Chapter 8 - The Remnants of the Storm
The foyer was completely silent now. The officers had taken Mauricio away, and the locksmith was busy installing modern, digital security locks on the heavy cedar doors.
Valeria stepped into the house. The air was stale, smelling of old tequila and desperation. Sitting on the bottom step of the grand staircase was Graciela. She looked smaller, older, her elegant clothes replaced by a faded sweater. She was holding a small, silver-framed photograph of Don Arturo.
When she looked up and saw Valeria, a sob tore out of her throat.
"Vale..." Graciela whispered, reaching out a trembling hand. "I... I didn't mean to burn you. I was so scared. He told me if we didn't support Abril, we would lose everything. He made me believe you were trying to destroy us."
Valeria stopped five feet away from her mother. The wound on her cheek throbbed slightly, a sharp reminder of the violence that had broken their bond.
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"I didn't destroy you, Mom," Valeria said, her voice soft but firm. "You let a monster into Dad’s house, and you handed him the matches. I just stopped you from burning down the foundation."
"Can you ever forgive me?" Graciela wept, burying her face in her hands. "I have nowhere to go, Vale. He spent everything. My bank accounts are gone. The property taxes... I have nothing."
