Mr. Carlos, with all due respect, that girl is deceiving you, and worse, she’s using a traumatized child to do it. That day, Carlos could barely concentrate on his work. Dolores’s words echoed in his head. If Carmelita was lying about her personal life, perhaps her entire connection with Valentina was calculated, not genuine. He arrived home determined to uncover the truth.
He found Carmelita tidying the living room while Valentina played with dolls on the rug. “Carmelita, I need to talk to you.” “Of course, Mr. Carlos.” “Valentina, go play in your room for a little while. Daddy needs to talk to Aunt Carmelita.” The girl obeyed, but Carlos noticed she seemed worried by the serious tone of the conversation. “Carmen, I need you to be completely honest with me.”
I always am, Mr. Carlos. Then explain to me why the address you gave doesn’t match where you actually live. Carmen paled. How so? I had it checked. No one named Carmen Rodríguez lives at that address. Mr. Carlos, I can explain, she said, her voice trembling. I’m listening. I didn’t lie about living there. I lived there until last month.
We had to move because we couldn’t afford the rent. And where did you move to? Carmen lowered her head, clearly ashamed. To a squat in the city center. A squat? Yes, Mr. Carlos. An abandoned building that some homeless families occupied. It’s not legal, I know, but it was the only place we could find. Carlos remained silent, processing the information.
Why didn’t you tell me the truth? Because I was afraid you’d fire me. People who live in squats are seen as dangerous, as troublemakers. I didn’t want to lose this job. And do your siblings really exist? Of course they exist. Carmen said with tears in her eyes. Alejandro is 17, Diego is 12, and Sofía is eight.
They’re studying the occupation at a public school. So why did you lie about the address? I didn’t completely lie. I gave the address of the house where we used to live. I thought that if I managed to get a stable job, I could move back there or rent a similar place.
Carlos looked at the visibly frightened young woman and began to understand the complexity of the situation. Carmen wasn’t manipulative; she was a desperate young woman trying to survive and protect her family. “Carmen, do you understand that I need to trust the person who works in my house, especially the one who takes care of my daughter?” “I understand, Mr. Carlos, and I understand if you want to fire me. I only ask that you let me say goodbye to Valentina.”
Dear listener, if you’re enjoying the story, please leave a like and, above all, subscribe to the channel. That really helps those of us who are just starting out. “I’m not going to say goodbye,” Carlos said after a long silence. “But I want to meet your brothers and see where they’re living.” “Mr. Carlos, you don’t need to.” “Yes, I do.”
If Valentina means as much to you as you do to her, then your family is important too. Carmen started to cry. Would you really do that? Let’s go Saturday morning. On Saturday, Carlos took Valentina with him to meet Carmen’s family. The occupied building in downtown Mexico City was very different from the world he lived in.
But when she climbed the three flights of stairs to the small, makeshift apartment, she found something she hadn’t expected: a close-knit family and a home filled with love, even without luxuries. Alejandro, a tall, thin young man, was helping Diego with math at a small table. Sofía, a little girl with curly hair just like Carmen’s, was drawing on the floor with worn-out crayons.
“Listen, this is my boss, Mr. Carlos, and Valentina, who I always tell you about,” said Carmen. “Nice to meet you, sir,” said Alejandro, extending his hand politely. “I’m Alejandro, Carmelita’s brother.” “Nice to meet you, Alejandro.” Valentina, who was initially shy, soon became charmed by Sofía. “Do you like to draw?” she asked the girl. “Yes.”
Do you want to draw with me? Carlos looked around. It was simple, clean, and tidy. There was little furniture, but everything was carefully arranged. On the wall, school certificates for the three brothers hung proudly. Alejandro, your sister told me you’re a good student. I try to be, sir.
I want to get a scholarship to technical high school next year. In what area? Computer science. I really like computers. Carlos spoke with each of the siblings and was impressed. Despite the difficulties, Carmen had created a healthy family environment. The children were polite, studious, and respectful. “Carmen, can I talk to you in the kitchen?” In the small kitchen, Carlos got straight to the point.
Why didn’t you tell me about your real situation from the beginning? Mr. Carlos, you live in a very different world than we do. For you, problems are solved with money. For us, problems are solved with work and hope. I didn’t want you to feel sorry for me or think I was trying to take advantage of you. But you are taking advantage of me, Carmen.
You’re taking advantage of my daughter to satisfy your need for a complete family. Carmen was shocked by the accusation. How can that be? You lost your mother. You’re raising your siblings alone. You have to be strong all the time. Valentina offers you the opportunity to be loving, maternal, without carrying the full weight of responsibility. Mr. Carlos, that’s not true, Carmen said firmly.
I love Valentina because she’s a special girl who needed affection, not because I want to compensate for any shortcomings of mine. So, explain to me why you dedicate so much time and energy to a girl who isn’t really part of your family. Because family isn’t just blood, Mr. Carlos. Family is those who care, those who worry, those who love.
Valentina came into my life, and I into hers, at the perfect moment for both of us. Carlos looked around the small kitchen, taking in Sofia’s drawings stuck to the refrigerator, Diego’s school books arranged on a makeshift shelf, and Alejandro’s laundry drying on a clothesline. “Your family is beautiful, Carmen.” “Thank you, Mr. Carlos.”
We don’t have much, but we have each other. And if I offered you a better house, would you accept? Carmen hesitated. It would depend on the conditions. What conditions? I wouldn’t accept charity. If you wanted to help us, it would have to be something I could afford, even if it was in installments. And if it were an interest-free loan, then I would consider it.
