto’s favorite dessert. She did it with all her love without expecting recognition. But when he tried it and said it was delicious, Patricia immediately said that Jimena had made it. No one corrected her. Renata just lowered her gaze and continued eating. At university, Renata decided to study administration. It wasn’t her passion, but it gave her options. She tried hard and got
a scholarship and worked part-time in a cafeteria. Patricia She complained, saying that it wasn’t necessary, that she should focus on helping around the house. But Renata didn’t want to depend on anyone. She dreamed of having something of her own, even if it was just small. Meanwhile, Jimena studied fashion design and traveled to Europe every semester with everything paid for. She returned with suitcases full of clothes, photos with influencers, and plans to open a store. Patricia supported her with everything. Even when she failed subjects, she said that the important thing was talent, not grades. One day, Renata got sick.

and she had to go to the hospital Nothing serious, an infection Nobody accompanied her She called Rodrigo and he was the one who arrived with a blanket, juice and cookies He stayed with her all night That gesture left its mark on her Rodrigo was always different, he was more serious, more observant, he didn’t say much but when he spoke he weighed He saw what others didn’t want to see He knew what the dynamics were like in the house but he stayed out of it for peace Only when he saw Renata on the edge did he intervene At that time she met Daniel It was at a work meeting He arrived as part of a group of investors visiting the company where Renata
was doing an internship She attended to him without knowing who he was She spoke to him directly with respect but without fear Daniel felt intrigued by her, not because of her face or her clothes, but because of the way she looked him in the eyes without trying to please by force They exchanged emails about work-related matters but ended up talking about other things Weeks later they went out for the first time Renata didn’t tell anyone, not because she felt ashamed but because she knew that if she told anyone in that house they would invent stories about her that if He was trying to get money from her, that if she wanted to get married
out of interest, that if it was a mistake. Besides, Daniel wasn’t just anyone, even though he was young, he already had his own business. He came from a rich family, but he had made it on his own and didn’t go around bragging. He was discreet, direct, and above all, sincere. With him, Renata felt calm, as if she could finally let her guard down. One day, Daniel asked her if she was happy. Renata stayed quiet. She didn’t know how to answer. Not because she didn’t know the truth, but because she had never stopped to think about it. Happy. It was a word she didn’t use. She survived. Yes, she had
goals, too, but living happily was something else. The cracks between her and her family were now so deep that they barely spoke to each other beyond what was necessary. And yet they invited her to Jimena’s wedding. They told her that they expected her to help with everything, that she was part of the family, that she shouldn’t be indifferent. Although she doubted inside, she accepted because there was still a part of her that wanted to close that chapter in a dignified way. Maybe it was masochism, maybe it was hope, maybe she just wanted to show for once that she also deserved to be there. But the

What she didn’t know was that this wedding wasn’t a peaceful farewell It was a trap disguised as a party and what was coming was going to leave deeper scars than all the previous ones combined The party continued with everything Music lights and people walking from table to table with drinks in their hands The room was full Even the garden had guests Some were dancing others just chatting in small groups as if they had their own event The dance floor was shining but most people were just watching the newlyweds Jimena and Julián had already made their
triumphant entrance the first dance and the speeches Now they were walking among the guests receiving congratulations and posing for photos Everything seemed perfect but Renata standing near a table with white flower arrangements noticed something strange She didn’t know what it was but the atmosphere had changed Something felt uncomfortable as if suddenly many eyes were on her At first she thought it was her idea but then she confirmed it She approached a table where two women she didn’t know were sitting and as soon as she arrived they lowered their voices They looked at each other as if they had just said something they didn’t
want her to hear Then one of them let out a nervous laugh Renata pretended not to notice nothing She smiled slightly, grabbed a napkin and walked away as if nothing had happened But it was already clear to her that something was happening It wasn’t the first time she felt looks like that but this time it was different It wasn’t simple rejection It was as if they knew something as if they expected something from her She continued walking and noticed the same thing at other tables People looking at her with curiosity, with mockery, with that mixture of morbidity and pity that one cannot confuse In a corner of the room she saw her former boss That same woman who a year ago

She had fired her for no clear reason saying that she didn’t fit the profile It was strange to see her there She wasn’t even a close part of the family The woman greeted her from afar with a fake smile and then turned to talk to another lady who also knew her face Another one who worked at the same place That was no coincidence Renata felt her stomach tighten She tried to take a deep breath She told herself that maybe she was exaggerating, that maybe it was the normal tension of a big wedding but no Her intuition was clear Something was brewing and she was the center
of gossip She went straight to the bathroom to clear her head for a moment She looked at herself in the mirror and fixed her hair While she poured water on her wrists She thought about Daniel He had asked her if she wanted him to come to the wedding Renata told him no, that it wasn’t worth it, that it would just be a quick visit and then she would leave But now she wished he was there Just seeing him would give her a little strength She left the bathroom and ran into Mauricio, the bride and groom’s cousin Tall, friendly and always willing to help He was kind to everyone regardless of
their last name When he saw her He smiled at her and offered her a drink. “Is everything okay, Renata?” he asked in a light but sincere tone. “Yes, I think so,” she said without much confidence. “Well, if you need to escape, let me know and we can make up an emergency.
” He joked, making her let out a small laugh. She thanked him and continued on her way. At least someone at that party had good energy. But that tranquility didn’t last long. When she got near the bar, she heard Patricia talking to a lady dressed in navy blue. They weren’t shouting, but they weren’t careful not to be heard. “You’ll see, it’s going to be the most fun moment of the night,” Patricia said, smiling while sipping on some wine. “And are you sure she’s going to be ready?” “Of course.
” Jimena took care of that Just wait for the signal Renata froze She didn’t know what they were referring to but the tone of their voice was the same as when they were planning practical jokes the kind of jokes they called innocent but that hurt like a kick in the back She moved quickly with her head spinning As she passed the main table Jimena called her “Renny come join me to greet some friends” she said with a smile so fake that even the guests could notice Renata hesitated but went She didn’t want to make excuses or seem rude she led her to a table where there were three people Renata had never seen Young people dressed very fashionably with
faces that seemed to know more than they should She’s my sister, the one I always tell you is great at disappearing when there are cameras said Jimena between laughs The others laughed without fully understanding Renata swallowed She didn’t know how to answer without making a scene she smiled slightly and greeted with a nod Then one of them said “Hey you’re the one who worked at Café Ronda aren’t you my sister remembers you.

” Renata went blank. She didn’t understand how someone there knew that. Café Ronda was where she worked at university, but she never told anyone in her family. Most likely, Jimena had investigated it on her own. And the strangest thing was, why would someone bring that to the table at a wedding? Patricia arrived just in that moment, interrupted the conversation and took her arm. “Come help me with something in the kitchen,” she said with a dry smile. Renata followed her, confused, as she entered the back of the room where the waiters and staff were. Patricia looked her
straight in the eyes. Just don’t make a scene. Behave yourself and everything will be fine. She didn’t explain any further. She walked back without waiting for a response. Renata stood there frozen. She didn’t know whether to go back to the room or escape through the back door. Something was happening and it clearly wasn’t good, but she couldn’t run away without knowing what. Besides, there was something inside her that told her that it was not the time to hear that this time she had to stay and see how far they were capable of going. She returned to the room with a mixture of fear and anger.
The DJ had just announced that in a few minutes there would be a surprise for all the guests Jimena and Patricia were applauding from the main table Rodrigo sitting next to his father had a serious face He wasn’t applauding Mauricio looked for her as if he also felt that something wasn’t right The tension could have been cut with a knife and the real blow hadn’t come yet The DJ suddenly lowered the music and the lights in the room changed They focused on the main table where the bride and groom Patricia Don Ernesto
and some other family members were sitting Everyone knew that the toast was coming up that typical moment at weddings where parents or siblings say nice things cry a little and raise their glasses to close with applause Some guests came closer to record with their cell phones others settled better in their chairs The attention was focused on the center of the room Patricia took the microphone as if she were a television presenter She smiled as if everything was going perfectly as if she had no idea what
she was about to do She got up slowly raised her glass and asked for silence She got it quickly No one dared to interrupt her Everyone knew her They knew that she loved being the center of attention and There she was ready to shine. “Today is one of the happiest days of my life,” she said, and many immediately began to applaud. “Seeing my daughter marry a good man surrounded by people who love her is priceless.

