CHAPTER 2 — The Golden Button
Valentina woke before sunrise.
She always did.
Children who grow up in silence learn not to make noise.
She slipped out of the small room beside the laundry area.
Her little feet moved carefully across the cold floor.
In her hand was her stuffed rabbit.
The only toy she owned.
She walked through the empty hallway and looked around.
The mansion was beautiful.
Huge windows.
Crystal lights.
Paintings worth millions.
But to Valentina, it was never home.
It was only the place where her mother worked.
Then she saw something shining near the staircase.
A small golden button.
She crouched down.
Picked it up.
And smiled.
“Pretty…”
To a billionaire, it was worthless.
To a child, it was treasure.
She held it carefully.
Until someone spoke behind her.
“What are you doing?”
Valentina froze.
Slowly, she turned around.
Paulina stood there.
Perfect makeup.
Silk robe.
Cold expression.
The kind of person who looked beautiful but made every room feel colder.
Valentina opened her tiny hand.
“Pretty…”
Paulina looked at the button.
Then at the child.
Her face changed.
“You touched something that belongs to this house?”
Valentina did not answer.
She didn’t know what she did wrong.
Paulina’s eyes narrowed.
“Where is your mother?”
Before Valentina could respond, Marisol appeared.
“Miss Paulina.”
She immediately rushed forward.
“I’m sorry. She woke up early. I only looked away for a moment.”
Paulina laughed quietly.
“That’s always your excuse.”
“Please, she’s only three.”
“And that is exactly the problem.”
Marisol stared at her.
“What?”
Paulina stepped closer.
“This mansion belongs to Diego. Not you. Not your child.”
The words made Marisol’s heart sink.
“She is not causing trouble.”
Paulina looked around.
“This house is not a daycare.”
Then she pointed toward the hallway.
“Pack your things.”
Marisol stopped breathing.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
Paulina’s voice became sharper.
“You and the girl will leave before tonight.”
Valentina looked at her mother.
Then grabbed her apron.
“Mommy…”
That one word almost broke Marisol.
She hugged her daughter.
“Please don’t do this.”
Paulina smiled.
“Why?”
A pause.
“Because you’re afraid Diego will care?”
Marisol froze.
Paulina noticed.
May you like
And smiled wider.
“So there is something.”
