GETTING THE HEART OF THE CEO

Jimena arrived at the hospital, and when she entered the room, she found Courtney lost in her thoughts and in tears. She approached and hugged her tightly.

"I know it's tough, but I'm here to support you."

Courtney had pronounced dark circles under her eyes; she hadn't slept at all. Every time she closed her eyes, the nightmare repeated itself like a video playing on a loop. "Thank you, Mrs. Jimena," a weak voice struggled to come out of her throat.

"Just call me Jimena, dear. The doctor informed me that they'll discharge you in three days. I want to suggest that you come with me to a children's home. I'm the director there, and those kids can help you cope with your pain unless you have another place to go."

"I'll be a burden there. I am nothing now. I don't know what to do with what's left of me." She hadn't stopped crying since the assault; her heart was shattered by pain, and her body still showed signs of her misfortune.

"Don't say that! You are a strong girl, and you'll get through this. You know, I have four boys who are like angels, and they help me with the foundation. Each of them, in their own way, has gone through tragedies that marked their lives. One of them, for example, was broken by her stepfather for several years until one day she decided to leave the hell where she lived. She came to us emotionally shattered, just like you, and now she's a strong and kind-hearted woman." "When I saw you, Jimena, I thought you were an angel coming to rescue me. Now I know you're an angel who wants to help me."

"I won't support you alone. In the children's home, you'll have many people who will help you overcome what you experienced."

In another location, Maximiliano had talked with his mother, telling her everything that happened, apologizing for abandoning them, and seeking her support to win back his wife.

Cecilia was moved by her son's words, advising him as a mother. Her happiness was evident; she began to recover the Maximiliano he was before moving to Los Angeles.

A month had passed, and the friends decided to visit the children's home, bringing gifts for the kids.

Luan and Stefany had gone a couple of times, but they hadn't been able to see Cony, as Jimena fondly called her. The times they went, the girl was in a depressive state and didn't want to see anyone.

The four friends entered the place, and the kids screamed with joy upon seeing them.

"My kids, I'm so glad to see you. I missed you so much," Jimena greeted them warmly.

"How is the girl, Jime?" Stefany asked with melancholy.

"There are days she leaves her room and helps Julia in the kitchen. On other days, she stays locked up, crying. She sleeps very little, and if she does, she wakes up screaming. In the early mornings, I've seen her from my room window going to the backyard, sitting on the bench, and sobbing."

"Can we meet her?" Luan blurted out.

"At the moment, she's in the kitchen with Julia. Come, join me."

Jimena led them inside the house and headed to the kitchen. Cony had her back turned.

"Cony, some friends came to visit you."

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Cony turned around, and her expression was one of astonishment. There stood her sister, the woman who had caused her so much harm. Tears began to flow down her pale cheeks.

The friends looked at each other in surprise. Lindsey couldn't believe she was in front of her sister; she didn't recognize her immediately. The model was no more; her eyes were lifeless, she looked like a walking corpse. The hatred she felt for her disappeared. Seeing her in that condition broke her heart. She was no longer the cheerful and outgoing girl who used to annoy her.

-What's going on? Do you all know each other?" Jimena asked, noticing the expressions on everyone's faces.

"She is my sister, Courtney."

Courtney didn't speak; she just cried in anguish. Every night, she repeated to herself, "What happened to me is punishment for all the evil I did to my sister."

Jimena knew Courtney's life story because she had shared it herself, and now was the time for them to talk.

"Walk to your room, Courtney, so you can open up to your sister."

With her head bowed, Courtney made her way through them and walked, with Lindsey silently following.

Upon reaching the room, Courtney sat at the edge of the bed, her gaze lowered, fingers intertwined. She didn't know how to begin.

Lindsey approached and hugged her tightly. Despite everything, they were sisters. Lindsey's heart bled at the sight of Courtney in this deplorable state and knowing what she had endured at the hands of those soulless monsters. The charismatic girl was nowhere to be found. Both cried for a long time.

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"Lindsey, forgive me for all the harm I've done to you. What happened to me is punishment for not doing things right in the past," Courtney expressed with a fragile and trembling voice.

"Courtney, dear, I have nothing to forgive you for. On the contrary, forgive me for taking everything away from you without caring about what would happen to your life."

"You're not to blame for what happened to me. I brought this upon myself. It's the result of my mistake, of wanting to hurt you. I didn't pay a debt, and this is the price I had to pay. I deserve it."

"Do you know who harmed you here? He has to pay. Now, are you going to tell me who it was?" Lindsey stood up from the bed with eyes filled with fury. She was going to search for that guy under every rock, and he had to pay for what he did to her sister.

Courtney began to tremble, remembering the last words he said to her. Tears overflowed uncontrollably on her gaunt face; it was a heartbreaking cry.

Lindsey, seeing her like that, felt every fiber of her being shake. She rushed to hug her and whispered, "Calm down, dear, don't get upset. I'm with you, and I promise not to leave you. Come with me; there are 5 nieces and nephews you have to meet," she confessed, stroking Courtney's hair.

"I don't leave this house. Here, I feel safe."

"You will also be safe with me. I give you my word." Lindsey lifted her and helped her settle on the bed. She began to caress her hair again to calm her, eventually managing to make her fall asleep. She looked so fragile, like a little mouse cornered with no way out.

Lindsey left the room, and there were the guys who hugged her when they saw her. Later, she made some calls.