Gabriel turned around.
—Isabel lived for nineteen years in a house that was still legally linked to me and never came to claim my fortune.
Mercedes received no response.
Gabriel returned to
the farm two days later.
He didn't arrive with any gifts.
He didn't bring a new car for Adrian.
He did not promise to fix everything immediately.
He carried the metal box that Isabel had allowed him to take to make copies of some documents.
She left it on the table exactly as she had received it.
—I spoke with Mercedes —he said.
Isabel didn't ask how he had reacted.
—He admitted it.
Adrian was by the window.
-All?
—He admitted he knew your mother was alive. He admitted he sent the money. He admitted he asked someone to write a letter pretending to be me. And he acknowledged receiving letters from Isabel that he never delivered to me.
Adrian crossed his arms.
-Because?
Gabriel looked directly at him.
