Beatriz showed no remorse.
—I told you what you needed to know to save your future.
—Of my children?
The question broke something inside him. He didn’t scream. It was worse: his voice became so low that everyone had to lean in to hear him.
Renata closed the computer.
—This is turning into a spectacle. Lucía could have looked for you later. She could have shown up at your office, sued you, spoken to the press.
“I was pregnant with triplets, on complete bed rest, and with no access to the house where I lived,” I replied. “Your people changed the passwords, packed my clothes, and left a suitcase for me at the entrance. Even so, I sent emails, letters, and an ultrasound.”
Nora showed the courier receipt.
—Package received at the offices of Grupo Salgado. Signature: Renata Alcocer.
Renata lifted her chin.
—I received hundreds of documents.
—But only one of them made you write to me three days later—I said.
The message appeared printed next to the receipt: “He knows enough. Stop making him suffer.”
Adrian read it twice.
—Did you open the package?
-I don’t remember.
—You just said you didn’t open it.
“Because she was obsessed!” Renata burst out. “She called at all hours. Your mother said the pregnancy wouldn’t go to term. We all thought it best to cut off contact.”
—Not everyone—said Fernando—. Just the two of you.
Renata looked to Beatriz for support, but the woman remained rigid.
Nora opened another folder.
—We also have the hospital visitor log, nurse Marisol’s note, the call history, and the technical report that links the leak about the minors to the agency hired by the foundation.
Fernando turned towards Renata.
—Did you authorize the release of information to the press?
—I was just trying to protect the family’s reputation.
“They photographed my children outside their school,” said Adrian.
—Because Lucia kept them hidden.
I got up before Nora could stop me.
—They weren’t hiding. They went to the park, to kindergarten, to the pediatrician. They had birthdays, friends, and a life. They were just far away from you. Don’t confuse not having access with someone not existing.
