Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: The Signature That Was Never Hers
For several: The Signature That Was Never Hers
For several seconds, nobody in Camila's hospital room spoke seconds, nobody in Camila's hospital room spoke.
The forged signature sat at.
The forged signature sat at the bottom of the document like a loaded weapon.
I stared at it.
It was almost perfect.
the bottom of the document like a loaded weapon.
I stared at it.
It was almost perfect.
The same elegant handwriting Camila used when signing birthday cards, business contracts, and the Christmas letters sheThe same elegant handwriting Camila used when signing birthday cards, business contracts, and the Christmas letters she sent to our employees.
But something about it bothered me.
Camila had a distinctive habit when signing her name. She always crossed the final letter with a short sent to our employees.
But something about it bothered me.
Camila had a distinctive habit when signing her name. She always crossed the final letter with a short, upward stroke.
The signature on the document had no such mark.
"That's not my signature," she repeated, upward stroke.
The signature on the document had no such mark.
"That's not my signature," she repeated.
Laura Benítez placed the document beneath the hospital room light.
"You're certain?""
Camila nodded.
Laura Benítez placed the document beneath the hospital room light.
"You're certain?""
Camila nodded.
"I've never seen this agreement.""
"Could someone have copied your signature from another document?""
".
"I've never seen this agreement.""
"Could someone have copied your signature from another document?""
"Possibly. But I never authorized anyone to transfer those properties.""
Alejandro studied the paper.
"Look at the date.""
Possibly. But I never authorized anyone to transfer those properties.""
Alejandro studied the paper.
"Look at the date.""
I leaned forward.
The agreement had been dated fourteen months earlier.
I remembered that period.
Camila hadI leaned forward.
The agreement had been dated fourteen months earlier.
I remembered that period.
Camila had been hospitalized for several days following complications during the early stages of her pregnancy. She had been instructed to avoid stress and remain been hospitalized for several days following complications during the early stages of her pregnancy. She had been instructed to avoid stress and remain under observation.
During those days, I had taken care of several important business matters.
Including the restructuring of the company's property portfolio.
I looked under observation.
During those days, I had taken care of several important business matters.
Including the restructuring of the company's property portfolio.
I looked at the document again.
"Where did they get this?""
Laura answered carefully.
"That is what the investigators need at the document again.
"Where did they get this?""
Laura answered carefully.
"That is what the investigators need to determine.""
I turned toward Camila.
"Did you sign anything when you were in the hospital last year?""
She frowned.
"No to determine.""
I turned toward Camila.
"Did you sign anything when you were in the hospital last year?""
She frowned.
"No.""
"Think carefully.""
"I remember signing the consent forms for my treatment. Nothing else.""
I looked at Alejandro.
He.""
"Think carefully.""
"I remember signing the consent forms for my treatment. Nothing else.""
I looked at Alejandro.
He was staring at the document's lower corner.
"What?"" I asked.
He pointed toward a small reference number.
"Where was staring at the document's lower corner.
"What?"" I asked.
He pointed toward a small reference number.
"Where have I seen this?""
Laura leaned closer.
"What's wrong?""
Alejandro took have I seen this?""
Laura leaned closer.
"What's wrong?""
Alejandro took out his phone and enlarged a photograph of the document.
Then he looked at me.
"Your father's old legal office.""
out his phone and enlarged a photograph of the document.
Then he looked at me.
"Your father's old legal office.""
My stomach tightened.
"What about it?""
"This reference code belongs to a notary who handled the original incorporationMy stomach tightened.
"What about it?""
"This reference code belongs to a notary who handled the original incorporation documents for Villarreal Construction.""
I shook my head.
"He's been retired for years.""
"Exactly documents for Villarreal Construction.""
I shook my head.
"He's been retired for years.""
"Exactly.""
Laura took the document.
"Do you know where he lives?""
I nodded slowly.
"Outside Santiago. He used.""
Laura took the document.
"Do you know where he lives?""
I nodded slowly.
"Outside Santiago. He used to work with my father.""
Alejandro looked at me.
"Then we need to speak to him.""
I stepped toward the door.
Camila's to work with my father.""
Alejandro looked at me.
"Then we need to speak to him.""
I stepped toward the door.
