CHAPTER 2 — The Truth That Never Died
CHAPTER 2 — The Truth That Never Died
Alejandro never raised his voice.
He simply held the forged casualty notice in one hand while staring at the official military seal.
Then he looked at his mother.
"I was never declared dead."
Silence swallowed the kitchen.
Margaret tried to smile.
"There must be some misunderstanding."
Alejandro slowly reached into his combat jacket.
He pulled out a weathered military identification card.
Then another envelope.
The official deployment orders.
Every document carried fresh military authentication.
"I've been serving on a classified operation."
"I couldn't contact anyone."
"But the Army always knew I was alive."
Margaret's face slowly drained of color.
Elena stood behind him, unable to stop shaking.
Alejandro gently squeezed her hand without taking his eyes off his mother.
"Who created these papers?"
Margaret hesitated.
"I...I thought..."
"No."
His voice remained calm.
"You didn't think."
"You planned."
He looked around the kitchen.
Medical bills.
Hospital letters.
Bank statements.
Most were unopened.
All addressed to Elena.
His expression hardened.
"You intercepted everything."
Margaret looked away.
"I was protecting this family."
Alejandro's jaw tightened.
"You tried to destroy it."
Elena quietly whispered,
"She told everyone you were dead."
"She said the Army confirmed it."
"She forced me to sign custody papers."
Alejandro slowly unfolded the custody agreement.
His name had already been forged.
So had Elena's signature.
May you like
For the first time...
A flicker of anger appeared in his eyes.
