Chapter 12 - THE GUARDIANSHIP TRAP
Alejandro read the petition in disbelief.
Guillermo had claimed Alejandro was emotionally unstable.
The document cited concerns about his ability to care for Lucía.
It included statements from two supposed witnesses.
Both claimed Alejandro worked constantly.
Both claimed Lucía was neglected.
Both claimed Renata had become the child’s primary caregiver.
Every statement was false.
But the plan was clear.
After the wedding, Renata would become Alejandro’s wife.
Then they would build a record portraying Lucía as emotionally troubled and Alejandro as overwhelmed.
Boarding school would remove Lucía physically.
Guardianship paperwork would give Renata legal leverage.
And if anything happened to Alejandro, Renata could control Lucía’s inheritance.
Mateo stared at the financial section.
“There.”
Alejandro followed his finger.
Mariana had left Lucía a trust.
It contained property, investments, and insurance proceeds.
The current value was nearly eight million dollars.
Alejandro felt sick.
“This was never just about me.”
“No.”
Mateo looked at him.
“Lucía was standing between Renata and everything.”
Alejandro called his attorney.
Every document was challenged immediately.
The guardianship petition collapsed once the forged evidence was exposed.
But the financial investigation uncovered something worse.
Money had already been removed from Lucía’s trust.
Small transfers.
Then larger ones.
Hidden through consulting fees.
The total exceeded nine hundred thousand dollars.
Alejandro stared at the number.
“How?”
His attorney looked uncomfortable.
“Several approvals carry your digital signature.”
“Forged.”
“We believe so.”
“Where did the money go?”
“Companies connected to Guillermo.”
The entire Salazar family had been feeding from Lucía’s future.
Alejandro’s anger became something colder.
Focused.
He called an emergency meeting at his company.
Mateo joined him.
So did their attorneys.
Alejandro placed every contract connected to Salazar Development under review.
Then he terminated them.
It cost him millions.
He didn’t hesitate.
Guillermo called within an hour.
“You’re making a mistake.”
Alejandro leaned back in his chair.
“No.”
“You’ll bankrupt yourself.”
“Maybe.”
“You think that makes you noble?”
“No.”
Alejandro looked at Lucía’s photograph.
“It makes me her father.”
Guillermo laughed.
“You were never good at seeing what was happening around you.”
Alejandro’s expression changed.
“What does that mean?”
“You missed Mariana’s fear.”
Alejandro went still.
“You missed Renata’s obsession.”
Silence.
“And you missed what happened right under your roof.”
Alejandro stood.
“What happened under my roof?”
Guillermo hung up.
Alejandro immediately called home.
No answer.
He called Elena.
Nothing.
Security.
Nothing.
His pulse exploded.
He and Mateo raced home.
The front gate was open.
One security guard was unconscious near the driveway.
Alejandro ran inside.
“LUCÍA!”
The living room was empty.
“Mom!”
A noise came from upstairs.
Alejandro ran.
He found Elena in Lucía’s room.
Her hands were tied.
Tape covered her mouth.
He ripped it away.
“Where is Lucía?”
Elena sobbed.
“They took her.”
Alejandro felt his heart tear open.
“Who?”
“Guillermo.”
Alejandro’s phone rang.
He answered.
Guillermo spoke.
“You wanted to destroy my family.”
Alejandro could barely breathe.
“Put Lucía on.”
“First, we negotiate.”
“If you touch her—”
“I don’t want to hurt the child.”
“You already have.”
“Then listen carefully.”
Alejandro gripped the phone.
“You will withdraw every accusation against Renata.”
“No.”
“You will tell police the wedding incident was a misunderstanding.”
“No.”
“You will restore the business contracts.”
“No.”
Guillermo sighed.
“You’re stubborn.”
“And you kidnapped my daughter.”
Silence.
Then Guillermo said quietly.
“Your daughter knows more about Mariana’s death than you realize.”
Alejandro froze.
“What?”
“She remembered something.”
“What did she remember?”
Guillermo laughed.
“Ask her yourself.”
Then a small voice came through the phone.
“Daddy?”
Alejandro nearly broke.
“Lucía.”
“I’m okay.”
“Listen to me, sweetheart.”
“Daddy, I remember Renata.”
Alejandro stopped breathing.
“What?”
Lucía whispered.
May you like
“From the day Mommy died.”
Then the line went dead.
