Chapter 3: The Neighbor Who Heard Everything
Just as investigators began cataloging the documents, the front door opened again.
A gray-haired woman stepped inside carrying a small flash drive.
Julián immediately recognized her.
Mrs. Delgado.
The retired schoolteacher who lived next door.
"You've been spying on us?" Julián shouted.
"No."
She looked directly at Valeria.
"I've been waiting for you to be safe."
She handed the drive to the investigator.
"My security cameras recorded the backyard every night for six months."
Julián laughed nervously.
"So?"
"So your kitchen window was always open."
The investigator connected the drive to a laptop.
The first video appeared.
Valeria standing by the sink.
Julián grabbing her arm.
A violent shove.
Another clip.
Ofelia ordering Valeria to apologize for "making Julián angry."
Another.
Valeria crying alone on the patio after everyone else had gone to bed.
The room remained silent.
Then came the final recording.
Julián's voice.
"If your father ever finds out..."
"I'll tell everyone you're unstable."
Valeria closed her eyes.
She remembered every word.
May you like
Now...
So did everyone else.
