Alejandro stood there for a moment, watching the tableau. He should have kept walking. He had enough of his own problems without getting entangled in someone else’s tragedy. But something in the way the woman held her daughters, a certain dignity in the face of utter desperation, rooted him to the spot.

He approached slowly. The woman’s head snapped up, her dark eyes flashing with a mixture of fear and defiance. “If you’re here to kick us out, we’re already leaving,” she said, her voice firm despite her circumstances.

“I’m not calling security,” Alejandro replied softly. He had about five hundred pesos in his wallet. He pulled out the cash and offered it to her. “Here. Buy some food for yourself and your daughters.”

The woman eyed the money but didn’t take it. “What do you want in return?”

Alejandro blinked, taken aback by her question. “Nothing. I just want to help.”

“Nobody gives away money without wanting something in return,” she said, her voice laced with suspicion. “Especially not rich men to desperate women.”

He realized she was right to be cautious. “Look, I don’t want anything. Just take the money.”

Finally, she extended a hand and took the bills. “Thank you,” she whispered.

As Alejandro started to walk away, something made him pause. He turned back, studying the woman again in the garage’s dim light. Beneath the dirt and the ragged clothes, he could see she had fine features, intelligent eyes. There was something about her that didn’t fit the stereotype of a common vagrant.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

The woman hesitated. “Valentina.”

“Valentina,” Alejandro repeated. “I have a strange proposal for you. If you’re interested in earning a lot more than these five hundred pesos.”

Valentina pulled her daughters closer, her body tensing. “I already told you, I won’t do anything—”

“It’s nothing like that,” Alejandro interrupted quickly. “I need a date for a wedding. Someone to come with me, to act as my partner for a few hours. That’s all. Nothing more.”

Valentina stared at him, her expression one of pure disbelief. “A date for a wedding? Why would you choose someone like me?”

Alejandro considered lying but opted for the truth. “Because it’s my ex-fiancée’s wedding. She’s marrying my former best friend, and I want them to see that I’ve moved on, that I’m not broken. But more than that, I want Patricia to see that there are people in this world facing real problems, not just superficial drama. You and your daughters… you represent something real.”

Valentina let out a bitter laugh. “So you want to use me? As some kind of statement piece? An accessory to make your ex feel bad?”

“Yes,” Alejandro admitted without flinching. “That’s exactly what I want. In exchange, I’ll pay you twenty thousand pesos, and I’ll make sure you and your daughters have a safe place to stay for at least a month.”

Valentina studied him for a long moment. There was a calculating glint in her eyes, something that once again made Alejandro think there was far more to this woman than met the eye. Finally, she nodded. “Alright, I’ll do it. But I have conditions.”

Alejandro raised an eyebrow. “Conditions?”

“Yes. First, I need a place for my daughters and me to stay starting tonight. I can’t wait until after the wedding. Second, I need a proper outfit for the event, not some cheap thing that screams I’m an imposter. Third, I want half the money upfront. And fourth, after the wedding, we never see each other again. I have no desire to be caught in your drama any longer than necessary.”

A slow smile spread across Alejandro’s face. This woman had nerve. “Done,” he said, extending his hand. Valentina shook it, and he noted that despite her life on the streets, her grip was firm and confident.

Half an hour later, Alejandro had secured a hotel room for Valentina and her girls. It was a modest but clean place with two beds and a private bathroom. When Valentina saw the room, her eyes filled with tears she fought to conceal. Her daughters, however, immediately scrambled onto the beds, laughing with pure delight.

“Thank you,” Valentina said, her voice barely a whisper.

“You don’t have to thank me,” Alejandro replied. “This is a business arrangement. I’ll come by to pick you up tomorrow. We’ll go dress shopping. The wedding is in two weeks, so we have time to prepare.”

Valentina nodded. As Alejandro was about to leave, she spoke again. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Why are you really doing this? Is it just to make your ex feel bad, or is there something more?”

