Chapter 8: The Woman Who Knew My Father's Secret
Camila was crying when I entered the room.
Her phone lay on the blanket.
Alejandro stood beside her bed, reading the message.
Rosa when I entered the room.
Her phone lay on the blanket.
Alejandro stood beside her bed, reading the message.
Rosa was holding her daughter's hand.
"What happened?"" I asked.
Camila looked at me.
"He's alive.""
"Who?""
"Ricardo Salvatierra.""
I glanced was holding her daughter's hand.
"What happened?"" I asked.
Camila looked at me.
"He's alive.""
"Who?""
"Ricardo Salvatierra.""
I glanced at Alejandro.
He handed me the phone.
The message was short.
*Camila, your father-in-law left you something important. Meet at Alejandro.
He handed me the phone.
The message was short.
Camila, your father-in-law left you something important. Meet me before the lawyers destroy what remains of his legacy. You deserve to know the truth about the child.
I read it twice.
Then me before the lawyers destroy what remains of his legacy. You deserve to know the truth about the child.*
I read it twice.
Then I looked at my wife.
"What does he mean?""
Camila wiped her cheek.
"I don't know.""
Alejandro shook his head.
"He's I looked at my wife.
"What does he mean?""
Camila wiped her cheek.
"I don't know.""
Alejandro shook his head.
"He's trying to manipulate her.""
"How do you know?"" I asked.
"Because he has already tried to use the baby to get her trying to manipulate her.""
"How do you know?"" I asked.
"Because he has already tried to use the baby to get her attention.""
I looked at the message again.
The child.
My son.
I felt a sudden surge of anger.
"Give me his attention.""
I looked at the message again.
The child.
My son.
I felt a sudden surge of anger.
"Give me his number.""
Laura stepped forward.
"Absolutely not.""
I turned.
"Why?""
"Because Ricardo is being investigated. If you contact him, you number.""
Laura stepped forward.
"Absolutely not.""
I turned.
"Why?""
"Because Ricardo is being investigated. If you contact him, you could compromise the investigation.""
"I want to know what he means.""
Laura folded her arms.
"Then let the investigators ask him.""
Camila reached could compromise the investigation.""
"I want to know what he means.""
Laura folded her arms.
"Then let the investigators ask him.""
Camila reached for my hand.
I looked down.
She was holding it.
For one hopeful second, I thought she was finally ready to let me back for my hand.
I looked down.
She was holding it.
For one hopeful second, I thought she was finally ready to let me back into her life.
Then she spoke.
"Mateo, do you remember the night your father died?""
I frowned.
"Of course.""
" into her life.
Then she spoke.
"Mateo, do you remember the night your father died?""
I frowned.
"Of course.""
"Do you remember who was at the hospital?""
I thought about it.
My father had died after suffering a massive heart attack.
I remembered the doctors.
The waiting room.
The smell of antiseptic.
Do you remember who was at the hospital?""
I thought about it.
My father had died after suffering a massive heart attack.
I remembered the doctors.
The waiting room.
The smell of antiseptic.
I remembered Diego arriving with a folder of company documents.
And I remembered a woman standing nearI remembered Diego arriving with a folder of company documents.
And I remembered a woman standing near the elevator.
A woman with dark hair.
She had been crying.
I had assumed she was one of my father's employees.
"Why?""
Camila looked toward Alejandro the elevator.
A woman with dark hair.
She had been crying.
I had assumed she was one of my father's employees.
"Why?""
Camila looked toward Alejandro.
Then back at me.
"Because I think your father had another daughter.""
The words seemed to stop the air in the room.
I laughed once.
"That's impossible.
Then back at me.
"Because I think your father had another daughter.""
The words seemed to stop the air in the room.
I laughed once.
"That's impossible.""
Camila shook her head.
"Your father had been supporting a woman named Elena Salvatierra for years.""
I stared.""
Camila shook her head.
"Your father had been supporting a woman named Elena Salvatierra for years.""
I stared at her.
"How do you know that name?""
"Because I found letters in his office.""
I took a step backward at her.
"How do you know that name?""
"Because I found letters in his office.""
I took a step backward.
"Letters?""
"Photographs too.""
My mouth went dry.
Camila continued.
"Your father had a relationship with Elena before.
"Letters?""
"Photographs too.""
My mouth went dry.
Camila continued.
