Chapter 2: She Said You Would Believe Her
I brought Isabella inside and sat her at the kitchen table.
She kept her hands in her lap, hiding the blisters.
Still protecting Beatriz.
Even now.
I asked the housekeeper, Dolores, to bring warm water and bandages.
Dolores moved quickly — but she wouldn't meet my eyes.
She had been with us for two years.
She knew this house better than anyone.
"Dolores."
She stopped.
"How long has this been happening?"
A long pause.
Her hands tightened around the bowl.
"Sir, I —"
"How long?"
She set the bowl down slowly.
Her voice dropped to almost nothing.
"Since the second week after you left."
Isabella looked up sharply.
Then immediately looked back down.
I turned to my daughter.
"Has Beatriz ever done anything else?
Anything that hurt you?"
Isabella shook her head fast.
Too fast.
"You can tell me."
She pressed her lips together.
Then, very quietly: "She said if I ever told you anything, she would make sure you sent me away."
The room went completely still.
"Sent you away where?"
Isabella's voice broke for the first time.
"She said you never really wanted me.
That you only kept me because you felt sorry for me."
Before I could answer, Beatriz walked through the door.
Her expression had changed again.
Composed.
Controlled.
Almost cold.
She looked at Dolores.
Then at Isabella.
Then at me.
And she smiled.
"I think we should have that conversation now."
---
What Beatriz said next — and what Dolores finally handed me — changed everything.
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The truth is worse than anyone expected.
