Chapter 5 - WHAT LUCÍA KNEW
Alejandro listened to the recording six times.
Each time his face became harder.
Valeria stood near the door with Mateo sleeping against her shoulder.
Finally Alejandro whispered, “My brother killed my wife.”
Calderón shook his head.
“We don’t know that.”
“Her car was ambushed three days after this recording.”
“That doesn’t prove Rafael ordered it.”
“It proves she was afraid of him.”
Dr. Vega moved toward the exit.
Alejandro blocked him.
“Where are you going?”
“I think this has moved beyond psychiatry.”
“Sit down.”
Vega didn’t.
Alejandro lowered his voice.
“Sit.”
The doctor sat.
Lucía’s recording continued.
She had discovered money disappearing from one of the family’s legal construction companies.
Millions of pesos had been moved through fake medical contracts.
The name on several approvals belonged to Dr. Esteban Vega.
Vega’s face went pale.
“That is not what it looks like.”
Alejandro laughed once.
There was no humor in it.
“People usually say that when it looks exactly like what it is.”
Vega stood again.
“Alejandro, think carefully.”
“I am.”
“Your brother handled those accounts.”
“And your name is on them.”
Vega’s eyes went toward Mateo.
Valeria saw it.
So did Alejandro.
“Don’t look at my son.”
“I was checking on him.”
“No. You were checking what he understands.”
The silence became dangerous.
Alejandro ordered his guards to take Vega to a guest room.
“No phones. No visitors.”
Vega glared at him.
“You’re making a mistake.”
Alejandro stepped close.
“I already made the mistake. I trusted you.”
After Vega was taken away, Alejandro looked at Valeria.
“Give me my son.”
She hesitated.
Mateo was asleep.
“He finally feels safe.”
“I’m his father.”
“I know.”
“Then give him to me.”
Valeria slowly transferred Mateo into his arms.
For a moment the boy remained asleep.
Then Alejandro adjusted his hold.
Mateo woke.
Panic flashed across his face.
He began pushing away.
Alejandro’s expression collapsed.
“Mateo. It’s me.”
The boy fought harder.
Valeria touched Alejandro’s arm.
“Sit down.”
Alejandro looked at her sharply.
“Sit.”
For once, the most feared man in the house obeyed.
He sat on the floor.
Valeria sat beside him.
“Don’t hold him tightly.”
“He’ll fall.”
“I won’t let him.”
Alejandro loosened his arms.
Mateo stopped struggling.
“Now don’t ask him for anything.”
Alejandro swallowed.
“I don’t know how to do this.”
“That’s okay.”
“No. It isn’t.”
The admission seemed to cost him something.
“I know how to protect buildings. Money. Men. Routes. Companies.”
He looked at his son.
“I don’t know how to make my own child feel safe.”
Valeria watched him.
“Then stop trying to be powerful for five minutes.”
He looked at her.
“What do I do?”
“Be his dad.”
Alejandro’s eyes filled.
He leaned toward Mateo.
“I’m sorry.”
Mateo stared at him.
“I should have been here.”
The boy’s face trembled.
“I thought doctors could fix everything. I thought guards could protect you. I thought money could replace time.”
He shook his head.
“I was wrong.”
Mateo slowly reached for his father’s shirt.
Alejandro closed his eyes.
Then Mateo whispered, “Papa.”
Alejandro broke.
He pulled the child close and cried without caring who saw him.
Valeria looked away.
Then her phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
She answered.
“Hello?”
A man spoke.
“Valeria Gómez?”
“Yes.”
“We know your brother needs surgery.”
Her blood turned cold.
The man continued.
May you like
“If you want him to live, stop asking questions in that house.”
Then the call ended.
