Chapter 12 - The ReportersBy the time Camila reached her mother’s street, two news vans were parked near the corner.
Not many reporters. Not a mob. But enough.
Enough cameras to make Elena’s quiet neighborhood feel invaded. Enough curious neighbors behind curtains to turn private pain into public spectacle.
Daniel pulled into the driveway while Camila called her mother.
“Don’t open the door,” Camila said. “We’re here.”
Elena answered from behind the locked gate, face pale but furious.
“I told them nothing.”
“I know, Mamá.”
A reporter called Camila’s name from the sidewalk.
“Is it true your daughter was injured during a fight over inheritance?”
Camila stopped moving.
Daniel turned sharply.
Lucía had warned them not to answer questions, but the wording struck Camila like a slap.
A fight over inheritance.
As if Sofia’s burned face were a financial disagreement.
Daniel guided Camila inside before she could speak.
Elena locked the gate behind them.
Inside, the house smelled of coffee and pan dulce. Normal smells. Safe smells. Camila nearly cried from the contrast.
Sofia was not with them. She remained at home with Rosa’s sister and a private security guard Daniel had hired after the window photograph. Camila hated needing one. She hated feeling grateful for one.
Elena gripped Camila’s hands.
“They came asking about Sofia’s father,” she said.
Daniel stiffened.
“What?”
“One of them asked if there were questions about paternity.”
Camila felt the blood drain from her face.
The inheritance story had leaked.
The birth certificate issue had leaked.
Valeria’s plan was becoming public before the court could examine it.
Daniel stepped into the kitchen and called Lucía.
She cursed softly when he explained.
“They are trying to poison public perception,” she said. “If people believe Sofia’s identity is disputed, they may see Valeria’s behavior as family conflict instead of cruelty.”
“But there is no dispute,” Daniel said.
“I know. But rumor does not require evidence.”
Camila stood at the window watching a reporter adjust his camera.
For most of her life, she had been invisible to people like the Alvarez family unless they needed someone to blame. Now strangers knew her name because her child had been hurt badly enough to become a headline.
That afternoon, Lucía arranged a short written statement.
No emotional details. No accusations beyond what was documented.
Our priority is Sofia’s recovery and safety. The injuries she suffered are documented by medical professionals and are under investigation. We ask for privacy for a minor child and will address false claims through proper legal channels.
Camila approved it.
Daniel added one sentence.
Sofia is my daughter, and any suggestion otherwise is false and cruel.
Lucía hesitated.
Then nodded.
They released the statement through her office.
It did not stop the rumors.
But it gave the truth a spine.
The interview with Valeria happened the next morning.
She arrived dressed for church.
Pearls. Cream blouse. Soft makeup. A grandmother costume.
According to Lucía, she spoke carefully. She admitted emotions ran high after Sofia was injured. She denied blocking help. She denied knowing Mariela intended to leave the country. She denied investigating Sofia’s birth records for any hostile purpose.
When confronted with the attorney request, she claimed it was part of “estate planning.”
When confronted with her blocked call, she said Camila must have provoked her.
Then investigators played her own voice.
“Sofia will never be one of us.”
Valeria reportedly sat in silence for eleven seconds.
Then she said, “I was grieving.”
No one asked what she had lost.
That evening, Ernesto came to Daniel’s house alone.
The security guard called from the front.
Daniel checked the camera.
His father stood outside without an attorney, without Valeria, without the armor of an audience.
“Do you want me to send him away?” the guard asked.
Daniel looked at Camila.
She was feeding Sofia applesauce in the kitchen.
“No,” Camila said.
Daniel blinked.
“You don’t have to see him.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
Camila wiped Sofia’s mouth gently.
“Because I want to hear what he says when no one is watching.”
Daniel allowed Ernesto into the front sitting room.
Not the kitchen.
Not near Sofia.
The distinction mattered.
Ernesto looked around the room as if seeing his son’s home for the first time. Family photos lined the shelves. Sofia at six months. Sofia covered in cake on her first birthday. Sofia asleep on Daniel’s chest.
His eyes paused on one frame.
Daniel noticed.
“Her name is Sofia,” he said.
Ernesto looked away.
Camila stood beside Daniel, arms folded.
“I came to speak privately,” Ernesto said.
“No conversation is private anymore,” Daniel replied. His phone sat recording on the table.
Ernesto saw it and grimaced.
“I deserve that, I suppose.”
The sentence surprised Camila.
Daniel did not react.
Ernesto sat slowly.
“Your mother is… difficult.”
Daniel’s laugh was sharp.
“No. Do not come here and make this about Mamá being difficult.”
Ernesto’s face tightened. “I am trying to help.”
“Then tell the truth.”
Silence.
Camila watched him.
Ernesto suddenly looked old.
Not harmless.
Never harmless.
But old.
“Valeria never believed Sofia looked like you,” he said.
Camila’s stomach turned.
Daniel’s voice dropped. “I did.”
“I told her to leave it alone.”
“But you hired the attorney.”
Ernesto swallowed.
“I allowed it.”
“That is not better.”
“No,” Ernesto admitted. “It is not.”
Camila stepped forward.
“Why did you call Sofia that child?”
Ernesto looked at her.
For the first time, shame crossed his face.
Because perhaps shame was easier in a quiet room than on a patio full of guests.
“I was angry,” he said.
“At a burned baby?”
“At the chaos,” he said weakly.
Camila’s voice trembled. “My daughter was screaming, and you were embarrassed.”
Ernesto closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
The honesty was ugly.
But it was honesty.
Daniel looked stunned by it.
Ernesto leaned forward.
“I cannot undo what happened. But I can tell investigators Valeria planned to pressure you after the dinner. I can confirm the birth inquiry was not estate planning.”
Camila stopped breathing.
Daniel stared at him.
“Why?”
Ernesto’s mouth twisted.
“Because Mariela tried to run. Because Valeria is blaming everyone except herself. Because I watched the audio again and heard Sofia screaming.”
He looked at Camila.
“And because I am ashamed.”
Camila wanted to feel satisfaction.
Instead she felt tired.
“Then be useful,” she said.
Ernesto nodded.
“I will give a statement tomorrow.”
Daniel did not thank him.
When Ernesto left, Daniel stood in the doorway long after the gate closed.
Camila joined him.
“Do you believe him?” she asked.
Daniel watched his father’s car disappear.
“I believe he is scared.”
“Of prison?”
“Of finally seeing himself.”
The next day, Ernesto gave his statement.
May you like
By evening, Valeria knew.
And at 9:03 p.m., every light in Daniel and Camila’s house went out.
