The mansion felt colder that evening, even though the chandeliers were lit and the
fireplaces burned in every hall. The Santiago estate had always carried a kind of pride
and grandeur, but after Gabriel's sudden passing, its walls seemed to whisper only grief, suspicion, and unspoken secrets.
Ana sat alone in the garden terrace, her hands clutching the railing as her eyes wandered aimlessly over the perfectly trimmed hedges. The weight of her father's death still crushed her chest, refusing to let her breathe freely.
Alejandro had gone inside to speak with some relatives, but Ana remained, trying to
gather her strength.
Just as she was about to retreat inside, the low rumble of car engines reached her ears.
Two black police vehicles rolled into the driveway, their headlights piercing the dusk. Her heart lurched.
Not again.
Within minutes, uniformed officers entered the mansion. The Santiago family was quickly gathered in the grand salon.
Everyone stood in tense silence: Alejandro at Ana's side,
Isabella leaning against a column with her arms crossed.
Mariana sitting gracefully on the velvet couch like she belonged on the cover of a
magazine. Even the house staff lingered at the edges, their faces pale with worry.
The lead investigator, Inspector De León, stepped forward, his expression grim. His
assistant carried a brown folder, sealed with official markings.
"We have concluded a more detailed examination of Señor Gabriel Santiago's remains," the inspector began, his deep voice echoing in the chamber.
"The evidence confirms our suspicions. Señor Santiago's death was not natural. A
substance was administered to him. A lethal one."
Gasps echoed through the room. Ana pressed a hand against her mouth, her stomach twisting violently. Alejandro's jaw tightened beside her.
The inspector's eyes scanned the room, sharp and unyielding. "And we are certain… that this substance was introduced from within this household."
The silence that followed was suffocating. No one dared to breathe too loudly. The words "from within this household" clung to the air like smoke.
Ana's pulse thundered in her ears. She could feel everyone's eyes shift in fleeting
glances, suspicion, fear, calculation.
Then Mariana's soft voice broke through, carrying the perfect balance of sorrow and
hesitation. "Inspector… forgive me, I… I don't want to cause more pain than there already
is, but… perhaps it's best you know everything."
Ana's head snapped toward her stepmom.
"Everything?" she whispered.
Mariana avoided Ana's gaze, instead wringing her hands delicately as though she were forcing herself to speak. "A few days before Papá… before this happened, Ana had a very heated argument with him. In his study.
I—I didn't think it mattered at the time, but
now…"
"That's not true," Ana burst out, her voice shaking. "Yes, I spoke with him, but it was
nothing like that" Inspector De León raised a hand, silencing her. His sharp gaze shifted to Mariana. "Do you have evidence of this argument, Señora?"
Mariana hesitated, then slowly pulled a small recorder from her handbag. She held it with trembling fingers. "I wasn't spying. I… I was only passing by the study and I heard them shouting. I didn't know what else to do, so I… I pressed the record button. I swear I never thought I'd need to play this."
She looked down, her lashes lowered, her expression one of reluctant grief. It was an act so polished, Ana almost believed her herself.
The inspector nodded to his assistant, who quickly connected the recorder to a small
speaker. A button was pressed.
Static filled the air. Then came Ana's voice, sharp and trembling.
"You've never wanted me to be happy, Papá! Never! You despise Alejandro just because
he isn't the man you chose for me. But I love him, and I won't let you tear us apart!"
Gabriel's voice thundered in reply, full of fury.
"That man will bring ruin to this family!
And you, Ana… you're blind, reckless, just like your mother! You shame me!"
Ana's breath caught as the recording continued, her own voice raised in anger.
"Then maybe I don't need your blessing. Maybe I don't need you at all!"
A heavy slam followed, perhaps her hand on the desk, perhaps Gabriel's fist and then the
recording clicked off.
The room was drowned in silence. The sound of Ana's defiance still hung in the air,
painting her in the darkest light.
Ana's hands shook violently. "That's not how it was," she pleaded, looking at the
inspector, then at Alejandro. "It was just an argument! A stupid family argument.
My father and I always argued, but we loved each other, he knew that! You can't take that
recording as proof of anything sinister."
But the inspector's expression had hardened. "Señora Ana, the evidence, combined with this recording and the circumstances, places you under suspicion. Until further investigation, you are to be taken into custody."
"No!" Ana cried out, her voice breaking. "This is madness! I would never hurt my father!"
Alejandro stepped forward, his voice sharp.
"Inspector, you're making a mistake. That
recording is nothing but a daughter and father quarreling. If you knew this family, you'd understand…"
But Mariana's quiet sob cut him off. She pressed a handkerchief delicately to her eyes.
"Please, Alejandro… let them do their job. If Ana is truly innocent, the truth will come out.
We mustn't stand in the way of justice for Papá."
Ana turned on her stepmom, eyes blazing with betrayal. "How could you? How could you do this to me?"
Mariana lowered her gaze, her expression painted with sorrow. "I'm only telling them
what I heard, Ana. I wish I didn't have to."
Two officers stepped forward. "Señora Ana Santiago, please come with us."
Ana backed away, panic surging. "No, please! Alejandro!"
Alejandro grabbed her hand, his grip fierce.
"You're not taking her like a criminal. She's
grieving her father"
"Señor," the inspector said firmly. "Stand aside. Interfering will only make this worse."
For a moment, Alejandro looked ready to fight them all. But Ana shook her head, tears
blurring her vision. "No, Alejandro… don't.
Please. I don't want you dragged into this."
Her voice broke as the officers gently but firmly took her by the arms.
"I didn't do it!" Ana screamed as they led her toward the door. Her cries echoed through
the mansion halls. "I loved my father! I didn't do this!"
Her youngest sister, Clara, sobbed openly, trying to run after her, but was restrained by
one of the maids. Isabella stood frozen, biting her lip, though Ana caught the faintest
flicker of satisfaction in her eyes.
Mariana… oh, Mariana. She stood with perfect posture, her face bowed in grief, but when Ana turned her head at the last second, their eyes locked.
And Ana saw it, the glimmer of triumph in Mariana's gaze. The corner of her lips barely
lifted, hidden from everyone else.
A cold chill ran down Ana's spine. It was her. It had always been her.
As the police escorted her into the night, Ana realized something terrifying. She was
utterly alone.
And Mariana had won the first battle.