Alejandro considered the question. “Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe I just want to prove I’m not the emotionally distant man she said I was. Maybe I want to show that I can connect with someone real, not just with the superficial world Patricia lives in. Or maybe… maybe I just want to get my revenge in the most public way possible. It’s probably a mix of all of it.”

“At least you’re honest,” Valentina said with a small, wry smile. “That’s more than I can say for most people.”

The following days were a strange interlude for them both. Alejandro would pick Valentina up each morning, leaving the girls with a nanny he had hired, and they would spend the day preparing for the wedding. First came the dress. Alejandro took her to an exclusive boutique in Polanco. As they entered, the saleswoman eyed them with clear disapproval, her gaze lingering on Valentina, who, despite having showered and wearing clean clothes Alejandro had bought her, still looked out of place.

“I’m looking for a dress for a wedding,” Alejandro said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Something elegant, but not too flashy.”

The saleswoman nodded coldly and began pulling options. Valentina tried on several dresses, and with each one, Alejandro was stunned by the transformation. She seemed to shed her past and step into the skin of someone who belonged in high society. Finally, they found the perfect one: a midnight-blue gown that clung to her figure and made her dark eyes sparkle. When Valentina stepped out of the dressing room, Alejandro was momentarily speechless.

“You look… good,” he finally managed.

Valentina looked at herself in the mirror, her expression unreadable. “Yes,” she replied simply.

“We’ll take it,” Alejandro told the saleswoman. “She also needs shoes, a handbag, and jewelry.”

An hour later, as they left the boutique laden with shopping bags, Alejandro noticed Valentina had grown quiet. “Is everything okay?” he asked as they walked to his car.

Valentina stopped and faced him. “Can I ask you something personal?”

“Depends on how personal.”

“Why did your fiancée really leave you? Was what she said on social media—about you being emotionally distant—true?”

Alejandro felt a familiar pang of hurt. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “Maybe she was right. I worked a lot, sometimes eighty hours a week. Building a company takes sacrifice. I thought she understood that. I thought we were on the same team.”

“And your friend… how did that happen?”

Alejandro’s jaw tightened. “I don’t know. Eduardo was always there. I guess while I was working, he was consoling Patricia, making her feel special. Eventually, that turned into something more.”

Valentina nodded slowly. “So this isn’t just about revenge. It’s about betrayal. It’s about the two people you trusted most stabbing you in the back in the most painful way possible.”

Alejandro looked at her, surprised by her perception. “Yes. I suppose it is. That’s why I want them to see I’ve moved on, that I found someone better. Even if it’s a lie, even if it’s just for one night.”

“But I’m not better,” Valentina pointed out. “I’m a homeless woman with two daughters who was living in a parking garage three days ago.”

Alejandro’s lips curved into a faint smile. “They don’t know that. And besides… you’re real. In my book, that already makes you better than Patricia.”

Over the next few days, Valentina continued to surprise him. When they practiced how to act as a couple, she displayed a sophisticated knowledge of social etiquette. She knew which fork to use at a formal dinner, how to make small talk about art and culture, and how to carry herself in high-society circles. One day, Alejandro couldn’t contain his curiosity.

“Valentina, I don’t mean to pry, but you clearly haven’t always lived on the street. Your knowledge of etiquette, the way you speak… it all points to a good education. What happened to you?”

Valentina stiffened. “That’s not part of our agreement. You hired me to go to a wedding, not to hear my life story.”

“You’re right,” Alejandro apologized. “I’m sorry. But if it makes you feel any better, I can see that you’re so much more than your circumstances.”

Valentina watched him for a long moment, as if weighing a decision. Finally, she spoke. “I was a university professor. I taught literature at UNAM. I had a small but comfortable apartment, a stable life. Then, my husband died in a car accident two years ago. We had no life insurance. The debts piled up. I lost the apartment. I lost my job when my performance faltered because of the depression. And that’s how we ended up on the street.”

A wave of profound, aching compassion washed over Alejandro. “I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t have to feel sorry for me,” Valentina said sharply. “I just need to survive until I can get back on my feet.”

“Your daughters deserve better than this.”

“And they’ll have it,” Alejandro said with conviction. “After the wedding, I’ll help you find a job. Someone with your education and experience shouldn’t be on the street.”

