Chapter 12 - MARCELA BREAKS

Marcela disappeared before investigators could formally question her.

Her car was found abandoned near Bosque de Chapultepec.

Alejandro called repeatedly.

Nothing.

Then Valeria received a message.

Not Alejandro.

Valeria.

Please come alone.

I need to tell you what Mother made me do.

Alejandro refused.

"You are not meeting her alone."

Valeria looked at him.

"She's terrified of you right now."

"I'm her brother."

"You're also the man who can send her to prison."

Alejandro knew she was right.

They compromised.

Valeria would meet Marcela at an empty chapel connected to an old family property.

Alejandro and investigators would remain nearby.

Marcela sat in the last pew.

She looked smaller than Valeria had ever seen her.

No designer clothes.

No perfect hair.

No arrogance.

Just fear.

"I hated you."

Marcela whispered.

Valeria sat several feet away.

"I know."

"No."

Marcela shook her head.

"You don't know why."

Valeria waited.

"Mother told me your father tried to blackmail ours."

"She said your family wanted money."

"She said you married Alejandro to finish what your father started."

Valeria's eyes hardened.

"And you believed her?"

"I wanted to."

"Why?"

Marcela began crying.

"Because if you were good, then Mother was the monster."

Silence filled the chapel.

Marcela removed a small recorder from her bag.

"I recorded her last night."

Valeria stared.

"Why?"

"Because she called me."

"She told me to leave the country."

"She offered money."

"And then?"

Marcela's lips trembled.

"She admitted what Serrano was supposed to inject into you."

Valeria's hand moved instinctively to her belly.

"What was it?"

Marcela looked sick.

"Something that could trigger complications."

"She wanted the baby gone."

Valeria closed her eyes.

Marcela continued.

"Mother said once the baby was gone, you would fall apart."

"Then she would convince Alejandro you were unstable."

"Then she would get rid of you."

Valeria whispered.

"Why?"

"Because if you had a son, Alejandro planned to place more company shares into a trust."

Marcela looked at her.

"Mother would lose control."

Valeria stared.

"So this was about power."

"Power."

Marcela said.

"And fear."

Then she handed over the recorder.

"I'll testify."

Before Valeria could respond, a sound exploded outside.

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A car engine.

Then gunshots shattered the chapel windows.