Chapter 13 - HER MOTHER'S TESTIMONY
Aline did not understand.
Maria had been difficult.
Proud.
Harsh sometimes.
But this?
During recess, Aline found her in the hallway.
“Why?”
Maria would not look at her.
“Aline—”
“Why?”
Maria started crying.
“They have the house.”
“What?”
“Samantha’s father bought my mortgage debt.”
Aline went still.
Maria had refinanced years earlier after medical bills.
Eduardo acquired the note through a shell company.
Then threatened foreclosure unless Maria testified.
Aline felt rage climb her throat.
Mariana stepped between them.
“Do not say anything else here.”
Maria shook.
“I’m sorry.”
Aline wanted to hug her.
She also wanted to scream.
She did neither.
“Tell the truth when we go back in.”
Maria looked terrified.
“They’ll take the house.”
Aline answered.
“Then we lose the house.”
Maria stared.
Aline’s voice broke.
“We don’t lose ourselves for a house.”
Back in court, Samantha’s lawyer resumed.
Then Mariana produced the mortgage records under emergency subpoena.
Maria corrected her testimony.
Yes, Aline once said she wanted money.
She was seventeen.
Working two jobs.
Angry about electricity being shut off.
The full sentence.
I’d marry a rich old man tomorrow if it meant you never had to choose between food and power again.
The jury heard context.
Again.
Samantha’s face hardened.
Then prosecutors called Maria regarding the coercion.
The judge ordered an investigation.
Eduardo was arrested for witness tampering before sunset.
Samantha’s defense collapsed further.
But then she took the stand.
Against advice.
She was good.
Very good.
She admitted humiliating Aline.
Called it shameful.
Admitted jealousy.
Called it insecurity.
Admitted accessing security credentials.
Called it a stupid mistake.
Then she blamed every forged document on Luisa and Eduardo.
She cried.
Not fake exactly.
People are complicated.
She probably was scared.
Then the prosecutor asked.
“Why did you buy the building housing Aline’s bakery?”
Samantha looked at the jury.
“Because I wanted her gone.”
No spin.
The prosecutor paused.
“Why?”
Samantha looked directly at Aline.
“Because Heitor looked peaceful around her.”
The room went quiet.
“And he never looked peaceful around me.”
For one second, Aline almost felt sorry for her.
Then the prosecutor played the voice memo.
If Heitor keeps pushing back after the wedding, we need another solution.
Samantha closed her eyes.
The prosecutor asked.
“What solution?”
Samantha whispered.
“I don’t know.”
May you like
That sentence no longer sounded safe.
