Esmeralda 31: The Drawn Battle Line

The blame of breaking the flowerpot so overwhelmed Esmeralda that she began to weep. José Armando comforted and calmed her down, re-assuring her that it was an accident.

Later in the evening, as all sat at the dinning, to have dinner, Fátima protested, saying that it was an insult and degradation for her to sit on the same table with a low class Dominga. She insisted that Dominga be sent to the kitchen to eat where servants take their meals.

Blanca agreed with the resentment of Fátima, so she sent Esmeralda and Dominga to eat elsewhere, aparet from the large family dinning table. José Armando was saddened when he later discovered that his mother, Blanca, conspired to mistreat Esmeralda and Dominga.

Dominga was infuriated by her mistreatment by Blanca and Fátima, but Crisanta begged her to hold her peace until after the the church wedding

The letter from Dr. Lazcano from the city arrived but Fátima intercepted it. on reading it, she discovered that the dr. had gotten ready his preparation for the surgical operation on esmeralda that would make her to regain her sight. Fátima hid the letter and began to plot with another Doctor to divert the plan to operate Esmeralda.

Lucio was enraged to find an empty hut when he came to check on Esmeralda. He wondered where Dominga and Esmeralda went to. Fermín revealed to Lucio that Esmeralda was the biological but unknown daughter of Rodolfo Peñarreal.

Fátima inquired from Dionisio where she could locate Lucio's house. On the other hand, Blanca was uneasy, she began to investigate the background of Esmeralda, when she was born and who her real parents were.

José Armando decided to travel to the city to buy things in preparation for the church wedding. He entrusted Adrián to take good care of Esmeralda during his absence. Fátima maliciously schemed that Graciela should escort José Armando part of the way, but was surprised to see Armando taking the two ladies, Esmeralda and Graciela, to accompany him part of the way.

Esmeralda 30: Miserable Honeymoon

After the love-making, José Armando invited Esmeralda and her gauardian, Dominga, to spend some few days with him in Casa Grande. She was reluctant because of the hostility of his parents and usurpers living in Casa Garnde with him.

Lucio, after having failed to distrupt or prevent the wedding from taking place, wept bitterly for his failutre and loss of Esmeralda to José Armando.

Fátima announced to Graciela that Esmeralda would be coming to spend some time in Casa Grande. Fátima pretended to be very happy with this development, but her real goal was to use the opportunity of closeness to Esmeralda, to perpetrate evil against her, and possibly arrange an 'accident' that would kill Esmeralda.

José Armando became relaxed because of Fátima's enthusiastic disposition, so, he requested Fátima to prepare an extra room for ailing Dominga, who would be coming to recuperate in Casa Grande, during his honey moon.

Esmeralda told Dominga about the honor done her, with her invitation to live with them in Casa Grande. She also told her that the church wedding would soon take place to seal her matrimony with José Armando.

Melesio was saddened by the departure of Esmeralda and Dominga to Casa Grande. Esmeralda took along with her, the emerald earrings to Casa Grande for her honeymoon.

On arrival, Fátima swung into action with her hypocritical plan. While 'helping' Esmeralda to go to her room, she delibrately kicked the beautiful ceramic flower pot which shattered to pieces on reaching the floor with a loud bang.

Esmeralda was frightened by the crash, but Fátima lied by accusing Esmeralda of breaking the family artifact of many decades.