EPISODE 168

 

Later that evening,

At Hernan and Adrianna's house,

Aranza is with Gabriela and Adrianna. Gisela Paulina and Hannibal are there too. Gisela Paulina looks at Adrianna and while calling her mommy, says that she is bored. She then says that she wants to watch cartoons. Hannibal looks at Gabriela and says that even him. Gabriela says that it's fine but he should behave well. Adrianna tells Gisela Paulina that they are coming to check on the two of them. Gisela says okay. Hannibal calls Gisela and they go. After the children have left, Aranza turns to Adrianna and Gabriela. Gabriela asks her what she did.

Aranza rolls her eyes. She says that she is the responsible sister. Adrianna then shakes her head. Aranza glares at her then smiles sweetly. She asks both Adrianna and Gabriela if they have started thinking of baby names. Adrianna sighs and looks at Aranza. She says that she should have known that her nosiness would make her ask that question. She adds that she hasn't thought much about it though. Aranza looks at Gabriela and asks her, what about her. Gabriela admits that she hasn't either. Gabriela asks Aranza if she has ideas.

Aranza nods. Gabriela asks her sister, how she is so good and has chosen the perfect name for everyone. Aranza shrugs and says that she is clever. She then asks Gabriela when Claudia's birthday is. Gabriela thinks about it then says it will be around the same time as her daughter's birth. She then asks Aranza why she was asking. Aranza tells Gabriela that she was curious as to what names she had been considering. Gabriela says that she was probably going to name her daughter after her mother. Aranza tells Gabriela that she was thinking, that she should name her daughter, Claudia after Antonio's grandmother.

She adds that Claudia has shown them all what a strong, ingenious, and remarkable person she is and she thinks that she would be a good role model for her (Gabriela) daughter to be like. Gabriela says that she has never really thought about it like that then admits to Aranza that she does have a point. Aranza adds that Claudia's middle name should be Miguela, because Antonio's middle name is Miguel. Gabriela says the name Claudia Miguela Diaz out loud and then says that she likes the sound of it. Adrianna asks what about her son. Aranza thinks about it for a few seconds then says that she thinks that the child should be named Armando, to honour Armando and Luisa for taking care of Hernan. Adrianna says that she loves that idea. Gabriela agrees too.

A little over a month later, Renata gives birth to her daughter, Victoria.

Five months later,

Adrianna gives birth to her son, whom she names Armando Junior. Gabriela gives birth three days later (on Claudia's birthday), to her daughter, whom she names Claudia Miguela. Antonio and Gabriela arrange a surprise for Claudia. Antonio hugs his grandmother and tells her happy birthday. He says that he loves her. Claudia smiles and says she loves him too. She then asks him why he is not with his wife, who just gave birth. Antonio asks Claudia to follow him, because he has a birthday present for her. Claudia looks at him suspiciously. She asks him what he is upto. She then adds, that they can celebrate her birthday later, because Gabriela and the baby are more important. Antonio smiles and tells her that she will love her present. 

  

Claudia agrees to follow Antonio, though she is still eyeing him suspiciously. When they get to Gabriela's room, a nurse has just brought the baby for breastfeeding. Claudia greets Gabriela, then looks at both of them and says that she doesn't understand what is going on. Gabriela hands over her daughter to Antonio. Antonio tells his grandmother to come closer, which she does. Claudia smiles at her great grand daughter. she is such a lovely child. Antonio looks at his grandmother and tells her to meet her namesake, Claudia junior. Claudia is shocked. Gabriela then tells her happy birthday, grandma. Claudia goes and hugs Gabriela and thanks her. 

  

A week after Adrianna and Gabriela give birth:

After six months of court dates, and trials, it was, time for a verdict. There is pin-drop silence as the judge reads the verdict. Martin is sitting near Marianna. He squeezes her hand. The two men are declared guilty of Emma's murder and are each sentenced to twenty-five years in prison. Marianna is declared not guilty of the murder, despite her friendship with the deceased suspects.

In the trial over the drugging and baby switching, she is declared guilty and is sentenced to one year in jail and four years of community service. Marianna closes her eyes for a second. She is relieved. While the thought of being away from Martin and her children for one year scared her, she is very relieved, because things could have gone worse.

