If Ernesto managed to talk to her, she stayed nearby to listen to every word.

The old man began to feel like a prisoner.

But he still possessed something that his daughter-in-law did not know.

A small digital recorder.

Mercedes had bought it years before to preserve family conversations and memories of their travels.

After his death, Ernesto had put it in a box.

He had retrieved it when he began to suspect Lucía.

And this device contained a conversation that would change everyone’s destiny.

CHAPTER 7. THE DAY JAVIER CAME HOME EARLY

On Thursday morning, Javier received an unexpected email.

It came from an address he didn’t know.

The subject line stated:

“Your father needs help.”

The message was brief.

“Go home without warning. Don’t call your wife before you arrive. There’s something you need to see. »

A photograph was attached.

It showed Don Ernesto sitting on a small chair near the back door.

In front of him was a plate containing leftover food.

Javier felt a deep uneasiness.

He immediately called Lucía.

She answered in her usual voice.

“Hello, darling. Is everything okay? »

“How’s Daddy?”

“As usual. Today, he was a little disoriented. »

“Did he eat?”

“Of course.”

“Where?”

There was a pause.

“Home, Javier. Where do you want him to eat? »

He clutched his phone.

“Is he with you?”

“He’s resting.”

“I want to talk to him.”

“He can’t now. He sleeps. »

Javier looked at the photograph.

“I understand.”

He hung up.

Then he called his company’s secretary and cancelled the afternoon meetings.

He took the road to Madrid.

During the journey, he remembered small details that he had ignored.

The last time he had seen his father, he had found him thinner.

Lucía had explained that he had lost his appetite.

Another time, he had noticed that Ernesto was wearing a stained shirt.

His wife had told him that the old man refused to change.

He also remembered a sentence his father had said a few weeks earlier.

“My son, when you have time, I need to talk to you alone.”

Javier had promised her that they would.

But he had never found the moment.

This promise now weighed heavily on him.

Before arriving at the manor, he received a call.

It was Elena Robles.

“Javier, we need to talk.”

He was surprised.

“Elena, what’s going on?”

“Your father allowed me to contact you if the situation worsens. I’ve been trying to reach you since this morning. »

“What situation?”

“I can’t explain everything to you on the phone. But there are documents that you need to know. »

“I’m coming home.”

“Then listen to me: don’t sign anything and don’t let anyone take your father’s documents with you.”

Javier felt an icy cold wash over him.

“What’s going on with the house?”

Elena hesitated for a second before answering.

“Someone is trying to appropriate it by means of documents that your father does not recognize as valid.”

Javier stopped his car on the side of the road.

“Who?”

“The company that appears on the document I have just sent you.”

He opened his email.

Downloaded the file.

It was a copy of an alleged commitment to sell the manor.

He recognized his father’s name.

Then he found the signature of a company.

And in one of the annexes, the name of Lucía.

Javier felt his heart beat violently against his ribs.

“It’s not possible.”

Elena spoke firmly.

“Don’t make any impulsive decisions. We must protect your father and verify every document. »

Javier put his phone away.

He took the road again.

Twenty-five minutes later, he entered the mansion.

And discovered Don Ernesto kneeling on the ground, next to the metal bowl.

CHAPTER 8. THE FIRST TRUTH

“Dad, look at me.”

Javier had returned to the old man.

He helped her to her feet and placed her in a chair.

Don Ernesto’s hands were cold.

“Forgive me, my son,” he whispered.

Javier felt tears welling up in his eyes.

“You have nothing to forgive.”

“I didn’t want to cause any problems between you.”

“The problem isn’t you.”

Lucía was watching the scene from the countertop.

“Javier, you’re exaggerating. He always does the same thing when he wants to attract attention. »

He turned around.

“Not a word more.”

The woman opened her mouth indignantly.

“You don’t have the right to talk to me like that.”

Javier leva le document.

“So let’s talk about that.”

Lucía looked at the leaves.

“What is it?”

“A real estate operation concerning the manor.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You are linked to the buying company.”

“I’m a consultant. I have worked with many companies. »

“And one of them is trying to buy my father’s house.”

“It doesn’t mean anything.”

Javier mounts the signature.