Episode 7 of "The Lady's Companion" unfolds with Elena firmly establishing that while a charming disposition and a steady income are indispensable attributes in a partner, kindness stands as the ultimate trump card. At least, that's the theory. When a young lady encounters a gentleman embodying this holistic ideal, her chaperone should rejoice—assuming the chaperone herself harbors no romantic leanings towards him! Such a scenario places Elena in a quandary of conflicting emotions.
In a heart-to-heart with Sara, Elena discovers that Pedro is currently entertaining one of his clients, Mercedes de Saavedra. Who could this enigmatic woman be? Lo and behold, she is none other than Elena's estranged mother! Convinced of her mother's intention to undermine her career, Elena hastily rushes to confront her.
However, Mercedes' presence is not meant to sabotage Elena's professional aspirations. Instead, she shares that much has transpired in the intervening years. Before departing, as she prepares to accompany Pedro on a grand hunting expedition in the nearby woods, Elena's mother drops a bombshell: Gabriel had visited her and, during his stay, revealed a long-held secret kept hidden from him by Elena—she had once been pregnant and never disclosed it to Gabriel. This revelation appears to unlock the mystery behind her parents' rejection, Elena's enduring anger towards them, and the lingering tension in her relationship with Gabriel.
Upon grasping the truth, Gabriel decides to abandon the town, writing off any possibility of a future with Elena. In a poignant farewell embrace, he acknowledges that they may never know if their fate could have taken a different turn. However, he bestows upon her some profound wisdom, urging her to reconcile with her mother. "Everyone deserves a second chance," he emphasizes.
Elena finds solace in the bottle, drowning her sorrows in alcohol. Cristina, noticing the empty bottles strewn across Elena's room, inquisitively probes her chaperone about the underlying distress. Elena mentions her mother but refrains from elaborating further. Meanwhile, Camilo arrives at the house to visit Sara, reminding her of their impending exam and expressing his desire to walk her to it. During his visit, Sara begins to view Camilo through a more romantic lens.
Later that afternoon, an intriguing twist unfolds in the narrative as Cristina proposes to Santiago that they accompany Elena's mother on the hunt, blissfully unaware of the familial connection that binds them all under the roof (unbeknownst to anyone else in the household, of course!) Santiago harbors doubts about this audacious plan. Meanwhile, Eduardo's arrival at Pedro's estate, seeking an audience with Cristina, brings another reckless scheme to light. It transpires that Eduardo's engagement was compelled by a corporate merger between their families, a deal that blindsided him and cemented his fate in an arranged marriage. Thus, the familiar trope of misunderstanding resurfaces, as Eduardo never intended to give Cristina the impression that he abandoned her for love; it was merely a business transaction. Perhaps a letter or a bit more transparency would have sufficed next time, Eduardo?
Pedro, enraged, chases Eduardo out of the house with a firearm, while Monsalve attempts to broach the subject of his affection for Esther with Josefina. However, she abruptly leaves before a deeper conversation can commence. Both girls, now acutely aware that their secret is out, find themselves at a loss for how to proceed.
The hunt isn't solely attended by Elena and the Mencia family; a diverse assortment of townsfolk is also present, including the meddlesome Alicia, who seems to be merely an onlooker. While out in the fields, Elena engages in a heart-to-heart with her mother, Mercedes. Mercedes reveals her desire for a fresh start, having faced the collapse of her marriage and yearning for a reinvention. Elena, however, is far from pleased, reminding her mother of the moment she abandoned her when she needed her the most—a wound Elena refuses to let heal. It seems like second chances are not on the menu here!
When a scream pierces the air, drawing Elena and Mercedes' attention to Santiago and Cristina, they hastily rush over to find Cristina toppled onto Santiago, with their shirts in disarray! In the chaos, Santiago and Cristina come to the realization that Mercedes is Elena's mother. Mercedes insists on keeping this revelation hidden from Pedro and persuades Cristina to maintain her silence for now.
Back inside the house, Santiago emphasizes his immense fortune in having Cristina, who he deems pure and devoid of secrets. Oh, the irony!
That fateful evening, Cristina and Sara embarked on a meticulous examination of Elena's possessions, determined to unravel the enigma surrounding her. They were steadfast in their resolve to comprehend precisely whom they were contending with. Their discovery of Elena's diary unveiled intimate insights about her, encompassing all the confidential revelations imparted by the priest in episode one. Alas, the full scope of their findings remained concealed, saved for the climactic finale to unveil.
Upon Elena's return to the house that very night, Angustias beckoned her aside, presenting a letter that had arrived from Eduardo. His return to town cast a ripple of uncertainty over the existing dynamics. How this twist would reshape the intricate tapestry of their lives remained a question mark, dangling precariously until future revelations!