Camila's voice stopped me.
"Mateo.""
I turned.
She was looking at me.
"Don't take anything from the house.""
I frowned.
"What?""
voice stopped me.
"Mateo.""
I turned.
She was looking at me.
"Don't take anything from the house.""
I frowned.
"What?""
"The blue folder is still there. So are the original records. Don't let anyone touch them.""
"I know"The blue folder is still there. So are the original records. Don't let anyone touch them.""
"I know.""
She shook her head.
"No, you don't understand. Someone has already been inside our house looking for them.""
Laura looked up.""
She shook her head.
"No, you don't understand. Someone has already been inside our house looking for them.""
Laura looked up.
"Who?""
Camila hesitated.
Then she spoke.
"Two nights before I fell, I heard someone downstairs.
"Who?""
Camila hesitated.
Then she spoke.
"Two nights before I fell, I heard someone downstairs.""
My chest tightened.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She gave me a tired look.
"Because you.""
My chest tightened.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She gave me a tired look.
"Because you weren't home.""
I said nothing.
She continued.
"I thought it was Elena. But when I went downstairs the next morning, the office door was open weren't home.""
I said nothing.
She continued.
"I thought it was Elena. But when I went downstairs the next morning, the office door was open. The drawer where Mateo keeps his father's documents had been forced.""
Alejandro moved closer.
"Did anything disappear. The drawer where Mateo keeps his father's documents had been forced.""
Alejandro moved closer.
"Did anything disappear?""
Camila nodded.
"One photograph.""
"What photograph?""
She looked at me.
"A picture of your father with?""
Camila nodded.
"One photograph.""
"What photograph?""
She looked at me.
"A picture of your father with his old business partner.""
I felt cold.
The photograph had been taken at the opening of our first major development.
My father stood his old business partner.""
I felt cold.
The photograph had been taken at the opening of our first major development.
My father stood on the left.
Beside him was a man named Ricardo Salvatierra.
And behind them, holding a folder, was a on the left.
Beside him was a man named Ricardo Salvatierra.
And behind them, holding a folder, was a young employee who had later become the company's chief financial officer.
Diego.
I looked at Laura.
"Where is Valeria now?""
"Being young employee who had later become the company's chief financial officer.
Diego.
I looked at Laura.
"Where is Valeria now?""
"Being questioned.""
"And Diego?""
"Authorities are attempting to establish his exact involvement.""
I took out questioned.""
"And Diego?""
"Authorities are attempting to establish his exact involvement.""
I took out my phone.
"I want to speak to Valeria.""
Laura shook her head.
"That would be a mistake.""
"I don't care.""
"Mr my phone.
"I want to speak to Valeria.""
Laura shook her head.
"That would be a mistake.""
"I don't care.""
"Mr. Villarreal, you are now a person of interest in an active financial investigation. Anything you say to her could complicate matters.""
I. Villarreal, you are now a person of interest in an active financial investigation. Anything you say to her could complicate matters.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Everyone keeps telling me what I can't do.""
Camila spoke quietly.
"Perhaps that's because you've spent too long doing laughed bitterly.
"Everyone keeps telling me what I can't do.""
Camila spoke quietly.
"Perhaps that's because you've spent too long doing whatever you wanted.""
I turned toward her.
She didn't look away.
And I realized that even after everything, her words still hurt more than anyone else's.
At whatever you wanted.""
I turned toward her.
She didn't look away.
And I realized that even after everything, her words still hurt more than anyone else's.
At 5:30 p.m., Alejandro and I left the hospital.
We drove separately.
I followed him 5:30 p.m., Alejandro and I left the hospital.
We drove separately.
I followed him through the outskirts of Monterrey until we reached a modest house surrounded by trees.
A small metal sign beside the gate through the outskirts of Monterrey until we reached a modest house surrounded by trees.
A small metal sign beside the gate read:
*LIC. TOMÁS IBARRA — NOTARIAL SERVICES.*
The building looked abandoned read:
*LIC. TOMÁS IBARRA — NOTARIAL SERVICES.*
The building looked abandoned.
The paint was peeling.
A rusty mailbox leaned to one side.
I parked behind.
The paint was peeling.
A rusty mailbox leaned to one side.
