The Secret Recording

Mariana barely slept that night.

The image of Doña Consuelo trapped behind a locked door haunted her. Every time she closed her eyes, she heard the old woman's trembling voice:

"Don't leave me alone with her."

The next morning, Mariana arrived earlier than usual. Hidden inside her apron was a small voice recorder her cousin had given her years ago.

If no one believed Doña Consuelo, Mariana would need proof.

The opportunity came sooner than expected.

While dusting the hallway outside Consuelo's room, Mariana heard Camila speaking on the phone.

"I can't wait much longer," Camila whispered.

Mariana quietly pressed the recorder's button.

"The doctor already believes she's deteriorating. Santiago signs whatever papers I put in front of him. Soon she'll be in Santa Aurelia, and after that, everything becomes easier."

A pause.

Then Camila laughed softly.

"If that old woman doesn't eat, even better. She'll stop being a burden sooner."

Mariana's heart nearly stopped.

The recorder captured every word.

Later that afternoon, she discovered something even worse.

Camila was pouring drops from an unlabeled bottle into Consuelo's water.

The elderly woman drank only a few sips before becoming dizzy and falling asleep.

Mariana secretly photographed the bottle.

For the first time, she realized this wasn't simply neglect.

It was deliberate.

And dangerous.

That evening, while helping Consuelo change her sweater, Mariana showed her the recorder.

"We're going to stop her," she promised.

Tears filled the old woman's eyes.

"No one has defended me in a very long time."

Mariana squeezed her hand.

"You're not alone anymore."

Neither woman noticed Camila watching from the hallway.

And the smile on her face disappeared completely.