PART 2 — THE SECRET CARLA TRIED TO HIDE
"My nephew," Paula repeated as doctors rushed Mateo into the emergency room.
The boy could barely keep his eyes open.
A nurse checked his vitals and immediately called for fluids.
Another doctor examined the bruises hidden beneath his sleeves.
Paula's stomach turned.
"How long has he been like this?" the doctor asked.
Paula swallowed hard.
"I found him locked in a room."
The doctor froze.
"Locked?"
"Since Friday."
The room fell silent.
One nurse immediately stepped away and picked up a phone.
Child Protective Services.
Paula knew it before anyone said the words.
This was no longer a family matter.
Hours later, Mateo was stable.
He had severe dehydration, a high fever, and signs of prolonged neglect.
The doctor sat beside Paula.
"What you did probably saved his life."
Paula looked through the hospital window at her sleeping nephew.
The words broke her heart.
Because no child should need saving from his own mother.
Then something unexpected happened.
A police officer arrived.
Not because of Carla.
Because of Ricardo.
"Are you Paula Mendoza?"
"Yes."
The officer exchanged a glance with his partner.
"We've been trying to locate your brother."
Paula frowned.
"What do you mean?"
The officer's face hardened.
"Mr. Mendoza never went to Monterrey."
Everything inside Paula went cold.
"What?"
"He was reported missing four days ago."
The world seemed to stop.
Carla had told everyone Ricardo was traveling.
But he wasn't.
He had vanished.
And suddenly Carla's behavior made even less sense.
That evening, Carla finally called.
Her voice sounded irritated.
"Why are there police at my house?"
Paula nearly exploded.
"Why was your son locked in a room?"
Silence.
Then Carla laughed nervously.
"Oh, please. You're exaggerating."
"Three days, Carla."
"It wasn't three days."
"Mateo almost died."
Another silence.
Longer this time.
Then Carla whispered something that made Paula's blood run cold.
May you like
"You weren't supposed to find him."
The line went dead.
