The heavy clang of iron echoed as Ana's cell door opened that morning.
"Get up, Santiago," the guard ordered. "You've got a court hearing."
Ana's stomach twisted. Her first day in court. The moment the world would decide whether she was a grieving daughter… or a murderer.
She had a glimpse of hope that today was going to be better.
Angel glanced up from her cot, calm as ever. "Head high, niña. Don't let them smell your fear."
Ana swallowed. "What if they believe Mariana?"
Angel smirked faintly. "Then you fight harder. The courtroom is just another kind of prison, same rules, different walls."
Her words burned into Ana's heart as the guards led her away.
***
The Courtroom
The courthouse loomed like a giant shadow, its marble pillars stretching into the sky. Cameras flashed the moment Ana stepped out of the prison van, handcuffed and pale. Journalists shouted questions, their voices clashing in the chaos.
"Did you kill your father, Ana?"
"Was it for money?"
"Did Gabriel Santiago disinherit you before his death?"
Ana ducked her head, the insults and flashes cutting through her skin like knives.
Inside the courtroom, the weight of eyes pressed on her. The judge sat like a god above them all, while prosecutors shuffled their papers with grim satisfaction.
On the other side, Alejandro Cruz stood tall, his jaw tight, eyes fixed on her with a silent promise: I'll fight for you.
Then the doors opened.
Mariana entered.
She wore black, as if mourning, her veil framing her face perfectly. But her eyes, those cold, triumphant eyes met Ana's for just a second, and Ana knew: Mariana had come to bury her.
The prosecutor called Mariana to the stand. She walked gracefully, her grief performed with precision.
"Mrs. Mariana Santiago," the prosecutor began, "could you tell the court about your relationship with the deceased, Gabriel Santiago?"
Mariana placed a delicate hand on her chest, her voice breaking with practiced sorrow. "He was my beloved father. A man of honor, of dignity. He didn't deserve what happened to him."
Ana gritted her teeth. She's lying through her teeth…
"And what of Ana Santiago, your step-daughter ?" the prosecutor asked.
Mariana lowered her eyes. "Ana… she was always headstrong. Always at odds with her Father. They had a terrible argument just days before his death. She shouted at him, accused him of favoritism, even raised her voice in his study."
The prosecutor nodded. "And do you have proof of this?"
Mariana smiled faintly. "Yes, your honor. A recording."
Gasps rippled through the courtroom as the tape played: Ana's voice, trembling with anger, clashing with Gabriel's.
"You never listen to me, Papá! You always side with Mariana!"
"Enough, Ana! Show some respect!"
"You'll regret this!"
The courtroom froze on those last words.
Ana's blood ran cold. "That's not… that's not how it happened!"
Mariana dabbed her eyes with a tissue. "I hate to bring this up, but the truth must be known. My husband was afraid of her temper."
The whispers in the courtroom grew like a storm: Murderer. Spoiled brat. Ungrateful daughter. She doesn't know how many people wished to have her life.
***
Ana's Plea
Her husband, Alejandro, rose to his feet. "Objection, your honor. The recording is incomplete. Words can be twisted without context."
The judge frowned. "Sustained. But the jury will decide what weight to give it."
When Ana was allowed to speak, she stood trembling. "Please, I loved my father. Yes, we argued, but it was because I wanted him to see the truth, about the people around him, about things in the house. I never wished him harm. Those words were taken out of context. I would never hurt him."
But Mariana's crocodile tears already drowned her voice.
"I was framed, can't you guys see that? Why is no one believing me".
She broke down in tears.
When the session ended, Ana was escorted back. Before she was taken away, Alejandro leaned close, whispering firmly, "Don't lose hope. I'll find evidence. I swear to you."
Ana looked into his eyes, her own brimming with tears. "Please… hurry. She's destroying me."
***
Back in Prison
That night, Ana collapsed on her cot, her spirit crushed.
Angel watched silently until Ana broke down, burying her face in her hands.
"They believed her," Ana whispered. "She made me look like a monster. Even with Alejandro there… I feel like I'm drowning."
Angel leaned forward, her gaze steady. "That's because you're still playing her game. You're reacting. She controls the narrative, and you're just defending yourself. That won't work."
Ana lifted her head. "Then what do I do?"
Angel smirked. "Survive. Both here and out there. First rule: never let your enemy see your weakness. Second rule: gather allies before you gather evidence. Alone, you're an easy target. Together, you're dangerous."
Ana frowned. "But who can I trust? Everyone wants me guilty."
Angel shrugged. "You'll learn. Sometimes the most unexpected people hold the keys. Don't dismiss anyone, not even the ones who seem broken."
Ana stared at her, surprised. "Why are you helping me?"
For the first time, Angel's expression softened. "Because once, someone should have helped me… and didn't."
"I have a lawyer" Angel said.
"She's very good at her job, but she's about to retire… she's young and vibrant but she wants to focus more on her family now"
" You want her to help me?''
"Yes, and justice will be served".
"I didn't want her to handle my case, I wanted to be here… because there was no need going back to that cruel world, after what they did to my sister".
Ana eyes widened.
" But I'll ask her to handle your case as the last, before she retires. You know why she can't turn me down?
Angel laughs.
" She owns me a huge favor".
As the night deepened, Angel leaned closer, her voice a whisper.
"And remember this, Santiago… Mariana's too perfect. Too polished. That means she's hiding something big. If you want to beat her, you don't need to shout your innocence. You need to rip her mask off."
Ana clutched her pendant, Angel's words sinking into her heart like a spark of fire.
For the first time since the nightmare began, Ana whispered to herself, "I'll fight back. I'll show them the truth."
But little did she know… Mariana was already planning her next move.