The businessman who had built his reputation on charity now stood in handcuffs beneath flashing lights.
Valeria watched from the upstairs window.
Chapter 4 — A Son Born Into Freedom
Three weeks later...
Labor began.
This time there were no threats.
No shouting.
No fear.
Only family.
Ricardo remained in the waiting room, pacing like every nervous grandfather before him.
Hours later, a nurse walked out smiling.
"Congratulations."
"You have a grandson."
Ricardo entered quietly.
Valeria cradled a tiny sleeping boy wrapped in a blue blanket.
She looked exhausted.
And happier than he had seen her in years.
"What will you call him?" he asked.
She smiled.
"Gabriel."
Ricardo gently held his grandson.
"So this..."
"...is what hope looks like."
Outside the hospital, reporters waited for statements about the Rivas scandal.