Valentina looked at him, surprised. “Why would you do that?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do,” he answered simply.

Finally, the day of the wedding arrived. It was a bright, sunny Saturday. The ceremony was to be held at a luxurious hacienda on the outskirts of Mexico City, followed by a reception for two hundred guests. Alejandro picked Valentina up from her hotel. When she opened the door, he felt the air leave his lungs. Valentina had been completely transformed. Her hair, once a tangled mess, now fell in elegant waves over her shoulders. Her makeup was subtle but perfect, and the midnight-blue dress made her look like she belonged on the cover of a magazine.

“You look… incredible,” Alejandro said, his voice full of genuine awe.

“Thank you,” she replied, but there was something in her eyes—nervousness, perhaps, or steely determination.

In the car on the way to the hacienda, Valentina was silent, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. “Nervous?” he asked.

“A little,” she admitted. “It’s been years since I’ve been in a social situation like this.”

“You’ll be fine,” Alejandro reassured her. “Just smile, nod, and let me do most of the talking.”

Valentina nodded, but Alejandro saw something else in her expression, something he couldn’t quite place.

When they arrived, the parking lot was already a glittering sea of luxury cars. Alejandro and Valentina stepped out of his Mercedes and immediately drew stares. People whispered as they passed. “That’s him,” Alejandro heard someone murmur. “Alejandro Vargas. And who is she? I’ve never seen her before. She’s beautiful. Is that his new girlfriend?”

Alejandro smiled to himself. The plan was working. They were already causing the stir he had hoped for.

They entered the hacienda, where guests were mingling in a beautifully decorated garden. There were arches of white flowers, gilded chairs arranged in neat rows, and a white carpet leading to the altar. It was exactly the kind of ostentatious wedding Patricia had always dreamed of. A sharp pang of pain hit Alejandro—this should have been his wedding—but he pushed the thought away, focusing on the present. Valentina was at his side, her posture perfect, her expression serene. She looked as if she had been born to walk through places like this.

Alejandro and Valentina found their seats, strategically placed where Patricia and Eduardo couldn’t miss them. As they waited for the ceremony to begin, several of Alejandro’s acquaintances came over to say hello and, of course, to meet his mysterious companion.

“Alejandro, what a surprise to see you here,” said Mónica Ruiz, a businesswoman who knew them all. “And who is your lovely date?”

“This is Valentina Torres,” Alejandro said, using the false surname they had agreed upon. “Valentina, this is Mónica Ruiz.”

“A pleasure,” Valentina said with a polite smile, extending her hand. Mónica shook it, studying Valentina with barely concealed interest.

“And how did you two meet?”

“We met under unusual circumstances,” Valentina replied, her own smile mysterious. “But sometimes the best connections happen when you least expect them.”

Alejandro had to suppress a grin at her perfectly ambiguous answer. Before Mónica could probe further, the music began. It was time for the bride’s entrance. Everyone stood and turned toward the back of the garden.

Patricia appeared on her father’s arm. She was breathtaking in a wedding dress that likely cost more than most people earned in a year. Her blonde hair was swept into an elegant chignon, and a long veil trailed behind her. She was the picture-perfect bride. As Patricia walked down the aisle, her radiant smile faltered for a fraction of a second when her eyes landed on Alejandro. Her gaze flickered from him to Valentina, and Alejandro saw a flash of surprise and something that might have been jealousy cross her face. But she recovered quickly, lifting her chin and continuing toward the altar where Eduardo waited. Eduardo, too, had seen them. His expression was harder to read—a cocktail of guilt, defiance, and curiosity.

The ceremony began. The officiant spoke of love, commitment, and the merging of two souls. He talked about how Patricia and Eduardo had found in each other the true, deep love they needed. Every word was like a knife twisting in Alejandro’s chest. He felt Valentina’s hand discreetly find his. He glanced at her, surprised, and she gave his hand a small, comforting squeeze. It was a simple gesture, but it meant more than she could possibly know.

