2003Mayor Tobias is, along with the people of Sunset Village and more of today's celebrities, opening the Lagoon City Marina. The place promises to be the point for rich people to have and store their sailboats and yachts.Josias, as always, is there, wearing sunglasses, a light T-shirt, and knee-length shorts. Not even Tobias dared to wear a suit. The day was especially hot, and around the inauguration, countless bathers in skimpy clothes accompanied the event.After posing and effusive applause, the Lagoon City Marina was ready to receive the first recreational craft.Josias approaches Tobias, "Do you realize that with each passing year, Lagoon City is looking more and more like Miami?""Thank God for that!" Tobias jokes, "And you know we're growing. With the new residential subdivisions that I approved in the East Zone of the city, we passed 300,000 thousand inhabitants, and I hope to reach the mark of 400,000 when we are in the next decade.Josias nods admirably, "The Exact Scien

Josias and Melissa are now at the dining table, having a sumptuous breakfast. The maids serving breakfast can barely hide their admiration for being in front of the Lady of Lagoon City.“Anything else, ma’am?”“No, thank you.” Melissa thanks them with a charismatic smile.The maids leave.Josias is pleased with what he saw, “They admire you, Melissa. Little do they know that they are serving the mistress and owner of this mansion.”Melissa smiles awkwardly, “Josias...”“No discussion.” Josias takes her right hand, “Yesterday I claimed you. You are mine, Melissa, and I am yours.”Melissa glares at Josias. Is this really happening?Between ricotta cheese and cubed pieces of ham, Melissa decides to tell him what’s going on.“Josias, I need to remind you... Under the law, I’m still married to Kelvin.”“Damascene Lawyers are now available.” Josias states, “I called them while you were upstairs getting dressed.”Melissa smiles slightly, “Thank you, Josias, but is this truly necessary?”“Abs

Josias was at Rocha Constructions, imposing in his pinstripe suit, huddled in the conference room with Tiago, Alfred, and Octavio.“Guys, I called you and left Lorraine out because we need to touch on something that doesn’t concern the company.”“We’re listening, master.” Tiago sharpens his ear.“Since yesterday, Melissa showed up at my mansion, desperate, disheveled, and with the clothes on her back. No suitcases, and most interestingly, without the twins.”The gentlemen who hear such a bombshell gape in shock.Alfred is the first to break the silence, “But... But what happened?”Josias has a gloomy face as he answers, “Melissa overheard a conversation behind Kelvin where her husband complains to Daryl about everything that has gone wrong since 1999. It was evident to Melissa that everything they’d done, especially the opening of the franchise of Crystal Blue in Victoria, was just to get her away from me because she attempted to confess the truth to me about Gabriela and that whole f

Melissa was walking around the garden, admiring the peonies and azaleas. Alan was beside her, talking about the property.They stop by the spot where Josias and Katherine’s wedding was held.“I miss J.J., Mom.” Alan suddenly has a shaky voice, “He wasn’t supposed to die.”“No, son, it was never the case that he died, not even Kate, however much we hated her.” Melissa apologizes.Alan shakes his head, “You didn’t hate Kate, Mom. Those are things that Daryl and Kelvin put in your head. Before 1999, you never had any clashes with her. And if it were true that Kate was having an affair with Mr. Guzman, you wouldn’t have participated in this far-fetched plan.”“Yes, you’re right, I failed that part.” Melissa feels guilty, “That’s why I don’t understand why your father still wants me.”“I think deep down, the love he feels for you hasn’t died yet.” Alan smiles slightly, “And I feel like I can tell the same for you.”“Yes, you can say.” Melissa nods.She turns away and is amazed at what she

At Rocha Mansion, Daryl is waiting in the main living room, sitting on the couch because of his foot. He has a mysterious smile, thinking that he will convince Melissa to return to her husband.Daryl can barely hide his surprise when he sees Simeon enter the living room instead of Melissa.He’s torn between sitting still or getting up and running, “Ehr... Mr. Campos? I was hoping to speak with Melissa.”“What the hell, what right do you have to talk to my daughter?” Simeon blusters, “GET OUT of here, before Josias returns and starts the ethical cleanup here!”“What are you talking about?” Daryl is startled.“Do you want to bring about the extinction of the Mountain family here?” Simeon asks with his arms crossed.“No, and I doubt he could pull off such a feat without drawing the attention of the authorities,” Daryl responds confidently.“No one will miss you if Josias buries you alive in the beach sand.” Simeon asserts, “Now get out of here because you won’t talk to my daughter. How d