- The Baby.

On April 8th, she gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy of the perfect weight.

Her grandmother—her mother's mother—her father, and her brother were all present.

The first embrace the baby felt, the first warmth he knew, was from his mother. Lara held him close, passing on her strength and resilience.

She kissed him, caressed him, and looked into his grayish-blue eyes—his inheritance from both parents. She smiled as she cradled her baby.

Her father and Dimitri were overwhelmed with emotion, grateful that everything had gone smoothly. They, too, took turns holding the baby.

"I'm your uncle, and I’m going to spoil you so much," Dimitri said.

Lara smiled at her brother and father, as well as at her grandmother, who was just as moved.

"You know you’re always welcome at home," her father said.

"Thank you, Dad, but as I told you, I’ll be staying at Grandma’s house for a few more weeks before returning to the city and settling into my new home."

Her father nodded. He stayed for a few more days, as did Dimitri. Lara knew she had their full support, especially after she revealed who the father was.

They had accepted and respected her decision regarding Leo.

Two days later, her best friend Patricio arrived, meeting the baby and holding him in his arms.

Her father had left a few days prior, and only Dimitri and Patricio remained. Then, three days later, her brother also departed.

"Do you trust that Leo won’t find out?" Patricio asked.

Lara had just finished nursing her baby, placing him in his portable crib. Her grandmother had gone out, leaving just the two of them to have lunch.

"Trust? Maybe… I don’t know."

As they ate, Patricio continued,

"And do you think your brother might tell Leo? We both know they’re good friends."

"Maybe. But even if he does, Leo will understand why I don’t want him to know."

"You think it would ruin his marriage?"

"That’s not the issue. Under no circumstances do I want the media to turn this into a scandal. As long as no one finds out that I’m a single mother, I can give my son a life away from the spotlight. I don’t want to raise him the way I was raised. And as for his father… there’s no deadline for that moment. It will happen when it happens."

Patricio didn’t comment further and changed the subject.

"Love, are you okay?"

Leo hadn’t heard Viridiana enter his office. He quickly turned to look at her.

"I’m fine, just working."

"Love, ever since you came back, you’ve been locked in your office. What’s wrong? You seem so deep in thought."

"I have to take a trip, but I don’t want to leave you."

Viridiana knew her husband was devoted to his work. She had expected this to happen. She loved him with all his virtues and flaws—which to her were simply qualities.

"Don’t worry. Go—I’ll be fine. I’ll miss you and wait for you to return."

Leo nodded and kissed her.

"You must be hungry. Come on, let’s go to the kitchen—Elena made your favorite meal."

"Sure."

At that moment, Viridiana’s phone rang, and she immediately answered.

"It’s Daniela," she said, stepping out of his office.

Leo took a deep breath.

He knew he had lied.

This wasn’t a work trip—his plan was to meet his son.

He stood up and headed to the dining room.

"What did Daniela say?" Leo asked as they ate spaghetti with adobo chicken—one of his favorite meals.

"She invited us to her boyfriend Víctor’s birthday party, but since you’re traveling, you won’t be able to go."

"Maybe I will be able to go."

"Really, love?"

He told her he might be able to make it and would take the flight the next day instead.

Viridiana was thrilled to hear that and began kissing him.

Leo returned to his office while Viridiana went to bed—it was already past nine at night.

He kept himself busy on his computer, trying to distract himself.

But he couldn’t get Lara—or their son—out of his mind.

Moving the mouse, images of Lara appeared on his screen.

Those stunning blue eyes, the freckles he had always adored, that gaze of hers.

He stared at the photograph for a moment, trying to imagine what their son looked like.

But he had no idea.

Nor did he fully grasp the strange, overwhelming emotion he had felt when Dimitri told him—he had a child with the woman he once believed he would marry.

Later that night, he turned off his computer and headed to his bedroom.

He undressed, changed into his pajamas, and climbed into bed, wrapping his arms around his wife.

The next morning, they each followed their usual routines in different parts of the world.

"Good morning, love," Lara said as she held her baby in her arms.

She was having breakfast with her grandmother and Patricio, discussing their plans for the day. It was market day, and she and Patricio would go while leaving Thiago in the care of her grandmother.

"You’ll love it, Patricio."

"I hope I get to eat those tlayudas again, like last time."

"We’ll find them. There are plenty of stalls that sell them," Lara said.

"And now I get why you love coming here. Since we’re models, people recognize us in the city, but here, not so much—or if they do, it’s rare."

"That’s part of it. And really, Grandma, thank you for letting me stay here."

"You know you’re always welcome, my dear. Thiago too. And you as well, Patricio."

"Thank you so much, ma’am," Patricio said gratefully.

After breakfast, they left for the market.

Meanwhile, Leo was with his friend Ángel.

"I can’t believe you got married and quit modeling! But congratulations," Ángel said.

Ángel was Leo’s best friend. He had been living abroad for some time, but they had kept in touch. However, there was one thing he still didn’t know.

"Thanks, Ángel. I should have invited you to the wedding, but I’m sorry."

Ángel chuckled.

"I know, man. But I’m happy for you. And now you’re expecting your first child."

Leo nodded. They were in his home office while Viridiana was with her friends in the dining room.

"Thanks."

"You’re going to be a dad."

"Yeah… but I already am one."

Ángel looked at him, confused.

"What do you mean? You will be a dad."

Leo kept his answer brief, mentioning Dimitri. His friend listened in shock.

"Wait… are you telling me you have a baby with Lara?"

Leo nodded, explaining that he had a flight booked to go see her.

"And Viridiana doesn’t know?"

"I haven’t told her yet."

"But you will tell her?"

"Someday. But first, I need to meet my son and talk to Lara."

Ángel nodded. He knew Lara and couldn’t imagine how she would react when she found out that Leo knew the truth.