” She turned to Sintos to see Jimena who was smiling as if she were acting in a play Then she turned to see Julián who was serious but forced a smile out of obligation Patricia continued speaking I want to thank everyone for being here, for sharing this special night with us and I also want to talk a little about what family means, what it means to have true children who make us proud, who fight, who shine Renata standing near a column felt her chest tighten She wasn’t the only one Rodrigo from the table turned his face towards her Mauricio also
looked at her out of the corner of his eye It wasn’t an innocent phrase it was a double-edged phrase Everyone felt it Because yes we all have people close by who walk with us Patricia continued But not everyone is born to shine There are people who no matter how hard they try simply don’t have what it takes And that’s okay not everyone can be the center Someone has to be on the edges too, right? A few people let out a short laugh others just looked at each other uncomfortably No one knew if that was part of a funny speech or a
very clear hint but Renata did know It felt like someone had thrown a bucket of cold water in her face She didn’t need to hear her name She knew all of that was for her And speaking of effort I want to give special recognition” said Patricia suddenly raising her voice and looking towards the back of the room to a person who although she doesn’t always make the best decisions has been present A person who reminds us that sometimes the important thing is not winning but simply not giving up Someone from the staff passed her another glass and Patricia paused for a long time
as if waiting for applause that didn’t come Renata dear where are you Renata didn’t respond She stood still as if her body didn’t want to move Rodrigo got up from his chair and started walking towards where she was but Mauricio got ahead of him and gently took her arm What are you doing he asked her in a low voice with a bewildered expression “I have no idea” she replied without taking her eyes off the stage “Come in” said Patricia from the microphone “Don’t be shy today is your day too Come toast with us” Some people applauded
Others didn’t know if she was serious or joking Renata, with her teeth clenched and her heart in her throat, walked slowly towards the center. Rodrigo arrived behind her. Patricia handed her another glass. She had no choice. She was in everyone’s spotlight. This is Renata, said Patricia. Our adopted daughter, although we always say she’s one of the family, right? Renata looked at her angrily. She knew that phrase by heart. One of the family. It was what they said when they wanted to sound kind but in reality they left her out of everything. And although sometimes she makes questionable decisions here.
It always comes back like a faithful dog, Patricia said, letting out a quick laugh. The room filled with murmurs. Some laughed nervously, others didn’t know where to hide. Renata felt like she’d been hit in the chest. She closed her eyes for a second. She clenched her fists and breathed. Let’s toast to those who shine and also to those who do what they can. Patricia finished, raising her glass. Jimena burst out laughing. Some applauded. Rodrigo immediately approached Renata. “Enough,” he said to Patricia, but she didn’t even look at him. “That was just a joke
. Don’t be exaggerated,” he replied, still smiling. Renata said nothing, just left her glass on the table, turned around, and walked off. She didn’t run, she didn’t cry, she just walked with her back straight but with her eyes full of fire. Rodrigo went after her. Mauricio was in shock. Many guests didn’t know whether to stay or leave. The atmosphere was broken. What was once a dream party now had a bitter taste. And the worst part was that the hardest part was yet to come. Hours before the wedding began, Jimena was in her room surrounded by
makeup, curlers, scented candles, and two friends who were talking non-stop. The dress was hanging on the door and she was sitting in front of the mirror smiling as if she were about to win a prize. Her mom came in without knocking as always with her phone in one hand and a glass of white wine in the other. Everything is ready. The people in the video, the flowers, the waiters. You don’t have to worry about anything anymore, said Patricia, giving her a kiss on the head. Jimena didn’t respond, she continued fixing her eyelashes and then she fixed her hair. She looked at her mom in the mirror and let out a

A phrase that I had been thinking about for days: “And is Renata ready too?” Patricia looked at her with a crooked smile She doesn’t have to be ready She just has to be there when the time comes Jimena laughed a low laugh of those that come with venom She looked up and said what she really had saved Mom I want that moment to be engraved so no one forgets it For everyone to know who is who Patricia took another sip of wine then she walked over and lowered the volume of the music playing in the background a little Are you sure I mean one thing is to make fun of it a little
and another is to do something that Well you know Of course I’m sure That chick has been wanting to make a good girl for years always so correct so hard-working so independent People are starting to look at her strangely, to feel sorry for her and that disgusts me I want them to remember her for what she is A lucky failure and nothing more And today at my wedding it will be clear Patricia didn’t argue Instead she took out her cell phone and texted someone Jimena kept talking I invited two people who worked with her One is the ex-boss
who fired her and the other is the one who leaked that she was seeing a guy without money who supposedly wanted to marry her You know the one who disappeared Daniel asked Patricia frowning That one who knows where he went but it still doesn’t matter Today nobody is going to talk about him Today everyone is going to talk about the adopted little sister who stole the show for the wrong reasons Patricia nodded slowly Although sometimes she seemed a little uncomfortable she never stopped Jimena She always justified everything with phrases like “It’s her way of protecting herself” or “She’s strong that’s why
they misunderstand her” But deep down she knew perfectly well that her daughter was cruel and yet she still played along The plan was simple use the toast as an entrance to make Renata uncomfortable little by little and then give way to a surprise for all the guests Jimena had paid one of the event organizers to lend himself to everything Those kinds of favors weren’t cheap but she didn’t mind spending What she wanted was attention, the moment to be so scandalous that nobody could stop talking about it afterward In the living room while everyone
was eating the organizer approached Jimena and confirmed that everything was ready She He gave her a quick nod and then approached Mauricio. “Have you seen Renata?” she asked, feigning concern. “Yes, she’s around,” he replied without much interest. “Don’t you think she looks strange,” I said, as if she were hiding something. Mauricio looked at her without understanding. “I don’t know,” Jimena said. “I haven’t talked much to her today.” Jimena smiled, patted his shoulder, and walked away. She didn’t care what he thought. What she wanted was to sow doubts in several people, and she was achieving that. 8 o’clock when the DJ

