Chapter 5

Mrs. Victoria stared at the object in her head housekeeper's hand. "A ring…?" she murmured, examining the diamond-studded ring closely. "It looks like Elena's ring."

"Yes, Ma'am. That's Elena's wedding ring with Mr. Raul," Carmen replied quietly.

"How did you get it?" Mrs. Victoria asked in surprise.

Quickly, Carmen explained how she found the ring.

It began when she went back to Elena's room to bring her to the kitchen. Elena had been expected for a while but still hadn't shown up. Carmen thought Elena was asleep, so she entered the unlocked room. But no one was there.

Carmen searched every corner of the room for Elena, but still couldn't find her. Then, by accident, she saw the ring lying on Elena's dressing table.

"Hmm, it seems Elena has left," Mrs. Victoria sighed, then turned to her son, who was starting to get drunk.

"Yes, Ma'am. And she didn't take anything with her."

"Carmen, quickly take Raul to his room before he starts rambling nonsense," Mrs. Victoria said, worried as she saw her son was now heavily drunk.

Raul put his arm around Beatriz, thinking she was Elena. "Come on, Elena, forget about everything. Let's have a drink," he said.

"I'm Beatriz, Raul. Since when did my name become Elena?!" Beatriz protested, her face annoyed.

"Sorry, Miss Beatriz, Mr. Raul is very drunk. Let us take him to his room to rest."

Carmen instructed two housemen to help Raul to his room. Raul mumbled incoherently as they led him away.

"Auntie, who is Elena?" Beatriz asked Mrs. Victoria. She was a bit surprised, but then smiled.

"No one important," Mrs. Victoria replied kindly. "By the way, Beatriz, it's late. You should get some rest." She immediately told Carmen to escort Beatriz to the guest room.

Mrs. Victoria went straight to her son's room to see for herself what Carmen had reported. Raul was already fast asleep. She checked Elena's wardrobe and belongings, and saw that everything was still there. The woman was stunned. Did Elena leave without taking anything? Where could she have gone in the middle of the night?

However, she quickly brushed aside her worries. Elena was no longer a child, so she could go wherever she wanted.

Mrs. Victoria saw her only son lying on the bed. She straightened his blanket, but suddenly Raul grabbed her hand.

"Elena…"

Mrs. Victoria was startled; Raul's eyes were closed, but he kept calling Elena's name.

"Why do you keep calling for Elena, Raul? She's gone. Just forget about that woman," Mrs. Victoria said, pulling her hand free and leaving her son's room.

---

Elsewhere, in a large and elegant bedroom, Elena had only meant to lie down and stretch her back, but she soon fell into a deep sleep on the soft, comfortable bed. She hadn't even touched the dinner Mia had prepared, nor had she washed up. She was exhausted, having walked a long way while carrying the burden of a wounded heart.

Slowly, Elena opened her eyes as the bedroom door opened. A middle-aged woman entered, smiling warmly at her.

"Buenos días, Elena. You slept very soundly," Mia greeted her warmly. Elena was startled, but quickly sat up on the edge of the bed.

"Oh, Mia. Sorry, I fell asleep," Elena said, feeling a bit guilty toward the kind head housekeeper.

"Last night, when I came back with food, you were already fast asleep. You must have been very tired. I didn't have the heart to wake you, so I just left the food on the table. It seems like you only just woke up this morning."

"Yes, I was very tired last night. I only meant to rest for a moment, but ended up sleeping deeply. I can't believe it's morning already."

"That's alright. Now, take a shower to freshen up and have some breakfast. Later, a stylist will come to get you ready for the wedding ceremony this afternoon."

Elena was stunned by Mia's words. Wedding? Her mind went back to the mysterious man who had proposed to her last night.

Elena was about to ask Mia a question when there was a knock at the door. Two maids and a houseman entered. One of them set the food on the table, another arranged clothes in the wardrobe, while the houseman spoke with Mia.

Mario had sent the houseman to collect Elena's personal documents for the wedding registration. Elena quickly grabbed her bag and handed Mia her ID and other documents.

After all of them left, Elena finally dared to ask Mia about her employer. At first, Mia was a bit confused, since Elena didn't know the name of the man she was about to marry. But then she smiled, understanding her boss's peculiar ways.

Mia explained that the man Elena was going to marry was Diego Rodriguez, who was a good and responsible man.

Elena was taken aback when Mia asked about her background. In the end, Elena told her everything. The young woman's story moved Mia, and she immediately embraced her. Elena could no longer hold back the sadness in her heart.

"Don't worry, Elena. You're in a safe place now. Trust me, things will get better for you here. Serve Mr. Rodriguez sincerely and with love—he only needs your affection."

Mia stroked Elena's back with a mother's affection. Elena felt calmer and soon went to bathe and change her clothes.

While in his private study, Diego Rodriguez was talking with Mario, his trusted assistant. He was also reviewing Elena's documents, which Mario had given him.

"Sir, are you sure you want to marry Miss Elena?" Mario asked, seeking reassurance.

"Yes, Mario. I've made up my mind. Elena is the right person," Diego replied firmly. But Mario didn't feel the same; he felt a heavy weight as he looked at his boss.

"But, Sir, are you sure Miss Elena will be able to learn everything in just one month?"