Chapter 6 - The Woman Who Knew Everything
Don Ernesto stopped when he saw Camila.
His face changed.
“You.”
Camila stood.
“You knew I would eventually talk.”
He looked at me.
“Mariana, go home.”
“No.”
His eyes hardened.
“I won't ask twice.”
“I don't work for you.”
“You are my daughter-in-law.”
“Not anymore.”
The words came out before I could think.
Álvaro had spent years telling me family was permanent.
That night, I realized family was not an excuse for betrayal.
Don Ernesto sat down.
“Camila is manipulating you.”
Camila laughed bitterly.
“Tell her about the warehouse.”
His face went pale.
I looked at him.
“What warehouse?”
He didn't answer.
Camila opened another folder.
“Your husband thinks the debt is financial.”
I stared at her.
“It isn't?”
“No.”
She looked directly at me.
“The money was only the beginning.”
My skin prickled.
“What does that mean?”
“Six years ago, your father-in-law signed an agreement with Esteban Rojas.”
“Why?”
“To save his company.”
“And what did he give him?”
Camila hesitated.
“Control.”
“Of what?”
“Everything.”
I looked at Don Ernesto.
He finally spoke.
“Esteban financed the company when banks wouldn't.”
“And in exchange?”
“Shares.”
“That's all?”
His silence answered.
Camila said:
“He demanded access to private medical contracts.”
My blood ran cold.
I understood.
Medical contracts.
Hospitals.
Patient data.
Insurance information.
My profession.
My reputation.
My name.
They hadn't simply needed money.
They had needed credibility.
A respected surgeon's identity could open doors.
Don Ernesto looked at me.
“Your name protected the company.”
“And my license?”
“No one intended to harm you.”
I stood.
“You used my medical reputation without my consent.”
“We needed time.”
“For what?”
“To pay the debt.”
I looked at Camila.
“What happens if you don't?”
She whispered:
“Esteban takes everything.”
I laughed.
“Then let him.”
Don Ernesto slammed his hand on the table.
“You don't understand what you're dealing with.”
“I understand enough.”
He leaned closer.
“You think this is about four million pesos.”
“What is it about?”
He didn't answer.
Camila did.
“Thirty-two million.”
The room went silent.
Thirty-two million pesos.
That was the real debt.
And my money had only been covering the interest.
I looked at Don Ernesto.
“How long?”
He closed his eyes.
“Three weeks.”
“Until what?”
“Until Esteban comes for the company.”
“And if he doesn't get it?”
Camila looked at me.
“He takes the person who owes him.”
I felt cold.
“Who?”
She looked toward Don Ernesto.
Then toward Álvaro.
Neither spoke.
Finally, she whispered:
“Your husband.”
My phone vibrated.
A message.
From Esteban.
You have three weeks.
Then another.
But I have decided I don't want the company anymore.
A third message arrived.
I want what belongs to me.
May you like
And the final message contained only one sentence.
Your husband knows what that is.