The music went down, Patricia took the microphone and began her speech. What nobody knew was that at that moment one of the event employees was already following clear instructions: set the stage for the final mockery. Behind the room there was an area where equipment, extra decorations, and things that weren’t used were stored. In that place they had set up a structure similar to a tall pole decorated with fake lights. Jimena had asked for it to be placed in the center of the garden as soon as the toast was over. The sign was already ready, large with red letters, the
failure of the family, and the rope too. A rope that didn’t tighten but that served to simulate someone being tied up. Everything was set up to look like a joke but with a clear intention to destroy. Rodrigo, who had noticed something strange from the beginning, was moving restlessly around the room. He had heard things, he had seen faces, and his mother’s speech made him uncomfortable, but he still didn’t know how far they were going to go. Jimena, for her part, walked from table to table, waving, talking, laughing loudly. She pretended to be the happy bride, but she was
counting the minutes. She knew the best was yet to come. She planned to order another drink for Renata would make her go up on stage again for a few words and then give the signal for the lights to go down. At that moment they would make her go into the garden and there they would show her to everyone as if she were part of a show. What if she doesn’t want to go up? one of her friends asked her in the bathroom minutes before. She’s going to go up. She doesn’t know how to say no when everyone is looking at her, Jimena answered without hesitation. Her confidence was frightening. But the most dangerous thing wasn’t the plan itself but the fact that she felt completely justified. For
her it wasn’t cruelty, it was justice, a settling of scores. According to her twisted logic, Renata deserved that moment for not knowing her place, for daring to grow up, for believing something that according to Jimena never was. What neither Jimena nor Patricia knew was that someone else also had a plan, one that wasn’t in their script, one that was not only going to change that night but everything that came after. The clock struck 9 at night when the DJ lowered the music for the second time. The lights changed color. Now they were softer, more
dim. The master of ceremonies took the microphone and announced. that a special moment prepared by the family was coming. Many guests applauded without knowing what to expect. Some took out their cell phones, others settled down to see better. In the middle of that atmosphere, Renata was in a corner of the room near the garden, not knowing that in a few seconds everything was going to become a nightmare. Jimena approached smiling. She was already made up again, with her curls styled and the dress tight as if she had just worn it. She looked like an actress at the climax of her movie. She was carrying a glass in her hand.
hand and walked confidently as if she were in control of everything Renata can you come here for a moment we want you to say a few words You are part of the family and tonight is special for you too Jimena’s voice sounded sweet soft but her eyes shone in a strange way Renata hesitated She didn’t want to do it She felt something in her chest a lump that wouldn’t let her breathe Fine but everyone was looking at her Patricia pointed at her from afar with a forced smile Rodrigo raised his eyebrow confused Mauricio watched her from the bar but didn’t move Renata nodded
without saying anything She walked towards the center of the room The DJ turned up a soft tune as if he was preparing something emotional The microphone was on a small improvised platform A few seconds before she took it someone turned off the lights in the room Everything went dark A few murmurs were heard Some laughed thinking it was part of the show Others took out their cell phones to light it It was only for a moment When the lights came back on Renata was no longer on the platform No one had seen her move No one understood what was happening Suddenly a spotlight It turned on in the garden pointing towards
an area where there had been nothing before And there was Renata tied to a post decorated with fake lights with a loose rope that crossed her shoulders and held her arms behind her back And hanging from her neck a sign that said in big letters the failed family There were no screams there was no music just a thick silence a mixture of shock discomfort and other people’s pity Patricia was the first to laugh Her laughter broke the ice Then Jimena applauded as if it were a comic scene Little by little some guests let out nervous laughter

Others didn’t know where to look There were ladies covering their mouths guys recording with their cell phones and young men who kept staring at Jimena as if she were an evil genius Rodrigo stood up immediately He walked quickly towards the garden with a tense face Mauricio followed him The event organizer tried to stop them saying it was part of the show but Rodrigo pushed him away without hesitation Renata didn’t say anything she didn’t cry she didn’t scream she just stood there with her eyes open staring straight ahead as if her soul had
left her body as if everything around her no longer mattered There was no need for anyone to explain what was happening Everyone understood now It wasn’t a joke it was a planned humiliation armed with time with intention with malice Mauricio reached her and took the sign from her Rodrigo untied the rope angrily When they let her go Renata slowly lowered her arms She still wasn’t speaking she was just breathing deeply as if she needed strength to not collapse right there What the hell was this Rodrigo yelled from the garden looking towards the
main table Patricia got up as if nothing had happened Oh Rodrigo no Don’t be ridiculous. It was a joke. Everyone’s laughing. You think this is funny, he replied, his fists clenched. Jimena came closer, feigning innocence. It wasn’t that bad. We just wanted to lighten the night. You’re always so tense, Renata. A little humor doesn’t kill anyone. Renata looked at her. She finally spoke softly. But of course, you don’t know what kills. Jimena remained silent. That phrase hit her harder than she expected. Many guests began to leave, some annoyed, others simply uncomfortable. A woman approached Rodrigo
and told him in a low voice that it was crap. A man patted Renata on the shoulder before leaving. Nobody wanted to stay much longer. The magic of the party had been completely broken. Don Ernesto, who had remained seated the entire time, stood up and walked towards the exit without saying a word. He didn’t look at Patricia, he didn’t look at Jimena, he didn’t look at anyone, he just left. Rodrigo followed him a few steps behind. Mauricio stayed with Renata, offering her his jacket. She didn’t accept it. She didn’t want to feel sorry for herself. She didn’t want to be seen as weak. Do you want me to call someone,
Mauricio asked her? She said, her voice firmer than she expected. He’s coming. Who’s coming? Renata looked at him with a half smile. The one who’s going to change all this. The music was still off. The room that a few minutes ago was full of laughter and voices now seemed frozen. No one knew what to do. Some were still at their tables, looking at the others to see if they should applaud, laugh, or get up and leave. It was that kind of silence that isn’t peace, it’s discomfort. That moment when the air feels heavier, as if something had exploded, but no one wanted to be the first to speak. Renata continued.
There in the middle of the garden, now without the sign or the rope, but still trapped in everyone’s gaze. She wasn’t crying, she wasn’t covering her face, she wasn’t screaming, she just stood there with her head held high and her lips pressed together. That calm wasn’t tranquility, it was something else. It was contained rage, it was dignity. And that was somehow more uncomfortable than if she had made a scene. Patricia from the main table tried to break the tension with forced laughter and loose phrases. Oh, how exaggerated. It was a funny moment, such a little detail. I don’t understand why everyone gets so intense. But nobody responded to her.
Even some of her friends, the ones who always supported her in everything, lowered their heads as if they didn’t want to be there. Jimena, standing next to her, said nothing. Inside, something told her that things had gotten out of hand, but her pride was stronger. She crossed her arms and pretended that nothing was happening. Rodrigo was the only one who couldn’t keep quiet. Do you really think that was a joke? Is this normal? Patricia didn’t even look at him. Rodrigo, please, you’re always so dramatic. Calm it down. He approached the table. looking at her straight
without fear No, you calm down because today you crossed a line that not even you can justify Jimena finally spoke angrily Don’t get involved in what is not your business Rodrigo looked at her with disgust It’s not my business After everything Renata has done for you after how you have treated her for years as if she were furniture She is not blood Patricia said without thinking That phrase fell like a stone in the middle of the room There the silence became denser It was as if everyone swallowed at the same time That was the truth that many already suspected but no one dared to say and there she was coming out of

her own mother’s mouth Renata took a few steps closer not to start a fight but because she couldn’t let that go without answering You’re right Patricia I’m not blood but that doesn’t make me any less of a daughter You were the one who opened the door for me I didn’t ask to come here I didn’t ask for your last name But if they were going to do it just to have someone to humiliate they should have saved themselves the favor Renata’s voice wasn’t trembling it was direct strong clear Each word came out like a slap without yelling Rodrigo put a hand on her shoulder but she didn’t need support She was
firm Jimena tried to save something Renata tone it down too It was just a joke Not everyone can be the center of attention Okay Renata looked at her as if she were invisible Do you really think this is about attention your thing is envy Jimena It always was since we were little girls You could never stand it when someone else took even a little bit of the spotlight away from you You always needed to shine even if it meant dimming others Jimena was speechless She stood with her mouth half open and her eyes full of rage but she couldn’t say anymore nothing The people in the
living room were murmuring Some were getting up to leave The atmosphere was broken It was a dead party with the music off Don Ernesto still hadn’t appeared He had left a while ago without saying anything but someone else was about to arrive And just when Renata turned around to walk away when it seemed like everything was going to stay there the silence was completely broken First there was the noise of an engine then some high beams coming in through the garden gate and then the air changed As if everyone had felt something as
if the night was finally going to take the turn that no one expected The noise of the engine wasn’t just any it was a low elegant roar of those that only sound in luxury cars A few seconds later the car’s lights illuminated the garden Everyone who was outside from those who were smoking to those just looking for air turned around at the same time Even those who were inside the living room approached the windows Something was about to happen You could feel it in your body The black car stopped right at the entrance It was an expensive sports model of
those that only appear in commercials or are seen on social media of rich people The doors opened gently At first you couldn’t see who it was The lights the smoke of the cool weather and the shadow of the gate covered everything But then Daniel appeared dark suit white shirt without a tie impeccable hairdo and an expression so serious that it made more than one person stand with their mouths open He didn’t walk fast or slow he walked firmly like someone who knows what he’s going to do Each step made more noise than all the music that had played that night He didn’t speak he didn’t look to the sides he just had
eyes on Renata She stood still She didn’t expect it Nobody expected it Rodrigo took a step back Mauricio recognized him immediately and put his hand to his head as if he couldn’t believe it Patricia stood up suddenly Jimena paled Daniel went up to where Renata was Without saying a word he took off his jacket and put it on her carefully as if it were something fragile Then he took her hand He lifted her up a little and hugged her A long, strong hug without rushing People started to murmur louder Nobody understood what was happening Patricia was the first to