Sometime later,

Martin and Marianna are waiting in the judge's office. He had asked to see them privately. Martin looks at Marianna. She is quiet and has hardly said a word to him since they came to the office. She won't look at him either. He watches her stare at the wall. He stretches out a hand and touches her. She turns to look at him. He touches her face and tells her that things will be okay. Marianna moves away from him and stands. He follows her and tells her that one year is not too long. He adds that it is something they can get through together.

Marianna turns and faces him. Martin wants to kiss her but Marianna moves away. She tells him that he doesn't understand what she means. He tells her to make him understand. Marianna says that one year is a lot of time and it would be unfair of her to make him put his life on pause and wait for her. Martin moves closer to her and tells her that both he and the children will be fine. Marianna says that she isn't worried about that too much, because she knows he will have plenty of help. Martin asks her what her concern is. Marianna looks away.

Martin gently turns her face towards him. He kisses her forehead and tells her that he will be there for her. Marianna increases the distance between them. She then tells him that she can't make him wait for a year. She tells him that if he wants to find someone in the meantime or to move on, he shouldn't mind her. Martin looks at her horrified. He tells Marianna that he only loves her. Marianna tells him that he is only telling her that because it's at the beginning. She says that she can't be so selfish as to expect him to remain celibate and wait for her.

Martin smiles and tells Marianna that's what worries her. Marianna glares at him. She tells him that he isn't funny. Martin tells her that it won't be easy but he will manage. He reminds her that there are conjugal visits. Marianna says they are there but it's so embarrassing to ask for them or to see a knowing look every time he comes to visit. Martin says that eventually, they will get past the awkwardness. He tells her that people's judgmental opinions shouldn't matter. Before they can say anything else, they hear voices. The judge seems to be on the phone with someone else. Marianna goes back to her seat. Martin follows her.

Elsewhere,

At the courtroom, cafeteria,

Santiago is there with Claudia. He watches her as he sips a cup of coffee. He asks her what she is thinking about. Claudia sighs and says that she is thinking about Martin. Santiago asks her why. Claudia says that she does not doubt that he loves Dianna and Diego, but between work and dealing with Marianna's sentence he will need help with the children. Santiago agrees. Claudia says that she had been thinking about it for some time, and she has an idea on how to help Martin during the year, Marianna will be completing her sentence.

Santiago asks her what her idea is. Claudia says that she will talk to Martin and suggest to him that he should move into her house. Santiago is a little surprised. He asks Claudia if she has thought it through. Claudia says that she has. She says that she believes that it's what is best for Martin and the children. She adds that it will ease the pressure on Martin and also it will be good for Dianna because she will have an easier time coping with her mother's absence.

Shortly after,

Back in the judge's office,

The judge apologizes to Martin and Marianna for making them wait. Marianna says that it's not a problem. The judge tells them that despite the sentence, he does believe that she (Marianna) isn't a bad person, and deserves a second chance. He adds that he wanted to talk to them in private about her sentence. Both Marianna and Martin are alarmed. Martin asks the judge if there was a problem. The judge says that there wasn't. He then looks at them both and says that he can tell that they love each other.

He adds that one year is a long time and a lot can happen. He adds that it is long enough for people to grow apart. He adds that he wants to propose a plan to give them a once-a-week alone time. Both Martin and Marianna are surprised. The judge says that won't be a part of normal visiting hours and won't affect that. Martin asks the judge why he would do that. The judge looks at Marianna and says because she is the daughter of Diego Holguain.

On hearing her father's name, Marianna is curious. She asks the judge if he knew her father. The judge says that he was her father's friend. He adds that he and Diego met on campus and were friends until Diego's murder. He continues and says that if he can pull a few strings to help the child of a dear friend, he will. He looks at Martin and tells him that he is a good person for giving Marianna a second chance, and for sticking by her. He also says that he wants to help them remain connected despite the sentence.

Three weeks pass during which, Martin moves with the children to Claudia's mansion. Martin was of course, a bit unsure about the whole idea, but Claudia insisted. He told Claudia that he wouldn't want her quiet to be infringed on by the children. Claudia waved him away and told him that it was okay. Soon after, Aurelio and Aranza, moved in to help as well. Clara is jealous and feels that Martin may love Claudia more. Martin assures her that he loves her and that she is irreplaceable in his life.

