Chapter 2 - THE DOCTOR’S REPORT
Dr. Mateo Serrano arrived within twenty minutes.
He examined Valentina in her bedroom while Alejandro remained beside her.
Mónica attempted to enter twice.
Alejandro’s security director, Javier Ruiz, blocked the doorway.
The physician found cuts on Valentina’s hands.
He found bruises around one wrist.
He found signs of dehydration.
He also found healing marks across her back and shoulder.
Alejandro’s voice became quiet.
“What caused those?”
Valentina stared at the blanket.
Mónica answered from the hallway.
“She falls constantly.”
Dr. Serrano did not look at her.
“These are not typical playground injuries.”
Mónica’s tone sharpened.
“Are you accusing me of something?”
“I am documenting what I see.”
Valentina suddenly reached for Alejandro’s sleeve.
“Don’t let him call Dr. Camila.”
“Who is Dr. Camila?” Alejandro asked.
Mónica became still.
“A child psychologist.”
“You hired a psychologist without telling me?”
“Valentina has behavioral problems.”
Dr. Serrano looked at the medication bottles on the bedside table.
“What are these?”
Mónica entered before Javier could stop her.
“Vitamin supplements.”
Dr. Serrano opened one bottle.
The pills did not match the label.
He placed the bottle inside a medical bag.
“These need laboratory testing.”
Mónica grabbed his wrist.
“You cannot take medicine from my house.”
Alejandro stood.
“Release him.”
Something in his voice finally frightened her.
She let go.
Dr. Serrano recommended immediate hospital evaluation.
Alejandro carried Valentina downstairs himself.
At the entrance, Mónica blocked their path.
“You are not taking her anywhere without me.”
“You are not coming.”
“I am her stepmother.”
“And possibly the person who harmed her.”
Mónica’s expression broke.
“You ungrateful bastard.”
The insult echoed through the foyer.
Rosa looked up from the far hallway.
Javier’s hand moved toward his radio.
Alejandro opened the front door.
“You have one hour to contact an attorney.”
“After that, you will answer questions through mine.”
At the hospital, Valentina received fluids.
Blood tests showed traces of a sedative.
The drug was not medically necessary.
It could cause fatigue, confusion, poor balance, and memory problems.
Dr. Serrano looked at Alejandro.
“She may have been drugged repeatedly.”
Alejandro gripped the edge of the examination table.
“Why?”
“To make her easier to control.”
“Or to make her appear emotionally unstable.”
Valentina had fallen asleep.
Even in sleep, she held Alejandro’s finger.
Javier entered quietly.
“Sir, we checked the mansion’s security system.”
“And?”
“All visible cameras were disabled nineteen days ago.”
“By whom?”
“The administrator code belongs to Mrs. Torres.”
Alejandro looked toward his daughter.
Mónica believed turning off the cameras had erased the truth.
May you like
She had forgotten that Alejandro’s late wife had once insisted on a second system.
A hidden one.
