Chapter 19

# ★★★ SPAIN ★★★

In a quaint village in Spain, the sun was setting, casting a warm golden hue over the cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses. Lydia was in the garden of her charming cottage, its walls draped with vibrant bougainvillea. The sound of children's laughter echoed as she chased after Luis and Lucas, the twin boys she had come to love as her own.

"Luis! Lucas! It's time for dinner!" Lydia called out, her voice tinged with playful exasperation.

"No, Mama ! We want to play more!" Luis shouted, his curly hair bouncing as he darted around a lemon tree.

"Yeah, more play!" Lucas echoed, trying to climb the tree.

Lydia smiled, shaking her head. "If you don't come in now, there will be no dessert!"

The mention of dessert caught their attention. The boys loved her homemade flan. They exchanged glances before reluctantly running back to the house.

Inside, the aroma of roasted chicken and vegetables filled the air. The kitchen was cozy, with a rustic wooden table set for three. Lydia guided the boys to the sink to wash their hands.

"Come on, you little monkeys. Dinner first, then play," she said, lifting Lucas onto a stool.

Luis reached up, trying to help his brother. "We washed hands now, Mama Lydia. Eat time!"

Once they were seated at the table, Lydia served the meal. The boys dug in with gusto, chatting about their day at school. They were lively and full of questions, their Spanish accented with the innocence of childhood.

"Mama Lydia, can we have story time after dinner?" Luis asked, his big brown eyes hopeful.

"Of course, Luis. But only if you finish all your vegetables," Lydia replied with a grin.

After dinner, Lydia led the boys upstairs to their room. The walls were decorated with colorful drawings and posters of their favorite superheroes. She tucked them into their beds, pulling the soft blankets up to their chins.

"What story do you want tonight?" she asked, sitting on the edge of Lucas's bed.

"Tell us about the brave knight and the dragon!" Lucas said, his eyes wide with excitement.

"And the princess who saved the kingdom!" Luis added.

Lydia smiled and began the tale, her voice soothing and melodic. The boys listened intently, their eyelids growing heavy as the story unfolded. By the time the brave knight had defeated the dragon and the princess had saved the kingdom, both boys were fast asleep.

Lydia gently kissed their foreheads and turned off the light. She tiptoed out of the room, leaving the door slightly ajar.

Downstairs, Lydia settled onto the couch with a cup of tea. The peaceful silence of the evening was interrupted by the ringing of her phone. She picked it up, recognizing Rita's number.

"Lydia, it's me," Rita's voice came through, urgent and anxious.

"Rita, is everything okay?" Lydia asked, her heart skipping a beat.

"No, it's not. Marcus has escaped from prison. I need you to keep the boys safe. Don't let anyone know they're mine. Their lives could be in danger," Rita said, her voice trembling.

Lydia's mind raced. She remembered the terror of the past, the reason she had fled to Spain. "I will, Rita. Don't worry. I'll keep them safe."

"Thank you, Lydia. You're the only one I trust," Rita said before hanging up.

Lydia leaned back, memories flooding her mind.

# ★★★FLASHBACK★★★

Years ago, Rita had been a rising star in the fashion world, beautiful and ambitious. But her life took a dark turn when Marcus, a wealthy but deranged admirer, kidnapped her. He kept her captive for months, abusing her in unimaginable ways. Lydia, Rita's assistant at the time, had been the one to notice her disappearance and eventually helped orchestrate her escape.

When Rita finally escaped, she discovered she was pregnant with Marcus's children. Desperate to protect her reputation and the babies, she devised a plan. Lydia, loyal and brave, agreed to pretend to be the one who was pregnant. When the twins were born, Lydia fled to Spain with them, leaving Rita to rebuild her life without the scandal.

# -----Present Day

Now, sitting in her cozy living room, Lydia felt a pang of guilt and sorrow. She had grown so attached to Luis and Lucas. They were her world, and she couldn't imagine life without them.

The boys had no idea about their true parentage. To them, Lydia was their mother, the one who had cared for them, loved them, and protected them. She wondered how they would react if they ever learned the truth.

# The Next Morning

The next morning, Lydia awoke early, her mind still troubled by Rita's call. She went through the usual routine, preparing breakfast for the boys. Luis and Lucas bounded down the stairs, their faces alight with excitement.

"Mama Lydia, can we go to the park today?" Luis asked, bouncing on his toes.

"Please, please, please?" Lucas added, his hands clasped together in a pleading gesture.

Lydia smiled, ruffling their hair. "Sure, we can go to the park. But first, you have to finish your breakfast and get dressed."

The boys quickly complied, their eagerness palpable. As they ate, Lydia's thoughts drifted to Marcus. She knew she had to be extra cautious. Spain had been a safe haven for them, but with Marcus on the loose, nowhere felt completely secure.

After breakfast, they headed to the park. The boys ran off to play, their laughter filling the air. Lydia watched them closely, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.

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As the boys played, another mother approached Lydia, striking up a conversation.

"Your boys are adorable. How old are they?" the woman asked, smiling warmly.

"They're five," Lydia replied, returning the smile.

"They seem so happy. It's lovely to see children enjoying themselves," the woman said.

Lydia nodded, her gaze never leaving Luis and Lucas. "Yes, they are. They're my everything."

The woman continued to chat, but Lydia's mind was elsewhere. She kept thinking about Marcus, about the danger he posed. She had to stay vigilant.

That evening, after returning from the park, Lydia made dinner while the boys played with their toys. She tried to keep her worries at bay, focusing on the joy and innocence of her children.

After dinner, it was time for their nightly routine. Lydia led them upstairs, helped them with their baths, and tucked them into bed.

"Can we have another story tonight, Mama Lydia?" Lucas asked, his eyes wide with anticipation.

"Of course," Lydia said, sitting down between their beds. She began to weave another tale, this time about a brave sailor who explored the seas and discovered hidden treasures. The boys listened with rapt attention, their imaginations running wild.

By the time the sailor had found the greatest treasure of all—love and family—Luis and Lucas were fast asleep.

Lydia quietly left their room, her heart heavy with worry. She sat down in the living room, thinking about Rita's call and the dangerous man who was now free.

She had to protect the boys, no matter what. They were her life, her purpose. Even if it meant keeping them away from Rita, she would do it. She would do whatever it took to ensure their safety and happiness.

As she settled in for the night, Lydia made a silent vow. She would be strong, for Luis and Lucas. She would keep them safe, and she would face whatever challenges came her way. For the love of her children, she would be unstoppable.