The ceremony continued with self-written vows. Patricia spoke of how Eduardo made her feel truly seen and loved for the first time in her life. Eduardo spoke of how Patricia was his dream come true. Alejandro clenched his jaw, trying to betray none of the pain searing through him. Finally, the officiant declared them husband and wife. Eduardo gave Patricia a long, dramatic kiss as the guests applauded and cheered. Alejandro clapped mechanically, feeling like he was trapped in a nightmare.

Afterward, everyone moved to an elegant ballroom for the reception. Alejandro and Valentina found their table, thankfully not too close to the newlyweds. As they sat, Alejandro noticed Patricia watching them from the head table.

“She’s staring,” Valentina murmured.

“Good,” Alejandro replied. “That’s exactly what I want.”

During dinner, Valentina proved to be the perfect companion. She conversed elegantly with the other guests at their table, laughed at the right moments, and kept her hand entwined with Alejandro’s in a way that seemed completely natural. Alejandro began to relax, to even enjoy the evening. Valentina was easy to be with. She didn’t demand constant attention like Patricia had. She didn’t need to be the center of everything; she was simply present, calm, and confident.

After dinner came the speeches. Then, Eduardo stood to make a toast. “Thank you all for coming,” he began, his voice strong. “Patricia and I know our story isn’t conventional. I know some of you were surprised when we announced our engagement so soon after her breakup with Alejandro.”

The mention of his name made every head in the room turn slightly in his direction. Alejandro kept his expression neutral.

“But I want you all to know,” Eduardo continued, “that Patricia and I didn’t plan to fall in love. It happened naturally, honestly. And while I respect Alejandro, I also know that Patricia deserves someone who will put her first, who isn’t married to his work, who truly sees her for the incredible woman she is. And I am that man.”

Eduardo’s audacity stole Alejandro’s breath. He was publicly justifying his betrayal, painting himself as a hero. Alejandro felt rage boiling inside him. He was about to stand up, to make a scene, when he felt Valentina’s hand on his arm. “Don’t,” she whispered. “It’s not worth it. Don’t give them the satisfaction of seeing you lose control.” He took a deep breath and nodded. She was right.

After the toast, the band started to play. Patricia and Eduardo had their first dance. Afterward, the DJ invited other couples to the floor.

“Shall we dance?” Alejandro asked Valentina.

“I thought you’d never ask,” she replied with a smile.

He took her in his arms, one hand on her waist, the other holding hers. They began to move to the music, and Alejandro was surprised by how well she danced.

“My husband and I used to dance,” she said, as if reading his mind. “He taught me everything.”

As they danced, he noticed Patricia watching them again. This time, her expression wasn’t just curious; it was darker, something akin to jealousy. “I think your plan is working,” Valentina murmured. “She can’t stop looking at us.”

“Good,” Alejandro said, but as the word left his lips, he realized he was no longer thinking about Patricia. He was thinking about how natural it felt to hold Valentina in his arms, how well they fit together.

When the song ended, they returned to their table, but before they could sit, Patricia intercepted them. “Alejandro,” she said, her smile not reaching her eyes. “What a surprise. I didn’t know if you’d come.”

“Patricia,” he replied coolly. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you,” she said, her eyes fixed on Valentina. “And you must be Alejandro’s new… girlfriend. I haven’t seen you in any of our circles.”

“I’m Valentina,” she said, extending her hand gracefully. “And you’re right, I don’t typically move in those circles. I prefer to spend my time on more meaningful pursuits.”

Patricia’s lips thinned at the veiled insult. “I see. And what do you do, Valentina?”

“I work in education,” Valentina answered smoothly. “With underserved populations, helping those that society often overlooks.”

“How noble,” Patricia said, her tone dripping with condescension. “Alejandro always did have a soft spot for charity projects.”

“Patricia,” Alejandro said, his voice tense, “if you came over here to—”

“I didn’t come to provoke,” she interrupted. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I know this must be hard for you.”

“I’m perfectly fine,” Alejandro shot back. “In fact, I’m realizing that you and I were never really compatible. You needed constant validation. I needed someone with real substance. Someone like Valentina.”

