CHAPTER 8 — THE CONFESSION
Beneath the chapel, Estelle found a cassette recorder.
Her mother's voice filled the darkness.
"My little girl..."
Estelle began crying.
The recording revealed everything.
Estelle had been born as Elena Rossi.
Her mother had changed her name to Estelle after discovering that the council planned to kill her.
Maribel had helped arrange the exchange.
But she hadn't done it alone.
Alessandro Rossi had secretly financed Estelle's escape.
He had planned to expose the council.
Before he could—
he was murdered.
Maribel had spent years protecting the secret.
But fear had turned into bitterness.
She blamed Estelle for the collapse of the family.
That was why she had mistreated her.
Not because Estelle was worthless.
Because every time Maribel looked at her—
she saw the child she had failed.
Estelle turned off the recording.
Maribel was standing behind her.
"I was cruel to you."
Estelle said nothing.
"I thought if I made you hate this family, you would leave."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because Victor threatened to kill you."
Estelle stared at her.
"You could have trusted me."
Maribel's eyes filled with tears.
"I was a coward."
Estelle finally understood.
May you like
Maribel had been both victim and villain.
And the truth was more complicated than revenge.