react What are you doing here she asked with a half-trembling voice Daniel looked at her without hurrying he didn’t answer her He turned to Renata and spoke softly just for her Are you okay Renata nodded She couldn’t talk much Her throat was closed and her eyes wet But it wasn’t sadness it was something more It was that kind of emotion you feel when someone defends you for the first time in your life Daniel turned to the audience without letting go of her hand He raised his voice a little He didn’t need to shout His tone was so confident that everyone heard it even though no one handed him a microphone Good evening Sorry for
arriving without warning I just came for my fiancée The room froze A few people let out a low what Others froze Rodrigo smiled without being able to help it Mauricio let out a sigh that seemed like applause Patricia and Jimena on the other hand couldn’t process what they were hearing What did you say Patricia said taking a step forward I said I came for my fiancée repeated Daniel with all the calm in the world She and I have been engaged for months We were going to make it official soon but it seems like you guys jumped the gun with the surprises
He looked at the torn sign on the floor the rope hanging from the post the exact spot where they had left Renata exposed as if it were a joke His gaze hardened This was your idea he asked Jimena She didn’t respond She was paralyzed All the security with Miriam the one who had walked that night had vanished in seconds Daniel looked back at Renata You don’t have to stay here one more second She hesitated for a moment then squeezed her hand and that was it They didn’t need any more signs Daniel led her towards the exit Rodrigo followed them
Mauricio too Several guests began to applaud but not like at a wedding It was a different kind of applause a slow one full of embarrassment of discomfort of real support for the person who had been humiliated Patricia didn’t know what to do She walked towards Don Ernesto who had returned without anyone noticing He looked at her and only said “This is what you planted.
” and went after his son Jimena alone in the middle of the garden watched as everyone walked away The party had become something else entirely The event she had planned to shine became the stage where her own envy exploded in her face She couldn’t believe it She stared at the black car watching as the lights came back on and the engine roared once more There was no more music There was no more party just the echo of her failure floating in the air The car started slowly but the sound of the engine said it all It wasn’t
any car wasn’t any night and much less was it any outing It was one of those outings that you don’t forget The one in which you not only leave but you leave behind something broken burned irreparable Renata was in the passenger seat In her hand she still had Daniel’s jacket that covered her from the cold but also from the disgust Because yes what she had lived that night wasn’t just shame it was disgust because of the way they used her because of Patricia’s laughter because of Jimena’s face pretending that it was all a misunderstanding because of the guests who
were recording as if it were a show and not a humiliation For all that and more Daniel didn’t speak He drove with his eyes fixed ahead but his jaw was tense very tense You could see it in the way he squeezed the steering wheel how he changed lanes without looking back how he let out air through his nose every so often as if he needed to calm down Rodrigo came in behind silently also looking out the window with a mixture of anger and sadness Mauricio hadn’t accompanied them He had stayed at the party in case Renata needed anything at the last minute but
Rodrigo got in without hesitation. Since he saw what happened, he knew he couldn’t leave her alone. Not this time. After a few minutes, Daniel finally spoke. Are you okay, Renata? He just nodded. But it wasn’t a real yes, it was a I don’t know. My body still felt hot, not from fear but from anger. Her hands were clenched on her legs as if she still felt the rope around her arms and she couldn’t stop seeing that image of the sign with red letters hanging from her neck. The loser of the family. That wasn’t a joke, that was a
low blow with a first and last name. “I wanted to get there sooner,” Daniel said suddenly. I was half an hour away when I found out. A friend from the company wrote to me. I was at the wedding. He sent me a picture of the sign. I got in the car without thinking. Renata turned to look at him. I didn’t know what to say. There were so many words in my throat, but none came out. Rodrigo broke the silence from behind. Thank you for coming. Daniel nodded without taking his eyes off the road. I should never have let her go alone. Don’t blame yourself, Renata said in a low voice. I said not to come. I thought I could handle this. I thought.

that it no longer affected me but it did affect me It hurt like never before Daniel stopped at a traffic light turned his head and looked at her You didn’t let them break you And believe me that is much more than anyone could have done in your place Rodrigo from behind also spoke I didn’t expect it I knew Jimena was cruel but this was something else It wasn’t a joke It was with malicious intent It was planned Everything was planned Renata said with her eyes fixed on the windshield They invited people who they knew would make me uncomfortable They used information from
my past They looked for things to ridicule me They even thought of the lights on the sign at the special moment of the night They left nothing to chance And you know what the worst is, Rodrigo added? That many people saw it and did nothing They only recorded they only laughed they just looked without moving “Welcome to the Valle family” Renata said bitterly The car turned onto a quieter avenue The lights of downtown were left behind Daniel slowed down The silence returned for a while but it was no longer uncomfortable It was a silence of those that allow you to breathe a silence that for
the first time in the night didn’t hurt Where are we going, Renata asked Wherever you want Daniel answered without thinking She looked out the window she saw a park a gas station a store closing Everything seemed far away as if the world were going on while her life had just crashed against a wall Then she looked back at Daniel I don’t want to go home yet I don’t want to be locked up Is it okay if we go to my apartment it’s quiet No one is going to bother us It’s just you Rodrigo and me and a lot of silence that doesn’t hurt Rodrigo smiled for the first time
all night I’ll pull he said looking at his sister But only if there’s coffee Daniel let out a small laugh There’s coffee beer wine mango juice whatever you want but the important thing is that there’s peace Renata took a deep breath she closed her eyes for a moment It wasn’t the end of anything it was just the beginning of something new and she didn’t know what it was going to be like But for the first time in a long time she wasn’t afraid While the engine continued roaring softly like purring Renata thought about everything she had just left behind that house where she grew up that family that
raised her without loving her, that sister who never saw her as an equal, that mother who used her as a shield and then as a joke, all of that no longer had any weight because now she knew who was really with her and that, that was worth more than any last name. The elevator went up slowly. It was one of those that don’t make any noise, where you can see yourself on the walls because of how shiny they are. Renata was in the middle between Daniel and Rodrigo. No one spoke, but it wasn’t necessary. After what they had experienced at the party, there wasn’t much to explain. They all knew what silence was worth when it was full of
respect The doors opened on the 17th floor The hallway had soft lights and a clean wood smell Daniel put the key in the back door and pushed it calmly The apartment was spotless modern but not over the top It wasn’t a place full of luxuries to boast about It was a comfortable place with simple pictures plants in the corners and a huge view of the city from a wall-to-wall window Renata walked in and stood for a moment not knowing whether to move forward or not Daniel took her hand and smiled at her for the first time that night Here you can breathe

