After a long moment, footsteps approached.
The door opened just enough for a face to appear.
“I’m sorry for showing up like this,” he said softly. “I wanted to talk.”
Her expression shifted—shock, confusion, maybe fear. But she finally stepped aside and let him in.
The Secret Behind the Door
Inside, the house was small but spotless. Every item had been carefully placed, every surface clean despite the wear of time. Emiliano felt out of place, his expensive shoes clicking against the old floorboards.
Then he heard it—a faint cough from the back room.
“Mom, who is it?” a child’s voice called.
The word Mom hit him like a wave. Julia froze, her face pale.
A little girl appeared, no older than seven, with soft dark hair and light skin. She looked up at him with wide, curious eyes—eyes that mirrored his own.
In that instant, he knew.
Julia’s lips trembled. “Her name is Lucía,” she said quietly.
He could barely breathe. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
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