Chapter 121— Between Truth and LiesEvening was falling over Colonia when Guillermo’s car stopped in front of the police station. Julia sat in the back seat, clutching her unicorn tightly, her face pressed against the window. She hadn’t said a word the entire ride, but her silence spoke louder than any scream: she was scared—not of her father, but of what would come next.Guillermo took a deep breath before getting out. He had the report in his hand, a legal document that protected him, but even so, he felt a pit in his stomach. This was what being a father meant: holding onto fear and moving forward anyway.Two officers were waiting for him at the station.“Mr. Medina, Ms. Sandra has been called in to give a statement. We ask that you and the girl be present.”Julia clung to her father’s hand.“Dad… are they going to ask me questions?”Guillermo knelt down to look her in the eyes.“Only if you want to talk, sweetheart. No one is going to force you. I’m right here with you.”The littl

Chapter 123 — The First Cry Guillermo caught up with Adrián in the hallway just as he was about to enter the delivery room. He grabbed his arm and forced him to look him straight in the eyes. “Adrián,” he said, his voice calm but firm, “listen to me. You have to pull it together. For yourself, for Sofía, for the baby… and for me, too. I need to see you composed. Your family needs you to be strong.” Adrián swallowed hard, holding his breath. His legs felt weak, but those words struck a chord deep in his chest. “I will be, Guille. I promise.” Guillermo gave him a firm pat on the shoulder, and Adrián headed toward the room. In the prep area, a nurse handed him scrubs: a green gown, a cap, and disposable booties. Adrián stared at them like he’d just been handed a puzzle. He even tried to put the pants on his head. “Do these go on the top or bottom?” he muttered, his ears turning red. Guillermo couldn’t hold back his laughter. “Adrián! The pants go on your legs, not your h

Chapter 125 — In Mommy’s ArmsThe hospital clock read eight in the morning. The night had passed slowly, between medical checkups and quiet visits to the neonatal unit, where Adrián never grew tired of pressing his forehead to the glass to look at his son. Every time he saw him move his tiny hands or wrinkle his little nose, his soul nearly split open with pride. At his request, the nurses had filled their phones with photos.But that morning, when the nurse entered the room with a smile that lit up her face, they knew something different was about to happen.“Mom, Dad,” she announced softly, holding a small mobile bassinet, “the moment you’ve been waiting for is here.”Adrián shot up from the chair, his eyes red from lack of sleep, and Sofía, who was still lying down, sat up as if exhaustion had vanished in an instant.“Is he okay?” she asked, her voice breaking.The nurse smiled, and that single gesture gave them all air again.“Dr. Sofía, your son is strong. We stabilized him, moni

Chapter 127— The Return Home The days in the hospital felt endless. Every morning began the same way: doctors coming and going, nurses carrying metal trays, tiny needles, harsh white lights that seemed too bright, and Sofía’s quiet, hopeful murmur repeating like a silent prayer: “Just a little longer, my son… just a little longer until we go home.” Ayden had been born a little early, at just thirty-six weeks. He was strong, but they still had to wait. Nearly a full week passed with him in the hospital, measuring every gram, every vital sign, every heartbeat that confirmed the little warrior was getting ready for the real world. The pediatrician had been clear: he needed to reach the ideal weight before being discharged. The hardest day for Sofía came during the vaccinations and the eye exams. She had seen doctors give injections countless times, had performed them herself during her training, but nothing had prepared her for watching her own son held still by firm hands and pierced

Chapter 129 — A Quiet Night The days moved slowly for Julia. Her father was searching for a school near the apartment, though he and Liliana still hadn’t talked about where they wanted to settle in the future. As long as his wife was still recovering, they would stay in the apartment, and that stirred a whirlwind of mixed emotions in Guillermo: the joy of having his daughter with him, and the fear of invading Lili’s world with all the unexpected changes that had fallen on them in such a short time. Sometimes doubt crept in, making him wonder whether she would truly accept this entire new life that had arrived all at once. But that night settled over the apartment like one long, warm sigh, with that Sunday silence that clings to the walls and makes the wood creak when you breathe. Julia had already chosen her favorite pajamas—the ones with little stars—and left her unicorn on the nightstand, facing the door like a loyal guardian. In the living room, the dim lights cast a warm glow, a