Chapter 92: The Truth

Alexia had insisted firmly that Mateo accompany her. Finding the name of the head nurse who had been on duty during the birth of the two young women had been a crucial step, and with the help of private investigator Gastón, they managed to obtain the woman's address. Alexia felt a mix of hope and anxiety. Every step toward the truth seemed to bring her closer to something she wasn't entirely prepared to discover. In her mind, doubts still intertwined about what all of this would mean for her, her family, her life.

However, as the car drove down the lonely streets, the tension building between them was palpable. The air inside the vehicle was thick with uncomfortable silence. Alexia stared out the window, but her thoughts wouldn’t leave her alone. She wondered if, in the end, what they found there would change her entire reality.

When the car finally stopped in front of an elegant and secluded house, a chill ran down her spine. Was she ready for whatever they might discover?

It was then that, as they got out of the car, Mateo abruptly interrupted her, grabbing her hand and pulling her back into the vehicle. The surprise and pain ran up Alexia’s arm when he yanked her harder than she expected.

—What’s wrong with you, Mateo? Look what you did to me! —Alexia said, a mix of anger and confusion. The redness on her arm was clearly visible. Alexia’s eyes shone with discomfort and annoyance, but also with an uncertainty she couldn’t hide. Why did he react this way?

Mateo, visibly worried, immediately apologized, touching Alexia’s arm gently. He didn’t like seeing her like this, and he didn’t want to be the reason for her anger, especially at such a crucial moment. However, the truth was that the message from his father had left him on edge, and he wasn’t willing to risk being discovered at this place.

—I’m really sorry, Alexia, I didn’t mean to hurt you —he said, his tone sincere but still a little shaken. He pulled out his phone and showed her the message from his father he had received just hours earlier—. Look at the message my father sent me, I didn’t realize it had gone off until now. I don’t want us to get caught.

Alexia furrowed her brow but couldn’t help feeling a little guilty for not having noticed the tension in Mateo. Was she so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed the signs around her? Mateo’s sense of alertness resonated with her strongly.

—Are we being followed? —she asked in a barely audible voice, almost afraid of what he might say next. The thought of being followed by her own father sent a chill down her spine.

—Yes, Alexia. Look —Mateo pointed—, your father’s car is right behind that pole. Plus, one of the headlights is on, it’s definitely a signal that they’re watching us.

Fear rushed through Alexia’s body like lightning, and her hands clenched in her lap. The thought that her own father might be following her with the same intensity he had when she was a child terrified her, filling her with a sense of distrust she had never felt before.

—So what do we do now? —she asked, her voice barely audible from the anxiety.

—The best thing is to keep going and drive past, but we need to blend in —Mateo responded with determination. The calmness in his voice contrasted with the nervousness he felt inside. Though he was scared, he knew he had to stay composed so Alexia wouldn’t feel even more uncomfortable.

Despite the tension in the air, Alexia nodded. Sometimes, the best way to handle tricky situations was to improvise, and if there was one thing she had learned, it was that Mateo had an innate ability to come up with quick solutions.

With a mutual decision, they drove for about 15 more minutes, getting completely away from the area. Finally, they stopped at a bird park they found on Google Maps. The place was quiet, full of trees and soft sounds, but also secluded enough for them to be out of sight for a while.

—This will give us some time —Alexia said, though her thoughts were still agitated. She knew they couldn’t fully relax yet. Even though businessman Michelini and his accomplice Thomas had lost them, the risk of being found still lingered.

After a few minutes, when they saw that Frederick and Thomas’s car was driving away, both young people felt relieved, but the knot in their stomachs remained. They knew there was still so much to uncover.

With a sigh of relief, they decided to head back the same way, now with the firm determination to find the nurse. They knew that any clue could be the key to solving the mystery that had been chasing them for so long.

When they arrived at the luxurious house, Mateo rang the doorbell softly. He was so nervous that he could almost hear his heart pounding in his chest. He knew they were about to face something big, something that could change everything.

The young woman who answered the door looked at them with curiosity but also with a cordiality that concealed something. It wasn’t hard to notice that, despite her beauty, her eyes reflected a shadow of doubt.

—Good afternoon, is this the house of Mrs. Miriam Elianis Hamilton Duff? —Mateo asked, trying to sound as natural as possible.

—Yes, she’s my mother. One moment, let me let her know someone’s here to see her —the young woman replied, not showing any surprise.

When Mrs. Miriam Elianis appeared, she had no idea who the young people were or what they wanted. But her behavior suggested she was used to being asked for help. She had retired from the profession years ago, and although she now worked from home, she remained a highly sought-after person for health consultations.

—I thought you were here for a medical consultation, but it seems that’s not the case —the nurse said, looking confused.

It was Alexia who spoke first, her voice wavering but determined. There was something inside her pushing her to be firm, to set aside her insecurities for a moment. She needed answers.

—Eighteen years ago, at the Farallones clinic, you were on duty. That day, two babies were born, and something very strange happened with them. I need to know exactly what happened. I assure you no one will find out what you tell us, and you will be very well compensated for your help —Alexia said with a mix of desperation and hope.

Mrs. Miriam looked at her with eyes full of uncertainty and fear. The young woman was asking for something delicate, something that put her in a dangerous position.

—I don’t know what you’re talking about, miss —the nurse responded, her tone nervous. The tension in her shoulders was palpable—. I thought you were here for something health-related.

Mateo, seeing that the woman wasn’t willing to speak, decided to intervene. They needed answers, and they couldn’t wait any longer.

—Please, ma’am, tell us the truth —he interrupted, his voice firm but compassionate. He didn’t want to pressure her too much, but they knew there was no other option—. What you’re hiding could help good people, and if you reveal it, we assure you there won’t be any negative consequences. We just need to know what happened.

But the nurse didn’t seem willing to speak, and then Mateo, with a quick and calculated gesture, pulled out his mobile phone and pretended to have an urgent conversation.

—We’re at the accomplice’s house, but she doesn’t want to talk. It’s better to bring the arrest warrant and take her to the station. She needs to realize this is serious.

At that moment, a police siren sounded in the distance, increasing the pressure on the nurse. Fear reflected in her eyes, and for a moment, she seemed ready to give in.

—Fine, I’ll tell you everything you want to know —Miriam said, visibly terrified—, but please, don’t take me to prison. I have a sick daughter, I need to take care of her.

The nurse’s response relieved Alexia a bit, but it also filled her with uncertainty. She knew the road to the truth was full of shadows, and that each revelation would be more painful than the last. However, there was no turning back.