The rain hammered violently against the metal roof as the soaked man stepped inside the shack. Lucía instantly ran in front of the twins, spreading her tiny arms protectively while trembling from fear. Alejandro slowly stood up from beside the unconscious mother, placing himself between the man and the children. The stranger’s eyes burned with fury as he tightened his grip on the pistol hidden beneath his jacket. “Move,” he growled. Lucía shook her head immediately. “Please… don’t hurt them…” The man’s face twisted painfully at the sound of her voice. For one brief second, Alejandro saw something unexpected in his eyes—not hatred, but desperation. “I came for my babies,” the man whispered hoarsely. Alejandro frowned. “Who are you?” The stranger swallowed hard before answering. “Their father.” Silence filled the tiny shack except for the weak cries of the newborn twins. Lucía looked terrified. “Mama said not to let him take them.” The man’s expression shattered instantly.
Alejandro noticed his hands shaking violently now. “I didn’t leave them,” the father said quietly. “I was trying to get money.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out crumpled hospital papers soaked by rain. “She stopped answering my calls three days ago.” Alejandro kept his body tense. Something still felt terribly wrong. Then flashing ambulance lights suddenly appeared through the broken windows outside. The father panicked instantly. “No police!” he snapped, stepping backward. “They’ll arrest me again.” Alejandro’s eyes narrowed. “Again?” The man lowered the gun slightly, exhausted tears mixing with rainwater on his face. “I stole medicine before… for my family.” Lucía looked between them helplessly while the mother on the mattress suddenly coughed weakly. Blood stained her lips now. “Mateo…” she whispered painfully. The armed man dropped to his knees beside her immediately. “Sofia, stay awake. Please…” But Sofia grabbed Alejandro’s sleeve with trembling fingers instead. Her terrified eyes locked onto him. “Don’t let him take the twins,” she whispered. Then the ambulance sirens stopped outside… and heavy footsteps began approaching the door.
