Montago Mansion was unlike anything Alice had ever seen. The vast estate was a world away from her modest apartment. The marble floors, grand chandeliers, and sprawling gardens seemed to mock her reality as she stood in the lavish entryway with her children, Jackson and Emily. The mansion was too opulent, too far removed from the life she had built with her kids.
Diego, still an imposing figure, ordered the maids to take the children to their room, a room that had been meticulously prepared for them ever since Diego discovered he was their father. As Jackson and Emily eagerly followed the maids upstairs, Diego's gaze lingered on them for a moment before he turned toward Alice, his eyes dark with purpose.
"Come with me," Diego commanded, his voice sharp.
Alice flinched at his tone, but there was nothing she could do as he roughly grasped her hand and led her toward the garden. The air was heavy with tension, despite the calm and serene surroundings. The rustling leaves, the chirping birds—none of it eased the storm that raged inside her.
Once they reached a secluded corner of the garden, Diego released her hand, but not without a look that made it clear he still controlled the space between them.
Alice stepped back, her fists clenched at her sides. "What is your problem, huh? What do you want from us? Let my kids and me leave! Now." Her voice was sharp, tinged with raw anger as her words cut through the air.
Diego, unbothered, leaned against a stone pillar, crossing his arms over his chest. He smirked, his eyes glinting with a mix of confidence and calculation. "It's simple, Alice. I don't care if you want to leave, but my children are staying with me. I'm their father, and you can't just snatch that away from me."
Alice's chest heaved as her emotions surged. Her voice cracked as she spat out the words, "You don't deserve them. You proud, arrogant brute! You weren't there when they needed a father. They were bullied, Diego. Bullied at school, called bastards, because they didn't have a father. They grew up without you, and now you think you can just waltz in and take them from me?" Her voice trembled with emotion, and the tears she'd been holding back finally slipped down her cheeks.
Diego's confident mask wavered for just a moment, a flicker of something unrecognizable in his eyes. For the first time, he truly understood the weight of his absence. But the moment was brief, and he quickly masked it with a hardened expression.
"They need me now," Diego responded coldly, his voice hardening. "You can't stop it, Alice. So, I advise you to tread carefully. When there's money, the world bends to your will. So, if you want to leave, then leave. But don't expect me to just back off."
His words hit Alice like a slap. He spoke with such venom, with such authority, that she felt every ounce of control slipping from her fingers. Yet, despite the sting of his words, Alice refused to back down.
With a final defiant glance, Alice turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the pavement, each step a reminder of her defeat. The sound echoed in the garden, stark and lonely, as Diego watched her go, his expression unreadable.
Back at her apartment, Alice barely managed to hold it together. She was a shell of herself as she collapsed into a chair, her shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs. Brenda, who had been anxiously awaiting her return, rushed over as soon as she saw Alice's broken demeanor.
"Oh, Alice, what happened? Where are the kids?" Brenda asked, her voice filled with concern as she knelt beside her friend.
Through choked sobs, Alice recounted everything that had happened at the mansion. Brenda listened carefully, her heart breaking for her friend. As Alice spoke, the tears flowed freely, and she clung to Brenda for support.
When Alice had finally finished, Brenda sighed deeply, her voice gentle but firm. "Alice, I know you're angry, but you can't deny that the kids need to get to know their father. You can't deprive them of that chance, no matter how much you hate Diego. They need to see who he is—and he needs to see them."
Alice was silent for a moment, processing Brenda's words. It wasn't an easy pill to swallow, but in her heart, Alice knew Brenda was right. "You're right," Alice whispered. "I can't keep them away from him. But that doesn't mean I forgive him for everything."
Brenda nodded, squeezing Alice's hand in reassurance. "You don't have to forgive him. Just let the kids have their time with him. You can still be their mother, Alice. Don't let him take that away from you."
The next morning, at the Montago mansion, Diego was informed that Alice had requested to see him. He made his way to the living room, expecting another battle, but this time, Alice appeared more composed. She stood near the grand window, her arms crossed, as she gazed out at the gardens. She seemed out of place in the luxurious surroundings, yet there was a quiet strength in her posture.
As Diego entered, Alice turned to face him, her expression determined but guarded.
"I've thought it over," Alice said, her voice steady. "You can have the kids, but I will be with them every weekend. Saturdays and Sundays are mine. I want to be there for them. I want to be their mother."
She handed him a sheet of paper, outlining the kids' schedules, dietary needs, and preferences. Her handwriting was neat, meticulous, as if every detail had been carefully considered.
Diego took the paper and scanned it briefly. He looked up at her, his lips curling into a small, almost approving smile. "I agree to your terms," he said simply, his voice laced with authority.
Alice wasn't done. "I also made a list of foods they like, foods they're allergic to, and the healthy snacks they eat. I expect you to follow this schedule and provide for their needs. Don't think just because you've made your claim on them that I'll forget how you treated me."
Her words were laced with venom, but there was an underlying pain in her voice, a reminder of the deep wounds Diego had left in her heart.
Diego smirked, clearly pleased by her decision, though there was a touch of condescension in his expression. "You finally came to your senses," he said, his tone dripping with superiority.
Without a word, Alice turned on her heel and left the room, her anger simmering beneath the surface.
Downstairs, Jackson and Emily eagerly ran to the dining table, their eyes wide with excitement. Diego followed them, his calm demeanor in stark contrast to the children's excitement.
"Alright, kids," Diego said softly, smiling as they took their seats. "Let's be careful today. No injuries, okay?"
The children nodded, their faces serious as they dug into their breakfast—an elaborate spread of their favorite foods. Diego watched them with a sense of pride, though it was a strange feeling for him, one he was still coming to terms with.
As the last bites were taken, Diego looked at his children, his voice filled with a new kind of warmth. "Today, we're going to enroll you in the best school in America—Langley School."
Their eyes widened in disbelief, their excitement palpable as they exchanged looks. Langley School was renowned for its high standards and exclusive student body. To them, it was a dream.
Diego took them to the school, where the principal and staff were waiting to greet them with eager smiles. They were all too aware of who Diego Montago was, and they treated him with the utmost respect—almost too much, Alice would've said if she were here.
After completing the enrollment, Diego took the kids shopping. They visited high-end stores, picking out clothes from brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Dolce & Gabbana. The children's faces lit up as they picked out designer outfits and accessories, their eyes sparkling with delight at the luxury around them.
Next, they stopped by a high-end toy store, where the kids excitedly chose toys from luxury brands like Hermès and Fendi. Diego didn't mind the expense; it was a small price to pay for the joy he felt in having them with him.
Finally, he surprised them with the latest iPads. The children's eyes were wide with wonder as they eagerly explored the devices, their faces filled with happiness as they played with the latest apps and games.
As the day came to a close, Diego treated them to a snack at a nearby café. They sat together, surrounded by the noise of the bustling café, but it was peaceful for Diego, in his own way. For the first time, he felt something he hadn't expected—a sense of contentment.
"Thank you, Daddy," the kids said in unison, their voices full of gratitude.
Diego smiled, his heart swelling with pride. "Anytime, kids. Now, let's get some rest. Tomorrow's another big day."
As they headed back to the mansion, the family unit, though new and fragile, began to take root in Diego's heart. He had never imagined himself in this role—but now, with his children by his side, he couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging that was foreign to him.