I parked behind Alejandro.
"What exactly are we looking for?"" I asked.
"The person who certified the original documents.""
I frowned.
"He probably won't Alejandro.
"What exactly are we looking for?"" I asked.
"The person who certified the original documents.""
I frowned.
"He probably won't remember anything.""
Alejandro knocked.
No answer.
He knocked again.
Finally, an elderly man opened the door.
He was wearing reading glasses and a brown cardigan.
His expression changed when he saw me.
"Mateo Villarreal.""
remember anything.""
Alejandro knocked.
No answer.
He knocked again.
Finally, an elderly man opened the door.
He was wearing reading glasses and a brown cardigan.
His expression changed when he saw me.
"Mateo Villarreal.""
"Good afternoon, Licenciado.""
The old man looked at Alejandro.
Then back at me.
"I thought"Good afternoon, Licenciado.""
The old man looked at Alejandro.
Then back at me.
"I thought you two hated each other.""
Alejandro gave a dry smile.
"Some things are more important than old arguments.""
Tomás stepped aside.
"Come you two hated each other.""
Alejandro gave a dry smile.
"Some things are more important than old arguments.""
Tomás stepped aside.
"Come in.""
His office smelled of old paper and furniture polish.
Rows of legal books covered the walls.
A framed photograph of my in.""
His office smelled of old paper and furniture polish.
Rows of legal books covered the walls.
A framed photograph of my father stood on a shelf.
Tomás noticed me looking at it.
"Your father was a good man.""
father stood on a shelf.
Tomás noticed me looking at it.
"Your father was a good man.""
I lowered my eyes.
"He made mistakes.""
"Everyone does. But not everyone admits them.""
I glancedI lowered my eyes.
"He made mistakes.""
"Everyone does. But not everyone admits them.""
I glanced at Alejandro.
He said nothing.
I placed the forged agreement on the desk.
"Have you seen this?""
Tomás adjusted his glasses.
He studied at Alejandro.
He said nothing.
I placed the forged agreement on the desk.
"Have you seen this?""
Tomás adjusted his glasses.
He studied the first page.
Then the second.
When he reached the signature, his face changed.
"Where did you get this?""
"Valeria Montes's luggage.""
He removed his glasses.
"This document was never notar the first page.
Then the second.
When he reached the signature, his face changed.
"Where did you get this?""
"Valeria Montes's luggage.""
He removed his glasses.
"This document was never notarized.""
I frowned.
"But it has your reference code.""
"That's impossible.""
He opened a drawerized.""
I frowned.
"But it has your reference code.""
"That's impossible.""
He opened a drawer and pulled out an old ledger.
He searched through several pages.
Then he stopped.
"Here.""
He turned the book toward us and pulled out an old ledger.
He searched through several pages.
Then he stopped.
"Here.""
He turned the book toward us.
The reference number belonged to a completely different transaction.
A property transfer from fourteen years earlier.
I leaned.
The reference number belonged to a completely different transaction.
A property transfer from fourteen years earlier.
I leaned closer.
"Whose property?""
Tomás looked at the name.
"Your father's.""
My throat tightened.
"What?""
He turned closer.
"Whose property?""
Tomás looked at the name.
"Your father's.""
My throat tightened.
"What?""
He turned another page.
The original transaction listed Ricardo Salvatierra as a witness.
Alejandro leaned forward.
"Can another page.
The original transaction listed Ricardo Salvatierra as a witness.
Alejandro leaned forward.
"Can you identify the person who submitted the forged agreement?""
Tomás hesitated.
Then he opened a second drawer.
He removed a small envelope.
"I you identify the person who submitted the forged agreement?""
Tomás hesitated.
Then he opened a second drawer.
He removed a small envelope.
"I kept something because I thought it might become important.""
Inside was a photocopy of an identification document.
The kept something because I thought it might become important.""
Inside was a photocopy of an identification document.
The name was unfamiliar.
But the photograph wasn't.
I stared.
It was Diego.
Tomás tapped the paper.
"He name was unfamiliar.
But the photograph wasn't.
I stared.
It was Diego.
Tomás tapped the paper.
"He came here fourteen months ago. He said he was acting on behalf of the Villarreal family. He asked me to certify a transfer document.""
