Sometimes I would talk to Marta about her.
And she asked what she was like when she was alive.
Marta always responded with affection.
She told him that her mother enjoyed preparing breakfasts.
That she liked flowers.
And that he had loved her deeply.
Fernanda had begun to feel uncomfortable with those memories.
But Sofia had the right to keep them.
The reason why Marta was so protective of Sofia
Marta had known Sofia since her early years.
She had accompanied the family during difficult times.
She was also present when the girl’s biological mother passed away.
Since then, he became a trusted figure within the house.
He helped with the routines.
I used to read stories.
And she accompanied Sofia when Adrian was working.
For Marta, the little girl was much more than a member of the family that employed her.
She was a girl whom I loved deeply.
That’s why, when he began to notice Fernanda’s behavior, he decided not to ignore it.
The investigation into Fernanda
After the rescue, the authorities began the corresponding procedures.
The trapdoor was examined.
The statements and available elements were also documented.
The investigation was to determine how Sofia had been locked up and how long she remained in that place.
In addition, the attack against Marta and the actions related to the financial documents were reviewed.
Fernanda had the opportunity to respond to the allegations through the applicable legal procedures.
Meanwhile, Adrián took steps to protect his daughter and avoid further contact that could affect her.
Her priority was for Sofia to recover and feel safe again.
The decision Adrian made about marriage
After learning the seriousness of what had happened, Adrián decided to separate from Fernanda.
She could not continue a relationship with someone who had endangered her daughter.
Nor could I ignore the attack against Marta.
The businessman began to carry out the necessary procedures to resolve his marital situation.
He also reviewed his asset documents to prevent further irregularities.
Fernanda realized that her plans had failed.
He had tried to hide information.
But he ended up losing Adrian’s trust.
And now he had to face the consequences of his decisions.
Sofia’s recovery
During the following weeks, Sofia received the necessary support to recover emotionally.
Adrian reorganized his activities to spend more time with her.
He also tried to create a peaceful atmosphere inside the mansion.
The girl was still afraid of some dark places.
But he slowly began to feel better.
Marta continued to be an important person to her.
The employee decided to return to her duties after the unfair dismissal was acknowledged and suitable conditions were established.
Adrian realized that he needed to listen more carefully to those who were taking care of his daughter.
The trapdoor that ended up being closed
After the authorities completed the necessary inspections, Adrian decided to close off access to the old storage space through professional work.
He didn’t want Sofia to feel afraid again when walking through the dining room.
The carpet was removed.
The area was checked.
And the necessary modifications were made to ensure safety.
However, the family never forgot what had happened there.
That place had become a symbol of betrayal.
But she also remembered the courage of an employee who decided to act when she suspected a girl was in danger.
A year later, Marta received a surprise.
Twelve months after the incident, Adrian organized a small family reunion.
I wanted to thank Marta for her courage.
Sofia was sitting next to him.
The girl had regained much of her composure.
When Marta entered the dining room, Sofia ran to hug her.
—Martha!
The woman smiled excitedly.
Adrian approached.
—I want to thank you for something.
Marta watched him.
He continued:
—You didn’t just help rescue my daughter.
Then he added:
—You also taught me that I should listen before judging.
Marta felt her eyes fill with tears.
The last question Sofia asked her father
One afternoon, Sofia was playing in the garden.
Adrian sat down next to her.
The girl remained thoughtful for a few seconds.
Then he asked:
—Dad, why didn’t you believe Marta?
The businessman lowered his gaze.
I knew that question was important.
Finally, he replied:
—Because I made the mistake of believing an accusation without listening to everyone.
Sofia watched him.
Adrian continued:
—And that was wrong.
Then he gently took her hand.
—I want you to know that you can always tell me when someone makes you feel scared or treats you badly.
Sofia hugged him.
And Adrian understood that regaining her trust would be an everyday task.
Who was Marta?
Marta was a fifty-two-year-old domestic worker who had worked for Adrian’s family for a long time.