Patricia flushed. “Alejandro, you don’t have to pretend. We all know she’s just your date for the night. She’s probably not even real.”

Valentina stepped forward, her posture calm but her eyes flashing. “Patricia, is it? I think there’s something you should understand. Alejandro doesn’t need to pretend. The truth is, he’s twice the man your new husband could ever hope to be. Eduardo may have won your hand through deceit, but Alejandro won something far more valuable: his integrity. And as for me not being real? I’m more real than you could possibly imagine. I’ve seen depths of despair you’ll never know. And let me tell you, real beauty isn’t in your expensive dress or this ostentatious wedding. It’s in how you treat people when they have nothing to offer you in return.”

Patricia was left speechless, her mouth agape. Just then, Eduardo walked over. “Everything alright here?” he asked, placing a possessive hand on Patricia’s waist.

“Everything is perfect,” Valentina said with a sweet smile. “I was just congratulating your wife on finding someone who apparently shares her love for the superficial. I hope you’ll be very happy together.” And with that, she took Alejandro’s hand and led him back to the dance floor, leaving the newlyweds stunned.

Once they were out of earshot, Alejandro turned to her. “That was incredible. Thank you for defending me.”

Valentina shrugged. “That woman needed to hear a few truths. And honestly, it gave me pleasure to be the one to say them.”

They danced again, and this time Alejandro noticed more eyes on them. After a few songs, Valentina excused herself to the restroom. Alejandro went to the bar for a whiskey. He was nursing his drink when Eduardo approached.

“Alejandro,” he said, his voice tight. “We need to talk.”

“We have nothing to talk about,” Alejandro replied coldly.

“Yes, we do. I know you’re angry, but you have to understand—”

“You betrayed me,” Alejandro said, turning to face him. “That’s not something that ‘just happens.’ That’s a choice.”

Eduardo’s face reddened. “You were so wrapped up in your work you didn’t even notice Patricia was unhappy!”

“Then you should have told me!” Alejandro’s voice rose. “A real friend would have told me my relationship was in trouble. Instead, you took advantage of her.”

Eduardo clenched his jaw. “You know what, Alejandro? I didn’t come here to apologize. I came to tell you to stop pretending. We all know that woman isn’t your real girlfriend. You probably hired her to make us feel bad, but it’s not working. Patricia and I are happy, and you’re still alone and bitter.”

Alejandro smiled a cold, mirthless smile. “You’re right about one thing. Valentina isn’t my girlfriend—yet. But what’s between us is more real than anything you and Patricia will ever have, because it’s based on honesty, not betrayal. And as for being alone? Listen to me, Eduardo. A relationship that starts with treachery ends with treachery. Patricia left me for you. What makes you think she won’t leave you for someone else?”

Eduardo went pale. “That’s different. We have something special.”

“That’s exactly what I thought,” Alejandro said softly. “I hope for your sake you’re not wrong. But somehow, I doubt it.” He walked away, leaving Eduardo standing alone at the bar.

When Valentina returned, she immediately saw the tension in his face. “What happened?”

“I spoke with Eduardo,” he said. “It was about as satisfying as I expected, which is to say, not at all.”

Valentina touched his arm gently. “Do you want to leave? We’ve accomplished our goal. You’ve shown you’re not broken. You’ve made your ex jealous. We can declare victory and go.”

Alejandro considered it, but then he looked around the room. “No,” he said finally. “Not until we do one last thing.”

“What?”

He turned to her, taking both her hands. “I want you to dance with me one more time. But I want us to dance like we’re the only two people in this room. I want everyone to see that I’ve found something true, even if it is just for tonight.”

Valentina looked into his eyes, then nodded. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

They walked onto the dance floor as the band began a slow, romantic ballad. Alejandro pulled her closer than before. As they swayed, he realized he was no longer thinking about Patricia or revenge. He was simply enjoying this moment with Valentina, a woman who had entered his life under the strangest circumstances but who, somehow, made him feel more seen than anyone in a long time.

