Chapter 10 - THE BROTHER WHO COULD NOT SLEEP
Rafael came to the kitchen after midnight.
Teresa found him standing beside the stove.
He looked older than he had during the will reading.
“I signed the transfers,” he said.
“I saw your initials.”
“Veronica told me they were temporary tax arrangements.”
“Did you read the pages?”
Rafael gave a bitter laugh.
“No.”
The answer echoed Manuel’s warning.
Do not sign anything until you have read every page.
Rafael sat at the kitchen table.
“I trusted my sister.”
“I trusted our corporate attorney.”
“I trusted the fact that everyone at the table had the same last name.”
Teresa poured him coffee.
He looked at the cup.
“You still serve people.”
“I poured one for myself too.”
Rafael gave her a flash drive.
It contained emails between Veronica and Harrison.
They planned to sell the company’s distribution centers.
After the sale, they would raise rents until Cardenas Heritage could no longer afford the properties.
Then Harrison’s company would purchase the weakened businesses.
Veronica would receive a private ownership stake.
“What did you get?” Teresa asked.
“Debt forgiveness.”
Rafael had lost millions through risky investments.
Veronica promised to hide the losses if he signed.
“Will you testify?” Teresa asked.
He looked toward the hallway.
“If I do, I may be charged.”
“Yes.”
“You do not soften anything.”
“No one softened it when my mother needed help.”
Rafael nodded.
“I will testify.”
Before leaving, he gave Teresa another piece of information.
On the night Manuel died, Veronica had entered his bedroom carrying a glass of water.
She dismissed the private nurse.
Fifteen minutes later, Manuel called for help.
“Why did you never tell anyone?”
“I asked Veronica.”
“She said Father wanted privacy.”
Teresa stared at him.
“You heard that and accepted it?”
“I had spent my entire life accepting her explanations.”
May you like
Rafael looked ashamed.
“So had everyone.”
