If the children took after their mother, they would be blonde with blue eyes, children desired by many wealthy families desperate for an heir. Michelle sat up, startled. Have you lost your mind? Are you trying to put a price on your own child, you maniac? Afonso, with a cold glint in his eyes, replied.
If it’s to maintain this life and secure our future, it’s what needs to be done. You know I’ve never cared about children, Michelle. My only love is you.
At the mansion’s gate, years later, Afonso watched the scene of Penelope embracing Luke, feeling his throat tighten. He knew his past was about to come to light. Penelope, still completely emotional, couldn’t stop hugging Luke.
It was as if, by touching him, she could finally fill the void she had carried in her heart for years. With each passing second, the invisible bond between them seemed to strengthen, growing in a way that words could not describe. My son, my son, she repeated, caressing Luke’s dirty face, feeling as though she never wanted to let him go again, as if the fear of losing him once more was ingrained in her soul.
Luke, with tearful eyes, looked at Penelope and asked, his voice choked with emotion. Am I… am I really your son? Before the millionaire could answer, Afonso hurried over, visibly disturbed. What are you doing, Penelope? He asked, trying to sound composed, but the tension in his voice was palpable.
She turned to him, still kneeling beside Luke, and said, Afonso, look at him! Look! He’s our son! He’s the baby I always knew existed within me! See how much he looks like Ashton! Ashton, excited, moved closer, standing beside his mother and Luke. The two boys, side by side, were the spitting image of each other, as if they were reflections. Afonso, his face paling, tried to maintain his composure.
You’re mistaken, my love. This boy doesn’t look like Ashton. They’re completely different.
Michelle, who was watching everything closely, almost stammering, supported Afonso. That’s right. Penelope, you’re seeing things.
Look more closely. They’re very different. Afonso insisted.
You only had one child. I saw the ultrasound. I remember perfectly.
One baby. Just one. Michelle stepped forward, trying to appeal to Penelope’s reason.
Think about everything we discussed today, sister-in-law. You yourself said you were getting carried away by nonsensical ideas. This boy isn’t your son.
He’s just any street kid, blonde like Ashton, but nothing more. Afonso, seeing that gentle words weren’t working, attempted to take a more drastic approach. He took a step forward, trying to snatch Luke from Penelope’s arms.
Leave this boy. He’s not our son. He belongs to the street.
He’s all dirty. How could a brat like this be our son, Penelope? But Penelope held Luke even tighter, protecting him as a lioness would protect her cub. No! She cried, tears streaming down her face.
He is my son. I don’t know how, but he is. I always felt that something was missing, and now I know.
Ashton, his eyes shining with emotion, stepped closer and said, Mom, look at the birthmark. We have the same birthmark. We’re exactly alike.
Penelope, still embracing Luke, looked at the birthmark on his stomach, feeling a mixture of happiness and confusion. But how is this possible? She asked, almost to herself. Afonso lost control again, his voice coming out harsh.
That kid is filthy. He’s not our son. It was then that Ashton, emboldened, turned on his father.
You are filthy, sir. Filthy for kissing Michelle behind Mom’s back. Penelope stood still.
Ashton’s words echoed in her mind. She looked at Afonso, then Michelle, confused, trying to understand. What do you mean, Ashton? What are you talking about, son? She asked, her voice almost breaking.
Afonso, enraged, pointed a finger at his son. Shut your mouth, you little punk. Show some respect.
I’m your father. But Ashton was undeterred. With a steady voice, he continued.
I saw it, Mom. I saw them kissing. And then Dad threatened me never to tell.
That’s why I started distancing myself from him. Penelope brought her hand to her mouth, feeling the world spin around her, as if the ground were about to vanish beneath her feet. Michelle tried to intervene, her voice trembling.
This is preposterous. I’m Afonso’s sister. But Hazel, astute, jumped into the conversation without hesitation.
That’s a lie. Ashton and I did some research. You don’t even have the same last name.
We even took a picture of your IDs. You think you’re smart, but we’re much smarter. Penelope’s eyes widened.
I’ve never seen her ID. She murmured, more to herself than anyone else. Ashton turned to Michelle and said with a mocking tone.
Show us your ID and call my mother’s as if you’re really my father’s sister. Michelle was left with no way out. Afonso tried to come up with some excuse, but Michelle, desperate, exploded, her loud voice echoing through the walls of the mansion.
Fine, I’ll tell you everything. She screamed. But only if you give me a good amount of money, Penelope.
I’ll tell you everything you need to know. Even who is this kid you’re hugging really is. Give me some money, and I’ll tell you everything and disappear.
