Chapter 10 - The Man Who Died TwiceAlejandro watched the video three times.
There was no mistake.
His father was alive.
Six months after the supposed heart attack.
“How?”
Esteban shook his head.
“We need the original file.”
The metadata showed that the video had been stored on an encrypted server.
They traced the server to a private residence outside the city.
They went there at night.
The house was empty.
Inside, they found a bedroom.
A wheelchair.
Medical equipment.
Old photographs.
And a calendar.
The dates covered one year.
Then Alejandro saw a note.
HE REFUSES TO DIE.
Rafael whispered:
“Who wrote that?”
Alejandro didn't answer.
They found a hidden room.
On the wall was a map showing the Aranda estate.
Marked locations.
Escape routes.
Safe houses.
Then they heard a cough.
Someone was alive.
They followed the sound.
An old man sat in a wheelchair.
Gray hair.
Thin face.
Scar across his cheek.
Alejandro froze.
“Father?”
The man slowly looked up.
His eyes filled with tears.
“Alejandro.”
Alejandro couldn't move.
His father reached for him.
“My son.”
Alejandro rushed forward.
They embraced.
For six years Alejandro had believed he was dead.
Now he was holding him.
Alive.
Barely.
“What happened?”
His father looked at him.
“Your mother tried to kill me.”
“Why?”
“Because I discovered everything.”
He explained that the heart attack had been staged.
The poison nearly killed him.
Rafael had secretly rescued him.
But Doña Esther had convinced everyone he was dead.
Why?
Because his father had evidence that could destroy her.
He had spent years hiding.
Waiting.
Watching.
Gathering proof.
“Why didn't you come back?”
“Because Esther threatened Valeria before you even met her.”
Alejandro's chest tightened.
“What?”
“Valeria's family was connected to mine.”
His father looked at her.
“She was the only person I trusted to investigate Esther.”
Alejandro realized the photograph had never been a love affair.
It had been surveillance.
Protection.
A conspiracy within the family.
Then his father spoke again.
“There is one thing I couldn't find.”
“What?”
“The original ledger.”
“Which ledger?”
“The one proving where Esther sent the Marquez fortune.”
“And where is it?”
His father looked toward the mansion.
“Inside her bedroom.”
Alejandro's expression hardened.
His father grabbed his wrist.
“Do not confront her alone.”
“Why?”
“Because Esther is not the mastermind.”
Alejandro froze.
“Then who is?”
His father whispered a name.
A name Alejandro knew well.
A name that made his blood run cold.
“Your lawyer.”
Esteban Cruz.
Alejandro slowly turned.
Esteban was standing in the doorway.
May you like
Smiling.
He raised a gun.
