She stood.
Slowly. Carefully.
And walked toward the door.
Carmen moved beside her. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes,” Lucía said softly. “I do.”
When the door opened, Alejandro froze.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Because this wasn’t the woman he left behind.
This one was standing.
Looking directly at him.
Unafraid.
“You look surprised,” Lucía said.
Alejandro’s eyes flickered.
“You shouldn’t be out of bed.”
“And you shouldn’t be here,” she replied.
Silence stretched between them.
“You’re making a mistake,” he said quietly. “You think these people will protect you?”
Lucía tilted her head slightly.
“No,” she answered. “I think the truth will.”
His expression hardened.
“You’re weak, Lucía. You always have been.”
For the first time—
She smiled.
“Then why did you have to try so hard to keep me silent?”
That hit.
He stepped forward—but security immediately blocked him.
“Sir, you need to leave.”
Alejandro didn’t move.
His eyes stayed locked on hers.
“This isn’t over.”
Lucía held his gaze.
“I know,” she said calmly. “That’s why I’m still here.”
He left without another word.
But this time—
He didn’t look in control.
Later that night, Carmen closed the door behind her and turned to Lucía.
“You faced him,” she said. “After everything.”
Lucía sat back down slowly, her strength fading—but her voice steady.
“I needed him to see it.”
“See what?”
Lucía looked toward the window, where the city lights flickered in the distance.
