Part 1: The Day She Came Back for the Wrong Reason

“Conditional on what?”

Julián glanced at me briefly before answering.

“On the disclosure of documents Mr. Varela left behind. Including letters addressed to both of you.”

Claudia’s confidence wavered.

“A letter?” she repeated. “What letter?”

Julián reached into the folder and removed two envelopes.

One had my name on it.

The other had hers.

Her hand hesitated when she took it. For the first time since I’d entered the room, she looked uncertain.

“What is this supposed to mean?” she whispered.

I turned toward her slowly.

“It means,” I said, meeting her gaze, “there’s something you don’t know.”

The smile finally slipped.

Julián nodded toward the envelope. “You may read it.”

Claudia opened it with trembling fingers.

As she scanned the page, the color drained from her face. Her breathing became shallow. I knew exactly what she was reading because I had read my own version the night before.

My father had planned everything.

The letter began politely, almost kindly. Then it shifted.

It outlined her departure.
Her absence.
The years without financial or emotional support.

My father had begun legal proceedings after she left. Custody removal. Parental abandonment. The process was never finalized due to delays, but the intent was documented in detail.

“This is a lie,” she stammered. “He forced me out.”

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