It is around the time for Hernan and Gabriela's birthday. Three days to the day,

At Montes de Alba Inc.,

Gabriela opens the door to her brother's office and enters. She sits on the chair opposite him. Hernan pretends to ignore her and continues working on his computer. Gabriela frowns and throws a Biro pen lid at him. Hernan looks at her. Gabriela asks Hernan why he called her. Hernan tells her that he would like them to go somewhere, in two days. Gabriela asks him where he wants them to go. Hernan smiles but says nothing.

Gabriela asks him what he is upto. Hernan says that he isn't upto anything. 

He adds that he would like to show her something. Gabriela says that he is definitely upto something because he is being so mysterious. Hernan tells Gabriela that she will find out when they go to the place he will take her. Gabriela frowns at her brother. She then says that she will come because someone needs to keep an eye on him. She asks him if it is far. Hernan says that it isn't. He adds that it is within the city. Gabriela says that it's fine.

Meanwhile,

Antonio is walking out of a lift when his phone rings. He removes it out of his pocket. It is his grandmother. He greets her and asks her how she is. Claudia says that she is fine. She says that she wants to talk to him. Antonio asks her what happened. Antonio says that whenever she calls to tell him that she wants to talk to him, she usually, drops a bombshell. Claudia tells him that he is so dramatic. She adds that she simply wants to talk to him. Antonio sighs in an -I -don't- believe- you- way, but tells his grandmother that he will be there.

A day to the twins' birthday,

Hernan and Gabriela, walk into a music studio. Gabriela looks around, then stares at her brother. She folds her arms and asks him what he is upto. Hernan tells her that he has been working on some material and he wrote a song. Gabriela rolls her eyes at Hernan. He asks her why she is cross. Gabriela says that she isn't cross. She adds that she just thinks it's immature of him to bring her all the way there so that he can brag and show off.

Hernan says that he doesn't need to show off because everyone knows he is the better, smarter, and more creative twin. Gabriela glares at him. Hernan says that there was something, he wanted her to be the first person to hear. Gabriela asks him what he is upto. Hernan tells her to relax. He goes to the machines and looks for something. He hands Gabriela a set of headphones and wears another. She looks at him suspiciously but wears the headphones anyway. The beats of a song are heard, as the song begins playing.

Elsewhere,

It is a normal day, in a small town, not too far from the city. At a rather, obscure-looking inn, things are going on as usual. It's two pm in the afternoon, and people are having lunch. Three plainclothes policemen enter the inn. They order something to eat and begin discreetly surveying their surroundings.

Back to Hernan and Gabriela,

The song continues playing. It is a song Hernan wrote for Gabriela. It is about them and what they have been through. It is about how much he loves her. Gabriela smiles and stretches a hand out to Hernan. He accepts her hand. As the song plays, there are pictures of them, through the years, right from when they were infants. There are also flashbacks of them together, through the years. When the song ends, Hernan is the first one to remove his headphones.

He then stands up. Gabriela removes hers next. She stands then wipes away tears from her face. She then looks up at Hernan and tells him thank you. She says that it was sweet of him to do all of that for her. Hernan says that he would do it all over again because she is his sister and he loves her very much. Gabriela says that she loves him too then asks him if he wrote the song. Hernan says he did. Gabriela gives him an- I- don't- believe- you- look. Hernan insists that he did.

He adds that he was involved in the whole creative process, except singing because he can't sing. Gabriela says that is one thing they can agree on. Hernan smirks and says that he is still the more talented twin. Gabriela rolls her eyes and tells Hernan that he has set the bar so high, nothing she gets him will compare. Hernan tells her not to stress herself over it. He adds that having her for a sister is a gift he wouldn't exchange for anything. He adds that getting to experience life with her is far more precious than any material gift. They hug then Hernan rubs her head. Gabriela reminds him that it is annoying. Hernan shrugs and says that it will never get old.

Elsewhere,

Back at the inn,

Helena and Carlos are having a late lunch, under disguise of course. A plainclothes officer looks around then looks at Helena and Carlos. He then removes a phone and dials a number. When the other person picks up, he whispers targets located. Helena and Carlos finish their meal, unaware of what is about to happen. They pay and walk up to leave. They walk out for a short stroll. They are out in the parking lot when they are accosted by armed policemen. Carlos, in his changed accent, asks them, why they are being arrested. One of the officers tells them that their time is up and calls them by their real names, Helena Alvarez and Carlos Diaz. Before they can react, officers come and handcuff them.