She nodded, letting out a breath as if she hadn’t breathed in hours. Rodrigo went straight to the kitchen. “Where’s that Kimi Promechishi coffee, second door on the left?” Daniel said, gesturing to her. “Perfect.” “I’m going to make it, and I don’t want anyone to tell me you’re not going to have it.” “Nobody sleeps here without a cup of coffee,” Rodrigo joked, trying to lighten the mood. Renata sat down on one of the armchairs, took off her shoes, and rested her feet on the shaggy rug. For the first time all day, she felt
safe. Daniel sat down in front of her, resting his elbows on his knees, looking at her without saying anything for a few seconds. She noticed. “What?” he asked her raising an eyebrow Nothing Well yes he said I want to ask you something but first I need you to tell me if you still trust me Renata looked at him seriously I had no doubts I have always trusted you Even when I didn’t trust anyone else Daniel took a small black box out of his jacket pocket It wasn’t a luxurious box it was simple no brand no bow He opened it slowly and inside was
the ring A simple white gold ring with a clear stone nothing exaggerated but beautiful Renata looked at it then looked at him She couldn’t believe this was happening at that moment I know it’s not the perfect place that you’re not dressed for this that you just lived one of the worst nights of your life but I also know that at this moment you are stronger than ever and I want you to know that I don’t want to wait any longer He knelt in front of her He didn’t care that they were in his house or that Rodrigo was in the kitchen listening attentively It wasn’t a perfect scene
But it was real Renata will you marry me she looked at him in silence For a moment it seemed like she couldn’t speak She felt a lump in her chest, in her eyes, in her throat Not out of sadness but because At that moment something broke inside her, something she’d been carrying since she was a child, that pain of not being enough, that weight of feeling like she was unnecessary. All of that vanished in that gesture, in that man who, with all the simplicity in the world, was telling her, “I choose you just the way you are.
” “Yes,” she finally said, her voice low but firm. “Of course.” Daniel carefully put the ring on her. There was no music, no applause, no fireworks. Just her shallow breathing, his shining eyes, and Rodrigo’s voice from the kitchen. Finally, they had me tense. He shouted as he took out three cups and poured coffee as if it were a championship celebration. Renata laughed for the first time all night. Daniel did too. They sat on the floor with their legs crossed while Rodrigo passed them the cups. What’s next?
asked Rodrigo Daniel looked at Renata giving her space to answer Now no more hiding or apologizing for existing No more walking around in fear If anyone has a problem with who I am or who I’m with, get your shit together because I’m not going to leave anywhere anymore Rodrigo raised his cup as if toasting That’s it sister, that’s it Daniel looked at her with pride Tomorrow I’ll send the press the statement Nothing scandalous but direct Let them know that you’re with me, let them know that I respect you and that I love you And if any of those distinguished ladies have
something to say, let them say it by name and surname Renata took a deep breath and leaned on her shoulder The ring shone in the dim light from the window Outside the city continued But in that corner there was finally peace, finally justice and finally she was the protagonist of her own story That night in the event hall no one knew whether to stay, leave or play dumb Some were still processing what they had just seen Others were already dialing or recording voice messages Geey you don’t know what happened at Jimena’s wedding The news was running like
wildfire The failure of the family was not only not a failure she was the fiancée of a millionaire who had arrived as a hero and taken her away in front of everyone Patricia was sitting on the edge of a golden chair with her back rigid and her hands crossed in her lap She didn’t say a word she didn’t cry but her eyes were empty as if someone had taken something from her that she thought was rightfully hers And in a way she felt that way For her everything that happened in her family had to revolve around her Nothing bothered her more than losing control And that was just what

Jimena had passed by on the other side, she didn’t stay seated. She was pacing like a caged lioness, back and forth across the room, her dress dragging on the floor, her makeup running, and her heels wobbling. She was biting her nails, talking to herself, looking at her phone every two seconds, sending audios that she deleted after 3 seconds. She approached the bar and ordered a drink. “Give me anything but fast” she yelled at the bartender, not knowing whether to serve her or hide. The guy served her a double tequila without saying a word. She downed it without making a face. This can’t
be happening. This can’t be happening, she repeated as if she were saying it to the mirror. At that moment, one of her friends, one of those who are only there for the photo, approached with her phone in her hand. Friend, this has already been on a gossip account. More than 100,000 people have seen it. Jimena snatched the phone from her, read the post, and felt her stomach turn. The title said: “The sister humiliated in the middle of the wedding turns out to be the Daniel Alvarado’s fiancée, the most influential young businessman of the year There was a photo of the exact moment when Daniel put the jacket on Renata, another of the ring, and another where he was hugging her
in the garden And in the comments a shower of messages in favor of Renata Jimena wanted to break something Patricia got up slowly and walked towards the exit She passed by her daughter without saying anything She walked with a hard face without looking at anyone Several people stepped aside when they saw her pass Not out of respect but out of discomfort No one wanted to talk to her anymore Some avoided her gaze, others turned their backs on her The lady who an hour ago was the queen of the night was now a cold and defeated figure Jimena went after her Mom,
what are we going to do? He yelled at her as he caught up with her outside in the parking lot Patricia stopped, took a deep breath, and looked at her without expression Nothing, nothing Are you crazy, did you see what just happened? That guy exposed her in front of everyone and now they’re going to say that I’m trash? And you’re not, Patricia said without changing her tone Jimena remained silent She didn’t expect that. Her mother had never faced her like that Never She stared at him as if she didn’t recognize the person in front of her You set it all up and you made me look
stupid Patricia said Do you think this isn’t going to affect me too People don’t want photos with me anymore The ladies from the club just kicked me out of the group This is a nightmare Jimena grabbed her cell phone opened her Instagram account and what she saw finished destroying her She had more than 100 mentions comments on her last photos calling her envious cruel classist ridiculous Even a fashion account had shared the moment of humiliation as an example of what not to do at an event In less than an hour her perfect image had collapsed “I’m going to make a video I’m going to
“Get this straight,” she said desperately. “You’re not going to do anything,” Patricia answered seriously. “The more you talk, the worse it gets.” “So what? I stay quiet while that idiot becomes the heroine.” “Yes,” Patricia said, turning to get into the car. “That’s what we’re going to do now, shut up and wait for this to cool down because if you do one more thing, you’re going to sink alone.” “I’ve had enough.” The driver closed the door and started driving. Jimena was left alone in the parking lot, her eyes fixed on nothing, her hands shaking. Her wedding, her night, her moment.

had become the worst public embarrassment of her life Neither the dress nor the salon nor the photos with celebrities nor the five-tiered cake were going to save her from this Her reputation was on the floor and the worst part was that everyone was on Renata’s side Meanwhile, on social media, the name Renata was already trending locally Some accounts were already looking for her story, others celebrated what had happened as if it were a collective victory Sometimes life does take care of itself, the comments said. The loser wasn’t her The losers were the others The
party was officially dead and with it the perfect image that Jimena and Patricia had built for years Everything fell apart in a single night and the worst was yet to come The next morning was like a mix of emotional hangover and media earthquake The news was already everywhere The scandal at Jimena del Valle’s wedding, the public humiliation of her sister Renata and the triumphant entrance of Daniel Alvarado, the most successful young businessman in the country The social media wouldn’t stop Videos, photos, memes, threads, Instagram stories, TikToks, reactions, everything But
what nobody knew yet was how that relationship began Nobody knew the true story between Renata and Daniel because nobody He had asked her Daniel knew That’s why when he woke up that day the first thing he did was write a post Nothing long, nothing that sounded like a speech, just something direct and real He thought it over He didn’t want to sound like a savior He didn’t want to make a drama He just wanted them to know the truth He posted it from his verified account, the same account where he almost never posted anything, the same one that had more
than 2 million followers And it went like this: “I met Renata 2 years ago I was in the worst moment of my life I lost a million dollar investment I was in lawsuits with my partners and the press had me in their sights She didn’t know who I was She served me in a cafeteria She spoke to me with respect She treated me like any other person but not with pity, with dignity I went back three times that week not for the coffee but for her because she listened to me without interrupting because she told me things that no one else dared to tell me I invited her to dinner
She told me no, that she didn’t go out with clients It made me laugh I tried again and that’s where it all began She didn’t know about my companies or my last name She found out later and still didn’t change She helped me organize my mind to rethink my business to rebuild myself She was part of the team that helped me recover everything I had lost but she never wanted recognition or salary She didn’t even want her name to appear anywhere She just wanted to do things right We fell in love without rushing without luxuries without expensive trips or false promises She is not a failure
She is the reason why I believed in myself again and in case there is any doubt, yes, we are engaged And no, it was not out of pity, it was out of love, out of respect and because there is no one stronger or braver than her End of the story That post exploded in minutes The comments were filled with people who previously had no idea who Renata was but now they applauded her People who had experienced similar things people who said “I too was that invisible daughter I too endured ridicule for not having money I too kept quiet for years
and no longer.” Renata read everything from Daniel’s armchair. She was in her pajamas, her hair a mess, and a cup of coffee in her hand. Rodrigo was lying on the floor, looking at his cell phone, laughing at the memes that were already circulating. One of them had Jimena’s face with the text “When you think you’re humiliating but they’re humiliating you.” God, this is like an episode of La Rosa de Guadalupe but on a budget. Rodrigo said, continuing to laugh. Renata wasn’t laughing that hard. She was processing. Seeing that story written so directly, so
exposed, shook her. No one had ever spoken about her like that. No one had ever put her at the center of a story with respect. It was always the other one, the adopted one, the quiet one, the one who helps, never the protagonist. “Are you okay?” Daniel asked, sitting next to him. She was slow to respond. “I’m fine, I just don’t know. I never thought anyone would tell my story like this. I was always the one who hid things, the one who preferred not to say anything so as not to make a fuss. Well, not everyone knows today. And if someone has something to say, let them say it face to face, but let the other side also listen,” Daniel said.

