Chapter 171 — The Coast, Paris, and the Journey HomeThe train wound its way through hills and tunnels until, suddenly, the view opened up to the sea. Deep blue, houses clinging to the mountainside like colorful candies, and that salty breeze rushing in. Sofía pressed her forehead against the glass and smiled.“Positano…” she whispered. “Look at this, Adrián.”He wrapped his arm around her, with Ayden asleep in his lap.“It’s a painting. And on top of that, I have you by my side.” He kissed her on the temple. “What more could I want?”Sofía looked down at her belly, caressing it without realizing it.“For everything to go well. That’s what we want.”Adrián nodded silently, squeezing her hand a little tighter.On the Amalfi Coast, they found a small family-run hotel. The owner, a woman in a flowered apron, welcomed them as if they were long-lost cousins. “Such a cute little boy,” she said, pointing at Ayden, and immediately lent them a little bucket and a shovel so he could play on the

Chapter 173 — The Return to Uruguay and the Revealing UltrasoundThe flight to Montevideo had been long but pleasant. Ayden slept like a pro, asking for cookies and clapping every time the plane moved, as if he understood that coming home was a celebration too. Sofía, with her thermos on the tray table, had taken one last sip of bitter mate before landing. Adrián, true to his word, stuck to water and a resigned smile: the sweet mate in Paris had left him traumatized.As they walked down the aisle, Sofía’s heart was pounding. At the arrivals gate, Isabel and Fabián Castell were waiting for them, anxious, their eyes shining with excitement. The reunion was a whirlwind of hugs.“My daughter!” Isabel exclaimed, pulling her into her arms. “You look so beautiful! And that little belly… you can really see it now!”Sofía smiled, moved, letting herself be pampered just like when she was a little girl.“Yes, Mom… it’s grown a lot this month. Between the sweet mate and the pastries in every city

Chapter 175 — The Birth of Mía The cardiologist didn’t sound alarmist, but he wasn’t dismissive either. “There are signs that the coronary arteries may be becoming compromised again,” he said, looking directly at Fabián. “We’re not dealing with a heart attack. But we are dealing with a risk. And in your case, that risk is non-negotiable.” Isabel clutched her purse tightly to her chest. Sofía didn’t speak as a daughter. She spoke as a doctor. She was sitting next to her father, with Adrián beside her, leaving no room for ambiguity. “I want all the follow-up tests. No assumptions.” The cardiologist nodded. “Exercise stress test, Doppler echocardiogram, full lab workup. Absolute discipline. Strict medication. Nothing can be missed. No-compromise diet. Zero excess. You already know the drill, Mr. Castell.” Fabián held his gaze. “I know the drill. And I don’t plan on messing it up again.” The doctor was even more explicit. “You cannot have another cardiac event. With your history

Chapter 177 — Two Candles for AydenThe morning at Isabel and Fabián’s house felt different.It wasn’t just any Sunday. From early on, the sound of balloons being blown up and the smell of cake baking in the oven made it clear that this day belonged to someone special: Ayden was turning two.Isabel was already wearing an apron when Sofía appeared in the kitchen with Mía in her arms. The baby, awake and curious, followed every movement with her huge eyes.“Today, the birthday boy is the star,” Isabel said, beating the batter energetically. “But the princess needs to be spoiled too.”Sofía smiled, tucking Mía close to her chest.“She looks at everything as if she understands that the party is important.”“And it is,” Isabel replied. “You don’t turn two every day.”Adrián walked in at that moment, holding Ayden’s hand. The boy was wearing a blue T-shirt with a huge “2” printed on it and was jumping as if the floor had springs.“Mommy, look,” he said, holding up two little fingers with ef

Chapter 179 — The Legacy of the Castell NameThe table had been set for half an hour, but no one had touched their cutlery.The white tablecloth seemed too formal for the atmosphere at the Castell grandparents’ house. Outside, the sun beat down on the garden, but inside, the air felt heavy. This was not just another family lunch.It was a decision.Fabián Castell, eighty-five years old, with his cane resting to his right, watched each of them in silence. His body no longer had the strength it once did, but his gaze remained that of a man who had built an empire from scratch. His health, after that episode, had not suffered any setbacks.Isabel arranged the napkins with gentle movements. She knew this moment would come. She had just hoped it wouldn’t hurt so much.Seated across from them were Adrián and Sofía. To the right, Ayden. To the left, Mía.Fabián raised his glass of water.“Before we eat, I’m going to speak.”No one objected.“Castell Group wasn’t born out of comfort. It was b