Esperanza sat.
“Did I know him well?”
“Well enough to trust him.”
“Did I agree to carry a child for you?”
Elena lowered herself into the chair opposite her.
“Yes.”
The answer came gently, without excuse.
“Once?”
“Once.”
“And the child?”
“The pregnancy did not continue.”
Doctor Paloma looked at Serrano.
“That matches the records.”
Esperanza held her cup but did not drink.
“Then Tomás and Miguel are not yours?”
Elena’s eyes filled again.
“No.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Because Gabriel and I ended the process after the first attempt. Everything connected to us was destroyed. Doctor Paloma signed the statement. Mother Inés witnessed it.”
Paloma nodded.
“That is true.”
Esperanza looked at Serrano.
“Then why was I at your clinic seven weeks ago?”
The doctor folded his hands.
“You were not.”
Silence spread through the room.
Mother Caridad leaned forward.
“The clinic confirmed an appointment for Ana Valdés.”
