At first, Alejandro barely noticed her. But one cold night, as he sat alone by the fireplace, he heard a soft humming echoing from the hallway. It was Lucía, singing an old lullaby—one of those nostalgic tunes grandmothers used to hum before bedtime. Something about her voice reached deep into him. That night, for the first time in months, Alejandro slept peacefully.

A few days later, a friend jokingly warned him, “Be careful with your new maid. Sweet faces can hide sharp intentions.”

Alejandro, proud and ever distrustful, decided to test her honesty.

That evening, he pretended to fall asleep on the living room sofa. On the table beside him, he left his most expensive gold watch, his open wallet, and a pile of cash. Lucía always came in to clean at night—and tonight was no exception.

Around ten o’clock, the door creaked open. Lucía stepped in barefoot, her hair tied back, holding a small lamp. She moved quietly, careful not to disturb the silence. Alejandro squinted through half-closed eyes, pretending to sleep. He waited for her to glance at the money, to show even the slightest sign of temptation.