Chapter 3 - Alive
Teresa had insisted on a closed medical discussion.
“The doctors tried everything.”
Rodrigo had held Julián in the hospital hallway and said, “I’m sorry, brother.”
But Julián had not seen Sofia.
He had not held her.
He had not received a death certificate yet, only Teresa’s repeated assurance that “the paperwork is being handled.”
Handled.
Everything had been handled except the one hand that refused to open.
Mr. Bell cleared his throat.
“Julián, perhaps we should pause before making accusations.”
Julián looked at him.
“Did you know Teresa scheduled cremation for tonight?”
The attorney’s face changed.
Teresa inhaled sharply.
Rodrigo stared at her.
That reaction was real.
He had not known.
Julián saw it.
Interesting.
Mr. Bell adjusted his glasses.
“I was not aware the arrangement had been moved up.”
“It was.”
Teresa’s voice shook.
“Camila did not want to be displayed.”
Julián looked at the coffin.
“She hated being controlled after people stopped listening.”
Teresa’s face hardened.
“She was my daughter-in-law.”
“She was my wife.”
“And my grandchild was inside her.”
Julián stepped closer.
“Was?”
Teresa blinked.
The word hung in the candlelit room.
Was.
Rodrigo looked toward the floor.
Mr. Bell looked sharply at Teresa.
Julián felt his pulse change.
Not faster.
Colder.
“What paperwork is being handled?”
Teresa’s lips parted.
Nothing came.
Julián pulled out his phone.
Teresa moved.
“Who are you calling?”
He did not answer.
He dialed the hospital.
Then Dr. Elaine Porter, Camila’s obstetrician.
Straight to voicemail.
He called again.
No answer.
He called the main hospital line.
“This is Julián Vale. My wife Camila Vale died three nights ago after being brought into your emergency department. I need to speak to the attending physician and receive information about our child.”
Teresa whispered, “Julián.”
He turned away from her.
The hospital operator transferred him.
Hold music played softly.
Absurd.
Rodrigo set his whiskey glass down.
His hand was shaking.
That was when Julián knew the button was not the only secret.
The call connected.
A nurse asked him to verify details.
He did.
Camila Elise Vale.
Date of birth.
Address.
Husband.
Emergency contact.
A pause.
Then another voice came on.
Female.
Careful.
“Mr. Vale, this is Dr. Elaine Porter.”
Julián closed his eyes for one second.
“Doctor.”
“I have been trying to reach you.”
The room became perfectly still.
Teresa sat down.
Rodrigo’s face went white.
Julián opened his eyes.
“No one told me.”
Dr. Porter was silent for half a beat.
Then she said, “Mr. Vale, where are you?”
“At my home. At Camila’s funeral.”
A sharp inhale came through the phone.
“Do not proceed with cremation or burial before speaking with the medical examiner.”
Julián’s hand tightened around the phone.
“Why?”
Dr. Porter’s voice softened.
“Because Camila’s injuries and the delay in bringing her in raised concerns.”
The room blurred at the edges.
Delay.
Injuries.
Concerns.
“And my daughter?”
Teresa made a sound.
A small involuntary sound of fear.
Julián looked at her.
Dr. Porter’s voice became very careful.
“Mr. Vale, your daughter was delivered by emergency procedure shortly after arrival.”
Julián stopped breathing.
Rodrigo lowered his head.
Teresa covered her mouth.
May you like
Dr. Porter continued.
“She is alive.”
