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Chapter 8 - The Interrogation in Steel Chains

Two months into her intensive physical rehabilitation, Lucía made one final, necessary journey to the Federal Detention Center in San Lorenzo.

Accompanied by Gabriel, she sat behind the soundproof reinforced glass partition of the maximum-security visitation room. She wore an ivory cashmere sweater, looking healthy, vibrant, and completely restored to life.

The heavy steel door on the prisoner's side buzzed open.

Sebastián was escorted in by two armed corrections officers. He was gaunt, his prison jumpsuit hanging loosely from his hollow frame, his eyes surrounded by dark, bruised circles of sleepless terror.

He sat down, picking up the telephone receiver with shaking, handcuffed hands.

Lucía lifted her receiver, looking at him with calm, unshakeable detachment.

"Lucía..." Sebastián choked out, his voice cracking into pathetic, desperate sobs. "You came... I knew you still loved me. Look at you... you're beautiful. You're completely well."

"I am well, Sebastián," Lucía replied, her voice steady and cool. "No thanks to the tea you watched your mother brew for me every morning."

"I signed the full confession, Lucía!" Sebastián wept, pressing his palms against the glass. "I gave the prosecutors all of Mother's hidden ledgers! I told them about Dr. Silva's bribes! I did it for you! The lawyers say if you sign a petition for spousal clemency, the judge can reduce my sentence to five years in a minimum-security annex!"

Lucía looked at the man who had traded her life for casino credit.

"You didn't confess for me, Sebastián. You confessed because you are a coward who cannot bear the weight of your own deeds."

She pulled a single document from her leather folder and held it against the glass partition.

It was the final, court-ratified decree of absolute marital annulment and complete financial dissolution.

"As of nine o'clock this morning," Lucía said, her words slicing through the glass like ice, "our marriage is legally erased as if it never existed. The name Valdivia has been removed from my passport, my identity, and my home. You will receive no clemency. You will receive no spousal visits. You will serve every single day of your fifteen-year sentence in this facility."

"Lucía, please!" Sebastián screamed, tears and mucus running down his face as he slammed his cuffed fists against the glass. "Don't leave me here! I have nothing left!"

May you like

Lucía gently set the receiver back on its cradle.

She stood up, smoothed down her sweater, and took Gabriel's arm. She walked toward the heavy exit door without looking back a single time, leaving Sebastián weeping in the empty, cold silence of his steel cage.

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