Chapter 2 - THE ROOM THAT DIDN’T EXIST
Rosa led them through the oldest section of the estate.
The celebration outside dissolved into chaos behind them.
Guests whispered.
Phones appeared.
Security guards tried to block people from entering the mansion.
Adrian did not care.
“Where are we going?”
“The west library.”
Mateo clung to Elena’s hand.
Adrian noticed Isabella following them.
“Stay outside.”
“This is my family’s house.”
“Then you should know what we’re about to find.”
She stopped.
Rosa continued.
The west library had belonged to Isabella’s grandfather.
Its walls were lined with dark walnut shelves.
Rosa walked toward an enormous oil painting.
She reached behind the frame.
A click sounded.
The bookshelf beside it moved.
Adrian stared.
Behind it was a narrow door.
“What is this?”
“Something Victoria thought nobody else knew about.”
Rosa unlocked it.
The hidden room smelled of dust.
Inside stood several filing cabinets.
A child’s wooden crib.
Three cardboard boxes.
And an old security monitor.
Mateo stared at the crib.
Elena covered his eyes.
Adrian opened the first box.
Baby clothes.
The second contained photographs.
Gabriel sleeping.
Gabriel eating.
Gabriel wearing the silver bracelet.
Then Adrian found a photograph that made him stop.
It showed baby Gabriel being held by Elena.
Elena looked at least ten years younger.
Adrian turned.
“You knew him?”
Elena began crying.
“Yes.”
Mateo pulled away from her.
“You said you didn’t know my parents.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“From who?”
Elena looked toward the doorway.
Isabella stood there.
And behind her stood Victoria.
“From them.”
Victoria walked inside.
“You have made a catastrophic mistake.”
Adrian held up the photograph.
“Explain this.”
Victoria remained calm.
“Elena worked for us.”
“As Gabriel’s nanny?”
“Yes.”
“Then why has she been raising a child who may be Gabriel?”
Nobody answered.
Adrian opened another folder.
Medical records.
Birth certificates.
Police reports.
Then he found an envelope.
Inside was a death certificate.
GABRIEL LAURENT MENDOZA.
Date of death: September 14.
Cause: accidental drowning.
Adrian stared at it.
“The public story was kidnapping.”
Rosa nodded.
“Yes.”
“Why is there a death certificate?”
“Because Victoria needed Gabriel legally dead.”
Victoria's face hardened.
“That document proves nothing.”
Adrian looked closer.
The physician’s signature was illegible.
But one detail was perfectly clear.
The certificate had been created six months after Gabriel supposedly disappeared.
Elena whispered.
“There was never a body.”
Mateo looked between them.
“Am I Gabriel?”
Elena crouched.
“Mateo—”
“Am I?”
She began crying.
“Yes.”
The boy stepped away from her.
The betrayal on his face was devastating.
“You lied to me.”
“I had to.”
“You said my mother died.”
“I know.”
Mateo turned toward Isabella.
She was crying now.
“You’re my mother?”
Isabella could barely speak.
“Yes.”
Mateo stared at her.
Then his expression changed.
“You locked me in.”
Isabella covered her mouth.
“I was scared.”
“Of me?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
Victoria interrupted.
“Because you should never have come here.”
Adrian moved between Victoria and the boy.
“Stop talking to him.”
Victoria laughed bitterly.
“You still don’t understand.”
“Then make me understand.”
Victoria looked at Isabella.
“Tell him.”
Isabella shook her head.
“Mother—”
“Tell your fiancé why Gabriel had to disappear.”
Adrian waited.
Isabella looked toward her son.
May you like
Then she whispered.
“Because Gabriel inherited everything.”
