Chapter 2 — The Birthday Became an Investigation
Chapter 2 — The Birthday Became an Investigation
No one spoke.
The candles continued burning.
Wax slowly dripped onto the untouched birthday cake.
Ernesto calmly looked at one of the investigators.
"Did everyone hear his statement?"
The investigator nodded.
"Clearly."
He opened a small notebook.
"Mr. Julián Herrera voluntarily admitted to striking his wife in front of multiple witnesses."
Julián forced a laugh.
"It was a joke."
The forensic examiner looked at Valeria's bruised cheek.
"Bruises don't usually laugh."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Ofelia finally stood.
"This is ridiculous."
"You're embarrassing the family."
Ernesto looked at her without emotion.
"No."
"Your son embarrassed himself."
"He simply expected no one would stop him."
The domestic violence advocate walked gently into the garden.
She approached Valeria.
"My name is Ana."
"You're safe."
Those two words broke something inside her.
Safe.
She couldn't remember the last time anyone had said that.
Inside the house...
The investigator approached the recycling cabinet.
"You seemed very interested in this bag, Mrs. Herrera."
Ofelia tried to block him.
"That's private."
He calmly produced a warrant.
"Not anymore."
He opened the black garbage bag.
Inside were shredded financial documents.
A burned notebook.
And a sealed envelope.
The envelope carried one familiar name.
Ernesto Salgado.
The investigator carefully removed several property deeds.
His expression changed.
"These signatures..."
He looked toward Ernesto.
"They appear forged."
Ofelia's hands began shaking.
"I can explain."
May you like
Ernesto quietly answered.
"I've waited months to hear that."
