Chapter 6 - WHAT VALENTINA NEVER TOLD THEM
Valentina's father died when she was sixteen.
Afterward, her mother depended on Esteban.
He controlled the money.
The house.
Eventually, he controlled everyone inside it.
When Valentina became pregnant, Esteban demanded to know who the father was.
She refused to tell him.
The truth was simple.
Sofía's father had disappeared the moment Valentina told him about the baby.
Esteban called her an embarrassment.
Her mother remained silent.
So Valentina left.
Mateo listened without interrupting.
“Why didn't your mom stop him?”
Valentina stared at the floor.
“I asked myself that for a long time.”
“And?”
“I finally realized sometimes adults are afraid too.”
Mateo thought about his father after Carmen died.
Rodrigo hadn't cried in front of them.
He had simply worked longer.
Spoken less.
Closed doors.
Maybe fear looked different on adults.
“Does Sofía's dad know where she is?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Valentina looked at him.
Mateo shrugged.
“She already has us.”
The words nearly broke her.
A few days later, Rodrigo received a letter.
He read it twice.
Then locked it in his desk.
Valentina noticed.
She didn't ask.
But that night, Rodrigo barely spoke.
Two days later, three expensive vehicles arrived at El Nogal.
A silver-haired man stepped out.
Behind him came two attorneys.
Rodrigo met them outside.
Valentina watched from the window.
Mateo appeared beside her.
“That's Uncle Sebastián.”
Rodrigo's older brother.
A man the boys hadn't seen since Carmen's funeral.
Sebastián looked toward the house.
His eyes landed on Valentina.
Then Sofía.
His expression hardened.
By dinner, Valentina knew exactly why he had come.
“You're making a mistake,” Sebastián told Rodrigo.
Rodrigo set down his glass.
“Which mistake?”
“Inviting a stranger into Carmen's home.”
Mateo stiffened.
Valentina stood.
“I'll take Sofía upstairs.”
Sebastián looked directly at her.
“That might be best.”
Rodrigo's chair scraped backward.
“She stays.”
The room went silent.
Sebastián smiled without warmth.
“Then perhaps we should discuss what she's really doing here.”
He placed a folder on the table.
Inside were photographs.
Valentina entering the ranch.
Valentina holding Sofía.
Valentina beside Rodrigo.
Someone had been watching them.
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And beneath the photographs was a document that made Rodrigo's face change.
A petition challenging control of Rancho El Nogal.