Afonso spun around to face her, livid. Shut your mouth, you imbecile. Michelle, now panicking, shouted.
You’re the imbecile, Afonso. It’s all your fault. If you hadn’t had the dreadful idea of selling your own son, none of this would have happened.
Silence fell like a bomb. Penelope stood paralyzed, feeling the blood run cold in her veins. Her heart seemed to have stopped for a moment.
Sell his own son? She repeated in shock, each word weighing heavier than the last. Afonso looked at Michelle, then at Penelope, his eyes filled with hatred, like a cornered animal. Penelope slowly stood up, still holding Luke with one arm.
She walked towards Afonso, each step heavy with pain, rage, and a cutting disappointment. What have you done, Afonso? What is this story about selling our son? She asked, her voice breaking, feeling as if all the love she once held for him was disintegrating there, faced with the cruel truth that was being revealed. The man, cornered, knew he couldn’t hide the truth for much longer.
And in that moment, the perfect life he pretended to have built began to crumble before his eyes. He tried to deny it, stammering, disjointed words, but at that moment, Penelope wanted only the truth. Without a second thought, she tore a diamond necklace from her neck, worth a veritable fortune, and placed it in Michelle’s hands.
Tell everything, and if you tell the truth, you’ll earn much more, she said, her voice firm, staring Michelle in the eyes. Afonso, realizing what was about to happen, tried to leap onto the false sister to prevent her from speaking, but Theodore, alert, was faster. He jumped on Afonso, immobilizing him forcefully.
Penelope looked steadily at Michelle and ordered, Tell the truth, now! Michelle, trembling between greed and fear, looked at Afonso, who was struggling uselessly under Theodore weight, and sighed. Forgive me, darling, she said with false sweetness. But you know how I love diamonds.
Then the snake began to reveal the entire dark plot. She told about how Afonso had deceived her from the start, presenting himself as a great businessman. Then she explained how he had conspired with a corrupt doctor to lie during the ultrasound, saying that Penelope was carrying only one baby.
He took you to give birth in a hospital involved in a dirty baby-selling scheme, Michelle revealed. You were drugged, and when you woke up, you believed you had only had one child. Tears ran freely down Penelope’s face.
The pain of knowing that her suspicions, her recurring dreams, were real, tore her apart. How… how did he end up on the streets? She asked, her voice trembling. Michelle lowered her eyes.
Soon after the sale, there was a police raid. The buyer panicked, abandoned Luke in a dumpster to avoid being arrested. We thought he had died, but that kid seems to have done well on the streets.
Penelope felt the world collapse. Her son, her little one, had been thrown away as if he were trash. The money from the sale, Michelle continued, was used by Afonso to forge a front company, deceiving you and infiltrating your business.
At that moment, rage consumed Penelope. She stood up, and with a cry of pain and fury, lunged at Afonso, delivering slaps and punches. You monster! You scoundrel! You’re going to pay for this! You’re going to jail! She screamed beside herself.
Theodore intervened, carefully separating them. Michelle, seeing the chaos, tried to negotiate. Now that I’ve told you everything, I want more jewelry.
You promised. Come on, sis-in-law. How about a diamond necklace? I know you have a beautiful one.
She demanded, with greed in her eyes. Penelope, her breathing ragged, took her cell phone out of her pocket and showed it to everyone. It’s all recorded, you snake.
The entire confession. Both of you are going to jail. You won’t get another cent of my money.
Not even that necklace you’re holding. Michelle was furious. You tricked me! I told you everything! I deserve it! Penelope responded with coldness.
The only thing you deserve is to rot in jail. At that moment, Michelle tried to flee, running towards the door. But before she could take two steps, sirens echoed in the garden.
The police had arrived. Hazel, radiant, raised her cell phone and said, I was the one who called the police. The officers entered swiftly, handcuffing Afonso and Michelle.
Both were taken away, still protesting uselessly. Days later, during the trial, they were sentenced to many years in prison for all their crimes. Penelope, with her heart in pieces but determined, took a DNA test to formalize Luke’s custody.
As expected, the test confirmed what her mother’s heart already knew. Luke was her son. Luke finally found the family he had always dreamed of.
He now had a loving mother, a brother, clean clothes, hot food, and the sincere affection of Hazel, the smartest friend he could wish for. Over time, the pain gave place to hope. Penelope found love again, this time with Theodore, the man who had always been by her side in the worst moments, showing that true love is not based on appearances or status, but rather on truth and transparency.
The new family lived happily, overcoming every obstacle with love and courage. And Penelope more than ever proved to the world that a mother’s heart is never wrong, because she always knew that there was another son in the world.