Chapter 4: Gaslighting and Lies
“This is an elaborate, disgusting fabrication,” Esther declared, her voice rising in pitch. “Arturo, tell your son! Tell him how she has been acting erratic, paranoid! She is trying to turn you against your own flesh and blood to hide her infidelity!”
Alejandro looked at his father. Don Arturo finally raised his head, but he couldn’t meet his son’s eyes. He looked pale, ancient, and deeply ashamed.
“Dad?” Alejandro prompted, his voice low and dangerous. “Is she telling the truth?”
Arturo opened his mouth, but Esther cut in fiercely. “He knows nothing because there is nothing to know! Alejandro, you cannot let this... this outsider tear our family apart. She is a gold-digger who got caught with her lover, and she concocted this script to make herself the victim.”
“If she’s lying,” Alejandro said, rising slowly to his feet, a dark, terrifying calm washing over him, “then where are the lab results, Valeria?”
“In the lining of my suitcase,” Valeria said without hesitation. “Dr. Silva said to keep them hidden until we could get to the police.”
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Esther’s eyes flashed with genuine panic for the first time. She lunged toward the closet, but Alejandro blocked her path. He easily caught her by the arms, his grip firm and immovable.
“Don’t touch that closet, Mother,” he warned.