giving him a kiss on the forehead At that moment Rodrigo’s phone rang It was his dad What happened boss he answered casually Get out of there with your sister The press is getting off the elevator Someone leaked the address Rodrigo stood up instantly We have to move The media is coming Daniel was already expecting it He had hired private security last night in case something like this happened It wasn’t his first time in that type of situation But this time it wasn’t about him It was about Renata They escorted her to a car without plates through the entrance of the private parking lot She didn’t cover her face she didn’t
hide She came out with a calm face the ring on her left hand and her head held high as if she were finally ready to be seen Reporters shouted questions from the street It’s true that they humiliated her How was the proposal What do you think of your family Are you going to respond to Jimena She didn’t say anything she just raised her hand and smiled Not in mockery of freedom And that image that image went around the country in less than an hour It was 2 in the afternoon and Jimena was still in her bathrobe with mascara run since the night
before She hadn’t slept a full hour She had stayed glued to her phone refreshing every 10 minutes watching the mentions go up How the videos kept being shared how the word humiliation was repeated a thousand times next to her name Her eyes were red not from crying but from rage and helplessness The screen was too bright but she couldn’t let go It was like an addiction or torture It wasn’t just the comments anymore, now it was the brands Two of the companies she collaborated with had canceled her contracts A fashion page that previously
promoted her as a rising influencer deleted her from their site They took away her space on a podcast where she was going to talk about female leadership Total irony And to top it all off, a meme account released a special edition The five most ridiculous moments of Jimena del Valle One of those clips was the toast where Patricia said that not everyone is born to shine and another showed Jimena saying “Someone has to be on the edges too, right?” That was what pissed her off the most because it wasn’t just a story anymore it was a national joke. In the
living room of the house everything was thrown around. Shoes, bags, the bridal tiara on the floor, half the cake in a box that nobody wanted to open anymore. Patricia was locked in the room talking on the phone with a friend who owed her favors. This will all work out, you’ll see, she said. But she didn’t even believe her own words. Jimena was walking in circles, every now and then she yelled things. It can’t be. How the hell did they do this to me? She grabbed her cell phone, threw it on the couch, then ran to pick it up, turned it off, turned it on, and checked it again.
Same I didn’t understand how everything had gotten out of control so quickly I had everything planned everything I had designed the wedding to be the event of the year the dress the guests the photographer who charged more than what a person earned in a month Even the cake had gold leaves and now none of that was any good Renata had stolen the show but not with scandal or drama She didn’t scream she didn’t faint she didn’t create a circus she just let herself be seen and that was enough to turn the story around The hardest blow came at 3:11 in the afternoon when Julián her husband
published a story It was just a text about Black Background Not all that glitters is gold Thank you for so much but this story ends here Don’t look for me He left Just like that He didn’t confront her he didn’t yell at her he didn’t give her explanations he just grabbed his things and left He had seen him that same morning Packing in silence Jimena yelled at him insulted him asked him if he was also in love with Renata He didn’t say a word he just slammed the door in her face And now with that published the whole world knew that their marriage was over before 24 hours had passed

Jimena threw herself onto the couch and grabbed a pillow she pressed it against her face and screamed She screamed so loud her voice cut out Then she just stayed there without moving as if she had no energy left Her cell phone vibrated again It was a voicemail from a friend who used to be part of her circle She listened to it knowing she shouldn’t have Hey Jime, I know you’re having a bad time but really what did you expect I mean we all knew how you treated Renata just like before Nobody said anything you were too much and well it was your turn Bye She
deleted it immediately and then threw the phone to the floor with such force that the case broke Patricia left the room just at that moment calmly with an expression that mixed frustration and control It’s done I spoke to a reporter We’re going to do an interview Just you and I we’re going to say that it was all a misunderstanding that it was a joke that went wrong that we’re sorry that we didn’t mean to hurt anyone blah blah blah We’re going to play the victims it’s going to cost us but we’re going to get something back Jimena looked at her like she was crazy Do you think that’s going to work if it doesn’t
work we’re going to sink anyway so it’s better to try What if Renata talks she already spoke said Patricia showing her cell phone with Daniel’s post But it doesn’t matter we’re going to speak louder Jimena didn’t respond She got up from the couch as if her legs were heavy went to the bathroom looked in the mirror and for the first time saw herself without filters no makeup no pose and what she saw she didn’t like one bit The woman who was there wasn’t the perfect girlfriend she wasn’t the triumphant sister she was a defeated woman alone
hated by half the country and abandoned by the only man who thought she really knew her And no matter how many excuses she wanted to give no matter how many interviews she recorded no matter how many stories she invented nothing was going to change what happened that night Renata was no longer the other now she was the true protagonist The dining room of the house in the valley had always been a place of uncomfortable silence Even when things seemed normal tension floated in the air That morning was no exception Rodrigo was sitting at the table with a
cold coffee in front of him He wasn’t drinking it he just stirred it with the spoon while looking at Patricia who was checking her cell phone as if she were looking a miraculous way out of what was happening Jimena didn’t come down She had been locked in her room for two days, turning her cell phone on and off all the time, reading the comments over and over again, listening to old audios of Julián as if they were really going to change something Patricia had tried to talk to her but she didn’t open the door She didn’t even answer Rodrigo took a deep breath, leaving the spoon in the
table with force Are you going to keep pretending that this is someone else’s fault Patricia looked up annoyed What do you want me to do Rodrigo That I crawl That I go out and cry on TV I want you to take charge That’s all You’ve been protecting Jimena for years pushing Renata into the shadows And now that everything exploded pretend to be surprised Don’t talk to me like that I’m your mother he answered without looking at him You’re not a lady who allowed her daughter to tear another to pieces And yes I am your son but I’m not blind and I’m tired Patricia got up from the table and left her cell phone on the tablecloth She walked

