Chapter 89 - Ana Lucía’s Story
The month passed quickly, and Mr. Gastón contacted Alexia and Mateo again, this time to arrange a meeting in a more remote location. Eager to uncover the details of Ana Lucía’s past, the young pair met him at a discreet café surrounded by dense woods that offered absolute privacy.
The investigator handed them a thick envelope containing a detailed report about the life of Ana Lucía Aristizábal Rodríguez. Trusting Gastón’s work, they didn’t question the authenticity of the documents and decided to pay him ninety percent of the agreed amount. Once the deal was closed, the three exchanged a brief handshake and went their separate ways.
With the envelope in hand, Alexia and Mateo headed to a nearby mountain, where a massive tree with lush branches offered shade and an unobstructed view of the horizon. Both felt the tension coursing through their bodies.
—Are you ready to uncover the truth, Alexia? —Mateo asked in a calm but curious tone.
—Yes. Mateo, you have no idea how much I’ve wanted this. Since I first saw Mrs. Ana Lucía, I felt an inexplicable connection. It’s as if our souls were intertwined. Plus, how do you explain that we look so much alike? —Alexia said, her eyes sparkling with hope.
Mateo nodded, aware that this revelation could change everything.
—I just hope what we find here doesn’t end up hurting anyone. Digging up secrets from the past is always risky, Alexia. But I’m with you on this.
They both sat under the tree. Mateo took the envelope and carefully opened it, pulling out a set of yellowed papers that gave off a faint scent of old ink and damp archives. He decided to read aloud so they could process the information together.
—“Ana Lucía Aristizábal Rodríguez: born on December 22, 1976, in Oxfordshire, England. Hospital San Buena Esperanza. Attended by Dr. Ignacio Chamberí Utupie and nurses Cecilia Lorenz Vidal and Natasha Claus Sáenz. Natural birth, no complications...”
As Mateo read, Alexia kept her eyes fixed on the pages, following each word as if her life depended on it.
—“Her parents, María Lucía Reina Rodríguez and Bensair Darwin Aristizábal Correa, struggled for years to conceive without success. After several failed pregnancies, they received the unexpected news that they were expecting a daughter. The happiness was short-lived. Shortly after the birth, Mr. Bensair suffered a sudden heart attack at the hospital and passed away...”
Alexia interrupted, perplexed.
—Wait, Nico. This doesn’t make sense. Ana Lucía’s parents clearly loved her. Being their only child, how could they abandon her?
Mateo frowned.
—It seems that way, but let’s keep reading. Maybe the answer is further ahead.
The story continued. María Lucía, widowed and without resources, tried to raise her daughter alone, but poverty forced her to make a heartbreaking decision. In 1978, when Ana Lucía was two years old, her mother handed her over to a middle-class couple, hoping she’d have a better life. Shortly after, María Lucía took her own life, consumed by guilt and sadness.
Alexia’s heart sank as she listened.
—That’s horrible, Nico. That woman sacrificed everything for her daughter. Do you think this could be a clue about why we look so alike?
Mateo shook his head, still confused.
—I don’t know, Alexia. But what’s strange is how this story connects to your family. Let me keep reading.
As Mateo continued, the details grew more unsettling. The couple who adopted Ana Lucía, Jeannette and Kennedy Frods, raised her as their own daughter. The girl grew up in a loving environment and had an apparently normal life.
—“At 17, Ana Lucía enrolled at Oxfordshire University, where she studied textile design. There, she met Albert Thompson, her future husband. After graduating, they got married and established a successful laundry business in England...”
Mateo’s voice faded as he reached the details about the birth of Ana Lucía’s daughter, Analú.
—Alexia, it says here that Analú had severe health issues at birth. Her father sold everything he had to cover her treatment. That explains why they’re bankrupt now, but it doesn’t directly connect to you...
Alexia interrupted again, frowning.
—But Mateo! Analú has the same pendant as I do. That can’t be a coincidence.
