A reverse Cinderella

Legacy of love

Chapter 3

Roberto's POV

I grew up in a house where, despite the wealth that came with the Rodriguez name, warmth filled every corner. People assume money makes you distant or callous, but that’s not my family. My parents Roberto and Luciana Rodriguez believed in balancing success with humility. I remember my father saying, “Money buys comfort, Roberto, but respect and love...those are earned.” And he lived by those words, along with my mother, who seemed to be a force of kindness and warmth.

Most of my friends, born into similar circumstances, grew up with butlers, nannies, and a wall between parent and child. We had help, of course, Marta, our housekeeper, and Tomas, who managed the grounds but they were family to us, not employees. I can’t count how many times Marta wiped dirt off my face as a kid, chuckling at whatever mess I’d gotten myself into, and Tomas… well, he’s practically the big brother I never had.

Then there are my brothers, Marco and Nico, younger and wilder. They’re both a pain and my greatest allies. We bicker over stupid things, like whose car is faster or who’s going to finish last during a run, but no one messes with a Rodriguez without all three of us backing each other up. They keep me grounded and remind me not to take things too seriously, especially Marco. That kid can find humor in a funeral if he tries hard enough.

Being the eldest has its perks, but it also comes with an invisible weight an expectation to lead, to set an example, to eventually take the reins from my father. He’s never pushed that responsibility on me. Instead, he’s been quietly teaching me, passing on lessons in subtle, small ways, as if he knew I’d pick them up eventually. I admire him for that. There’s no power struggle between us, no resentment, only this shared understanding that someday when he’s ready, I’ll be here to carry on what he’s built.

"Roberto, are you listening?" Nico’s voice snapped me back to the present. We were sitting in the living room, all three of us. Marco had a mischievous grin on his face, and Nico looked amused.

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Mom’s gonna bring it up tonight," Marco said, smirking.

I sighed. "Bring what up?"

"Oh, don’t pretend you don’t know," Nico chimed in, crossing his arms. "The grandchildren thing."

There was one topic that always came up whenever we were together as a family. My mother, bless her, had started dropping hints about grandkids years ago. With me being the eldest, all eyes were naturally on me to deliver first.

"Please, she’s not that bad about it," I said, trying to brush it off, though I knew exactly what they meant.

Marco snorted. "Right. Last month, she said the house was feeling ‘too quiet.’ And the month before that, she showed us a photo album of baby pictures."

"She wants to be a grandma," Nico added, shrugging. "Can you blame her?"

"Look," I said, leaning back, "I get it. But, I’m not going to just… find someone to marry tomorrow and pop out kids for her. It’s a little more complicated than that."

"Doesn’t have to be," Marco replied, winking. "There’s always that girl you met in Rome last year. What was her name? Sophia?”

"Not happening, Marco," I said firmly. "Sophia is not… She’s just not the one, alright?"

Marco threw his hands up in surrender, but he didn’t look convinced. "If you say so, big brother. Just trying to help you speed things along."

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, rolling my eyes. But inside, I knew I couldn’t avoid the conversation forever. My mother’s hints were turning into full-blown requests. And while I wasn’t opposed to the idea of a family, I wanted it to happen naturally, not because of some deadline or expectation.

As I was deep in thought, my father entered the room, his eyes lighting up when he saw us. "My boys," he greeted, his voice rich with pride. "All in one place. That’s a rare sight these days."

"Dad," we all said in unison, a greeting we hadn’t grown out of since childhood.

"How’s everything at the office?" I asked him, genuinely curious.

"Busy, as always," he replied, sitting down across from us. "But we’re making good progress on the Williams deal. Roberto, you’ll be coming with me to finalize the contract next week."

I nodded. "Looking forward to it. I’ve heard she’s quite a powerhouse."

"She is," my father said, nodding approvingly. "Smart, driven. Reminds me of your mother when I first met her."

"Mom was a powerhouse?" Nico asked, eyebrows raised.

"Of course she was," my father replied, laughing. "Still is. Don’t be fooled by her gentleness. Your mother could run circles around me in business if she wanted to."

"Does she know you think that?" Marco asked, grinning.

"She does," he said simply, his face softening at the mention of her. "And that’s why I’m the luckiest man alive."

Before we could delve any further, my mother’s voice rang out from the kitchen. "Boys! Dinner’s ready!"

My father stood up, gesturing for us to follow. “Come on. Let’s go make your mother happy.”

We moved into the dining room, where the table was already set with her best dishes. My mother had outdone herself, as always roast lamb, pasta, fresh vegetables, the works. She greeted each of us with a kiss on the cheek before taking her seat at the head of the table, across from my father.

We’d barely started eating when she looked at me, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Roberto, I’ve been thinking… the house does feel a little quiet lately."

I heard Marco and Nico stifle their laughter, and I shot them both a warning look. “Does it?” I said, trying to keep my tone light.

"Yes," she continued, nodding. "I think it’s time we brought some new energy into the house. You know, little feet running around, maybe the sound of laughter…”

I groaned inwardly but managed a polite smile. “I’m sure it would be nice, Mama. But these things take time.”

She didn’t look convinced. “And when will it be the right time, Roberto? You’re not getting any younger.”

“Mama, I’m twenty-eight,” I said, almost laughing at her dramatics. “Hardly old.”

She pouted, setting down her fork. “Yes, but it’s never too early to think ahead. Your father and I were your age when we had you, you know.”

Beside me, my father chuckled, obviously enjoying watching me squirm. “She’s right, son. A family brings a different kind of happiness one you can’t find anywhere else.”

I sighed, giving in. “Alright, alright. I’ll work on it. Soon, okay?”

That answer seemed to satisfy her, at least for now. She beamed, and I felt a twinge of guilt. I wanted to give her what she wanted, but not just for the sake of it. When I had children, I wanted to be all in no regrets, and no reservations.

“So,” Marco interrupted, “is there anyone special in your life right now, Roberto?”

I glared at him. “Not you too.”

“I’m just curious,” he said, feigning innocence. “We don’t want you to end up lonely in that big house of yours.”

“Trust me, Marco, if I find someone worth bringing home, you’ll be the first to know.”

My mother clapped her hands together, eyes sparkling with hope. “Oh, that would make me so happy! Just imagine… little Rodriguez running around. That’s all I ask.”

“I know, Mama,” I said, squeezing her hand. “You’ll have your grandchildren. Soon.”

Hopefully, that would hold her over for now. But as I looked around the table, at my family laughing, teasing, and talking over each other, I realized that when the time did come to bring someone home, I’d want her to feel this warmth, this love. It was a lot to live up to, but I knew in my heart that whoever I chose would have to fit into this picture, as perfectly as if she’d always been there.