Patricia approached until she was standing in front of her.
—I’m talking to you.
“Rosa didn’t steal anything,” the girl murmured.
The blow was not with the hand.
Patricia took Daniela’s book and threw it against the wall.
—Don’t contradict me again.
Martina started to cry. Rosa wanted to approach, but Patricia raised a finger.
—Not one step further. As soon as Emiliano sees the bracelet in your room, you’re going to jail.
Rosa took a deep breath and looked at the girls.
Go up to your room, please.
“No,” Patricia said. “They’re staying. I want them to see how the trash is taken out of this house.”
Emiliano stood up suddenly.
Ramiro blocked his path.
—Sir, wait. There is something else you should see.
-Anything else?
The head of security pointed to another screen. The hallway camera showed Daniela discreetly slipping a small recorder into her skirt pocket.
Emiliano remained motionless.
His daughter was gathering evidence.
An 11-year-old girl had understood what her father, with all his money and power, had refused to see.
In the living room, Patricia picked up the phone and pretended to dial.
“It’s a shame your father is flying,” she said. “We’ll have time to get everything ready before he gets back.”
Rosa looked at her firmly.
—Prepare what?
Patricia let out a dry laugh.
—Your dismissal. The complaint. And the version the girls are going to tell.
Daniela squeezed the recorder into her pocket.
—We’re not going to lie.
Patricia crouched down in front of her.
“Of course, darling. You’ll say you saw Rosa go into the dressing room. Your sister will say she found the bracelet. And if they deny it, I’ll tell their father that Rosa put those ideas in their heads.”
“Dad will believe us,” Martina said through tears.
-Really?
Patricia arranged her hair with a false sweetness.
Their dad is never around. He doesn’t know what they eat, he doesn’t know when they have nightmares, and he doesn’t even know that Daniela hasn’t slept well for two months.
Emiliano felt those words pierce his chest.
Because they were cruel.
And they were also true.
She had filled the house with luxuries, but she hadn’t seen the fear in her daughters’ eyes.
Patricia continued:
—Emiliano believes me. He always believes me. A couple of tears, a sad face, and that’s it. Rosa leaves, you all stay quiet, and after the wedding, I’ll be his new mom.
Martina denied it desperately.
—You’ll never be our mom.
Patricia’s expression distorted.
He grabbed her wrist tightly.
Rosa reacted instantly.
—Let her go!
Patricia pushed Martina towards the armchair and turned on Rosa.
—See? This is exactly what I’m going to tell Emiliano. That you’re aggressive, that you want to take my place, and that you’re using his daughters to get money.
Rosa no longer lowered her head.
—I don’t want their money. I just want them to stop hurting them.