—You’re right, Alexia. This doesn’t seem like a coincidence anymore. We need to find out more about that pendant.
They decided to return to the mansion to look for clues in Mr. Michelini’s office. They knew they were crossing a dangerous line, but their curiosity and desire for answers drove them forward.
Once there, they waited until the businessman left. Analú was fast asleep in her room, allowing them to move cautiously. They searched through drawers, papers, and files but found nothing related to the pendant’s origin.
—Alexia, there’s nothing here. Are you sure your father would keep something this important in this room? —Mateo asked, frustrated.
Alexia recalled something from her childhood.
—Wait! My father has a chest hidden inside a fake book. When I was little, I always wanted to see what was inside, but he never let me.
They ran to the bookshelf where Alexia remembered seeing the book. Mateo paused for a moment, observing the numerous volumes lining the shelves.
—Are you sure it’s here? —he asked as he ran his hand along the dusty spines.
—Yes, Mateo. It has to be here. It was a blue book with gold lettering on the spine, but... I can’t remember the exact title —Alexia replied, biting her lower lip as her eyes frantically scanned the shelves.
Mateo nodded and began searching. His hands worked quickly, sliding and moving books aside while Alexia checked another row. After a few minutes, Alexia let out a small cry.
—Here it is! —she exclaimed, pulling out a heavy book that looked more decorative than practical. She placed it on a nearby table and carefully opened it.
Inside the fake book was a small wooden chest, adorned with golden details that faintly glimmered under the dim light of the room. Alexia held it carefully in her hands, as if she were holding something sacred.
—It’s heavier than it looks —she murmured, looking at Mateo with a mix of excitement and fear.
Mateo leaned in, studying the chest intently.
—Alright, let’s see what’s inside.
Alexia searched for a way to open it but quickly realized it was locked. She frowned and tried to force the lock with her nails, but it was no use.
—It won’t open. We need the key —she said, frustrated.
Mateo crossed his arms, thoughtful.
—Do you know where it might be?
Alexia nodded slowly, avoiding Mateo’s eyes.
—My father always keeps the key on his chain, along with my mother’s wedding ring. He never takes it off, not even to sleep.
Mateo let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair.
—This complicates things. Do you think we could... I don’t know... distract him somehow and get the key?
Alexia shook her head immediately.
—Impossible. My father is extremely careful with his belongings. If he notices the key is missing, the first person he’ll suspect is me.
—So what do we do? Leave this here and give up? —Mateo asked, crossing his arms as a shadow of frustration crossed his face.
Alexia buried her face in her hands, trying to think clearly. After a few moments, she looked up.
—We can’t give up. If we’ve come this far, it’s for a reason. We just need a more... elaborate plan.
Mateo scratched his chin, contemplating the chest.
—We could try finding someone who knows how to pick locks without a key. But that’s risky too. We can’t just trust anyone.
Alexia bit her lip, reflecting.
—Maybe we could watch my father more closely. Someday, he’ll have to take off that chain, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Maybe in the shower or while he sleeps.
Mateo raised an eyebrow, incredulous.
—Are you saying we should sneak into his room while he’s asleep? Alexia, that’s way too dangerous.
—I know, but I don’t see another option. This chest could hold the answers we’ve been searching for all this time. I can’t ignore it, Mateo. I just can’t.
Mateo saw the determination in Alexia’s eyes and sighed deeply.
—Alright. We’ll do it your way, but carefully. We need to plan this meticulously.
Alexia nodded, feeling a mix of relief and fear. She knew they were about to cross a dangerous line, but the thought of staying in the dark was unbearable.
—First, we need to make sure no one else in the house suspects what we’re doing. We have to act like everything is normal —Mateo added, taking the chest and placing it back inside the false book. He carefully closed the book and returned it to its spot on the shelf.
Before leaving the room, Alexia cast one last glance at the hidden chest. Her heart was pounding, but a certainty filled her mind: she would do whatever it took to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.