And he told her something almost impossible to believe.
Elena was alive.
According to Adrian, the body buried five years earlier had belonged to another woman. Elena had survived the attack. Adrian found her still breathing and secretly smuggled her out of the house while Victor staged the scene and planted the weapon in Mateo’s hands.
For five years Elena had been hiding, waiting for the moment she could come forward safely.
The next day Margaret traveled to a remote town where Adrian had been protecting her.
There, standing in the doorway, thin but unmistakably alive, was Elena.
She brought the final piece of evidence: recordings from an old phone where Victor could be heard threatening her and discussing the plan with Judge Morales.
With this proof, the entire conspiracy collapsed.
The execution was canceled.
Judge Morales was arrested for corruption and conspiracy.
Victor was taken into custody after attempting to abduct Isabella from the children’s home.
And that afternoon, the prison gates opened.
Mateo walked out into the sunlight as a free man.
Across the street he saw them.
Elena.
Isabella.
His daughter ran first and threw her arms around him.