Chapter 16 - Ofelia's Confession
Ofelia asked to speak with me before prosecutors charged her.
I agreed only because Elena sat beside me and the meeting was recorded.
Ofelia looked smaller without her jewelry and expensive handbag.
"I did what I had to do," she said.
"You bribed a clerk to fake a notarization."
"I was trying to save my son."
"From debts both of you hid from me."
She leaned forward.
"Mauricio was drowning. You had property sitting there doing nothing."
"It was rented. It supported people."
"You always sound like your father."
"Thank you."
Her mouth tightened.
"He humiliated me. He paid one of my debts and made me promise never to ask Mauricio for money again."
"And you broke the promise."
"Because family helps family."
"No. Family doesn't steal from family."
For the first time, her eyes filled with tears.
I felt nothing like victory.
Just exhaustion.
Then she confessed the part I had not expected.
Mauricio had not known she bribed the clerk.
He had forged my signature, yes.
But Ofelia had arranged the false notarization behind his back because she feared he would lose his nerve.
"He wanted time," she said. "I wanted certainty."
I stared at her.
They had betrayed me separately and together.
Before the meeting ended, Ofelia whispered, "He still hasn't told you about the insurance money."
Elena and I both froze.
"What insurance money?"
Ofelia closed her eyes.
And for once, she looked afraid of her own son.
That frightened me more than her anger ever had. Ofelia had spent years defending Mauricio automatically. If even she had reached the point of separating his secrets from hers, there were still pieces of our marriage I had not seen.
May you like
Elena leaned forward. "Be very precise. What money?"
Ofelia asked for water, took one sip, and looked at the recorder on the table before answering.