"Your father had a relationship with Elena before he married your mother. They had a daughter.""
I shook my head.
"No.""
"Her name is Sofía.""
I looked he married your mother. They had a daughter.""
I shook my head.
"No.""
"Her name is Sofía.""
I looked at Alejandro.
He appeared just as surprised.
"Why didn't you tell me?"" I asked.
Camila's expression softened.
"I didn't know how at Alejandro.
He appeared just as surprised.
"Why didn't you tell me?"" I asked.
Camila's expression softened.
"I didn't know how. Your father had asked me to keep the letters private until you were ready.""
"Ready for what?""
"To know that your family wasn't. Your father had asked me to keep the letters private until you were ready.""
"Ready for what?""
"To know that your family wasn't as perfect as you believed.""
I laughed bitterly.
"My father was a businessman. He had affairs. That doesn't change as perfect as you believed.""
I laughed bitterly.
"My father was a businessman. He had affairs. That doesn't change anything.""
Camila watched me.
"It changes something if his former partner has been using that daughter to take control of anything.""
Camila watched me.
"It changes something if his former partner has been using that daughter to take control of his company.""
I froze.
"Explain.""
She reached toward the bedside drawer.
Rosa handed her a small envelope.
Inside his company.""
I froze.
"Explain.""
She reached toward the bedside drawer.
Rosa handed her a small envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
A young woman stood beside my father at what appeared to be a family celebration.
She had his was a photograph.
A young woman stood beside my father at what appeared to be a family celebration.
She had his eyes.
His smile.
The same small scar above the left eyebrow.
I recognized the face.
Not because I had met her.
eyes.
His smile.
The same small scar above the left eyebrow.
I recognized the face.
Not because I had met her.
Because I had seen her recently.
At the hospital entrance.
A woman had been standing near the reception desk whenBecause I had seen her recently.
At the hospital entrance.
A woman had been standing near the reception desk when Alejandro first arrived.
She had looked at me for several seconds before walking away.
I remembered her now.
"Who is she Alejandro first arrived.
She had looked at me for several seconds before walking away.
I remembered her now.
"Who is she?"" I whispered.
Camila answered.
"Sofía Salvatierra.""
I stared at the photograph.
"Why is her last name Salvatierra?""
"?"" I whispered.
Camila answered.
"Sofía Salvatierra.""
I stared at the photograph.
"Why is her last name Salvatierra?""
"Because Elena married Ricardo after your father ended their relationship.""
I looked at the picture again.
My father's arm restedBecause Elena married Ricardo after your father ended their relationship.""
I looked at the picture again.
My father's arm rested around the young woman's shoulders.
He looked happy.
More relaxed than I had seen him in years.
I felt something uncomfortable rise in my chest around the young woman's shoulders.
He looked happy.
More relaxed than I had seen him in years.
I felt something uncomfortable rise in my chest.
Jealousy.
Not because of money.
Because my father had apparently built an entire life I.
Jealousy.
Not because of money.
Because my father had apparently built an entire life I knew nothing about.
And Camila had known.
An hour later, Laura arranged a meeting with the investigator knew nothing about.
And Camila had known.
An hour later, Laura arranged a meeting with the investigator handling the financial case.
Detective Morales arrived with a colleague.
She placed a folder on the table.
"Mr. Villarreal, we have handling the financial case.
Detective Morales arrived with a colleague.
She placed a folder on the table.
"Mr. Villarreal, we have located Ricardo Salvatierra.""
"Where?""
"At a private residence outside Santiago.""
"Has he been arrested?""
"Not yet.""
I frowned.
located Ricardo Salvatierra.""
"Where?""
"At a private residence outside Santiago.""
"Has he been arrested?""
"Not yet.""
I frowned.
"Why not?""
"Because we are still gathering evidence connecting him to the attempted transfers.""
Alejandro leaned forward.
"Does he have access to the original ownership documents?""
"We believe so.""
Laura"Why not?""
"Because we are still gathering evidence connecting him to the attempted transfers.""
Alejandro leaned forward.
"Does he have access to the original ownership documents?""
"We believe so.""
Laura opened her folder.
"There is another matter. The agreement found in Valeria's luggage references a separate inheritance opened her folder.
"There is another matter. The agreement found in Valeria's luggage references a separate inheritance claim.""
Detective Morales nodded.
"We've identified the claim. Ricardo Salvatierra is asserting that Sofía is entitled to claim.""