to the window she crossed her arms and spoke in a lower tone All of this all of this got out of hand It wasn’t the idea Of course it was the idea Maybe you didn’t know that Daniel was going to show up but the humiliation, the poster, exposing her all of that was planned and you didn’t stop it because you never saw her as a daughter only as someone who was convenient for you to have around as long as she wasn’t in the way Patricia turned around in anger I took care of her I fed her I gave her school home everything Yes And you also gave her contempt You left her out of every
decision You laughed at her in front of others What was the point of paying for her school if you took away her voice they were silent for a few seconds Patricia didn’t know how to respond because she knew it was all true Rodrigo didn’t stop Do you know what hurt me more that not even after what happened not even when everyone left the wedding nor when the ring went viral nor when Julián left her nor at that moment you realized that you went too far And you, what, are you the great savior now No, I was the same coward than you for a long time That’s why
I’m speaking out because I’m not going to stay silent From today on, don’t count on me for this I’m leaving Patricia frowned as if she didn’t understand Are you leaving the house? Yes, I’m going with Renata We’re going to start something new And yes, she is my sister, much more of a sister than Jimena, who doesn’t know how to love anyone who’s no use to her You can’t do that You can’t turn your back on your blood Rodrigo laughed halfheartedly You talking about blood You who use the word adopted as if it were an offense You who talk a lot about family but all you
care about is appearances No, mom, this is already broken and I’m not going to pretend it’s okay At that moment, Don Ernesto appeared in the doorway He heard almost everything from the hallway He was carrying a small suitcase in his hand “You too?” Patricia asked, looking at him as if she couldn’t believe it “Yes,” he answered simply “I’m going to the lake house for a few days I want to think.
” “Are you running away?” “I’m not resting from you” he said without raising his voice Patricia was speechless Rodrigo took the car keys and his backpack and without saying anything else he left An hour later Jimena finally came down She was disheveled with dark circles under her eyes and didn’t feel like talking Patricia saw her arrive at the kitchen pouring herself water without looking at anyone Your dad left Rodrigo too Jimena didn’t say anything You’re going to abandon me too Jimena didn’t respond with a dry voice But don’t talk to me Not today She poured the water and went to the sofa She turned on the television, turned up the volume and lay down
face down Patricia saw her from the kitchen entrance she wanted to get closer but she didn’t Something inside her told her that she could no longer fix anything with words The valley family that had tried so hard to seem perfect was falling apart And not because of Renata but because of everything they didn’t want to see for years That day in that enormous house there was no unity left only pride resentment and silence The same silence that they used to cover everything now felt like a burden that no one wanted to
carry The sun shined through the window strongly without permission Renata opened her eyes and it took her a few seconds to understand where she was It wasn’t her room it wasn’t the house in the valley there were no shouts or hurried footsteps in the hallway or that smell of expensive perfume that always made her dizzy There was only silence soft sheets and Daniel’s calm breathing on the other side of the bed She stared at the ceiling for a few minutes without moving not out of laziness but because her body still hadn’t finished processing everything that had happened The wedding the sign the post Jimena’s laughter

Patricia’s gaze, Daniel’s entrance, the ring, the networks, everything. It was so much that she didn’t even know where to begin to organize her thoughts. She felt the ring on her finger and looked at it. It was small, but it had a special weight, not because of its value, but because of what it represented. It wasn’t a jewel, it was an answer, a way of saying, “You’re not alone anymore.
” She closed her eyes again. She felt Daniel move beside her, half asleep, stretching out an arm to surround her. “You’re already awake,” he murmured in a hoarse voice without opening his eyes. “I think so, or something like that.” Daniel smiled without looking at her, he calmly stroked her head. “You slept well, I slept as if someone had turned me off. You deserved it.” Renata said nothing, she turned around and hugged him by the waist, resting her forehead on his chest. His heart was beating slowly and firmly, and that gave her a strange but beautiful peace. “And now what’s next?” She asked with her eyes closed. It took Daniel a few seconds to answer. Whatever you want, we can
move to another city or country if you want, or stay here, but whatever you decide, we can do it together. Renata raised her head and looked at him. She didn’t say anything, but her face showed that it was worth more than any public declaration. Rodrigo knocked on the door. Can I come in, or are you all too busy being cheesy? Renata laughed for the first time that day. It’s ridiculous. Rodrigo came in with a breakfast tray, toast, fruit, coffee, and juice. He placed it on the bed like he was a hotel waiter. “And that’s what Daniel asked?” “Well, at least
I’m grateful that you adopted me back into this family,” Rodrigo joked, pouring himself some juice. Also, I don’t know if you’ve seen the news, but this just got better. He took out his cell phone and showed them an article from an entertainment page. The header read: Daniel Alvarado gives the ring to the woman who was humiliated at the wedding. The story behind the scandal. The photo was of Renata leaving the building with the ring visible and her face calm. “You’re already viral,” Rodrigo said. “Not just anyone, huh?” Renata took her cell phone and read some comments. Not all of them were
good. Of course, there are always people looking for something to eat, but most of them were positive, supportive, and respectful, and honestly, she had never felt that in her life. And Jimena, asked Daniel without much interest while he poured himself a coffee. Rodrigo raised his eyebrows, literally collapsing. Yesterday, she lost two contracts. Julian left her and a video has already come out where you can see how he planned everything with Patricia. They didn’t record it, a guest recorded it because she was a gossip, but it was leaked. These things can’t be stopped now and the media doesn’t forgive. Renata remained silent, not because she was ashamed, but because a
Part of her didn’t know how to feel She didn’t want revenge, she just wanted to be left alone to live in peace But now she understood that peace isn’t achieved by waiting for others to change Sometimes you have to leave, get away from those who made you feel small Does it bother you that they’re falling apart, Rodrigo asked her No, she said, but I’m not happy about it either I just want to move forward without carrying the burden of what they did to me Daniel nodded That’s the attitude Rodrigo took a piece of bread, put it in his mouth, and spoke with his mouth full By the way, I already told Dad that I’m going to go with you for a while I don’t want to live there anymore The house is empty

silent cold Mom locks herself in her room and doesn’t talk to anyone Jimena doesn’t go out they look like ghosts And you’re going to live with me now Renata joked Obviously I’m your new bodyguard Well emotional bodyguard In case they want to throw garbage at you I’ll get back to them in memes The three of them laughed Not like before not out of commitment They laughed for real as if after enduring so much they could finally let go a little of the weight That day there were no big plans They didn’t go on interviews they didn’t give speeches they just spent the day in pajamas eating bread
with butter watching movies ignoring their cell phones for a while receiving calls from the few who really loved them And there without realizing it Renata understood that this was starting over There was no need for a castle or a big revenge or long speeches All it took was to be with the people who really know how to love you A week after the scandal everything had calmed down a bit On social media it was no longer trending People had moved on to another gossip as always But for Renata what was coming was not a temporary calm it was another life She had moved into
Daniel’s apartment no longer as a guest but as his official partner He she had said clearly This house is yours too You’re not just passing through, you’re just starting She didn’t answer him with words, she just hugged him so tight that he lost his breath In that hug was everything she felt relief fear gratitude and above all freedom That Monday morning Renata woke up with a list of things to do They weren’t luxurious things or social commitments, they were new steps Open an account in her name, pick up some papers and most importantly,
show up at the office where Daniel worked as general director She wasn’t going as a bride or as an ornament She was going to occupy a royal position with royal responsibilities Are you ready Daniel asked her from the doorway while putting on his watch Renata nodded looking at herself in the mirror She was wearing black pants, a simple white blouse, her hair up and the shoes she liked the most She didn’t dress up as someone she wasn’t She didn’t try to look important, she just wanted to feel comfortable and safe Let’s go then she said taking her bag Daniel’s office was on the 25th floor of a modern building with glass everywhere and
employees who greeted them with measured smiles Some knew who she was, others only saw her as the one from the wedding scandal But no one dared say nothing Daniel had been clear with everyone Renata is coming to work Whoever has a problem with that can look for work elsewhere He introduced her as the new social projects advisor Her task would be to propose alliances with small businesses, create scholarships, support real causes It wasn’t a decorative position, it was real work And Renata liked that because if there was one thing she knew how to do, it was work without excuses That first day she didn’t
It was perfect. She felt nervous, she made mistakes, she asked a lot of questions, but she also made decisions, she organized ideas, and at the end of the day, one of her proposals was well received by the team. When she left the meeting, Daniel was waiting for her in the hallway. “How did it go? I didn’t burn anything, so I think it was a good start” she replied, smiling. Daniel hugged her without saying much. He knew that for her, standing in that room with those people after everything she had been through was like climbing a mountain, but she managed to do it, and that was what
mattered. In the afternoon, they went to eat with Rodrigo. He had already settled into a small apartment nearby. He wanted independence, but also to be close to his sister. “I don’t know about you,” said Rodrigo, chewing on a taco. “But this seems to me to be the most decent version of a soap opera that I’ve ever experienced. All that’s missing is for someone to kidnap us to raise the ratings.
” Renata joked “Don’t give Patricia any ideas” added Daniel the three of them laughed It was no longer that awkward laugh they used to survive It was a real laugh of complicity and relief That night Renata sat alone in the living room Daniel had gone to sleep early Rodrigo had gone out to see some friends She put on her favorite music took out a new notebook and started to write It wasn’t a diary or a book Just loose phrases thoughts things she had stuck for years She wrote things like “I never had a real mother but I learned to be strong without her I am no less for coming from somewhere else My last name doesn’t define me

