“I recorded it,” Lucia said, her voice steady despite the tears in her eyes. “I’ve been following Mrs. Rivas for two years.”
She walked over to me and took my hand. Her palms were sweating, but her grip was like iron.
“Two years ago, it was my sister,” Lucia said, looking directly at Mateo. “She was fifteen, just like Valeria. She was pregnant with Mateo’s baby. Your mother didn’t offer us money, Mrs. Rivas. She sent Patricia to ‘counsel’ us. She gave my sister those same ‘calming teas.’ My sister lost the baby… and then she lost her mind. She’s in a facility now. She doesn’t even remember my name.”
The pieces of the puzzle clicked into place with a terrifying snap. Aunt Patricia wasn’t just my mother’s sister; she was a fixer. She used her position of trust in the community to “clean up” the messes made by the wealthy families in town.
The Breaking Point
“You monster,” my mother breathed, stepping toward Patricia. “She is your niece! My daughter! My grandchild!”
