Chapter 19 - What Mariela Wanted
I met Mariela in a small interview room at the courthouse.
A camera recorded everything.
A guard stood outside.
Mariela wore a gray jail uniform.
Her pregnancy showed now.
She sat with both hands on the table.
“You look tired,” she said.
“So do you.”
She smiled faintly.
“I always hated that about you.”
“What?”
“You never tried to impress me.”
“I didn’t know I was supposed to.”
“That’s exactly it.”
I waited.
Mariela looked toward the camera.
“I’m pleading guilty.”
“I heard.”
“My lawyer says I could get less time.”
“That’s why you’re doing it?”
“Partly.”
At least she was honest.
She continued.
“I wanted you to know I didn’t mean to scar her.”
I felt anger rise.
“You aimed at her face.”
“I wanted to hurt her.”
The room seemed to narrow.
Mariela looked at her own hands.
“I wanted you to hear her scream.”
“Why?”
“Because every time Daniel looked at Sofia, he looked happy.”
“That offended you?”
“He stopped needing us.”
I stared at her.
“That’s your explanation?”
“No.”
She looked up.
“It’s the truth.”
There was no tragic misunderstanding.
No hidden goodness waiting to be uncovered.
Mariela had been jealous of a child.
She had chosen to hurt her.
“I’m not forgiving you,” I said.
“I didn’t ask.”
“Then why am I here?”
Mariela’s eyes filled with tears.
She touched her stomach.
“Because my son will be born while I’m in prison.”
“That is not my responsibility.”
“I know.”
The words surprised me.
She took a shaky breath.
“I want Javier to have custody.”
“He’s already filed for it.”
“My mother wants the baby placed with relatives.”
“Your mother has no control from jail.”
“She always finds a way.”
Mariela leaned forward.
“Don’t let her near my children.”
I almost laughed.
“You spent years helping her hurt mine.”
“I know.”
“You stood beside her.”
“I know.”
“You threw coffee at Sofia.”
“I know.”
Her voice broke.
Not every tear deserved comfort.
I stood.
“Tell Javier yourself.”
She nodded.
As I reached the door, she whispered, “Camila.”
I turned.
“For what it’s worth…”
She stopped.
Her mouth moved, but no words came.
An apology would not fit.
She knew it.
I left.
The court sentenced Mariela to twelve years in prison.
Teresa received eighteen years for attempted poisoning and her role in Valeria’s imprisonment.
Ricardo received thirty-four years for kidnapping, unlawful confinement, obstruction, assault, and child abduction.
Arturo received a reduced sentence after cooperating.
Javier obtained custody of Iker and the new baby.
Valeria began supervised contact with Luciana.
The legal case ended.
Our family case did not.
On the night the final sentence was announced, I found Daniel waiting outside my apartment.
He held no flowers.
No ring.
Only an envelope.
“I need to tell you one last thing,” he said.
Inside the envelope was a second signed confession.
May you like
And it had nothing to do with Valeria.
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