<< “I swear, Vincent, I wasn’t flirting with the photographer,” she tried to defend herself against the accusations from the Caucasian man with hazel eyes.
“Do you think I’m blind?!” he shouted angrily, grabbing her arm and throwing her against the glass cabinet. Pain surged through her body from the multiple cuts, and blood stained the floor.>>
“Ah!” Johanna screamed, jolted awake by the recurring nightmare of that monster’s abuse.
She tried to control her ragged breathing, focusing on her relaxation exercises. Once she managed to calm her emotions and racing heart, she began to think about how 15 years had passed since that scoundrel’s death, yet those horrific events still haunted her as if they happened yesterday.
She stretched out her arms, looking at the faint scars that served as proof of those moments of abuse.
Knock! Knock! The sound of someone at the door made her turn, pulling her gaze away from her arms.
“Mrs. Johanna,” called Alejandra, the maid.
“Yes,” Johanna replied, trying to make her voice sound as normal as possible.
“Breakfast is ready, and the driver is waiting to take you and your daughter,” Alejandra said politely and attentively.
“Thanks, Alejandra. Tell the driver I’ll be down in a moment,” Johanna instructed, her voice almost entirely steady now.
“Yes, ma’am,” the woman obeyed, her footsteps fading as she walked away from the bedroom door.
Johanna stood up, feeling the cold concrete floor beneath her feet. She took a quick shower and changed into a stunning amber-colored dress that hugged her body, paired with matching shoes. She left her long hair loose, cascading over her shoulders down to her chest.
Descending the stairs, she found Alejandra in the living room holding a small tray with a glass of orange juice. Johanna took it, downing it in one gulp since she was already running late.
“Thanks, Ale,” she said gratefully, appreciating how Alejandra always remembered to bring her something small so she wouldn’t leave on an empty stomach.
“You’re welcome, ma’am,” Alejandra smiled. Ever since she started working for Mrs. Suárez, she had been treated with nothing but kindness.
“Where’s my daughter?” Johanna asked, placing the empty glass back in the center of the tray.
“Miss Valeria is already in the car waiting for you with the driver,” Alejandra informed her kindly.
“Thanks. For dinner, prepare something light since it’ll just be me. My daughter will be spending the weekend with her maternal grandmother. Also, later today, one of the Castillo family drivers will come by to pick up her suitcases,” Johanna updated her so she’d be in the loop.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Johanna stepped out the front door and got into the car where her sixteen-year-old daughter was waiting. As she slid into the vehicle, she noticed Valeria didn’t even glance at her, completely engrossed in her phone.
“Good morning, honey,” Johanna greeted her warmly.
“Morning,” Valeria replied in a curt tone.
Johanna let out a sigh but decided not to argue. She simply signaled the driver to start the car.
Throughout the entire ride, neither of them spoke. Johanna watched as her daughter smiled and made faces, completely absorbed in her phone. The driver pulled up to the entrance of Valeria’s upscale school. Valeria got out without so much as a goodbye. Ever since Vincent’s wretched family insisted on spending time with their granddaughter, her behavior had only gotten worse. Johanna was certain they were filling her head with lies about her mother.
She still remembered being in prison and finding out she was pregnant. It felt like her world was crumbling. She didn’t know what she would do, but thanks to her mother’s support, she managed to push through. After her daughter was born, her mother took care of her.
Johanna regretted falling for Vincent’s manipulations, agreeing to be intimate without protection under the foolish excuse that condoms were uncomfortable for him. But she wouldn’t harm an innocent life because of that.
She was just a child herself back then, but she faced early motherhood head-on. Her friend from prison was an unwavering source of support, though sadly, she passed away in a motorcycle accident after being released.
When Johanna finally completed her sentence, she was able to spend time with her daughter. For a few years, they were happy—until Valeria turned six, and Vincent’s awful parents discovered they had a granddaughter. They sued to take her away from Johanna.
But by the grace of God and all things holy, the judge denied their request due to Johanna’s good behavior in the correctional facility. However, he ruled that Valeria had to spend every weekend with her grandparents.
During vacations, she would alternate between staying with them and her mother.
From there, everything went downhill. It started with extravagant gifts, then designer clothes. Eventually, it was the private school, and now this bad attitude. Every time Johanna tried to talk to her, Valeria denied everything and told her to stay out of her business and not to mess with her grandparents because they were “good people.”
So, Johanna figured the best thing was to get along with her, even if Valeria treated her poorly. She knew that sooner or later, that family would reveal their true intentions.
“Ma’am, we’ve arrived at the company,” the driver informed her, snapping her out of her thoughts.
“Thanks, Terry,” she said, stepping out of the car and walking straight into the small company where she worked as a model.
If it weren’t for her friend Min, a Korean woman she met after getting out of prison, she wouldn’t be here. When she was released, every door that had once been open to her slammed shut.
Her mother encouraged her to attend a school in the United States, where the Castillos had no influence. There, she met Park Min-Dea, who became her best friend.
After finishing school, her friend invited her to work at her father’s company. Johanna started as a receptionist and now served as the director of marketing.
As she walked through the hallways, everyone greeted her kindly. This was the only place where no one looked at her strangely for the crime she committed years ago. People thought she was a murderer, but she knew what she did was in self-defense. She would always be indebted to her best friend.
Upon reaching her office and settling into her chair to start her tasks, the door suddenly swung open. Johanna looked up to see her best friend walking in.
“Hey, girl, I’m so glad you’re finally here,” Min said, approaching her desk. “I was about to send someone to get you.”
“Hey, Min. You saw me yesterday. I don’t know what could’ve happened in such a short time to make things so exciting. I hope it’s not about some hot guy or a potential boyfriend,” Johanna teased. Over the years, Min had tried to set her up with someone. Sure, Johanna enjoyed going to parties and being social, but she was completely against dating. She’d rather be alone than with the wrong person.
For 15 years, she hadn’t needed a man, and now at 31, she wasn’t looking for one to stand by her side.
“I know, I know, but I also know your 32nd birthday is coming up, and I’ve been thinking about your gift,” Min said cheerfully, her pink-dyed hair bouncing with excitement.
“Oh no, your surprises scare me,” Johanna admitted, her medium-toned skin catching the light as she spoke.
“Pfft, whatever. So, pack your bags because we’re going to Korea,” Min announced, handing her a plane ticket.
“And why am I going halfway across the world?”
“To have fun! Plus, my dad is hosting a fashion show, and I have to be there. I’d rather go with my best friend—it’ll be way less stressful,” Min explained the real reason.
“That all sounds great, but what about my daughter? Where will I leave her?” Johanna asked, looking for a way to get out of the trip. She knew Min wouldn’t let her off easy.
“Didn’t you tell me that her school break starts on Monday and, per the judge’s orders, she’s spending this vacation with her grandparents?” Min pointed at her friend with a knowing look.
“I don’t know, Min,” Johanna tried to resist.
“Come on, Johanna, and I’m not taking no for an answer,” Min said, crossing her arms to show she meant business...