"Did you came here fourteen months ago. He said he was acting on behalf of the Villarreal family. He asked me to certify a transfer document.""
"Did you?""
"No. Something about the paperwork was wrong. I refused.""
"Why didn't you report it?""
Tomás looked uncomfortable?""
"No. Something about the paperwork was wrong. I refused.""
"Why didn't you report it?""
Tomás looked uncomfortable.
"Because he was accompanied by a man who claimed to represent your father's former partner. I was told the family.
"Because he was accompanied by a man who claimed to represent your father's former partner. I was told the family had already approved everything.""
Alejandro asked, "Who was that man?""
Tomás reached into the envelope again.
He pulled out a business had already approved everything.""
Alejandro asked, "Who was that man?""
Tomás reached into the envelope again.
He pulled out a business card.
The name printed on it made my blood run cold.
**RICARDO SALVATIERRA card.
The name printed on it made my blood run cold.
*RICARDO SALVATIERRA.*
Underneath was a handwritten telephone number.
I stared at it.
My father's old partner hadn't disappeared.**
Underneath was a handwritten telephone number.
I stared at it.
My father's old partner hadn't disappeared.
He had been working with Diego all along.
And now I understood why Valeria had been.
He had been working with Diego all along.
And now I understood why Valeria had been carrying an agreement that could transfer control of my company.
The theft wasn't simply about four million dollars.
It was about taking the entire Villar carrying an agreement that could transfer control of my company.
The theft wasn't simply about four million dollars.
It was about taking the entire Villarreal empire.
Then Tomás said something that made me forget the document in my hand.
"There's somethingreal empire.
Then Tomás said something that made me forget the document in my hand.
"There's something else you should know, Mateo.""
I looked at him.
He lowered his voice.
"Your father came to see me shortly else you should know, Mateo.""
I looked at him.
He lowered his voice.
"Your father came to see me shortly before he died.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What did he want?""
Tomás looked at Alejandro.
Then at me.
"He before he died.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
"What did he want?""
Tomás looked at Alejandro.
Then at me.
"He wanted to change the ownership structure of the company.""
"Why?""
The old man opened a locked cabinet.
He wanted to change the ownership structure of the company.""
"Why?""
The old man opened a locked cabinet.
He removed a sealed envelope bearing my father's handwriting.
"He told me that if anything happened to him, I was to give this to his son.""
I stared at the envelope.
My father's name was written across the front.
removed a sealed envelope bearing my father's handwriting.
"He told me that if anything happened to him, I was to give this to his son.""
I stared at the envelope.
My father's name was written across the front.
But underneath it were four words.
Not until he deserves it.
I reached for it.
Tomás placedBut underneath it were four words.
Not until he deserves it.
I reached for it.
Tomás placed his hand over mine.
"Before I give you this, Mateo, you need to understand something.""
"What?""
" his hand over mine.
"Before I give you this, Mateo, you need to understand something.""
"What?""
"Your father didn't trust you with the company.""
The room seemed to shrink.
Tomás continued.
"He trusted Camila.""
And suddenlyYour father didn't trust you with the company.""
The room seemed to shrink.
Tomás continued.
"He trusted Camila.""
And suddenly, the woman lying in a hospital bed had become the center of a story I hadn't known my own father was writing.
, the woman lying in a hospital bed had become the center of a story I hadn't known my own father was writing.
I pulled my hand away.
I pulled my hand away.
"That's ridiculous.""
Tomás didn't"That's ridiculous.""
Tomás didn't argue.
He simply opened another drawer and removed a second document argue.
He simply opened another drawer and removed a second document.
"This is the original ownership agreement. Your father signed it six.
"This is the original ownership agreement. Your father signed it six months before his death.""
I read the first paragraph.
Then I read it again.
The company had been divided into three ownership interests months before his death.""
I read the first paragraph.
Then I read it again.
The company had been divided into three ownership interests.
My father had retained one.
I had received another.
The third had been placed in a protected family.
My father had retained one.
I had received another.
The third had been placed in a protected family trust.
I looked at the beneficiary's name.
Camila Villarreal.
"No," I whispered.
Tomás nodded.
"Your father believed she trust.
