EPISODE 169

 

Hours later,

Antonio is with his grandmother at an upscale coffee house. She takes a few sips of her coffee and tells him that with Martin, Aurelio, Aranza, and the children around, she wanted a more private place. Antonio says that he doesn't mind. He looks at his grandmother and asks her if she is about to drop another bombshell or do something crazy. Claudia frowns but says nothing. Antonio, calling her grandmother, asks her what she did this time.

Claudia sighs dramatically and tells him that she isn't upto anything. Antonio looks at her doubtfully and she smiles. She then tells him that she has some news for him. Antonio asks her what news she is talking about. Claudia shows him her hand. Antonio starts to ask her what she means when he sees a ring on her finger. He is shocked into silence for a moment. His grandmother is getting married, again? He asks her who she is marrying. Claudia says that she is marrying Santiago, Marianna's grandfather.

She adds that she wanted to tell him alone because she loves him and he means the world to her. Antonio is so shocked; he doesn't know what to say. Claudia asks him how he feels about it. Antonio shrugs. He says that he needs some time to process it. He then looks at his grandmother and says that he loves her very much and he just wants to see her happy. Claudia smiles and says that she loves him too.

Meanwhile, the news of Helena and Carlos's arrests was still causing shock waves.

Two weeks later,

Antonio had proposed to Gabriela and Hernan had proposed to Adrianna. It was a happy time. Also during this time, Helena and Carlos's trials began.

At Hernan and Adrianna's house,

Hernan is on his way to the dining room when he sees Adrianna's open laptop. He sees some wedding cards designs. He scrolls through a few when Adrianna comes in. He asks her if that is his sister's work. Adrianna says it is. She adds that Gabriela insisted on doing it. Hernan says he can imagine his sister bragging thinking she is better than him. Adrianna shakes her head. She says that Gabriela was very nice about it. Hernan then looks at the cards again. He tells Adrianna that there is a problem with them. Adrianna comes nearer and asks him what he is talking about.

Hernan says that her surname hasn't been changed to his on the cards. Adrianna says that she asked Gabriela not to. Hernan folds his hands and asks her why she would do that. Adrianna says that she doesn't agree with the practice that a woman should just have to drop a name she has been using her whole life just because she is getting married. Hernan frowns then says that it's his sister's fault. Adrianna tells Hernan that Gabriela has nothing to do with her decision. He looks at her like he doesn't believe her. Adrianna says that it's not a big deal.

Hernan says that it is. He says that as a woman, she is expected to take up her husband's surname after marriage. Adrianna glares at him then says that he is being ridiculous. She adds that she will hyphenate. Hernan asks her if he is trying to embarrass him. Adrianna says that she would never do that. Hernan says that she is being unreasonable. Adrianna sighs. She then asks him what he would do if Gisela wanted to do the same thing when she wants to get married. Hernan says that they aren't talking about their daughter.

At Antonio and Gabriela's house,

They are alone with Claudia, as Hannibal has gone for a sleepover at his grandparents' house. Gabriela kisses her daughter's forehead and places her in her crib. She then looks at her lovingly, before she leaves her room. She walks for a little distance before she runs into Antonio. He is holding a card. He shows it to her and asks her if she has finished working on their wedding cards. Gabriela says that she hasn't and she is still looking at different colours and designs. Antonio looks at the card again and says that it's nice but it seems to have a problem. Gabriela asks him what he means. He shows her the names. Gabriela shrugs. She says that she doesn't see a problem.

Antonio says that she hasn't changed her surname. Gabriela says that she hadn't planned on changing her surname anyway. Antonio asks her why. Gabriela says that after having to hide her identity for years to stay alive, she wants to freely use it. Antonio asks her if there is another reason. Gabriela asks him what other reason she could have. Antonio looks at her and says that maybe the reason she doesn't want to use his surname is because of the power and prestige of her surname and because her father is admired by millions because of his story. Gabriela shrugs. She tells Antonio that he is being unreasonable. She says that she loves him and she cannot wait to marry him but she will not drop her surname.

Back at Hernan's house,

Adrianna says that it is the same thing. Hernan glares at her. Adrianna does not back down and stares at him as well. Adrianna again asks him what he would do if Gisela wanted to retain his surname or hyphenate. Hernan says that he would let her do as she wishes. Adrianna says that her hyphenating won't change how much she loves and respects him.

Days later,

At Gabriela and Antonio's house,

Gabriela is on her way to the kitchen when she hears a knock on the door. Her nanny goes to open it. Gabriela is a little surprised to see her father. He greets her then asks her if Claudia is awake. Gabriela says that she just fell asleep again. Gabriela asks her father if he wants anything. Gabriel says that some fruit juice would be nice. Gabriela then asks her father, where he would want them to talk. Gabriela says that Antonio's home office would be fine.

