Chapter 8 - The Test
The story reached the newspapers before dawn.
BILLIONAIRE’S FIANCÉE LINKED TO CHILD ABDUCTION.
SECRET ARCHIVE EXPOSES CORPORATE CONSPIRACY.
Questions surrounded the Villaseñor mansion.
Reporters gathered outside the gates.
Television helicopters circled above.
Diego kept Marisol and Valentina inside the private wing.
The police arrested Rafael and Octavio.
Paulina was held for questioning but claimed she had protected Valentina during the confrontation.
Diego did not know whether to believe her.
He only knew the woman he had planned to marry had helped hide his daughter, forged records, and placed a child in danger.
A new DNA test was performed inside the mansion.
This time, three independent laboratories participated.
The samples remained under police supervision.
The results arrived forty-eight hours later.
Diego sat across from Marisol in the library.
Valentina slept between them on a couch, her rabbit tucked beneath her chin.
The doctor opened the envelope.
“Mr. Villaseñor, the probability of biological paternity is greater than 99.99 percent.”
Diego already believed the truth.
Still, hearing it changed him.
He looked at Valentina.
“My daughter.”
Marisol’s eyes filled with tears.
The doctor left them alone.
Diego placed the report on the table.
“I want to acknowledge her legally.”
Marisol stiffened.
“What does that mean?”
“My name. Her inheritance rights. Protection.”
“And custody?”
“I am not taking her from you.”
“You could.”
“I could try,” he said. “And I would become exactly like my father.”
Marisol studied him.
“I need time.”
“You have it.”
“I need to know that you want her, not only because of blood.”
Diego looked toward the sleeping child.
“I wanted her before the result.”
“Why?”
“Because she trusted me when she had no reason to.”
Marisol lowered her gaze.
“I also need something else.”
“Name it.”
“The truth about us.”
Diego remained silent.
“Did you love me?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Past tense?”
He looked directly at her.
“I never learned how to stop.”
Marisol’s breath caught.
Before she could answer, the library door opened.
Diego’s attorney entered.
“There is a problem.”
“What now?”
“The family trust has been activated.”
Diego frowned.
“Because Valentina has been confirmed?”
“Yes. She now owns thirty-one percent of Villaseñor Holdings.”
Marisol stood.
“She is three.”
“You remain her legal guardian,” the attorney said. “Which means you control her voting rights until she turns eighteen.”
Marisol stared at him.
“I control part of Diego’s company?”
“More than any single shareholder except Diego.”
The attorney placed another document on the desk.
“However, the Robles family has filed an emergency petition claiming Marisol concealed the child for financial gain.”
Diego’s expression darkened.
“They kidnapped her.”
“Their lawyers argue Paulina rescued Valentina from a dangerous scene.”
Marisol laughed bitterly.
“They are turning the truth backward.”
“There is more,” the attorney said. “Someone submitted evidence that Marisol accepted money from Rafael three years ago.”
“I refused it.”
“The bank record shows a deposit equivalent to two million pesos into an account in your name.”
Marisol went pale.
“I have never seen that money.”
“The account was opened using your identification.”
Diego understood immediately.
Rafael had prepared the accusation years earlier.
If Valentina was discovered, Marisol would appear to be a blackmailer who had already accepted payment.
The attorney continued.
“The court may temporarily restrict access to Valentina’s trust shares.”
“And custody?” Marisol asked.
“The Robles petition requests an independent guardian.”
Diego stood.
“No one takes my daughter.”
The attorney looked uncomfortable.
“There is one person supporting the petition.”
“Who?”
The door opened again.
An elderly woman entered wearing black.
Diego had not seen her in seven years.
His mother.
Beatriz Villaseñor.
She looked at Marisol with cold eyes.
Then at Valentina.
May you like
“I came,” she said, “to protect this family from another liar.”
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