Chapter 7 - The Masterclass of Grace
Three months later.
The scandal surrounding Valdés Renewable Energy had shaken the Spanish corporate world, but Gabriel’s decisive actions saved the firm.
After liquidating Mateo’s frozen shares and appointing an independent oversight board, Gabriel restructured the enterprise. He stepped down as full-time CEO, appointing a trusted former director to manage daily operations in Madrid and Bilbao, reserving for himself only the role of Chairman.
For the first time in his life, Gabriel’s calendar was empty by 3:00 PM every single day.
The Pedralbes mansion had undergone a complete transformation. The cold, sterile minimalist decor had been replaced with warm colors, family photographs, and open spaces filled with sunlight.
In the grand living room, the €68,000 Steinway piano was open every day.
Lucía had not returned to cleaning. Instead, Gabriel had hired her as the Director of Musical and Sensory Development for the newly reformed Irene Valdés Memorial Foundation—an organization dedicated to providing free, high-level music therapy and educational resources for neurodivergent children across Catalonia.
Furthermore, Lucía spent three afternoons a week at the mansion, working directly with Nicolás.
On a crisp spring afternoon, Gabriel sat on the patio terrace, watching through the glass doors.
Inside, Nicolás was sitting on the piano bench right beside Lucía.
He was ten years old now, his cheeks full of healthy color, his eyes bright and alert. Lucía played a complex harmonic scale, then paused, waiting.
Nicolás placed his small hands on the keys and repeated the exact sequence without missing a single note. His musical memory was extraordinary—a gift that had been locked away behind trauma for two long years.
Lucía clapped her hands softly, beaming with pride. “Bravo, Nico! Perfect pitch!”
Nicolás let out a bright, ringing laugh—the same laugh Gabriel had heard three months ago—and turned to look out the window.
He saw his father.
Instead of hiding or backing away, Nicolás raised his hand and waved.
Gabriel’s heart swelled with a happiness so profound it brought tears to his eyes. He stood up, walked into the living room, and sat down on the other side of the piano bench, sandwiching Nicolás between himself and Lucía.
“Can I try?” Gabriel asked playfully.
Nicolás looked at his father, then pointed to two keys on the lower octave. “Dad... bass line,” the boy said clearly, his voice steady and confident.
May you like
Gabriel froze. He looked at Lucía, who nodded with tears in her eyes.
“Bass line,” Gabriel repeated, his voice thick with emotion as he struck the lower notes to accompany his son’s melody.
