For ten years, I gave everything I had to Regina and the Seco family. Now… I had lost my daughter. The only gift the Secos ever gave me was gone.
I looked at Gloria, tears streaming down her face and slowly shook my head.
“I gave her ten years of my life. My marriage. She didn’t deserve to throw that away like it meant nothing.”
“I repaid my debt to the Secos ten years ago. Now it’s time Regina repaid hers, to me.”
With burning eyes, I carried Claudia to the morgue.
The moment the mortuary attendant left after returning Claudia’s personal belongings, my whole body trembled.
“Claudia,” I whispered, “Daddy will make this right. I swear I’ll get justice for you.”
Gloria couldn’t stop crying.
“I’ve caused you so much pain... I have no right to stop you now. But Luciano, if Gina ever comes to her senses — if she truly changes — could you find it in your heart to give her another chance?”
I wiped away the last tear from my cheek and looked her straight in the eyes.
“When Claudia was crying and begged Regina to come, why couldn’t she give her daughter one more chance?”
Then I turned and walked out, Claudia’s death certificate clenched tightly in my hand.
I went home to pack up our things, mine and Claudia’s.
The moment I opened the door, I was hit by a thick, sickening scent... and the floor was littered with Smurf toys scattered on the floor.
Hector looked up at me, eyes glinting with smug satisfaction. He didn’t even stop. In fact, he moved harder, more deliberate.
“Gina,” he said mockingly, “your husband’s back. Should I get going? Or are you gonna make him watch? You know how he gets. Poor Claudia… had to start faking tears and playing games just to keep her daddy from losing it. Kid was a real little actress.”
“Luciano! Don’t you dare walk away from me!” Regina snapped. “You think I’m just gonna let this slide? You killed Hector’s baby—and I haven’t even started holding you accountable for that. What, you think I won’t come after you?”
“I already told you, I didn’t even know you were pregnant, let alone hurt anyone,” I said, voice cold and flat. “And I’m tired of saying it. Believe whatever the hell you want.”
She let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Keep telling yourself that. It won’t change anything. Truth is, you were never fit to be Claudia’s father anyway. Maybe it’s time I let Hector take over, let him be her dad.”