Chapter 3 - The Sanctuary of the Lion
The Salazar estate was a fortress disguised as a palace. Nestled in the exclusive hills of Lomas de Chapultepec, it was surrounded by high stone walls, security personnel, and lush, blooming gardens. It was the home I had run away from two years ago in a desperate search for a simple life—and now, it was the only place on earth that could keep me safe.
I lay on the plush velvet sofa in my old bedroom. The room was exactly as I had left it: the walls painted a soft lavender, my favorite books lining the shelves, and a large window overlooking the glittering city below.
Dr. Aris, my family’s trusted obstetrician, quietly packed his stethoscope into his leather bag. He turned to my father, who was standing by the door with his arms crossed, his face a mask of worry.
"She is physically exhausted, Ricardo," Dr. Aris said softly. "The stress has caused some mild, early contractions, but the baby’s heart rate is stable. She needs absolute bed rest, a calm environment, and zero anxiety for the next four weeks. If she goes into labor now, the complications could be dangerous."
"She will have nothing but peace here, doctor," my father replied, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you."
Once the doctor left, my father sat on the edge of my bed. He reached out and gently smoothed my hair, his rough hand warm against my forehead.
"I am so sorry, my star," he whispered, using his childhood nickname for me. "If I had searched harder, if I hadn't let my pride get in the way when you ran away... I would have found you sooner."
"I was stupid, Father," I said, tears pooling in my eyes. "I wanted someone to love me for me, not for the Salazar fortune. I thought Santiago was a good man. He was so gentle, so attentive at first. But the moment the ring was on my finger, the doors closed, and the nightmare began."
"He played a part," my father’s face hardened, his eyes darkening to the color of midnight. "The Rivas family was desperate. Their shipping empire has been hemorrhaging money for three years. They needed a scapegoat, and they thought an orphaned teacher was the perfect victim. They wanted to steal your baby to claim the trust fund your mother left for her first grandchild."
I gasped, my hand instinctively dropping to my belly. "They knew about the trust?"
"Beatriz Rivas is a vulture. She has connections in the banking sector. She discovered a anonymous trust linked to a 'Valeria' with your birthdate, though she didn't realize the Salazar name was attached to it. They planned to declare you mentally unfit, take custody of the child, and access the fifty-million-dollar fund."
A knock on the door interrupted us. My father’s personal attorney, Alejandro, stepped into the room, carrying a thick leather folder.
"Mr. Salazar, Miss Valeria," Alejandro said, bowing his head respectfully. "The Rivas family is scrambling. Santiago has been calling our offices every five minutes. His lawyers are offering a complete, uncontested divorce, full custody of the child to Valeria, and a non-disclosure agreement."
"An NDA?" I let out a bitter laugh. "They want to silence me."
"They are terrified," Alejandro explained. "The recording Valeria’s hidden clock streamed to us is legally sound. Under federal law, the physical threats and the conspiracy to commit forced psychiatric confinement are class-A felonies. If that tape is released, the Rivas Group stock will plummet to zero by noon tomorrow."
"Let it burn," my father said coldly.
"Wait," I said, sitting up slowly, ignoring the dull ache in my back. "Father, if we just release the tape, they will use their high-priced PR team to claim it was a domestic dispute, a fabrication. Santiago will play the victim of a shadow billionaire family."
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My father frowned. "What are you thinking, Valeria?"
"Santiago loves the cameras," I said, a cold, calculating look entering my eyes. "He loves the spotlight. Tomorrow is the Rivas Foundation Gala. The entire elite of Mexico City will be there. Let them prepare their grand stage. Let them think they can still save themselves. And then, we will show the world who they really are."
