The cold iron chair scraped against the tiled floor as Ana was forced to sit. The walls of the interrogation room were a dull grey, their silence more suffocating than chains.
A single bulb swung above her head, flickering faintly, casting shadows across her pale face.
Her wrists trembled, her eyes swollen from hours of crying. She had begged the police to understand, to listen but they hadn't. They only repeated the same accusations, circling her like vultures.
Inspector De León stepped inside, closing the door with deliberate calm. He placed a thin file on the desk and took his seat across from her. His gaze was sharp, steady, the kind of look that stripped people bare.
"Señora Ana," he began, folding his hands. "We've been through this, but I'll ask again. Did you or did you not administer anything unusual to your father on the night of his passing?"
Ana's voice cracked. "No! I told you, no. I would never hurt him. He was my father. We argued, yes, but I loved him. Why won't you believe me?"
De León tilted his head, watching her with measured silence. Then he opened the file, revealing photographs, notes, and a transcript of Mariana's recording. He pushed them across the table.
"This says otherwise. This shows anger. Motive."
Ana stared at the papers, bile rising in her throat. "You're twisting it. That's not the truth. Families argue. Haven't you ever argued with someone you loved?"
The inspector leaned forward, lowering his voice. "What I see is a daughter who fought bitterly with her father, who stood to gain freedom from his disapproval, and whose husband had everything to gain if Gabriel Santiago were out of the way.
Tell me again, Señora Ana… why should I believe you?"
Her heart pounded so hard it hurt. She clenched her fists, fighting the urge to break down. "Because I didn't do it. Because I couldn't. If you knew me, if you knew my father, you would understand. Please… please, Inspector. I am innocent."
But her voice cracked on the last word, and silence pressed heavily between them.
Outside the glass window, Alejandro stood watching. His face was a mask of fury he could barely contain. His fists were clenched at his sides, his body rigid, as though every muscle screamed at him to break through the door and pull Ana into his arms.
Instead, he turned away. He knew if he exploded now, it would only make her situation worse. No—he had to fight differently.
***
Back at the Santiago Mansion
Mariana reclined in the sitting room, a glass of wine cradled delicately in her hand. The evening news played softly on the large television, reporting the shocking scandal of Ana Santiago's arrest.
"…police confirmed that evidence points to foul play within the Santiago household," the anchor's voice droned. "Ana Santiago, eldest daughter of the late Gabriel Santiago, has been taken into custody pending further investigation…"
Mariana's lips curved in the faintest smile. She tilted her glass, watching the crimson liquid swirl like victory itself.
Mikel, seated opposite her, smirked. "You've played this beautifully. I didn't think they'd turn on her this quickly."
Mariana glanced toward the window, where the night stretched vast and endless. "Ana has always been too emotional, too impulsive. All I had to do was give them a reason to doubt her. The rest…" She lifted her shoulders gracefully. "The rest fell into place."
Mikel leaned closer, lowering his voice. "And Alejandro? He won't stay quiet. You know he'll fight for her."
Her expression hardened. "Let him try. Every fight he wages for Ana will only drag him deeper. And when the time comes, the Santiago empire will belong to me."
"Cheers to the Santiago Empire becoming ours" Mikel raised his glass.
***
Alejandro's face unpredictable
In his private study, Alejandro slammed his fist against the desk, rattling the lamp. His usually calm, calculating demeanor had given way to raw anger.
"Damn them," he hissed under his breath. He paced the room, his thoughts racing. "They want to make her the scapegoat. Someone in this house did this and I'll find them. I swear it."
His loyal assistant, Javier, stood by the door, his face pale. "Señor, what do we do now? If the police are convinced…"
Alejandro cut him off sharply. "The police are blind. They see what they're told to see. No, this investigation belongs to us now.
I need every scrap of information about my father-in-law's last hours. Who was with him, who served him, who touched his food, his drink. Everything. Do you understand?"
Javier nodded quickly. "Yes, Señor. I'll begin immediately."
Alejandro leaned heavily on the desk, his thoughts momentarily softening. In his mind, he saw Ana's tear-streaked face, her eyes wide with desperation as they dragged her away.
He whispered to the empty room, "Hold on, Ana. I'll bring you back. And I'll make them pay for this."
***
Interrogation Continues.
Hours dragged on in the police station. Ana's throat was raw, her eyes swollen from crying. Still, the inspector pressed on, demanding answers she had already given.
Finally, he closed the file with a snap. "Very well. You will remain here overnight until we determine our next steps."
"No," Ana whispered, shaking her head. "Please, no. I've lost my father. Don't take away my freedom too."
But her pleas fell on deaf ears. Two officers escorted her out, guiding her down a corridor lined with barred doors. The sound of locks clanging shut echoed like thunder in her heart.
As she was led to a holding cell, she clutched the small silver pendant around her neck, a gift from her father when she was a child.
She closed her eyes and whispered through her tears, "Papá… you know I didn't do this. Please, help me. Somehow."
***
Back in the mansion, Mariana received a message on her phone. She opened it, her eyes scanning the brief text.
It's done. She won't see the light for a long while.
Her smile widened ever so slightly. She locked her phone and set it aside, her mind already racing ahead.
But what Mariana didn't know, what none of them knew, was that Alejandro had already set his trap.
He had placed eyes and ears where no one expected. And soon, very soon, the shadows would betray their true master.