The millionaire was out for a walk with his mother and found his ex-girlfriend sleeping on a bench with three babies who carried his blood.

PART 1

Alejandro Mendoza had signed multi-million dollar contracts, bought entire buildings in Santa Fe, and appeared in magazines where he was called « the businessman who never stops. »

But that morning, in Mexico Park, all I was trying to do was walk slowly.

His mother, Doña Teresa, was holding his arm with unusual tenderness. Since she had been diagnosed with high blood pressure, the doctor had recommended leisurely walks, less stress, and more time with her family.

Alejandro agreed to accompany her more out of guilt than habit.

He didn’t have a driver.

He had no bodyguards.

He didn’t have his assistant whispering in his ear about meetings, investments, or urgent calls.

There was only the morning humidity in the Condesa neighborhood, the smell of coffee brewed in a pot coming from a cart near the lake, and the jacaranda trees leaving purple flowers on the path.

« Son, you always act like someone’s chasing you, » said Doña Teresa, squeezing his arm. « One day you’ll turn around and your life will be over. »

Alejandro smiled halfheartedly.

He was about to give an elegant answer, one of those speeches he gave to investors, when he suddenly froze.

A few meters away, under the shade of a huge ash tree, there was a woman asleep on a bench.

At first he thought she was a stranger.

An ordinary woman overcome by exhaustion.

But then he saw her profile.

The curve of the nose.

Dark hair plastered to the cheek.

The way she pressed her lips together even in her sleep, as if the pain could still be awake inside her body.

Alejandro felt his chest tighten.

It was Valeria Torres.

The same Valeria who 5 years ago had asked him not to leave her alone.

The same woman he had loved when he was not yet the owner of a corporation, when he rented a small apartment in Narvarte and dreamed of conquering the world.

Now he was there.

With an old coat covering his shoulders.

With worn-out shoes.

With a torn diaper bag at her feet.

And with 3 babies wrapped in thin blankets, clinging to her body like chicks seeking warmth.

One of them had his little hand outside the blanket.

Another one was sleeping with his mouth slightly open.

The third one moved restlessly, letting out soft groans of hunger.

Alejandro was unable to move forward.

Doña Teresa followed his gaze and, as soon as she saw the woman, her face went pale.

It was no surprise.

It was fear.

A fear so clear that Alejandro noticed it immediately.

« Mom… » he said, without taking his eyes off the bench. « Do you know anything? »

Doña Teresa did not answer.

Her fingers began to tremble over the rosary she carried in her sweater pocket.

Alejandro took a step towards the bench.

Every detail hit him harder.

The almost empty baby bottle lying next to a wooden leg.

An open can of formula inside the diaper bag.

A crumpled receipt from a popular pharmacy.

Valeria’s coat sleeve was mended with white thread.

She didn’t sleep like someone who rests.

He slept like someone who couldn’t take it anymore.

One of the babies moved again and Alejandro got a better look at his hand.

Long fingers.

The small crease above the knuckle.

The same one he had since childhood.

The same one that Doña Teresa showed in family photos every Christmas, saying that it was a Mendoza brand.

Alejandro felt cold.

It was absurdly cold, because the sun was already starting to warm up the park.

She looked at the 3 babies.

Then he looked at Valeria.

And then he looked at his mother.

« Tell me the truth, » he murmured.

Doña Teresa closed her eyes.

—Alejandro, please…

—Don’t tell me « please ». Tell me what’s going on.

His voice came out low, but laden with something dangerous.

Valeria barely moved, exhausted, without waking up.

The babies remained attached to her, protected by that thin arm that seemed to have no strength, but which even asleep continued to defend her children from the world.

Alejandro swallowed hard.

—Are those children mine?

Doña Teresa put a hand to her mouth.

Her tears came before her words.

And then Alexander understood that his entire life had just been split in two.

—Mom… answer me.

She lowered her gaze to the ground.

The noise of the city continued all around.

A dog barked.

A vendor shouted “coffee, sweet bread”.

A bicycle passed nearby.

But for Alejandro, everything fell silent when Doña Teresa whispered:

—Yes, son… those 3 babies are yours.

Alejandro recoiled as if he had been punched.

But that wasn’t the worst part.

The worst part was the next sentence.

Doña Teresa, weeping like a defeated woman, added:

—And Valeria did try to find you… but I never let her get to you.

PART 2

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