Chapter 10 - The Woman in the Hallway
I grabbed Mariana's hand.
The emergency lights turned on.
The hallway was empty.
Elena was gone.
I ran outside.
Nothing.
Only a dropped envelope remained on the floor.
I picked it up.
Inside was a photograph.
A young woman holding a little girl.
On the back:
Victoria and Lucia.
Mariana saw it.
“Lucia.”
I looked at her.
“That's my daughter's name.”
She touched the photograph with trembling fingers.
“Lucia.”
Then my mother appeared at the end of the hallway.
She wasn't alone.
Two security guards stood behind her.
“You need to leave,” she said.
I stepped forward.
“You knew Lucia was alive.”
Mother's expression was unreadable.
“You don't understand.”
“Where is she?”
“Far away.”
“Where?”
“You won't find her.”
Mariana walked toward Mother.
“You stole my daughter.”
Mother looked at her.
“I saved her.”
“You lied to me.”
“You were sixteen.”
“You had no right.”
Mother's eyes hardened.
“You had no idea what kind of mother you were.”
Mariana flinched.
I stepped between them.
“Enough.”
Mother looked at me.
“You want the truth?”
“Yes.”
“Then go to the old house in Tlaquepaque.”
My heart stopped.
“What is there?”
“Everything your father couldn't tell you.”
She turned.
I grabbed her arm.
“Why are you helping me?”
She looked over her shoulder.
“I am not.”
Then she whispered:
“I'm trying to stop you before you find out who Victoria really is.”
Mother walked away.
Paola called me.
“Santiago.”
“What?”
“Don't go to the old house.”
“Why?”
“I found the rest of the blue folder.”
“What does it say?”
Her breathing was fast.
“It says Mom didn't adopt the first baby.”
I froze.
“Then who did?”
Paola whispered:
“Victoria.”
My heart stopped.
“But Mom knew her.”
“Yes.”
“Who is Victoria?”
Paola hesitated.
“She was Dad's first wife.”
I stared at the hospital corridor.
Mariana's face went pale.
“My mother-in-law?”
“No.”
Paola's voice cracked.
“Your mother is Victoria's daughter.”
Silence.
I couldn't understand.
“My mother is her daughter?”
“Yes.”
“And my father?”
“He knew.”
I looked at Mariana.
She was staring at the photograph.
Then she whispered:
“Then Lucia…”
The hospital doors opened.
A young woman walked inside.
She looked directly at Mariana.
May you like
And said:
“Mom?”
