A humble cleaning woman, having no one to entrust her daughter to, decided to take her with her to work — little suspecting that the reaction of her millionaire boss would change everything.

From above, his voice was sharp: « You didn’t tell me you were coming, Julieta. » She approached with open arms as if nothing were amiss. « Oh, come on, Leo, since when do I need an invitation to come see how you are? » She gave him a kiss on the cheek, which he didn’t exactly return. It was obvious she wasn’t welcome.

Claudia moved discreetly, but couldn’t help but glance around as the tension settled in the living room like a thick cloud. Julieta surveyed the house as if inspecting it. She commented that everything was the same, that nothing had changed. Then, without any hesitation, she asked, « What about that little girl hanging around? Have they opened a daycare center here now? » Leonardo replied firmly, « She’s Claudia’s daughter, and it’s none of your business. » Julieta raised her eyebrows.

Claudia, who had been listening to everything from the kitchen, felt a chill run down her spine. Julieta settled into the house as if her visit were perfectly normal. She sat down to drink coffee with Marta, asked questions that were no longer relevant to her, and made comments disguised as interest, but behind every word lurked a judgment.

That afternoon, when Claudia went to gather the cushions in the garden, Julieta was sitting on a bench. She looked her up and down, as if assessing her worth. Then she spoke: « You’re the little girl’s mother. » Claudia nodded. « Cute, very lively. She always comes with you. » « Yes, señora. » Julieta gave a forced smile. « How lucky to be in a place like this. » Claudia didn’t reply.

Julieta leaned forward slightly. « And how long have you been working here? » « Two years. » « And always with such… familiarity? » Claudia gritted her teeth. « I’m just doing my job. » Julieta laughed unceremoniously. « Of course. And it seems you’re doing it very well. » The conversation was brief but sufficient. Claudia understood that this woman wasn’t there for a simple visit. She was observing, measuring, judging.

It was a silent warning. That evening, at the end of her shift, Claudia left through the side door with a sleeping Renata in her arms. José approached her, serious, and said in a low voice, « Be careful with that woman. She doesn’t like anyone who isn’t on her level. » Claudia simply nodded, her lips pressed tightly together. She had already realized this.