“Valentina,” he murmured. “Thank you for tonight. I know this wasn’t easy.”

She looked up at him, her dark eyes soft. “It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. You’re a good man, Alejandro. Better than you think you are.”

Her words moved him more than he expected. As the song played on, he felt something shift between them, a cold business arrangement melting into something warm and real. When the music ended, they didn’t move apart, just stood there, the world around them fading away.

It was Valentina who finally broke the spell. “We should go,” she said softly, “before this gets any more complicated.”

Alejandro nodded, knowing she was right. They headed for the exit, but before they could leave, Patricia caught up to them.

“Alejandro, wait,” she said, slightly out of breath.

“Patricia, what do you want now?” he asked, weary.

“I need to talk to you. Alone.”

Alejandro glanced at Valentina, who nodded. “I’ll be in the car,” she said, walking away.

Patricia waited until she was gone. “Alejandro, I made a mistake.”

“What?” He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“I said I made a mistake. Leaving you was a mistake. Marrying Eduardo was a mistake.”

“Patricia, you literally just got married an hour ago.”

“I know,” she said, perfectly made-up eyes welling with tears. “But seeing you tonight, with her… it made me realize what I lost. You never looked at me the way you look at her.”

Alejandro shook his head in disbelief. “Patricia, do you hear yourself? You just took vows in front of two hundred people. You’re wearing your wedding dress.”

“I still love you, Alejandro,” she insisted. “Eduardo is… boring. Predictable. I want you.”

Three months ago, those words would have been everything. Now, they felt hollow. “Patricia,” he said slowly, “you don’t love me. You never did. You loved the idea of me, the status, the money. And you know how I know? Because if you truly loved me, you wouldn’t have left me for my best friend two weeks after we broke up. Valentina was right. You and Eduardo deserve each other. And I deserve better.”

Tears were now streaming down her face, ruining her makeup. “Please, Alejandro. Give me another chance.”

He shook his head. “No. Go back to your husband, Patricia. You made your choice. Now live with it.”

He walked away, leaving her weeping in her wedding gown.

When he got to the car, Valentina looked at him with concern. “Is everything okay?”

He sat in the driver’s seat, processing everything. “Patricia told me she made a mistake,” he said finally. “That she still loves me and wants me back.”

Valentina was silent for a moment. “And what did you say?”

Alejandro took a deep breath. “I told her no. That she and Eduardo deserve each other. That I deserve better.”

A soft smile touched Valentina’s lips. “Good. Because you do.”

He looked at her then, truly looked at this woman he had met just two weeks ago. This woman who had defended him, comforted him, and made him feel more valued in one night than Patricia had in two years.

“Valentina,” he began, “these last two weeks, spending time together… I’ve realized something.”

“You don’t have to say it,” she interrupted gently. “I know tonight was emotional. I don’t want you to say something you might regret.”

“I won’t regret it,” he said firmly. “Valentina, I’ve realized there’s something between us. Something real. And I know we started this as a deal, but I’d like to consider the possibility of it being something more.”

She looked out the window into the dark night. “Alejandro, you don’t really know me.”

“Then let me,” he said, gently taking her hand. “Give me a chance. A real one. Not as a business arrangement, but as two people who feel something genuine.”

Valentina looked from his hand to his face, a vulnerability in her eyes she tried to hide. “Alejandro, I have two daughters. My life is complicated.”

“I know. And I don’t care. In fact, your daughters are incredible. They make you even more special.”

Tears welled in her eyes. No one had said anything like that to her since her husband died. “Okay,” she said finally. “One chance. But slowly. I need to be sure this is real before I let my girls get attached.”

“I completely understand,” he said, squeezing her hand. “Slowly. No pressure. Let’s just see where this goes.”

In the days that followed, Alejandro couldn’t stop thinking about her. He called her every day, just to talk. A week after the wedding, he invited Valentina and the girls to his home for dinner. He cooked pasta himself. The twins, Ana and Sofía, were enchanted by his massive apartment.

“They’re wonderful,” he told Valentina as they set the table.

“They’re my life,” she smiled.

