Chapter 4 - What Happened Six Years AgoAlejandro had disappeared.
The police searched the warehouse.
Nothing.
Elena felt betrayed and terrified.
But Daniel was focused on the note.
“The night Mariana disappeared.”
Detective Collins looked at him.
“What do you know?”
“Only what my mother told me.”
“Tell us.”
Daniel swallowed.
“She said Alejandro came to her apartment.”
“When?”
“The night before she disappeared.”
“What happened?”
“She told him she was leaving.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere he couldn't find her.”
Elena frowned.
“Then why did she disappear?”
Daniel shook his head.
“She didn't.”
“What?”
“She contacted me the next morning.”
“From where?”
“A bus station.”
Daniel's face became pale.
“She told me she was going to meet someone.”
“Who?”
“She wouldn't say.”
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Daniel.”
A woman's voice.
Isabel.
“I have Mateo.”
Daniel froze.
“Where?”
“Safe.”
“Let me speak to him.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because Alejandro is looking for him.”
Elena stepped closer.
“Isabel, I'm Elena.”
Silence.
Then Isabel said:
“You shouldn't trust your husband.”
“I know.”
“He isn't the only one.”
“Who else?”
“You'll find out soon.”
“Why are you protecting Mateo?”
Isabel hesitated.
“Because I promised Mariana.”
Elena's heart tightened.
“What happened to her?”
“I can't explain over the phone.”
“Then meet us.”
“No.”
“Please.”
Silence.
Then:
“Come to the old church.”
The call ended.
They drove there.
Isabel was waiting.
Mateo stood beside her.
He looked frightened.
Daniel ran toward him.
“Mateo!”
The teenager hugged him.
Elena watched.
Something about the reunion broke her heart.
Two brothers meeting after years of secrets.
Mateo looked at Elena.
“Are you his wife?”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“Mom told me about you.”
Elena froze.
“Mariana knew me?”
“She saw you once.”
“When?”
“Before you married Alejandro.”
Elena felt cold.
“She knew I was going to marry him?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't she warn me?”
Mateo looked away.
“She tried.”
Isabel interrupted.
“Mariana wanted to protect you.”
“From Alejandro?”
“From everyone.”
Rafael stepped forward.
“What happened six years ago?”
Isabel looked at him.
“Mariana discovered the financial scheme.”
“The company?”
“Yes.”
“She had evidence.”
“Where is it?”
Isabel pulled out a key.
“Inside Alejandro's old office.”
Rafael stared.
“He hasn't used that office in years.”
“Exactly.”
They returned to the company.
Behind an old painting, Isabel found a hidden compartment.
Inside was a box.
Documents.
Photographs.
Recordings.
And a letter.
Addressed to Elena.
She opened it.
Dear Elena,
If you're reading this, I failed to stop you from entering his life.
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
Mariana continued.
Alejandro isn't the man you think he is.
But he isn't the worst person involved.
There is someone above him.
Someone with more power.
Someone who has controlled him for years.
Elena looked at Rafael.
Her father shook his head.
“Who?”
The next line answered.
Rafael.
Elena stopped breathing.
Her father.
She looked at him.
“Dad?”
Rafael's face turned pale.
“I didn't know.”
Mariana's letter continued.
Rafael's former CFO was only a middleman.
The person funding everything was someone inside Rafael's family.
Someone who wants control of the company.
Someone who believes Elena is the only obstacle.
Elena looked at Victoria.
Victoria whispered:
“Your uncle.”
Rafael's eyes widened.
“My brother?”
Elena remembered.
Her father's younger brother.
Gabriel.
He had disappeared years ago after a business dispute.
Daniel looked at the documents.
“That's the man.”
Detective Collins turned.
“Where is he now?”
Rafael's voice trembled.
“I don't know.”
Then the office lights went out.
A phone rang.
This time it was Elena's.
She answered.
A man's voice said:
“Hello, niece.”
Elena froze.
Gabriel.
“I've waited years to speak to you.”
“What do you want?”
“Your father’s company.”
“You kidnapped Mateo.”
“No.”
“Then where is Alejandro?”
A pause.
“Your husband is finally beginning to understand who I am.”
Elena's heart pounded.
“What did you do to him?”
Gabriel laughed.
“Ask your father what happened to his first company.”
The call ended.
Rafael sat down.
His face had gone gray.
Elena looked at him.
“What aren't you telling me?”
Rafael lowered his head.
“Gabriel tried to destroy me twenty years ago.”
“Why?”
“Because I chose the company over him.”
“And now?”
Rafael looked at his daughter.
“He wants everything.”
Then Detective Collins found another document.
A transfer agreement.
Gabriel was attempting to take control of the company.
But there was one condition.
May you like
Elena had to sign.
And the deadline was midnight.
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