Chapter 25 - The Heart of the Foundation
Back in San Ángel, the children’s foundation was preparing for its first major spring exhibition.
The grand ballroom, once filled with haughty society guests drinking expensive champagne while whispering malicious gossip, was now transformed into a vibrant community art gallery. The walls were covered with colorful finger paintings, charcoal sketches, and papier-mâché sculptures created by children from every corner of the city.
I stood near the center of the room, adjusting a display stand featuring Sofia’s latest watercolor painting—a bright, cheerful depiction of our estate’s courtyard, complete with blooming flowers and a shining sun.
Andrés walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder.
“The federal prosecutor just called,” Andrés murmured into my ear. “Diego signed the asset surrender agreement ten minutes ago. Every last hidden cent has been successfully transferred into the foundation’s trust account.”
I turned around in his arms, smiling softly. “Is it finally over?”
“It’s over,” Andrés nodded, kissing my forehead. “The past has been fully paid for, audited, and closed.”
At that moment, little Sofia came running across the polished wooden floor, her yellow dress swishing around her knees, holding a freshly painted blue Easter egg in her hands.
“Mommy! Look! I painted a new one for the center table!” she announced proudly, holding up the ceramic egg adorned with tiny, brilliant green leaves and yellow flowers.
May you like
I knelt down, taking the egg gently from her hands, marveling at how much light and joy had replaced the dark, suffocating shadows of our family’s history.
“It’s the most beautiful egg I’ve ever seen, sweetheart,” I whispered, hugging her tight.
