For a moment, she looked only at Mother Caridad.
Then she saw Esperanza.
Her hand rose to her mouth.
“Ana.”
The name carried no surprise.
Only recognition.
Esperanza stood at the bottom of the steps.
“Are you Elena?”
The woman nodded.
Tears filled her eyes, but she did not move forward.
“Yes.”
Esperanza looked at her face as if studying a forgotten mirror.
“You knew I was coming.”
“Doctor Serrano called.”
“Did you send the appointment card?”
“No.”
“Did you send the anonymous note to Doctor Paloma?”
Elena shook her head.
“No.”
“Did you arrange this pregnancy?”
The question was direct.
Elena closed her eyes briefly.
“No.”
Esperanza watched her.
“I need more than that.”
“You deserve more than that.”
Elena opened the door wider.
“Please come inside.”
The front room was warm and modest. Books lined one wall. A bowl of lemons sat on the table. Near the window stood the same wooden chair visible in the photograph.
