Chapter 21: The Strength of Lía
The tension in the office was palpable as Lía sat at her desk, carefully reviewing the legal documents that had arrived that morning. Diego's legal team had been working non-stop to contain the fallout from the scandal, but the damage was done. The public was relentless, and the media frenzy surrounding his secret was beginning to take its toll on both his business and his reputation. Yet, Lía was determined to help him, no matter the cost.
In the past, she might have hesitated, unsure of herself, doubting whether she had the skills to handle such high-stakes situations. But today, as she poured over the papers with quiet focus, Lía realized just how far she had come. Over the past months, she had grown stronger, more resilient. The challenges she had faced—both in her personal and professional life—had forged her into someone who no longer felt out of place in the world of power and corporate drama.
Her phone buzzed on the desk, a message from Nicolás. She smiled briefly, always feeling a little lighter when he reached out. He had become such an important part of her life, a reminder of the family she had once longed for and lost. The bond between them had grown with each passing day, and her role in his life was something she cherished deeply.
She picked up the phone and read his message: *"Thank you, Lía. You're the best."*
Lía's heart warmed at his words. It had become a routine for him to express his gratitude in small, simple ways. He had a purity about him that was rare, and every interaction with him reminded her of her maternal instincts—instincts she had suppressed for so long after the loss of her own child. Nicolás had unknowingly filled a space in her heart that she hadn't realized was still aching.
Just then, she heard footsteps approaching her office door. She looked up to see Diego standing in the doorway, his expression serious yet softened by gratitude.
"Lía," he said, his voice heavy. "I don't know what I would have done without you through all of this. You've been more than just an ally in this mess. You've become a real part of the team."
Lía nodded, a small but genuine smile on her lips. "It's just what needs to be done. The crisis isn't over yet, Diego. We still have to stay one step ahead."
Diego walked into the room and sat across from her, leaning back in the chair with a tired sigh. His face looked worn from the weight of the ongoing scandal. Despite his usual confidence, the cracks in his composed exterior were beginning to show.
"You're right," he said quietly. "But I couldn't have gotten this far without you. When I first started, I never imagined someone like you would end up being the one person I could count on."
Lía's smile faded slightly, and she leaned back in her chair, her hands clasped in her lap. She had never expected to find herself in this situation—working closely with Diego, navigating both the professional and personal complexities of his life. It wasn't what she had planned when she first joined the company. But now, she realized how deeply she cared for him, not just as her boss, but as a person who had given her a chance when few others had.
Before she could respond, the door opened again, and Nicolás walked in, looking a bit uncertain but determined as usual.
"Lía," he said, his voice soft but filled with a warmth that never failed to make her heart skip. "I wanted to say thank you again for everything. You're helping Dad a lot."
Lía's heart fluttered, a mix of pride and emotion swirling within her. Nicolás had been through so much in his young life, and yet, he had shown an unshakable kindness toward her. It was easy to forget that he was still just a child, still navigating the complexities of a world that had already thrown so much at him.
"You don't have to thank me, Nicolás," she said gently. "It's just part of what I do."
But Nicolás, who had been quiet up until this point, suddenly blurted something that made Lía's breath catch in her throat.
"You're like my mom," he said without thinking, his voice filled with an innocence that only a child could possess. "I mean… you're always here when I need you. You take care of me and Dad like… like you're family."
Lía froze for a moment, the words sinking deep into her chest. She had always known how much Nicolás had come to rely on her, but hearing him call her "mom" was something different. Her mind flashed back to the child she had lost, to the dreams she had once had of being a mother. For a moment, she could almost feel her heart shatter again, but this time, the feeling was softer, gentler, as if the pain had evolved into something more profound—something she could live with.
She blinked quickly, pushing the emotion aside, and managed to smile at Nicolás. "Thank you," she said softly. "That means a lot to me."
Diego, who had been silently watching the exchange, let out a deep breath, his eyes softening as he looked at the bond between Lía and Nicolás. He had known for some time that Lía had grown attached to his son, but hearing those words made him realize just how much she had become a part of their lives, in ways he hadn't fully appreciated.
"You've become an important part of our family, Lía," Diego said, his voice filled with a quiet sincerity that caught Lía off guard.
For a brief moment, Lía felt a pang of something she hadn't expected—an unfamiliar sense of belonging. She had always kept herself at a distance, preferring to remain independent, afraid to get too close to others out of fear of being hurt. But now, with Nicolás and Diego, she realized that perhaps she didn't have to push people away. Perhaps she could build a new family for herself, one that wasn't defined by loss or absence.
"Thank you," she said quietly, unable to find the right words to express what she was feeling.
As the day wore on, Lía continued to help Diego with the legal troubles, her confidence growing with each task she completed. She had become more than just an assistant or a colleague. She was someone Diego trusted, someone he relied on in the most vulnerable moments. She knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but she was ready for it. She wasn't the same woman who had walked into this office months ago, uncertain of her place in the world. She was someone stronger now, someone who could hold her own, no matter what came her way.
Later that evening, as Lía was leaving the office, she paused to glance at the television in the lobby. A news segment was playing, and she found herself watching, almost absentmindedly, as the anchor reported the latest developments in the scandal surrounding Diego.
But something in the report caught her attention.
The anchor spoke of Diego's ongoing legal battle, and then, in a surprising twist, the story shifted to Lía. There, on the screen, was her image—speaking passionately about her role in helping Diego navigate the crisis. The camera zoomed in on her as she defended Diego's integrity and the steps he was taking to remedy the situation.
Lía felt a sharp pang in her chest. She hadn't expected to see herself on TV. But what struck her the most was how she appeared in the footage. Her voice was steady, her face calm, yet there was something about the way she spoke that conveyed strength—something she hadn't recognized in herself before.
She watched, mesmerized by her own reflection on the screen, as she defended the man who had, for better or worse, become a central part of her life.
As the segment ended, Lía stood frozen, feeling a strange sense of pride. She had done it—she had proven herself, not just to the people around her, but to herself.
That night, as Lía sat in her apartment, reflecting on the day's events, she heard a knock at her door. She rose, surprised, and opened it to find Alejandro standing in the hallway. His expression was unreadable, but there was a hint of something else—something deeper—beneath the surface.
"I saw you on TV," he said quietly.
Lía's heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond. The old, familiar tension between them lingered in the air, but it was different now. She had changed. She wasn't the same woman he had once known, and she wasn't sure she wanted to go back.
"I did what needed to be done," she said, her voice calm but firm.
Alejandro's gaze softened, but he didn't say anything. He just stood there, silently, as if waiting for something.
Lía felt the weight of the moment. There was no going back now. She had built a life for herself, a life that didn't depend on Alejandro or anyone else. She had her own strength, her own sense of purpose.
"Good night, Alejandro," she said, before gently closing the door between them.
Alejandro stood there for a long moment, his heart heavy with the realization of just how much he had lost. He had let her go once. He wasn't sure if he could do it again.