I looked at the beneficiary's name.
Camila Villarreal.
"No," I whispered.
Tomás nodded.
"Your father believed she was the only person capable of protecting what he had built.""
I shook my head.
"Why would he give my wife part was the only person capable of protecting what he had built.""
I shook my head.
"Why would he give my wife part of the company?""
"Because he had watched you make the same mistakes for years. He believed you were talented, but he also believed you were reckless of the company?""
"Because he had watched you make the same mistakes for years. He believed you were talented, but he also believed you were reckless.""
I looked at Alejandro.
He was reading the document silently.
Tomás continued.
"Your father told me something.""
I looked at Alejandro.
He was reading the document silently.
Tomás continued.
"Your father told me something that day. He said, 'Mateo knows how to make money, but Camila knows what money is supposed to protect that day. He said, 'Mateo knows how to make money, but Camila knows what money is supposed to protect.''"
My throat tightened.
I remembered my father telling me that Camila was a rare woman.
I had laughed and told him he was becoming.''"
My throat tightened.
I remembered my father telling me that Camila was a rare woman.
I had laughed and told him he was becoming sentimental.
Now I wondered whether he had been trying to warn me.
"Where is the original?"" I asked.
Tomás pointed toward the envelope sentimental.
Now I wondered whether he had been trying to warn me.
"Where is the original?"" I asked.
Tomás pointed toward the envelope.
"Inside.""
I opened it.
There was another page.
A handwritten note.
*Mateo, if you're reading this, I.
"Inside.""
I opened it.
There was another page.
A handwritten note.
*Mateo, if you're reading this, I hope you've become the man I always believed you could be. Never confuse ownership with responsibility. A family business is not a trophy hope you've become the man I always believed you could be.
Never confuse ownership with responsibility. A family business is not a trophy. It is a promise to the people whose lives depend on it.*
I stopped reading.
My father had signed it.
Below. It is a promise to the people whose lives depend on it.*
I stopped reading.
My father had signed it.
Below his signature was another line.
*If you ever betray the people who helped you build his signature was another line.
If you ever betray the people who helped you build this company, Camila has my authority to protect it from you.
I lowered the paper.
Alejandro looked at me this company, Camila has my authority to protect it from you.*
I lowered the paper.
Alejandro looked at me.
"Now you understand why they needed her signature.""
I nodded slowly.
If Camila's ownership interest was legitimate, the forged transfer.
"Now you understand why they needed her signature.""
I nodded slowly.
If Camila's ownership interest was legitimate, the forged transfer agreement was more than an attempt to steal property.
It was an attempt to erase her legal authority.
And whoever had planned it agreement was more than an attempt to steal property.
It was an attempt to erase her legal authority.
And whoever had planned it had known exactly what my father intended.
I looked at Tomás.
"Who else knows about this?""
He closed the ledger had known exactly what my father intended.
I looked at Tomás.
"Who else knows about this?""
He closed the ledger.
"Your father's former partner. Diego. Possibly Valeria.""
"And Camila?""
"She knew something had been left to her, but she never asked me to explain the details.""
I frowned.
"Your father's former partner. Diego. Possibly Valeria.""
"And Camila?""
"She knew something had been left to her, but she never asked me to explain the details.""
I frowned.
"Why not?""
Tomás smiled sadly.
"She said it wasn't hers to claim while.
"Why not?""
Tomás smiled sadly.
"She said it wasn't hers to claim while you were still trying to save the company.""
I looked down at the note.
Even when my you were still trying to save the company.""
I looked down at the note.
Even when my father had given her a reason to protect herself, Camila had chosen to protect me.
Until I father had given her a reason to protect herself, Camila had chosen to protect me.
Until I made that impossible.
On the drive back, Alejandro didn't turn on the radio.
Neither did I.
The city lights passed across the windshield.
Finally, I made that impossible.
On the drive back, Alejandro didn't turn on the radio.
Neither did I.
The city lights passed across the windshield.
Finally, I broke the silence.
"Why didn't you tell me you loved her?""
His hands tightened on the steering wheel.
"I did.""
"When?""
"Three years before your wedding.""
I stared at him.
"What broke the silence.
"Why didn't you tell me you loved her?""
His hands tightened on the steering wheel.
