Chapter 4: The House of Cards
Chaos erupted in the ballroom. People gasped, whispering in shock as the recordings continued—each clip more damning than the last. The guests heard the threats, the emotional abuse, and the cold-blooded admission of intent to starve Doña Consuelo to death.
Santiago’s face went through a kaleidoscope of emotions: disbelief, confusion, and finally, a terrifying, tectonic shift toward pure, unadulterated rage. He looked at Camila, who was now trembling, her facade of elegance shattered into a thousand jagged pieces.
"Is that you?" Santiago’s voice was a low, dangerous rumble that cut through the murmurs of the crowd.
"Santiago, no! It’s a setup! A deepfake! That girl... that housekeeper—she’s been trying to sabotage us for months!" Camila shrieked, her voice losing all its melodic grace. She tried to grab his arm, but he recoiled as if she were a viper.
"It’s not a deepfake, Camila," a voice rang out.
Mariana stepped out from the technician’s booth. She didn't look like a housekeeper anymore. She stood tall, her eyes fixed on the man she had just saved. Behind her, the doors opened, and the investigative journalist entered, accompanied by two police officers and an emergency medical team.
"I have the original files, the metadata, and the timestamps," Mariana said, her voice amplified by the room’s speakers. "Every recording was made in this house, over the last four weeks. If you want proof, the paramedics are upstairs right now, checking on Doña Consuelo. She’s currently suffering from severe malnutrition and dehydration."
The room surged toward the doors. The gala ended in a frenzy of flashbulbs and sirens. Santiago, ignoring his guests, sprinted toward the stairs. He didn't look back at the life he had built; he looked only toward the woman who had loved him unconditionally, and whom he had failed so profoundly.
Camila tried to flee through the service entrance, but Mariana blocked her path. She didn't need to fight; the security guards, finally seeing the true face of the woman they had been protecting, stood aside.
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"You ruined everything!" Camila hissed, her nails clawing at the air.
"No," Mariana said, meeting her gaze with unflinching calm. "You did that the moment you thought your cruelty could be kept in the dark."
