Chapter 2: The Woman Who Couldn't Hide Her Fear
Among the stunned guests, only one face turned pale.
Doña Victoria.
Ricardo's younger sister.
For years she had managed the family's finances after Clara disappeared.
If Clara returned...
Everything changed.
Victoria forced herself to smile.
"This is ridiculous."
"A letter proves nothing."
"It could be forged."
She stepped toward Clara.
"Where exactly did your so-called mother get that necklace?"
Before Clara could answer, an elderly priest slowly walked through the crowd.
Father Miguel.
He had baptized Clara as a baby.
His tired eyes fixed on the silver crescent moon pendant.
"I engraved the inside myself."
Victoria froze.
Father Miguel carefully opened the clasp.
Inside were three tiny words.
Always My Moon.
Exactly as he remembered twenty years earlier.
Only Clara could have worn that necklace.
Victoria's hands began trembling.
But she refused to surrender.
"Necklaces can be stolen."
"Anyone could fake a story."
Then Clara quietly removed one final object from the guitar.
A faded photograph.
It showed Elena holding a frightened little girl beside an abandoned mountain chapel.
Standing several feet behind them—
Half hidden in the shadows—
Was Victoria.
Watching them.
The date was stamped only three days after Clara's disappearance.
Every eye turned toward Victoria.
May you like
For the first time in twenty years...
She looked afraid.