"I did.""
"When?""
"Three years before your wedding.""
I stared at him.
"What?""
He kept his eyes on the road.
"I told you I had feelings for her. You laughed and said?""
He kept his eyes on the road.
"I told you I had feelings for her. You laughed and said I should find someone else.""
I remembered the conversation.
We had been at a restaurant after signing our first major development contract I should find someone else.""
I remembered the conversation.
We had been at a restaurant after signing our first major development contract.
Alejandro had admitted that he admired Camila.
I had told him she was the woman I intended to marry.
He had raised his glass.
".
Alejandro had admitted that he admired Camila.
I had told him she was the woman I intended to marry.
He had raised his glass.
"Then I hope you make her happy.""
I had forgotten that part.
"You said you were happy for me.""
"I was.""
"Then I hope you make her happy.""
I had forgotten that part.
"You said you were happy for me.""
"I was.""
"How could you be?""
Alejandro glanced at me.
"Because she chose you.""
I looked out the window.
He continued.
"I didn'tHow could you be?""
Alejandro glanced at me.
"Because she chose you.""
I looked out the window.
He continued.
"I didn't lose her to you, Mateo. I lost her because she wanted a life with you. I respected that.""
"And now?""
He lose her to you, Mateo. I lost her because she wanted a life with you. I respected that.""
"And now?""
He was quiet for a moment.
"Now I want her to have a life where she doesn't have to beg someone to care whether was quiet for a moment.
"Now I want her to have a life where she doesn't have to beg someone to care whether she survives.""
I looked down.
There was nothing I could say.
We reached the hospital shortly before eight.
Alejandro parked she survives.""
I looked down.
There was nothing I could say.
We reached the hospital shortly before eight.
Alejandro parked near the entrance.
Before he got out, he turned toward me.
"One more thing.""
"What?""
"Don't mistake her decision to trust me near the entrance.
Before he got out, he turned toward me.
"One more thing.""
"What?""
"Don't mistake her decision to trust me for an invitation to take advantage of her.""
I frowned.
"I know.""
"No, you don't. That's the problem.""
He opened for an invitation to take advantage of her.""
I frowned.
"I know.""
"No, you don't. That's the problem.""
He opened the door.
Then he walked away.
I sat alone in the car, holding my father's letter.
For the first time, I understood that the company I had spent the door.
Then he walked away.
I sat alone in the car, holding my father's letter.
For the first time, I understood that the company I had spent years calling mine had never belonged to me alone.
And the woman I had treated as an accessory years calling mine had never belonged to me alone.
And the woman I had treated as an accessory to my success had been protecting it all along.
But when I entered the hospital, Laura was waiting near the elevators to my success had been protecting it all along.
But when I entered the hospital, Laura was waiting near the elevators.
Her face was pale.
"Mr. Villarreal, we need to speak.""
"What happened?""
She held up her phone.
"Ricardo Salvatierra has just contacted the hospital.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
Laura.
Her face was pale.
"Mr. Villarreal, we need to speak.""
"What happened?""
She held up her phone.
"Ricardo Salvatierra has just contacted the hospital.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
Laura looked directly at me.
"He's asking to speak with Camila.""
Then she added:
"He claims he is the child's biological grandfather.""
I stared at looked directly at me.
"He's asking to speak with Camila.""
Then she added:
"He claims he is the child's biological grandfather.""
I stared at her.
"That's impossible.""
Laura lowered her voice.
"He says your father left behind a second family.""
And before I could ask another her.
"That's impossible.""
Laura lowered her voice.
"He says your father left behind a second family.""
And before I could ask another question, a nurse came running toward us.
"Mr. Villarreal! Your wife is asking for you. She's received a message, question, a nurse came running toward us.
"Mr. Villarreal! Your wife is asking for you. She's received a message, and she's extremely distressed.""
I ran toward her room.
Because whatever Ricardo Salvatierra knew, and she's extremely distressed.""
I ran toward her room.
Because whatever Ricardo Salvatierra knew, he had found a way to reach Camila.
May you like
And I was beginning to suspect that the worst secret in my family hadn't he had found a way to reach Camila.
And I was beginning to suspect that the worst secret in my family hadn't been about money at all.