Detective Morales nodded.
"We've identified the claim. Ricardo Salvatierra is asserting that Sofía is entitled to a portion of the estate left by Mr. Villarreal's father.""
I looked at the photograph.
"Is she?""
a portion of the estate left by Mr. Villarreal's father.""
I looked at the photograph.
"Is she?""
"That depends on the validity of the documents and the applicable inheritance proceedings.""
I shook my head.
"My father never mentioned her"That depends on the validity of the documents and the applicable inheritance proceedings.""
I shook my head.
"My father never mentioned her.""
Detective Morales looked at me.
"Perhaps he had reasons.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"What reasons?""
She opened another document.
".""
Detective Morales looked at me.
"Perhaps he had reasons.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"What reasons?""
She opened another document.
"Your father established a private account for Sofía several years before his death. However, the account was never transferredYour father established a private account for Sofía several years before his death. However, the account was never transferred into her name.""
I looked at Camila.
She nodded.
"I found it.""
"Where?""
"In the blue folder.""
Laura looked up into her name.""
I looked at Camila.
She nodded.
"I found it.""
"Where?""
"In the blue folder.""
Laura looked up.
"Camila, is there anything else?""
My wife hesitated.
Then she reached for another envelope.
"This.""
She handed it to Detective Morales.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
.
"Camila, is there anything else?""
My wife hesitated.
Then she reached for another envelope.
"This.""
She handed it to Detective Morales.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
The detective read it silently.
Her expression changed.
"What is it?"" I asked.
She looked at me.
The detective read it silently.
Her expression changed.
"What is it?"" I asked.
She looked at me.
"Your father wrote this shortly before his death.""
"Read it.""
She hesitated.
Then she began.
*Ricardo, I know what you have"Your father wrote this shortly before his death.""
"Read it.""
She hesitated.
Then she began.
*Ricardo, I know what you have done. I know you have been telling Elena that I intend to abandon Sofía. That is not true. I have arranged a trust for done.
I know you have been telling Elena that I intend to abandon Sofía. That is not true. I have arranged a trust for my daughter, and I have instructed Camila to protect it if anything happens to me.*
I stared at the paper.
The detective continued.
You will not use my son my daughter, and I have instructed Camila to protect it if anything happens to me.
I stared at the paper.
The detective continued.
You will not use my son, my company, or my daughter to settle a debt that belongs to you. If you try, the original documents will be, my company, or my daughter to settle a debt that belongs to you. If you try, the original documents will be released.
The letter ended with my father's signature.
I sat down.
"Why would Ricardo do this?""
Alejandro answered.
"Because your released.*
The letter ended with my father's signature.
I sat down.
"Why would Ricardo do this?""
Alejandro answered.
"Because your father probably refused to give him control of the company.""
Detective Morales nodded.
"We believe Ricardo may have been planning this father probably refused to give him control of the company.""
Detective Morales nodded.
"We believe Ricardo may have been planning this for several years.""
I looked at the letter again.
My father had known.
He had known Ricardo was dangerous.
And he had trusted Camila to for several years.""
I looked at the letter again.
My father had known.
He had known Ricardo was dangerous.
And he had trusted Camila to stop him.
Not me.
Camila.
At 11:20 p.m., I returned to the NICU.
My son was stop him.
Not me.
Camila.
At 11:20 p.m., I returned to the NICU.
My son was still in his incubator.
The nurse allowed me to stand beside him for a few minutes.
His breathing had improved.
still in his incubator.
The nurse allowed me to stand beside him for a few minutes.
His breathing had improved.
The small monitor beside him displayed a steady rhythm.
I watched his tiny chest rise and fall.
"Your mother is fighting for you," I whispered.
A nurse adjusted one of the tubesThe small monitor beside him displayed a steady rhythm.
I watched his tiny chest rise and fall.
"Your mother is fighting for you," I whispered.
A nurse adjusted one of the tubes.
"He's a strong little boy.""
I nodded.
"Like his mother.""
She smiled.
"Would you like to hold.
"He's a strong little boy.""
I nodded.
"Like his mother.""
She smiled.
"Would you like to hold his hand?""
I hesitated.
"Can I?""
"Just gently.""
She opened the small access panel.
I slid one his hand?""
I hesitated.
"Can I?""
"Just gently.""
She opened the small access panel.
