Rosa also had photographs that she had taken to ask a friend for advice, as she was worried about the old man’s living conditions.

One showed a plate containing leftover food near the back door.

Another showed a small chair placed away from the dining room.

These images alone did not prove all the facts denounced.

But they confirmed part of his testimony.

Elena explained that they would keep the original files and document their provenance.

Then she asked:

“Rosa, why did you decide to speak out now?”

The clerk squeezed her hands.

“Because I saw a report about an old man who was mistreated by his family. And I couldn’t sleep. »

She looked at Don Ernesto.

“I thought that if I kept silent, I would help those who had hurt you.”

The old man held out his hand.

Rosa took it.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Javier watched this scene with a mixture of gratitude and shame.

A woman who had only worked for a few months at his home had paid more attention to her father’s suffering than he did.

And this truth hurt him more than any insult.

CHAPTER 16. THE FALL OF LUCÍA

The following weeks were difficult for Lucía.

At first, she tried to convince Javier that it was all a misunderstanding.

She sent him messages at all hours.

One day, she asked for forgiveness.

The next day, she accused him of abandoning her.

Then she began to insinuate that Don Ernesto had manipulated Elena.

Javier stopped talking on the phone.

He answered her only once.

“Any financial or legal question will have to go through the lawyers. I’m not going to deny what I saw or what my father said. »

Lucía reread this message several times.

She understood that her influence over him had disappeared.

Then she turned against Víctor.

“You told me everything would be fine.”

The man was sitting in front of his computer and reviewing documents.

“And you told me that the old man didn’t suspect anything.”

“I didn’t know he was gathering evidence.”

“That’s your mistake.”

Lucía frappa sur la table.

“THAT WAS OUR PLAN!”

Víctor relieves les yeux.

“Don’t ever say that again.”

She stepped back.

“What?”

“I don’t want you to talk about plans on the phone or in messages anymore.”

Lucía felt fear.

“Are you going to leave me alone?”

Víctor did not answer.

That night, when she returned to her apartment, she found an email from her lawyer.

He informed the Commission that certain financial transactions related to Inversiones Alameda Norte were being examined.

He also advised him not to destroy any documents.

Lucía remembered the pages of Don Ernesto’s notebook that she had burned.

Then she thought of the copies, the emails, and the recorder.

For the first time, she understood that the danger was not limited to losing the mansion.

She could have to answer for her actions in court.

She tried to call Víctor.

He did not answer.

She called back.

Nothing.

The next day, she discovered that the man had left Madrid.

His office was closed.

Several employees said they did not know where he was.

Lucía understood that the partner she had placed her trust in was trying to withdraw from the conflict.

Then she made a desperate decision.

She went to Don Ernesto.

CHAPTER 17. THE UNEXPECTED VISIT

It was a Sunday afternoon.

The garden of the manor house was silent.

Don Ernesto walked slowly along the stone path, accompanied by Javier.

The old man was leaning on a cane.

He was still weak, but he had regained some weight since he was once again receiving regular meals and proper care.

They had hired a professional caregiver for the hours Javier was working.

Carmen, the former domestic worker, had also returned.

When Carmen found the old man, she had cried.

“They should never have let this happen.”

Don Ernesto had replied:

“The important thing is that we are now trying to fix things.”

That afternoon, the doorbell interrupted their walk.

Javier looked at the screen of the intercom.

It was Lucía.

His wife wore a dark coat.

His face looked tired.

“What does she want?” asked Don Ernesto.

“Talk to you.”

Javier immediately shook his head.

“You don’t have to receive it.”

The old man remained silent.

Then he answered:

“I want to hear what she has to say.”

Javier hésita.

Finally, he agreed to let them talk in the garden, in his presence.

Lucía enters lentement.

For the first time, she was not wearing luxurious clothes or gaudy jewelry.

She stopped in front of the old man.

“Don Ernesto.”

He tilted his head slightly.

“Lucia.”

The woman began to cry.

“I need to ask your forgiveness.”

Javier resta immobile.

Lucía continued: