Twenty minutes later, the lawyer returned carrying a digital tablet.
—Mr. Lancaster…
—Say it.
—The signature attributed to you doesn’t match the verified signatures from that period.
I stared at him.
—What are you saying?
He looked at me.
—The divorce appears to have been processed using falsified authorization.
Leonardo slowly turned toward his mother.
Victoria’s composure finally shattered.
—You don’t understand.
—Then explain.
—I needed Sofia gone.
Leonardo stepped backward as if she had struck him.
For the first time, Adrian spoke.
—So our grandmother erased us before we were even born.
Victoria looked at him.
Something flickered across her face.
Not guilt.
Recognition.
Adrian saw it too.
—Why are you looking at me like that?
Victoria’s lips parted.
Then she whispered:
—Because you shouldn’t exist.
Leonardo moved instantly.
—What does that mean?
Victoria said nothing.
He slammed his palm onto the table.
—WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
I pulled Adrian closer.
Victoria looked at me.
