Although Hector did not like Diana, he was not such an indifferent person.
Diana had been in the Espina family for so many years that she now looked vaguely like the real daughter of the family.
She played nice in front of her parents, but Hector had seen her arrogant and domineering face many times outside the house.
Albina was kind and quiet and if she wasn’t given enough love, who knew if Diana would be a bully backstage?
Hector was thoughtful for a moment, and said to Bianca:
-When Albina returns, Diana will be able to remain in our family, but she will have to announce to the public her identity as an adopted daughter, acknowledging that Albina is our family’s biological daughter.
Hector felt he had been merciful in doing so.
It was time for Diana to give everything back to Albina after so many years of wearing the Espina family halo. Given his mother’s character, he still would have treated her well. If she had been a kind-hearted person, she would have been satisfied and would not have coveted what did not belong to her.
“If she is peaceful, you can live together in peace, but if she gets any bad ideas, then don’t blame me for not being polite.”
Neither Antonio nor Bianca contradicted his words, and both agreed in their heart of hearts.
When they had both adopted Diana, they had told her in no uncertain terms that they had their own daughter, that she was only lost and had not yet found her home, and that sooner or later she would come back.
They knew that if they really loved Diana as their daughter, when their own daughter returned, there would always be an affectionate closeness, and they feared the child would fall short, so they had made it all clear in the beginning.
Diana herself agreed. But when they told her they would announce her identity as an adopted daughter, Diana carefully pleaded with them not to, saying she feared the pampered grand dames of the circle would discriminate against her and intimidate her when they learned she was an adopted daughter.
Considering that Diana had been mistreated by her previous adoptive parents, and fearing that she would suffer psychological disorders, they both agreed.
For more than 20 years, Diana had been part of the family as a daughter of the Espina family, and no one dared to bully her.
When Albina returned, it would be time to announce the identity of the two.
Seeing that both parents were in agreement, Hector spoke of another matter:
-We must also dismiss Doria and remove her from the family.
Seeing Bianca’s surprised eyes, he continued:
-Although it was discovered that she had nothing to do with what happened then, Albina was lost in her hands, and I fear that when Albina returns, she will feel uncomfortable when she sees this person. In fact, she should have left more than twenty years ago.
Antonio nodded behind him.
-On that I agree with Hector, it really is time for her to leave.
-I’m afraid it’s a bit difficult,” Bianca sighed. She has taken care of Diana during her childhood. I’m afraid Diana would be the first person to object.
-It’s just firing a maid, Diana can visit Doria often if she really wants her, or we can simply hire Doria as her life assistant. In any case, Doria can’t stay in the Espina family.
Bianca nodded.
-Yes, I’ll talk to Doria later.
-Don’t tell the others about Albina yet. I’m afraid something unexpected might happen.
Hector thought of that brother of his and instantly his head ached.
-Now there’s another difficult matter to handle, which is Adrian. He doesn’t even know he has a sister, he only knows about Diana, and if Albina comes back, we will inevitably make it up to her and be nice to her. I’m afraid this little boy won’t understand us.
Hector had said it euphemistically. Actually, what he had in mind was that he feared Diana would say something in front of Adrian and deliberately mislead him so that he would make an enemy of Albina.
The boy was simple-minded and could be easily emotionally dominated. Albina was still pregnant and if something went wrong, he would push Albina further and further away.
-How dare he?! -Antonio growled coldly- Albina is his own sister, if he really dares to be hostile to Albina, I will be the first to teach this boy a lesson.
Now he regretted it a little. He feared that his wife would have a bad time, he never mentioned in public the existence of his daughter, leaving Adrian without any impression of his own sister.
-Adrian must not be, he’s a little naughty but very affectionate…..
Before Bianca could finish the sentence, father and son looked at her with complicated eyes.
-Mom, what a thick maternal filter you have,” Hector couldn’t help saying. This boy is no longer just a little naughty, but he’s getting more and more stubborn as the years go by.
Adrian and Hector had a big age difference. Hector was already in college when Adrian was born, came home very rarely and didn’t spend much time with his younger brother.
The same was true of their father.
On the contrary, it was his mother and Diana who spent the most time with Adrian.
Diana was very tender in front of the Espina family, and Adrian loved her so much that he stuck to her like a little tail, calling her “sister” every day and being very affectionate.
As Bianca said, Adrian was very affectionate, but only with her and Diana.
He hadn’t spent a day with Albina and felt no affection whatsoever.
Bianca sighed.
-With Adrian, it’s a matter of penetrating a little, it doesn’t happen overnight. You said Albina has a good personality, Adrian should like this big sister.
-I hope so! -Hector stretched out his hands and made a gesture to do as he was told.
-Come on, stop being silly and go downstairs and take care of what needs to be taken care of.
Antonio gave him a look and took the lead towards the door.
Hector helped Bianca follow him.
When they went downstairs, they saw Doria who finished taking care of the flowers.
Seeing Bianca, Doria hurried to say:
-Madam, I have finished all the watering of the flowers. Mr. Hector, you must be hungry, right? The kitchen is ready, and before watering the flowers I asked you to add a plate of your favorite pasta.
Doria’s honest and attentive demeanor made Bianca a little uncomfortable.
Hector patted his mother’s shoulder.
They had to be ruthless, besides, they would still give Doria enough compensation to have a pretty good life.
At Doria’s age, she really should retire.
-Doria, why don’t you leave your things and come sit down? I want to talk to you,” Bianca spoke to Doria.
Doria’s heart skipped a beat at these words and she suddenly felt a premonition.
She moved hastily, did not dare to sit on the sofa and honestly stood to one side.
-I won’t sit down, if you have anything to say, madam, just give me your orders.
Seeing her insistence, Bianca had to desist and looked at her sweetly.
-How many years have you been working in our family?