During a holiday light festival, Serena left Noah behind with a stranger so she could walk ahead with Gabriel. She lied later—said she’d gone to get hot cocoa.
Noah shook his head when Lucía asked.
“She didn’t get cocoa. She just walked away.”
The breaking point came days later.
Serena cornered Noah in his room, her voice sharp and venomous.
“You’re ruining everything. Your father can’t focus on me because of you. Stop acting helpless.”
Lucía walked in mid-sentence.
She stepped between them, shaking with anger.
“That’s enough.”
Serena scoffed. “You’re just the help. Don’t overstep.”
“No,” Lucía said quietly, voice steady. “I’m the only one here who actually cares about him.”
Noah’s eyes widened—someone had finally defended him.
Serena stormed out.
Gabriel returned home minutes later.
Lucía told him everything.
Serena played the victim.
Accused Noah of lying.
Tried to turn it all upside down.
But for the first time… Noah raised his voice.
“She said I was ruining her life!”
That was it.
Gabriel ended it that night.
Serena was gone.
But the house didn’t breathe easily yet—not until Gabriel looked at Lucía, truly looked, and saw the exhaustion behind her kindness.