I am Alfonso Williams, one of the wealthiest and most powerful businessmen in Seattle. I married Catalina Garcia in a union arranged by my parents when I was young. Love never blossomed between her and me, but I always respected her as my wife and partner. We had a son, Franco Williams. I wanted him to forge his own path, to find a woman he could build a family with. But Catalina secretly arranged his engagement to Debora Ponce, a capricious woman hungry for power. He refused the engagement, and I backed him. But I never imagined that his mother and that woman would conspire to drug him during the company Christmas party so she could sleep with him. That was how she got pregnant. My son stepped up for that baby. Nine months later, a girl arrived whom they named Sandra. From a young age, she was spoiled, arrogant, full of envy and greed. My son tried to change the way she was raised, but every time he attempted to set her straight, his wife and his mother wouldn't allow it. His marriage was a living hell, and watching him wear himself down day after day trying to make the relationship work broke my heart.

He met Paola Cisneros, a simple girl who worked at the company as a secretary. What he felt for her was so strong that he filed for divorce. To obtain it, he signed a document giving all his properties to his wife and daughter, and he went to live with Paola in a small house she'd inherited from her parents in Portland. There, they worked the land. I visited them in secret from time to time. Shortly after, she became pregnant, and my little angel Anya was born -- a girl who came to brighten my days with her energy and spirit. I always stayed in touch with her and visited her in secret, away from my wife and daughter-in-law, since they would have made my little angel's life impossible. Unfortunately, life taught her what loss meant at a very young age. At eight years old, her mother died in a car accident that my angel was also in. Since that day, she hasn't been able to drive, the trauma leaving her paralyzed with panic. Despite suffering that loss, she managed to keep her smile. My son has done well filling the void her mother left.

A few months ago, they found a tumor in my brain. The doctor says it's treatable and I can undergo surgery. I didn't tell anyone -- I only said I'd be going to a business seminar. At my wife's insistence, I left Sandra in charge of the company for a few months while they ran the necessary tests for my surgery.

When I returned, the company had suffered millions in losses and the partners were alarmed. Diego, the vice president and Franco's best friend, had informed me of all the mismanagement Sandra had been responsible for. So I paid a visit to my son Franco's house. If he wouldn't take charge, I would ask my little angel for her help to turn the company around. When I stepped out of the car, I saw him coming to greet me.

"Dad," Franco said.

"Hello, son," I replied.

He gave me a hug.

"I'm glad to see you, Dad."

"Me too, son. Where's my little angel?"

"She went into town to do some shopping."

"Did she drive?"

"No. Maru took her."

"I see."

"What's going on, Dad?"

I was about to answer when he added:

"And don't you dare lie. I know something's wrong."

I smiled.

"You're right. I need your help."

"Tell me, Dad."

"I have a brain tumor."

"What?"

Alfonso Williams

"They found it a few months ago, son."

"Months? Why didn't you tell me anything, Dad?"

"They needed to run tests to determine if it's treatable."

"What did they say?"

"It is, son. I'll be having the surgery."

"When? Do you need me to go with you?"

"They haven't given me a date yet, but what I need is help with the company."

"But you left Sandra in charge, Dad. What happened?"

"Your daughter doesn't know how to run the company. Diego gave me a report on her mismanagement. She's already lost the company millions, and you know how nervous the partners get over losses."

He sighed.

"Sandra lets herself be influenced by her mother and my mother, Dad."

"I know, son, but I thought she'd act differently."

"I can't take over the company, Dad. I want to go with you for the surgery."

"I don't want to leave Sandra in charge, son."

"Why don't you put Diego in charge?"

"You know your mother would never allow that. It has to be someone from the family."

"I won't leave you alone for that surgery, Dad. You've always supported me."

"I'd like my angel to be in charge."

"Dad, you know perfectly well that Mom and Debora would never allow that. I don't want them going after Anya."

"I promise I'll keep her safe. I'm planning to assign her a bodyguard."

"A bodyguard? Dad, Mom is a force to be reckoned with. She was never on board with my relationship with Paola. If Anya's at the company, she won't miss the chance to torment her."

"Diego will keep an eye on her, son. I wouldn't ask this if I didn't believe her help was necessary."

"I don't know, Dad. But I couldn't make this decision for her."

"All I ask is that you let me talk to her about it and let her decide."

"Fine, Dad. But about the bodyguard -- think it through. Agencies can be bought off with money, and both Mom and Debora have plenty of it. I don't want Anya at risk."