Being invisible also gave me powers While she was writing she cried Not much just a couple of tears that didn’t hurt her It wasn’t sadness it was cleaning it was getting rid of everything that was no longer useful to her The next morning she woke up to messages from people who had seen her in the office A girl wrote to her “Thank you for being you You gave me hope.
” Another said “I saw your story I am adopted too you made me feel less but now I want to get up Renata read them all and for the first time she didn’t feel like she had to hide On the contrary she thought about opening a page to help other women like her Women who had been silenced ignored but who now wanted to speak out She told Daniel about it while they were having breakfast Do it” he told her If you speak out many more will feel like they can too And that is how her new project began a space for women who had been silenced in their own homes despised by their families or
invisible in front of those who were supposed to take care of them She called it stand up Rodrigo was the first to share the account Daniel got her in touch with people in the industry to promote it and in less than a week there were more than 10,000 women sharing similar stories Renata was no longer just the adoptive sister now she was someone who inspired And that was true success The gate to the del Valle house had not opened for days No one came in, no one went out The luxury cars no longer drove through the entrance Visitors no longer arrived with
expensive bottles nor could fake laughter be heard from the garden The facade was still elegant yes but inside everything was a disaster like a magazine house that someone abandoned overnight Jimena came down the stairs with a cup of tea that she didn’t even like She drank it because her mother insisted that tea calms the nerves but nothing calmed her anymore Not the tea nor the pills that the doctor prescribed nor the hours she spent watching series in silence as if the world no longer included her Everything had started to fall apart the day after the wedding First it was Julián Not only did he leave her
but he spoke to the press I didn’t know who I married he said in an interview I was part of a plan of humiliation without knowing it People defended him although Renata didn’t need it. She didn’t need revenge. The damage Jimena had done was taking its toll. Then the sponsors came one by one. They canceled her campaigns. Her public relations agency terminated her contract. The brands she collaborated with deleted her from their profiles. They didn’t even answer her messages. They treated her like a plague.
Nobody wanted their image to be associated with the envious sister She tried to make a video explaining what happened She sat in front of her cell phone with a sad face and running makeup She spoke for 10 minutes about how it was all a misunderstood joke, that the pressure of the wedding made her act badly and that her family was always very special She uploaded the video hoping that at least part of the public would understand her It didn’t last even 3 hours The amount of hate she received was brutal People saying she was cynical, others telling her she was manipulative There were those who uploaded the video to
TikTok with comments on it making fun of her cheap acting It became a joke Again she downloaded it immediately but it was too late They had downloaded it they were sharing it She could no longer delete it from the world That night Patricia entered her room without knocking Jimena was in bed with the light off looking at her cell phone without sound “We have to talk” said her mother “I don’t want to talk.

” “Well, there’s no way,” Patricia replied, closing the door behind her, “this has hit rock bottom. Have they canceled things for you too?” “Yes,” Seca replied. “The club committee doesn’t want me to attend anymore. They kicked me off the donation table, even though I was getting them the money. Now, not a single lady answers me as if I were a virus, as if all of this were just my fault. Jimena looked at her with red eyes. And it’s not. Patricia remained silent. She looked down, for the first time, she had nothing to say, not an excuse, not a single thing to
defend herself. “I just wanted to protect you,” she said finally. “And so you protected me, pushing me to do something horrible to look better, convincing me that Renata was a threat.” She was going to ruin everything “You didn’t see it but she kept getting more and more involved.
” She had this way of shining without doing anything and that was annoying because you were killing yourself trying to get attention and no one noticed. She just existed and that was enough. Jimena got out of bed. So that was it, envy. Patricia crossed her arms. Yes, maybe. Jimena remained silent. She walked to the mirror and looked at herself. She wasn’t the same, not just on the outside. Something in her gaze was off, as if a part of her had left that wasn’t coming back. And now what? she asked. Now we have to disappear for a while, let people forget. Then we try to go back one step at a time. I don’t want to go back, said Jimena, looking at her through
the reflection. What, I don’t want to go back. Not like that. Not like you, pretending, lying, selling an image that doesn’t exist. And what are you going to do, ask Renata for forgiveness? said Patricia mockingly. Yes, I’m going to do it even if she doesn’t forgive me. Patricia laughed, but her laughter sounded empty. It’s too late for that, daughter. I know, but I need it for me. Jimena took her cell phone, unlocked it, searched for the number. from Renata and wrote “Not something long just a few words I don’t expect you to forgive me I just want to say that I was wrong I let myself be filled with hate and now I’m paying for it Don’t give me another
chance I just wanted you to know.” She sent it and left the cell phone face down Patricia looked at her with disappointment You’re getting weaker I’m not letting go of all the crap you made me carry Patricia turned around without answering and left the room Jimena was left alone but for the first time in a long time the loneliness didn’t weigh so much on her because at least this time she was feeling it honestly It was a quiet afternoon the sky was clear the city in its normal rhythm and Renata sitting in a small cafe with a terrace She was alone drinking an iced coffee and checking the
messages from the standing project Every day more testimonies arrived women from all over some from her city others from other countries It was incredible how one story could open the door to so many more Daniel was in a meeting Rodrigo was traveling for work She took advantage of those moments of solitude to write think organize her ideas She had started working on a podcast nothing big just a space to talk without filters with other women She was excited Her life no longer revolved around the past She was building something new real something of her own Until the
cell phone rang Unknown number Renata hesitated Lately she had received many calls from the media invitations even from people wanting to hang on to her story But there was something strange about that number She didn’t know why but something tightened in her stomach she answered Hello On the other end no one answered at first You could only hear a slight sound as if someone was breathing Renata the voice was that of a short woman deep familiar but not entirely Yes Who is speaking don’t hang up just listen to me I’m not going to repeat it Renata straightened The tone
was strange it wasn’t aggressive but it was tense Who are you I was a friend of your mom with the real one the one who died That made her freeze What do you mean your mom and I share many things many things that she never had time to tell you because she died too soon because you were too young But there’s something that you don’t know something that no one has told you What is it your adoption wasn’t legal Renata was speechless She didn’t understand if it was a joke in bad taste or if this person really knew something important What do you mean it wasn’t legal she asked with a broken voice Patricia never did the paperwork

complete He kept custody of you as a favor from a judge friend but never signed the final papers You are not registered as an official adopted daughter By law you are not part of the valley And that’s not all Renata felt like she was short of breath So what am I Your mom had family but she never looked for them She was scared that’s why she approached Patricia But you can look for them They still live and they are not far Renata was trembling Who are you Why are you telling me this right now Because it’s time for you to know who you
really are Your last name is not from the valley It never was Your real name is another And there are things from your past that have not come out yet Some good others not so much I’m only telling you this because someone else is going to spill it too And I don’t want you to find out through gossip What things your mom didn’t die alone Total silence Renata felt her hands freeze She didn’t know if it was from fear or anger or something deeper Total confusion What are you saying The woman on the other end didn’t answer she just hung up End of the
call Renata stared at the black screen of her cell phone She felt like the world He stopped for a second as if everything good he was building was shaking He took a deep breath He dialed the number again Turned off He saved the contact with a name that came from his soul Voice from the past In Tusn at that moment he received a message from a different number It only said one sentence Your mother knew something that many wanted to hide And you are closer to discovering it than you think Renata did not answer she closed her cell phone she sat
without moving and there in the middle of that sunny afternoon she understood that her story had not ended Another was just beginning