Chapter 7 - The Arrest
The elegant marble lobby of Aranda Real Estate was crowded with reporters, news cameras, and employees who had gathered after hearing rumors of the federal raid.
Flashbulbs exploded in continuous blinding flashes as federal marshals led Doña Esther and Marcela out of the private elevator in handcuffs.
Doña Esther tried to cover her face with her coat, but the photographers captured every second of her fall from grace—the proud, tyrannical matriarch of Mexico City high society reduced to a criminal in hand restraints.
Marcela was weeping hysterically, screaming at the reporters: "My brother framed us! He’s crazy! Get his wife!"
Alejandro stood on the balcony overlooking the lobby, standing beside Prosecutor Santiago Ruiz.
"Their legal team is going to request bail at fifty million pesos," Santiago noted, watching the marshals load the two women into a black federal van.
"Let them request it," Alejandro said quietly. "Judge Martinez already signed the order denying bail due to the severity of the domestic torture and poisoning charges. They will wait for trial inside the Santa Martha Acatitla women's prison."
"What about the company?" Santiago asked. "The stock is going to take a heavy hit when the news breaks tonight."
"Let it hit," Alejandro said, turning away from the balcony. "I’m liquidating my mother and sister’s shares to establish a full restitution fund for Valeria's family name. Every peso my father took from her father will be returned with interest."
Alejandro left the skyscraper and drove straight back to the Pedregal clinic.
When he entered Valeria’s room, she was sitting up near the window, watching the rain stop as sunlight broke through the clouds over the city.
"Alejandro?" she asked softly, turning her head.
He walked over, knelt beside her chair, and laid his head on her lap. Valeria ran her slender fingers through his dark hair, feeling his shoulders relax for the first time in weeks.
"It’s over, Valeria," Alejandro whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "They are in federal custody. They will never hurt you again. Your father’s name is clear."
Valeria closed her eyes, letting out a long, shuddering breath that seemed to carry away two years of fear, humiliation, and pain.
May you like
"Thank you," she whispered, kissing the top of his head. "Thank you for coming back to me."
"I never left you, my love," Alejandro promised, looking up into her eyes, touching her belly where their son kicked softly against his palm. "I was just lost in the dark. But you brought me back."