I slid one finger inside.
My son's tiny hand closed around it.
Something broke inside me.
I bent my head.
"I don't finger inside.
My son's tiny hand closed around it.
Something broke inside me.
I bent my head.
"I don't know how to be the father you deserve.""
He didn't respond.
He simply held my finger.
I stayed there until the know how to be the father you deserve.""
He didn't respond.
He simply held my finger.
I stayed there until the nurse told me visiting time was over.
When I returned to Camila's room, Alejandro was standing near the window.
He looked exhausted nurse told me visiting time was over.
When I returned to Camila's room, Alejandro was standing near the window.
He looked exhausted.
"How is he?"" he asked.
"Better.""
He nodded.
"Good.""
I looked at him.
"Can I.
"How is he?"" he asked.
"Better.""
He nodded.
"Good.""
I looked at him.
"Can I ask you something?""
"Go ahead.""
"Why did you never tell me that you loved her?""
He looked toward Camila.
She ask you something?""
"Go ahead.""
"Why did you never tell me that you loved her?""
He looked toward Camila.
She was sleeping.
Then he answered.
"Because you were my friend.""
I laughed quietly.
"Apparently, I wasn't a very good one.""
"No.""
He was sleeping.
Then he answered.
"Because you were my friend.""
I laughed quietly.
"Apparently, I wasn't a very good one.""
"No.""
He didn't soften the answer.
"You weren't.""
I lowered my eyes.
He continued.
"I could have tried to take her from you. But she didn't soften the answer.
"You weren't.""
I lowered my eyes.
He continued.
"I could have tried to take her from you. But she loved you. She believed you were a good man. I wasn't going to destroy that because I wanted something for myself.""
I looked at the floor.
"And now?""
He took a breath.
" loved you. She believed you were a good man. I wasn't going to destroy that because I wanted something for myself.""
I looked at the floor.
"And now?""
He took a breath.
"Now I want her to recover. I want your son to live. And I want the people who hurt them held responsible.""
I nodded.
Now I want her to recover. I want your son to live. And I want the people who hurt them held responsible.""
I nodded.
"Even me?""
Alejandro looked directly at me.
"Especially you, if that's what the truth requires.""
I didn't argue.
For"Even me?""
Alejandro looked directly at me.
"Especially you, if that's what the truth requires.""
I didn't argue.
For the first time, I understood that accountability wasn't the same as revenge.
And I had spent years confusing the two.
At midnight, Cam the first time, I understood that accountability wasn't the same as revenge.
And I had spent years confusing the two.
At midnight, Camila woke.
She looked toward the chair beside her bed.
I was sitting there.
"Mateo?""
I stood.
"Yes?""
"Did you see himila woke.
She looked toward the chair beside her bed.
I was sitting there.
"Mateo?""
I stood.
"Yes?""
"Did you see him?""
I smiled faintly.
"Our son?""
She nodded.
"Yes. I held his hand.""
Her eyes filled.
"Did he move?""
I smiled faintly.
"Our son?""
She nodded.
"Yes. I held his hand.""
Her eyes filled.
"Did he move?""
"He grabbed my finger.""
A tiny smile appeared on her face.
"He's strong.""
"Just like you.""
She looked?""
"He grabbed my finger.""
A tiny smile appeared on her face.
"He's strong.""
"Just like you.""
She looked away.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then she said something I hadn't expected.
"Mateo, I need you to listen to me.""
I away.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then she said something I hadn't expected.
"Mateo, I need you to listen to me.""
I pulled the chair closer.
"Anything.""
"I don't want our son growing up believing that love means tolerating cruelty.""
I lowered my head.
"I know.""
"No, you don't.""
I pulled the chair closer.
"Anything.""
"I don't want our son growing up believing that love means tolerating cruelty.""
I lowered my head.
"I know.""
"No, you don't.""
I looked up.
She continued.
"I want him to see his father take responsibility. Even when it's uncomfortable. Even when it costs him something.""
I swallowed.
looked up.
She continued.
"I want him to see his father take responsibility. Even when it's uncomfortable. Even when it costs him something.""
I swallowed.
"I will.""
"Don't promise me things anymore.""
I went quiet.
"Just do them.""
I nodded.
Then she reached toward"I will.""
"Don't promise me things anymore.""
I went quiet.
"Just do them.""
I nodded.
Then she reached toward the bedside table.
