Chapter 7
Chapter 7: Justice and Arrests
"Lucía," Rafael barked, never breaking eye contact with the trembling doctor. "Close the nursery door and lock it. Call the police."
"NO!" Beatriz shrieked, lunging toward Lucía.
But Rafael intercepted her, shoving her back into the room. Dr. Salcedo turned on his heel and tried to sprint down the hallway toward the stairs.
Rafael was faster. He shot out of the room, grabbing the back of the doctor's grey suit collar and violently slamming the older man against the marble wall.
"If you take one more step, Salcedo, I swear to God I will throw you down that staircase," Rafael hissed, pressing his forearm against the doctor’s throat.
Inside the nursery, Lucía moved with practiced efficiency. She scooped the crying baby into her left arm, holding him securely against her chest, while her right hand fumbled in her apron pocket for her cell phone. Her fingers were slick with nervous sweat as she dialed the emergency number, her eyes locked on the chaotic scene unfolding in the hallway.
Beatriz collapsed to her knees, sobbing hysterically. Her perfect, aristocratic facade was entirely ruined. "Rafael, please! Please listen to me! You have to understand!"
"Speak," Rafael growled from the hallway, still pinning the doctor. "Confess right now."
Beatriz buried her face in her hands. "Elena was never going to leave any space for me! You were never going to forget her! I stood by your side for years, quietly loving you, while she paraded around with your name, your house, and finally, your child!"
Rafael looked at her with an expression of pure, unadulterated disgust. "My son is not a trophy for you to steal."
"He was to her!" Beatriz spat, venom mixing with her tears.
"Do not ever speak my wife's name again."
Beatriz choked on a sob. "The doctor... the doctor said he knew a private facility. He said they could hold the baby for a few months. Make it look like a tragic kidnapping. And then... when the dust settled, I would ‘find’ him. I would adopt an orphan and bring him home. We just needed time. But Elena... Elena wouldn't stop. She wouldn't let it go! She was hiring private investigators, harassing the nurses, calling journalists every single day. She was asking too many questions, Rafael! We had no choice!"
Rafael felt the ground beneath him drop away. The darkness of the truth was suffocating. "What did you do to Elena?"
Dr. Salcedo, pinned against the wall, lowered his eyes to the floor, unable to meet Rafael’s gaze.
That silence was all the confirmation Rafael needed.
With a roar of agony, Rafael drew back his fist, entirely ready to beat the life out of the man who had murdered his wife.
"Señor, no!" Lucía’s voice cut through his rage like a blade.
Rafael froze, his fist trembling mid-air. He looked back into the nursery.
Lucía stood holding the infant. "Your son needs his father," she said softly, but firmly. "He does not need a murderer."
Rafael let out a ragged breath, his chest heaving. He slowly lowered his arm, releasing the doctor in disgust. Dr. Salcedo slumped against the wall, gasping for air.
Rafael turned his back on them both and walked into the nursery. He approached Lucía. His eyes fell upon the child—the baby who was still crying, completely unaware that his entire universe had just been realigned.
Mateo. His Mateo.
Rafael held out his large, shaking arms.
Lucía didn't hesitate. She gently transferred the baby into his father's embrace.
The moment the child was in his arms, Rafael completely broke down. The stoic billionaire fell to his knees on the thick nursery rug, cradling the tiny boy against his chest. He sobbed loudly, violently, letting out all the tears he had repressed for seven agonizing months. He was grieving for the wife he had failed to protect, and weeping with overwhelming joy for the son he thought was lost forever.
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"Forgive me," Rafael wept into the baby’s dark hair. "Please forgive me, Mateo."
Miraculously, hearing the deep, rumbling vibration of his father's chest, the baby stopped crying. Mateo rested his small head against Rafael's shoulder, finally safe.