Back at the mansion, Carlos had much to think about. Dolores was waiting in the living room, clearly anxious to hear about the visit. “And then, Mr. Carlos, you confirmed my suspicions. Actually, Doña Dolores, I discovered I was wrong about Carmen. How so? She’s not an opportunist; she’s a brave young woman trying to survive in difficult circumstances. Mr. Carlos, you’re letting emotion speak louder than reason.”
No, Doña Dolores. I’m letting the facts speak louder than prejudice. The governess was visibly irritated. Prejudice. Yes, prejudice against poor people, against young people, against people who don’t fit into our world. Mr. Carlos, that girl is manipulating you through your daughter.
Doña Dolores, you’ve worked here for 20 years. You’ve always been loyal, dedicated, and honest, but this time you’re wrong. If that’s what you think, perhaps it would be best if I left. The threat wasn’t new, but this time it sounded different. Dolores seemed truly determined.
Doña Dolores, I don’t want you to leave, but I can’t fire Carmen just to satisfy your jealousy. Jealousy. The housekeeper felt offended. Yes. Jealousy because Valentina formed a bond with Carmen that she never had with you. I have always cared for this family with dedication, and I am grateful for that. But caring for the house is not the same as caring for a child’s heart. Dolores remained silent for a long moment.
Mr. Carlos, if that’s how you feel, then it’s really best if I leave. Mrs. Dolores, it doesn’t have to be this way. We can find a middle ground. There is no middle ground when it comes to a child’s safety, Mr. Carlos. I’m sure that girl is going to disappoint you. And when that happens, I don’t want to be here to see Valentina suffer again.
That night, Carlos spoke with Valentina about the changes that were happening in the house. “Daughter, Mrs. Dolores is thinking about retiring.” “What is retirement?” “It’s when a person stops working because they’ve worked for many years. Mrs. Dolores isn’t going to live here anymore.” “No, daughter.” “But Aunt Carmelita is going to stay here, right?” “Yes.”
Why? Because I really like Aunt Carmelita. She reminds me of my mom, but in a different way. How so? My mom made me happy because she was my mom. Aunt Carmelita makes me happy because she’s my friend. The simplicity of the answer touched Carlos’s heart. Valentina had found a way to honor her mother’s memory without replacing her with someone else.
The following week, Dolores officially announced her retirement at the end of the month. Despite their differences, Carlos organized a farewell party to honor the housekeeper’s 20 years of service. On the day of the party, several family members and former employees came to say goodbye to Dolores.
To everyone’s surprise, she asked to speak with Carmen privately. “Carmen, I want to apologize,” the housekeeper said. “Mrs. Dolores, I was mistaken about your intentions. Watching you with Valentina these past few weeks, I realized your affection is genuine. Thank you for saying that, but I want to ask you something. Please take good care of this family.”
Mr. Carlos is a good man who has suffered a great deal. Valentina is a special girl who deserves all the love in the world. I promise you that, Mrs. Dolores. And one more thing, don’t be afraid to take your place in this house. You don’t have to diminish yourself to be accepted. After Dolores left, the dynamics of the house changed completely.
Carmen took on more responsibilities, not only with cleaning but also with general organization. Carlos started coming home earlier to have dinner with Valentina, and Carmen often ate with them. “Aunt Carmelita, tell the story of the princess who planted flowers again,” Valentina would ask during dinner. “What princess!” Carlos would ask, intrigued.
The princess, who had also lost her mother, but learned that she could make others happy by planting beautiful gardens, Valentina explained. Carlos realized that Carmen created stories that helped Valentina process her own losses and find purpose in life. One day, Carmen arrived at work visibly distressed.
“Did something happen?” Carlos asked. “Mr. Carlos, we received an eviction notice for the squat. We have two weeks to leave.” “And where are you going to live?” “We don’t know yet. We’re looking for another place, but it’s difficult to find something we can afford.” “Carmen, do you remember the conversation about the loan?” “I remember.”
What if we fix this now? Mr. Carlos, I don’t want to take advantage of you. You’re not taking advantage of me. I’m investing in the person who gave me back my daughter. In the following days, Carlos helped Carmen find a small but decent house in a safe neighborhood. He also enrolled Alejandro in a private technical school on a scholarship. Why are you doing all this? Carmen asked.
Because you taught me that family isn’t just blood relatives, it’s those who care, those who worry, those who love. Mr. Carlos, I’ll never be able to repay all of this. It’s not about repaying, Carmen, it’s about giving back. You gave me back the joy of my daughter. There’s no amount of money in the world that can pay for that. Months passed. Valentina continued to progress in every way.
At school, she was one of the most engaged students. At home, she became the cheerful and curious girl she had been before the trauma. Carlos changed too. He learned to better balance work and family, arriving home in time for dinner with Valentina almost every day. He began to participate more actively in his daughter’s education, learning from Carmen how to transform simple moments into learning experiences.
One night, as Carlos was putting Valentina to bed, she asked a question that surprised him. “Daddy, are you going to marry Aunt Carmelita?” “Why do you ask that, sweetheart?” “Because they take care of each other just like my dad and mom took care of each other.” Carlos was speechless. In recent months he had developed a deep admiration for Carmen, but he had never considered that possibility romantically.
My dear child, Aunt Carmelita is our very special friend, but special friends can become family, right? Just like you said. They can, but it’s complicated. Why? Because adults sometimes complicate things that are simple for children. The next morning, Carlos watched Carmen preparing breakfast while she chatted with Valentina about their plans for the day.
She had become an essential part of their lives, not only as an employee, but as a person. During breakfast, Valentina announced some news. Aunt Carmelita, the teacher, said that we were going to do a presentation about family at school.