During dinner, Ana announced she wanted to be a ballerina, and Sofía a veterinarian. Then Sofía said shyly, “We want our mommy to be happy again.” A lump formed in Alejandro’s throat.

After dinner, while the girls watched cartoons, they washed dishes together. It was a surprisingly intimate moment. “Thank you for tonight,” Valentina said. “The girls had so much fun.”

“And you?” he asked. “Did you have fun?”

She looked at him and smiled. “Yes. I had a lot of fun.”

Alejandro dried his hands and turned to her. “Valentina… can I kiss you?”

She stilled for a moment, her heart racing, then nodded slowly. He leaned in and kissed her, a tender kiss full of promise. When they pulled apart, they were both smiling.

Meanwhile, Patricia’s perfect marriage was already crumbling. Eduardo was distant, and all she could think about was Alejandro with that woman. Obsessively scrolling through social media, she saw photos friends had posted of Alejandro in a park with a woman and two little girls. Her jealousy grew into a toxic obsession. She decided to act. She called Mónica Ruiz.

“Mónica, darling,” she cooed. “I need a favor. That woman, Valentina, from my wedding? Can you find out who she is?”

Mónica, a notorious gossip, didn’t need much encouragement. A week later, she called back. “Patricia, you won’t believe this. Her real name is Valentina Ruiz. And three months ago, she was living on the streets with her two daughters. Alejandro hired her. It was all an act.”

Patricia felt a surge of triumph and rage. “So it was all a fake.”

“But here’s the interesting part,” Mónica continued. “It’s not a fake anymore. They’re really dating. He got her an apartment, a teaching job… he’s paying for everything.”

Patricia hung up, her mind racing. She had information. Information she could use.

She started her campaign by creating fake social media profiles, spreading rumors that Valentina was a gold digger. Then, she used her connections, calling the university where Valentina now worked and, posing as a concerned former colleague, hinted that Valentina was mentally unstable.

Meanwhile, Alejandro and Valentina’s relationship deepened. They had regular dinners. He took the girls to the park on weekends. One night, a month after the wedding, they were at a restaurant when Patricia appeared at their table.

“Alejandro,” she said, her eyes fixed on Valentina with disdain. “Just wanted to get to know your new girlfriend better. I didn’t know your whole story back at the wedding… your reduced circumstances.”

Valentina stiffened. Alejandro stood abruptly. “Patricia, I suggest you leave. Now.”

“Oh, don’t be angry. It’s admirable, you helping this poor woman. But you can’t be thinking of this as a serious relationship, can you?”

“Leave,” Alejandro said, his voice low and dangerous. “And stay away from us. You made your choice. Now live with it and leave us in peace.”

Patricia stared, realizing she had lost. With a final, venomous glare, she stormed out.

“I’m sorry,” Alejandro said, taking Valentina’s hand.

“It’s not your fault,” she replied. “But she knows, Alejandro. She’s going to use my past against us.”

“Let her try,” he said fiercely. “I don’t care about your past. I care about who you are now.”

But the peace didn’t last. Anonymous, harassing messages started. Photos of Valentina on the streets appeared online with cruel captions. The university put her hiring on hold. One night, a distraught Valentina showed everything to Alejandro.

“This is Patricia,” he seethed. “She’s not going to stop.”

“I’m not going to let her,” he vowed. “I’ll hire lawyers. I’ll sue her for harassment.”

“No, Alejandro,” Valentina interrupted. “You can’t go to war with her over me. It will only make it worse.”

“Then what do you want me to do?” he asked, frustrated.

She took a deep breath. “I want to confront her. Face to face.”

Two days later, Valentina met Patricia at a public café. She insisted on going alone. Patricia arrived late, a superior smirk on her face.

“I know it was you,” Valentina said calmly. “The messages, the posts, the call to the university.”

Patricia didn’t deny it. “And? I just told the truth. You’re a gold digger using Alejandro.”

“The truth?” Valentina leaned forward. “The truth is you’re jealous. You’re trapped in an unhappy marriage while Alejandro has moved on with someone who makes him genuinely happy.”