Meanwhile,

Martin has gone to visit Marianna in prison. He was with Dianna. He watches Dianna run to hug her mother and smiles. He loved them both so much. They were his queens and he would do anything to keep them happy.

Back at Antonio and Gabriela's house,

Gabriela is in Antonio's office with her father. Gabriel sips some juice then looks at his daughter. He says that he wanted to talk to her about something her brother had mentioned. Gabriela frowns. She then asks her father what lies Hernan had told about her. Gabriel says that Hernan said that she refused to share a wedding date with him. Gabriela folds her hands. Gabriel says that from her reaction, he can see that it is true. Gabriela says that she just doesn't like the whole idea of sharing a wedding date with Hernan.

Gabriel says that she and her brother have always celebrated everything together. He adds that even their children are age-mates. Gabriela tells him that she doesn't like how people assume or expect that she and Hernan will do everything together just because they are twins.

She adds that sometimes she feels like her individuality is forgotten just because she is a twin. She also adds that it is suffocating and she would like to do some things separately from Hernan. Gabriel says that he understands her.

He asks her if she enjoys experiencing life with her brother. Gabriela folds her hands again. She admits she does but adds that it doesn't mean she should have to do everything with Hernan. Gabriel says that he is sorry she feels that way. He adds that the whole family loves them and no one wanted to make her feel smothered because she is a twin. He also says that they all just want to enjoy such an important occasion, after all the suffering and tragedy in the past. Gabriela says that after they found each other again, she had always pictured him walking her down the aisle.

She says that she hadn't pictured Hernan getting married on the same day. She adds that she doesn't want to have to share his attention with her brother on her wedding day. Gabriel holds both her hands. Gabriela looks at her father. He tells her that he loves both her and Hernan and appreciates each of them as individuals. He adds that he has never and would never lump them together because each of them is special and uniquely gifted. Gabriela smiles. Gabriel asks her if she will agree to get married on the same day as her brother. Gabriela shrugs but says she will. She adds that it's only to make him happy and not because of Hernan. Gabriel smiles and hugs his daughter.

Four Months pass during which, Hernan and Adrianna and Gabriela, and Antonio get married. It is a beautiful and emotional wedding. Gabriel walks Gabriela and Adrianna down the aisle. On one arm is his daughter, and on the other, his daughter-in-law. Antonio and Hernan are happy as they patiently wait for their brides to walk towards them. Also, Helena and Carlos's trial is still going on.

At the end of those four months, the day many have been waiting for finally arrives. The courtroom is packed. Everyone they have ever hurt or affected in one way or the other is there. Even Marianna got special permission so that she could hear the verdict. Everyone watches as Marianna, who is handcuffed, is brought to sit in front. Martin watches her. Even dressed in orange prison clothes, she was still a vision of beauty and sensuality. As she walks to the front, they lock eyes. 

There is chatter in the court. Shortly after, Helena and Carlos are brought in and, all chatter stops. The attention is on them. Helena glares with pure hatred at Hernan, Gabriela, Gabriel, and Aranza. Gabriela doesn't care. She just wants Helena to pay for all the crimes she has committed. Antonio squeezes her hand to reassure her. Adrianna takes a deep breath. This was it. Her aunt was finally going to pay for killing her parents. Hernan looks at her. The judge's name is announced and, people stand as he gets out of the office near the stand.

Soon after, the judge begins by reading Helena and Carlos's long charge sheet. They are found guilty of three counts of attempted murder: the first one being of Gabriel (both of them), the second one being of Hernan and Gabriela when they were children (both of them), and the third one being of Hernan, Gabriela, and their children (Helena only). They are also found guilty of two counts of murder the first one being of the three EMTs who were with Gabriel and the second one being of Adrianna's parents, Adrian and Paulina. Besides that, they are also found guilty of two counts of forgery. The first one is forging Adrian and Paulina's death certificates, car accident, and autopsy reports.

The second count is forging Gabriel's death certificate, autopsy, and ambulance accident reports. Next, the police reports are read and, other evidence that was unearthed during the investigation is presented. They are sentenced to life in prison each with no possibility of parole. There is a collective sigh of relief in the court. Adrianna takes a deep breath. This was it. Her aunt was never going to be able to hurt anyone again. Helena was going to remain behind bars, where she belonged, forever. She wipes away tears at the verdict. Hernan removes wipes from his pocket and hands her some. Adrianna wipes her tears away then lays her head on his shoulders.