Chapter 8: The Monster Behind the Monster
I didn’t sleep that night.
Not because of Javier’s warning.
Because I hated that a part of me believed him.
That was the most frustrating thing about betrayal.
Even after someone destroys your trust, your mind still searches for pieces of the person you loved.
I wanted Javier to be only a villain.
It would have been easier.
But people are rarely that simple.
The man who brought me flowers when my father was sick was also the man who forged my signature.
The man who promised to protect me was also the man who watched his mother use me.
Both things were true.
And that made it worse.
The next morning, Elena called.
“We found something.””
I sat up.
“What?””
“A transfer from the company account.””
“How much?””
“Three hundred thousand euros.””
I waited.
“Where did it go?””
There was a pause.
Then she said,
“To Javier’s personal account.””
I closed my eyes.
“So Mercedes didn’t take everything.””
“No.””
Elena sounded thoughtful.
“Actually, I think Javier may have been moving money away from her.””
That changed everything.
I thought about his words.
My mother doesn’t know the whole truth.
For the first time, I wondered if Mercedes had been controlling Javier too.
Not excusing him.
Never that.
But understanding the entire picture.
“Can we find the original documents?””
“We need Javier.””
I hated that answer.
Because it meant needing the man who destroyed my life.
But sometimes the key to a locked door is held by the person who built the lock.
That afternoon, Javier called.
“I know what you’re doing.””
I looked out the window.
“And?””
“You’re going to destroy yourself.””
I almost laughed.
“You really believe that?””
“Yes.””
“No, Javier.””
I spoke slowly.
“You believe that because it’s what you’ve always been told.””
Silence.
Then:
“You don’t know my mother.””
I sat down.
“Tell me.””
He didn’t answer.
“Tell me everything.””
For several seconds, there was only breathing.
Then Javier finally spoke.
“Mercedes controlled my life long before you met me.””
I listened.
“She decided where I worked. Who I dated. What I wore. How I spent money.””
I frowned.
“But you defended her.””
“I was afraid of her.””
That sentence was the first honest thing he had said.
“I thought if I kept her happy, she would leave me alone.””
“And me?””
His voice cracked slightly.
“I thought you would never leave.””
That hurt more than anger.
Because it was the truth.
He wasn’t cruel because he hated me.
He was cruel because he believed I was permanent.
A person he could always hurt and always keep.
“I found out about the company six months ago,” he continued.
“And?””
“I tried to fix it.””
“By forging my signature?””
“I panicked.””
I closed my eyes.
“Your panic destroyed my life.””
“I know.””
The words were quiet.
Too quiet.
I hated that they sounded sincere.
“Where are the documents?””
“I have them.””
“Why?””
“Because they’re the only thing protecting me.””
There it was.
Even now.
Even after everything.
His first instinct was survival.
Not mine.
His.
“Javier, if you give them to me, it protects both of us.””
“No.””
“Why?””
“Because if Mercedes finds out…”
He stopped.
“What?””
“She’ll destroy me.””
I looked down.
“You’re still afraid of her.””
“Yes.””
The honesty surprised me.
“Where are you?””
A pause.
“Javier?””
“I’m at my mother’s house.””
My heart tightened.
“You’re there right now?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
His voice dropped.
“Because she knows I talked to you.””
The line went silent.
Then I heard something.
A woman’s voice.
Mercedes.
In the background.
My entire body froze.
She was there.
And she was listening.
“Javier,” I whispered.
He didn’t answer.
Then Mercedes’ voice came through the phone.
“Clara.””
My blood turned cold.
She had taken the phone.
“Did you really think you could destroy my family?””
I stood.
“You destroyed mine first.””
She laughed softly.
“You still don’t understand.””
“Understand what?””
“You were never the target.””
I frowned.
“What?””
Her voice became colder.
“Javier was.””
I didn’t speak.
Mercedes continued.
“My son has been weak his entire life.””
“Your son committed crimes.””
“Yes.””
The answer came instantly.
No denial.
No excuse.
Just acceptance.
“He did.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“But you pushed him.””
“Of course.””
Her honesty was terrifying.
“People like Javier need someone stronger to guide them.””
I almost couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“You ruined your own son.””
“No.””
Her voice sharpened.
“I made him useful.””
The call ended.
I stared at the phone.
Elena walked in.
“What happened?””
I looked at her.
“Mercedes admitted everything.””
Her expression changed.
“Did you record it?””
My heart sank.
“No.””
For the first time in days, I felt powerless.
Then my phone buzzed.
A new message.
From Javier.
Only four words.
*I found the documents.*
May you like
Then another message appeared.
*But she knows.*
