Mauricio installed hidden cameras throughout the house.
He was sure that the new nanny, like all the previous ones, would turn out to be a fraud, but the recordings showed him something completely different.
His 3-year-old son doing something he never imagined, and it shattered him inside.
Mauricio Delgado was 30 years old and had everything money could buy: a three-story house in Palermo, imported cars, a bank account that grew every month, but no fortune could bring back what he lost 8 months ago.

The peace that vanished when his wife, Valeria, died in an accident.
Now he lived alone with Benjamín, his 3-year-old son, a boy with enormous eyes who looked more and more like his mother every day.

And that resemblance was a dagger to Mauricio’s heart every morning.

«I need another nanny,» he had told his assistant two days earlier.

It was the thirteenth in eight months. Mauricio always found reasons to fire them. They arrived late, they used [unclear — possibly «el» or «el» in Spanish], they didn’t follow instructions, or there was simply something about them that didn’t inspire confidence.

The truth was more complicated. He couldn’t stand seeing another woman taking care of his son. Every hug a nanny gave Benjamin tore him apart because that hug should have come from Valeria.
But Valeria was gone, and Benjamin needed someone. That Monday morning, Mauricio went downstairs, adjusting his tie. The silence hit him as always. Before, there had been laughter, music, life. Now, only echoes.

«Mr. Delgado.» Marta, the housekeeper, appeared, drying her hands. «Benjamin has already had breakfast. He’s in his room playing. More alone.» Mauricio frowned. «Yes, sir, as you requested. No television. No tablet, just his toys.» Mauricio nodded, ignoring the small knot in his stomach.
It was better this way.
Benjamin needed to learn independence early.

The world wasn’t kind to the weak.

«What time does the new nanny arrive?»
«At 10, sir.»
«A woman named Pilar Moreno.» Mauricio checked his watch.
He had 40 minutes before leaving for the office.

Enough time to establish the rules.

He went straight up to Benjamin’s room.
His son was on the rug, surrounded by blocks, building something that looked like a tower.
«Good morning, Benja.»
The boy looked up.
Those hazel eyes, identical to Valeria’s, regarded him cautiously.
«Good morning, Daddy.»
Mauricio sat on the bed, not on the floor next to him.
«A new nanny is coming today.»
«Her name is Pilar.» Benjamin nodded slowly.
He was used to it by now. The nannies came and went like the seasons.

I need you to behave.
I always behave, Daddy.

And it was true.
Benjamin was quiet, almost too quiet for his three years.
He didn’t throw tantrums, he didn’t cry, he didn’t ask for anything.
Sometimes Mauricio wondered if that was normal.

I know, son, you’re a good boy.

Benjamin smiled a little, a small smile that disappeared almost immediately.

Mauricio wanted to say more, to hug him, to ask him how he felt, if he missed his mom, but the words got stuck, as always.

I’m leaving.
See you tonight.
Goodbye, Daddy.

And just like that, Mauricio left the room, closed the door behind him, and leaned against the hallway wall, taking a deep breath.

Why was it so difficult?

Why did every interaction with his son feel like walking on broken glass?

He went downstairs and was about to leave when the doorbell rang.

It was 9:30, half an hour early.

Mauricio opened the door with a frown.
Being late was a serious offense, but arriving too early also showed a lack of respect for his time.