Chapter 4 - The Investigation
The next morning, Mateo’s home office turned into a high-tech war room.
Elena sat beside him at the grand mahogany desk, wearing clothes provided by his staff.
Isabella sat on the carpet near their feet, coloring quietly, her plush rabbit finally discarded.
Mateo’s lead investigator, a grim man named Hector, displayed files on the large monitor.
"We dug into the clinic in Veracruz," Hector reported grimly.
"Dr. Arturo Vargas was the attending physician."
"He has a history of gambling debts that magically disappeared three years ago."
Elena felt sick to her stomach seeing the face of the man who ruined her life.
"He looked me right in the eyes and told me it was God's will," she whispered, her voice shaking with fresh anger.
Mateo placed a warm, reassuring hand over hers.
The simple gesture sent a strange, comforting jolt through Elena's body.
"We are going to destroy him," Mateo promised her.
"We have Valeria locked in the guest house, and she gave up his offshore bank accounts."
Suddenly, Isabella walked over and tugged on Mateo's trouser leg.
He scooped her up effortlessly, resting her on his knee.
Isabella then reached out and grabbed Elena's hand, pulling it toward Mateo's chest.
"Mama," Isabella said clearly, pointing to Elena.
Then she pointed to Mateo.
"Papa."
Both Mateo and Elena froze, their hearts skipping a collective beat.
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It was the first time she had spoken normally, acknowledging them both.
In that quiet moment, the lines of battle blurred into something entirely new.
