Chapter 5 - Reclaiming the Sun
Three weeks later.
The morning sun shone brightly through the tall windows of the executive penthouse office at Cárdenas Construction Corp in downtown Monterrey.
Sitting behind the massive glass executive desk was Mariana López.
Beside her stood Attorney Esteban Vance and Ricardo Montalvo. Sitting on the leather plush couch across the room were eight-year-old Sofía, six-year-old Camila, and four-year-old Luz, who were happily drawing pictures with colorful markers on large pads of paper.
"The probate court has officially overturned the fraudulent debt declaration," Vance announced, placing a golden-sealed judicial decree onto the desk. "All thirty-five percent of your late husband's corporate equity has been fully restored to you and your daughters, along with voting rights."
"And the company board?" Mariana asked, looking down at her hands—hands that were no longer red or cracked from harsh detergents, but smooth and rested.
"Yesterday afternoon," Ricardo smiled warmly, "the board of directors held an emergency meeting. They voted unanimously to strip Teresa Cárdenas of all executive titles and appointed you as the interim Chairwoman of the Board."
Mariana took a deep breath, looking around the luxurious office that had once belonged to the family that had tried to destroy her.
"What about the foundation?" Mariana asked softly. "Mujeres de Pie?"
"Teresa's name has been completely erased from the organization," Ricardo explained. "The board of the charity met last night. They renamed it La Fundación Mariana López—and they asked if you would accept the position of President."
Mariana looked over at her daughters. Sofía looked up from her drawing, offering her mother a wide, beaming smile. Camila was giggling as she showed Luz a drawing of a bright yellow house with green trees and a massive sun overhead.
For six years, Mariana had been told she was worthless. She had been made to believe she was a burden, a maid, a prisoner obligated to pay fake debts in a cold, dark room next to humming dryers.
She stood up from behind the desk, walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window, and looked out over the sweeping mountain views of Monterrey.
Ricardo walked over, standing beside her. "How does it feel?"
May you like
Mariana looked at him, her eyes bright with tears of deep, overwhelming relief.
"It feels like I can finally breathe," she whispered.
