He brought news.

“They say that Don Alejandro Salazar is looking for a wife,” commented the older woman.

“He’s rich, very rich… and they say he’s a good man. But he is already old. Almost twice your age.

Isabella looked at her mother.

The woman took his hand, her eyes filling with tears.

“Daughter… perhaps this is God’s answer.

His voice trembled.

“I don’t want you to lose your youth for us… But I also don’t want to die knowing that I left you trapped in this poverty.

Between tears and hope…

Isabella made a decision.

She agreed to marry the elderly millionaire.

THE WEDDING WITHOUT SMILES
It was only a week before the wedding was held at a luxurious hacienda in the mountains of Valle de Bravo.

As they adjusted the veil over her head, Isabella looked at herself in the mirror.

Her dress was beautiful.

A white dress, pure as a cloud.

But his heart weighed as if he were carrying a stone.

At the altar was Don Alejandro.

A robust, sweaty man with a deep, hoarse voice.

But still…

he smiled.

“From today on,” he said in a deep voice, “I will take care of you.

He paused before continuing.

“And also from your family. They will never have to worry about money again.

But inside Isabella’s heart there was only a silent cry:

“I did this for Mom… by Diego.

When the ceremony ended, the guests applauded.

But the bride…

He didn’t smile.

And instead of a kiss of love…

Tears accompanied her on her first night of marriage.

INSIDE THE PALACE
As the days went by, Isabella began to get to know her husband better.

Don Alejandro was a quiet man.

He always observed everything.

He was kind, yes.

But there was something strange about him.

Something that seemed to be hiding.

One morning, while they were drinking coffee on the terrace, Isabella noticed something.

The hands of man.

Clean.

Firm.

They didn’t look like the hands of an old man.

“Don Alejandro,” she asked, “how old are you really?”

The man smiled.

—Enough to know who really knows how to love.

Isabella was confused.

But he decided not to ask any more.

Until one night, the ranch steward approached her.

“Madam… If you ever notice anything strange about the pattern… Do not be afraid.

She looked at him in surprise.

“Everything you do… He has a reason.

He didn’t understand.

But those words stuck in his mind like a thorn.

THE SECRET FACE
One night, Isabella couldn’t sleep.

He got out of bed and went out into the hallway.

The hacienda was silent. All you could hear was the wind hitting the trees.

Then he saw it.

A shade in the garden.

It was Don Alejandro.

She watched him carefully.

He seemed to be removing something from his neck.

And then…

He put his hand to his mouth so as not to scream.

Slowly…

as if it were a skin that peels off…

The old man’s face began to detach.

Beneath him appeared the face of a young man.

High.

Strong.

And well known in the business world of Mexico.

“My God,” Isabella whispered. What is this?

The man turned to her, surprised.

“Isabella!” Wait… Do not be afraid.

“Who are you?” she cried, trembling.

The man finished taking off his mask.

Under the moonlight his true face appeared.

It was Adrián Vergara.

The true CEO of Don Alejandro’s business empire… and one of the youngest and most powerful businessmen in the country.

“I’m Adrian,” he said quietly. I used Don Alejandro’s identity to get to know you.

Isabella looked at him blankly.

“I wanted to know if anyone could love me… without knowing who I really am.

Silence filled the garden.

Isabella didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.

“Why did you do this?”

Adrian looked down.

“Because I’m tired of women who only love my money.” I wanted to feel… that someone could love me for who I am, not for my last name.

Isabella sat down slowly.

His heart was confused.

It was true.

She had married for money.

But now…

Why was she the one who felt her heart broken?

THE REAL WEDDING
The next morning, Isabella left the hacienda.

Adrian did not try to stop her.

Days passed, and she returned to her small home in San Juan del Río.

She returned to take care of her mother.

Diego went back to school.