Chapter 17 - CLARA’S VERSION
Clara’s first positive test had been real.
The second was not.
After the loss, she bought a digital pregnancy test designed for film props. She showed it to my mother as proof she had conceived again.
“That was before Nico knew?” I asked.
“Yes.”
So the lie had started with Clara.
Nico had industrialized it.
That distinction mattered.
Clara finally stopped blaming grief for every decision.
“I wanted you to look at me the way you looked at Sofia,” she said.
I almost could not believe the sentence.
“She lost her mother before she could remember her.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t. Because if you did, you would never have used her fear of losing another parent against her.”
Clara lowered her head.
She admitted she had intercepted two voice messages Sofia tried to send me from her tablet. She had deleted them before my flights landed. She admitted telling Sofia that “Daddy needs peace” and that children who caused stress sometimes went to special schools.
“You made her think telling me the truth could cost her home.”
Clara whispered, “Yes.”
That was worse to me than the fake stomach.
Worse than the money.
A four-year-old learning that honesty was dangerous could stay inside her for years.
Teresa cried openly now.
Camila asked, “Did you plan to leave Mateo after the fake loss?”
Clara hesitated.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because there would be no way back.”
For once, she was right.
I stood.
“The meeting is over.”
Clara reached for my hand. I moved it away.
“Mateo, please. There is still something you don’t understand.”
“What?”
“Nico thinks I kept the only copy of the recording that can prove he planned the transfers.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Who has it?”
May you like
Clara looked toward my mother.
“Sofia.”