"I won't hire any agency. I'm going to an independent guy, and I guarantee he won't be bought. He has his own money, so greed doesn't drive him. I'll ask it as a personal favor. So relax -- I'd never put my little angel in danger."

"I'll let her be the one to decide, Dad."

"Thank you, son."

Half an hour later, we heard the rumble of a truck, then the hurried footsteps of my angel.

"Grandpa!" Anya cried.

She ran to give me a hug.

"My little angel."

"You've been neglecting us! You have no idea how much I missed you."

"I missed you too, my little angel."

"I'm not that little anymore, Grandpa."

"You'll always be little to me."

"Are you okay, Grandpa? You don't look well."

I glanced at my son.

"What's going on, Grandpa? Don't hide anything from me."

"Sit down, my angel. I need to tell you something."

I began to explain what they'd found and how they planned to proceed.

"My God, Grandpa. I need you to be okay. You have to be okay."

"Easy, my angel. I'll be fine. I just need this surgery."

"Do you want us to come with you?"

"Your father has offered to go with me, angel."

"How can I help, Grandpa?"

I took her hands.

"I'd like you to take charge of the company alongside Diego."

"Me? But Grandpa, no one would want me there."

"I do, my little angel."

"Grandpa, you'll have problems with Grandma and Mrs. Debora."

"I'll handle them. Plus, I'm assigning you a bodyguard."

"What?"

"I'm assigning you a bodyguard. I want your help, but I want you safe, my angel."

"Grandpa, why can't Dad do it?"

"I'll be going with him for the surgery, sweetheart," Franco said.

"But I... What do you think, Dad?"

"I'll respect whatever decision you make, sweetheart. It'll always be that way."

"Do you think I can handle the responsibility of the company?"

"Of course you can. You've prepared yourself well."

"You won't be alone," Alfonso said. "Diego and his wife Laura will have your back. And I promise the bodyguard will keep you safe."

"I don't like this whole bodyguard thing, Grandpa."

"Your grandmother and Debora won't make things easy for you, my angel. I'd rather you have someone watching over you while I'm away."

"I trust you, my angel, and I know you'll do an excellent job running the company."

"All right, Grandpa. I'll help you while you go through the surgery and treatment. Just promise me one thing."

"I'm listening, angel."

"I want you to promise me that you won't give up. That you'll fight to stay alive, Grandpa."

I smiled.

"I promise, my little angel."

She hugged me right away.

"I love you, my little angel. You have no idea how much I love you."

"I love you too, Grandpa."

After a few minutes, she asked:

"When is the surgery, Grandpa?"

"They haven't given me a date yet, but I want you to go to Seattle so that while I'm still here, you can get to know the company and settle in."

She nodded and looked at her father.

"Don't worry, princess. I'll be fine. I just want you to take care of yourself. I'll handle everything here. Besides, Maru is here -- she'll help me."

"Okay, Dad. I'd just like a few days, Grandpa, to get everything in order for Maru and Dad before I go."

"Of course, angel."

"Grandpa?"

"Yes?"

"I don't want to live in the same house as Grandma and Debora."

"Don't worry, angel. I'll find you an apartment."

"Thank you, Grandpa."

"You're welcome."

"Well, get some rest. I'm going to help Maru with dinner. I'll be right back."

She said goodbye to both of us and headed to the kitchen.

"You've done a wonderful job with her, son."

"Sometimes I feel like I've failed, Dad."

"Why do you say that?"

"There are things only a mother can teach a daughter. Thank God Maru came into our lives and helped me with that part. But I feel like she hasn't fully enjoyed her youth, Dad."

"I can assure you the one who's enjoyed it to the fullest -- even recklessly -- is Sandra."

He sighed.

"I know. I've tried to get closer to her, but she pushes me away."

"But the money you deposit into her account -- she doesn't push that away, does she?"

He shook his head.

"I don't know what else to do to reach her."

"Unfortunately, Sandra is under the influence of her mother and your mother. Those witches turned her into a carbon copy of themselves. You don't have to blame yourself for her behavior. I've seen firsthand the countless times you tried to get close to her, but all she wants from you is your money."

"I know, Dad."

"I love you, son, and I'm proud of you -- of everything you've accomplished. You'll always have my support."

"And I'm grateful, Dad. But I agree with Anya. I need you to promise me you won't give up."

"I promise, son."