Part 4: The Mastermind
Isabella traced the emails. The IP addresses didn't lead to a son—they led to the law firm of Esteban Ruiz, Rafael’s legal guardian for twenty years. Lucas Moreno never existed; he was a ghost created by Esteban to declare Rafael mentally unfit and seize the estate.
When confronted, Esteban was cold. “You were both temporary,” he said. He was arrested, leaving Rafael hollowed by the betrayal of his oldest friend. “I trusted him more than anyone,” he whispered.
Weeks later, the house felt honest for the first time. Rafael transferred authority to a trust, and Isabella returned to school. One evening, she found a final envelope under the oak tree. *“Are you ready?”* it read. She smiled. Whatever game remained, she wasn't facing it alone.
The End.