“I am not jealous!” Patricia spat. “I could have Alejandro back in a second if I wanted.”

“Then why can’t you?” Valentina challenged. “Because you realized you made a mistake. You traded a good, genuine man for someone as superficial as you are. And seeing him happy with me forces you to face your own misery.”

“Shut up!” Patricia shouted, drawing stares from other customers.

“I know you’re unhappy,” Valentina said, standing. “And attacking me and my daughters won’t bring him back. He chose me, Patricia. And if you continue to harass us, it won’t be Alejandro who sues you. It will be me. And unlike you, I have nothing left to lose.” She walked out, leaving Patricia seething.

But Patricia escalated. She found out where Valentina’s daughters attended daycare and, posing as a social worker, tried to build a case that Valentina was an unfit mother. When a real social worker visited Valentina, it was humiliating and terrifying. Alejandro was incandescent with rage.

“That’s it,” he declared. “This ends now.”

He hired the best defamation lawyer in Mexico and gathered evidence of Patricia’s harassment. Then, he went public. On his social media accounts, followed by millions, he posted a statement.

“For the past few months, the woman I love and her children have been systematically harassed. This person has spread lies and even attempted to weaponize child protective services. This ends now. Valentina Ruiz is an extraordinary woman who has faced unimaginable tragedy with grace. If she was once homeless, it is because our system failed her, not because she failed as a person. To anyone trying to tear us apart, I say this: you have already lost. Because real love cannot be destroyed by malice. It can only be strengthened by it.”

The post went viral. The narrative flipped. Patricia became the villain. Brands dropped her cosmetics line. And worse, Eduardo finally saw her for who she was. “You did this?” he confronted her. “How could you?” He filed for divorce.

As Patricia’s world fell apart, Alejandro and Valentina’s grew stronger. Three months after the wedding, they were having dinner at her apartment. They had become a family. The girls now called him Tío Ale.

After dinner, as the girls were in the bath, Alejandro took her hand. “Valentina, these last few months have been the best of my life.”

“Mine too,” she smiled.

“I know we started in a strange way,” he continued, “but somewhere along the road, this became more real than anything I’ve ever known. Valentina, I love you. I love your daughters. I love the family we’re becoming.”

Tears filled her eyes. “I love you too,” she whispered.

He kissed her, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Inside was a simple, beautiful ring. “I don’t want a big, public proposal. I just want it to be real. Just us. So I’m asking you, here on your couch, with your daughters in the next room… will you marry me? Not as part of a deal, but because I love you and I want to spend my life with you.”

Valentina, unable to speak through her tears, just nodded vigorously. He slipped the ring on her finger. Just then, the girls came out in their pajamas.

“Ew,” Ana said, seeing them kiss.

Sofía giggled. “Is Tío Ale going to live with us now?”

Alejandro looked at Valentina, who smiled and nodded. “Yes,” he said, opening his arms. “If you two will have me.”

The girls shrieked with joy and ran into his arms. As he held them, with Valentina smiling at his side, he realized this was the family he’d always wanted but never knew he needed. It wasn’t perfect or traditional, but it was real. And it was his.

Six months later, they were married in a small, intimate ceremony with only true friends and family. The twins were flower girls. There was no drama, only two people promising their lives to each other. Patricia saw the photos on social media, alone in her apartment, her career and marriage in ruins. For the first time, she understood what she’d lost. It wasn’t Alejandro. It was the chance to be a better person, to find a love that wasn’t based on status. And now it was too late.

A year after their wedding, Valentina discovered she was pregnant. When she told Alejandro, he lifted her off her feet, both of them laughing and crying. Their improbable family was growing. As Alejandro held Valentina that night, a hand on her still-flat belly, he thought about how strange life was. He had gone to a wedding intending to use a homeless woman for petty revenge. Instead, he had found true love, a real family, and a happiness he never knew was possible.

Sometimes, he thought, the best things in life come from the most unlikely beginnings. And sometimes, the best revenge against those who hurt you isn’t to hurt them back. It’s simply to be happy without them.