There was a small photograph of my father.
I picked it up.
"Why do you keep this?""
"Because he loved you.""
I stared at the photograph.
"He trusted you more the bedside table.
There was a small photograph of my father.
I picked it up.
"Why do you keep this?""
"Because he loved you.""
I stared at the photograph.
"He trusted you more than me.""
Camila nodded.
"He trusted what you could become. He didn't trust what you were becoming.""
I sat down.
Then she said:
"There's something I haven't told you about Ricardo.""
I looked than me.""
Camila nodded.
"He trusted what you could become. He didn't trust what you were becoming.""
I sat down.
Then she said:
"There's something I haven't told you about Ricardo.""
I looked up.
"What?""
She hesitated.
"Before your father died, Ricardo came to our house.""
I frowned.
"When?""
"Three up.
"What?""
She hesitated.
"Before your father died, Ricardo came to our house.""
I frowned.
"When?""
"Three days before the funeral.""
"What did he want?""
"He wanted the original trust documents.""
"Did you give them to him?""
"No.""
"Then what happened days before the funeral.""
"What did he want?""
"He wanted the original trust documents.""
"Did you give them to him?""
"No.""
"Then what happened?""
Camila's eyes filled.
"He threatened me.""
I leaned forward.
"What did he say?""
She looked toward?""
Camila's eyes filled.
"He threatened me.""
I leaned forward.
"What did he say?""
She looked toward the window.
"He told me that if I ever revealed the truth about Sofía, someone in our family would pay for it.""
My blood the window.
"He told me that if I ever revealed the truth about Sofía, someone in our family would pay for it.""
My blood ran cold.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She gave me a painful smile.
"Because I was pregnant.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
ran cold.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
She gave me a painful smile.
"Because I was pregnant.""
I stared at her.
"What?""
She placed a hand over her stomach.
"Not with this baby. With the child I lost before.""
The roomShe placed a hand over her stomach.
"Not with this baby. With the child I lost before.""
The room became silent.
I remembered that pregnancy.
The one we had lost two years earlier.
Camila had spent weeks recovering while I threw myself into work.
I had barely spoken about it.
I had told her we became silent.
I remembered that pregnancy.
The one we had lost two years earlier.
Camila had spent weeks recovering while I threw myself into work.
I had barely spoken about it.
I had told her we could try again.
I had never asked whether she was afraid.
Now I looked at her and realized how much of her suffering I had never bothered to understand.
She continued.
"Ric could try again.
I had never asked whether she was afraid.
Now I looked at her and realized how much of her suffering I had never bothered to understand.
She continued.
"Ricardo knew I was vulnerable. He said I should keep quiet if I wanted to have a healthy family.""
I gripped the chair.
"Whyardo knew I was vulnerable. He said I should keep quiet if I wanted to have a healthy family.""
I gripped the chair.
"Why didn't you tell me he threatened you?""
She closed her eyes.
"Because you were already working with Diego.""
I froze.
"What?""
Camila opened her eyes.
"Mateo, I think Ricardo has didn't you tell me he threatened you?""
She closed her eyes.
"Because you were already working with Diego.""
I froze.
"What?""
Camila opened her eyes.
"Mateo, I think Ricardo has been controlling the company from the inside for years.""
I stared at her.
Then she whispered:
"And I think he was responsible for your father's death been controlling the company from the inside for years.""
I stared at her.
Then she whispered:
"And I think he was responsible for your father's death.""
My entire body went cold.
"That's impossible.""
She reached for my hand.
"There's a hospital report in the blue folder. Your father didn't die from a natural heart attack.""
I.""
My entire body went cold.
"That's impossible.""
She reached for my hand.
"There's a hospital report in the blue folder. Your father didn't die from a natural heart attack.""
I couldn't breathe.
"What are you saying?""
Camila looked directly at me.
"The night your father died, someone couldn't breathe.
"What are you saying?""
Camila looked directly at me.
"The night your father died, someone gave him the wrong medication.""
And suddenly, the business scandal that had destroyed Alejandro gave him the wrong medication.""
And suddenly, the business scandal that had destroyed Alejandro's life seemed almost insignificant.
Because the man I had spent years worshipping might not have died naturally at all.
He might have been murdered's life seemed almost insignificant.
May you like
Because the man I had spent years worshipping might not have died naturally at all.
He might have been murdered.
