PART 2 — The Evidence
Mariana didn’t sleep.
She waited until the house went still.
Even the guards outside reduced their movement, lulled by routine.
At 2:17 a.m., she slipped into Santiago’s office.
The air smelled of leather, old wood, and power.
Everything in the room belonged to a man who trusted appearances more than reality.
She began searching.
Slowly.
Quietly.
Drawers.
Cabinets.
Files.
Until she found it.
A folder labeled:
“CARE TRANSFER — CONSUELO ARANDA”
Inside were medical reports.
Some real.
Some altered.
And notes written in Camila’s handwriting.
Words that made Mariana’s stomach twist.
“Progressive cognitive decline — recommend institutionalization.”
“Patient unreliable as witness.”
“Family approval in process.”
Family approval.
Santiago’s signature line was blank.
Waiting.
Prepared.
Like Camila was only moments away from completing the final step.
Mariana snapped photos of everything with trembling hands.
Then she saw something else.
A second document.
A transfer request to Santa Aurelia Residence.
Scheduled for next week.
Next week.
They were going to take her.
Tonight wasn’t just neglect.
It was preparation.
Suddenly—
Creaaak.
The floor outside the office shifted.
Mariana froze.
Footsteps.
Closer.
She quickly closed the folder—
But too late.
The door opened.
Camila stood there.
Silence filled the room.
Her eyes moved slowly from Mariana…
To the desk…
To the phone in Mariana’s hand.
“You shouldn’t be here,” Camila said quietly.
Mariana stepped back.
“I just—”
Camila tilted her head.
Almost curious.
Almost amused.
“You’re smarter than the others,” she said. “That’s unfortunate.”
Something in her voice changed.
The warmth disappeared.
“I could have ignored you,” Camila continued. “But now… you’ve seen too much.”
Mariana’s heart pounded.
Behind Camila, the hallway light flickered.
May you like
And for the first time—
Mariana saw fear in her own future.
