Everything seemed like a miracle, an act of pure kindness, until the penthouse door burst open. It was Valeria, Mateo’s fiancée. She belonged to one of the city’s most elite families, and their wedding was planned for a month from now. Seeing the dirty children on her immaculate designer sofa, her face contorted with disgust.
“What’s with all this trash in my house, Mateo?” Valeria shouted, covering her nose.
“They’re orphans, Valeria. I found them in the street; they were dying,” he explained, trying to calm her down.
“Get them out of here right now! They smell like the street! They’re going to give us diseases!” she demanded, red with anger. “If you don’t throw them away right now, I’ll take care of it myself.”
Mateo stepped between her and the children.
“They’re not going anywhere.”
Valeria let out a bitter laugh, pulled out her latest-generation cell phone, and angrily dialed a number.
“Hello? Secretary of Public Security? I want to report a kidnapping. Yes, my fiancé has lost his mind and has three street children locked up here. Send a patrol car and Child Protective Services immediately.”
Mateo stared at her in horror as Sofia wept, clutching her brothers. No one could believe what was about to happen…
The deafening wail of sirens shattered the exclusive silence of Polanco. In less than 10 minutes, two patrol cars and a van from the National System for Integral Family Development (DIF) were parked in front of the luxury building. Valeria, with a triumphant and superior smile, opened the door for the officers and a stern-faced social worker, Ms. Mendoza.
READ MORE ON THE NEXT PAGE…
