She had to prepare lunch, so she didn’t press me, but she explained in detail how to get there by bus. I put on my backpack with the penrive carefully hidden in an inside pocket and left. At the corner, I made sure no one saw me. I didn’t go to the bus stop. I walked quickly in the opposite direction. I remembered seeing a large electronics store a few blocks away. I needed to buy a couple of anonymous, disposable penrives and the cheapest, untraceable prepaid phone I could find.
Then I would look for a safe place with public computers, like a large library or a university building. I had to copy the evidence and contact Carlos. Every step was like walking on ice. I didn’t know if Marco would suspect I was leaving, if he’d have any way of monitoring the house or the surrounding area, but I had no other choice. Just as I was about to turn the corner toward the electronics store, out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw a black station wagon parked across the street.
In the driver’s seat, a figure seemed to be watching me. My heart skipped a beat. It was Marcos’s car. What was he doing here? Wasn’t he home? Or was it all in my head? I didn’t dare stop to look. I quickened my pace and blended in with the people who were starting to fill the street. I felt someone staring at my back. I forced myself not to turn around, to keep a normal pace, but my hands were sweating. Was it Marcos? Was he following me, or was it just a coincidence?
No, I couldn’t let panic take over. It might have been a similar car, but I couldn’t ignore that feeling of being watched. I changed my route. I didn’t go straight to the electronics store. I went into a large supermarket, moved between the aisles, using the people and shelves as a shield, and left through another door. I took a detour and finally arrived at the store. As I entered, I glanced out at the street as if nothing was wrong. I didn’t see the black car.
I breathed a little easier, but I didn’t let my guard down. Inside, I quickly bought two regular USB drives, the cheapest prepaid phone, and a top-up card with a minimal balance. I paid in cash, trying to avoid the cameras. When I left, I went straight to the municipal library. It was busy, the atmosphere was relaxed, and they didn’t usually require strict ID to use the computers. I found a corner in the computer area, inserted the USB drive, and quickly copied the video files onto the two new ones.
Then I erased the contents of the original USB drive, though I knew it wasn’t a complete erase. When I got back, I’d try to put it back if the drawer lock still opened with the same password. Then, using the new phone, I sent a seemingly normal text message to a coworker in China. I asked him about something trivial for work, but in the message I included a code word that only Carlos and I knew, which meant urgent, confidential phone contact from abroad.
Having done that, I put my new phone and the two backup USB drives in different places: one in a secret compartment of my wallet and the other in a hidden shoe pocket. A traveler’s trick to avoid theft. I cleared my computer’s history and headed back. I was very careful. I took two different buses and got off one stop before home. I walked the rest of the way, keeping an eye out for anyone following me. I didn’t see anything suspicious.
Perhaps I had been mistaken in the morning, or it was a coincidence, but the unease remained. I returned to Lucía’s house at midday. Lunch was ready. Marcos wasn’t there. Lucía said he had gone back to the office, that he had an important dinner, and that he might not be back for dinner. She seemed more exhausted than the day before. The dark circles under her eyes were impossible to hide. “Is Hugo feeling better?” I asked. “Yes, but he’s still a bit listless. He’s resting upstairs.” Lucía set the table with slow movements.
Sofia, have you bought everything? Yes, a few gifts. I observed her expression. Lucia, is something wrong? You don’t look well. Her hand holding the silverware trembled, and she dropped it. She quickly picked it up and forced a smile. It’s nothing, I just didn’t sleep well, Marcos. I was in a very bad mood last night. I stayed in the office very late. I’m a little worried about work, I suppose. I’ve been under a lot of pressure lately, she sighed as if she wanted to say something else. Lucia, we’re friends.
Can you tell me anything? I took her hand. It was freezing. She remained silent for a long time. Suddenly, tears began to fall without warning onto the table. “Sofia, I don’t know what to do,” she whispered between sobs. “Yesterday, yesterday I heard Marcos on the phone. I didn’t understand much, but I think the company is in very serious trouble. They need a lot of money. He was arguing with his father; I think they talked about mortgaging something. Mortgaging. My heart skipped a beat. I don’t know, the house or something.”
He was furious. He said it was all his father’s fault because of a bad decision, and he also said that if the funding was cut off, it would all be over. Lucía spoke haltingly, trembling. “I’m so scared. If we lose the house, where will we live? And the children… I don’t know how to do anything.” Indeed, the Penrive story and what Lucía had heard matched up. Marcos’s company, or his family’s, was in serious financial trouble, and they were probably engaging in illegal activities to cover their losses.
And this house, this seemingly solid home, was perhaps already mortgaged, he said something else, uh, some consequence. I tried to stay calm. Lucia shook her head, her face filled with panic. No, but he broke something. I’d never seen him so out of control. Then he came out, saw me, and his expression was terrifying. He asked me how much I’d heard. I told him I hadn’t understood a thing. He didn’t believe me. He suddenly covered his mouth, stifling a sob. His eyes reflected utter panic.
Did he hit you? My voice turned icy. No, no. She denied it vehemently, but instinctively pulled down the sleeve of her robe. I caught a glimpse of a reddish mark on her forearm, as if she’d been grabbed very tightly. Rage surged through me. That bastard, Lucía, leave him. I looked her in the eyes and said it word for word. She recoiled as if I’d burned her and shook her head desperately. No, I can’t. The children need their father, they need this family.
If I leave him, how will we live? I have nothing. You have arms and legs. You can work. You can support yourself and your children. It’s better than living in this fear. I said to him quietly, but urgently. Look at you, you look like a frightened bird. Do you think children can grow up healthy in this environment? Hugo has noticed. He’s scared. At the mention of Hugo, Lucía shuddered and cried harder. Hugo, did he say anything to you yesterday? He’s been acting very strange these days.
He avoids me. He needs a mother who will protect him, not one who’s afraid of him. I grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at me. “Lucía, wake up. This family isn’t normal. Marcos isn’t just a sexist. He’s probably doing illegal things. If everything blows up, you and the children will be dragged into it.” “Illegal things.” “What illegal things?” She looked at me, confused and terrified. I hesitated. Telling her everything now was too risky. Her mental state wouldn’t allow it, and she might not make the right decision. It’s just a guess.
But what you heard, his behavior, everything indicates that the problem is serious. Lucia, you have to think about yourself and the children. I changed tactics. Think. If he really goes bankrupt, if he has enormous debts and the house is mortgaged, what are you going to do? You’ll be left with nothing and on top of that, with debts. That would truly be the end. My words seemed to touch her deepest fear. She turned pale and her lips trembled, unable to speak. What can I do?
I don’t understand any of this. He controls all the money, the house, the car—everything is in his name. I don’t even know what he could possibly do for a living. I was sinking into despair. Step by step. First, calm down. Act like you don’t know anything. Don’t confront him. Protect yourself and the children, I thought quickly. Second, try to find out the real financial situation. Do you know where he keeps important documents? The deed to the house, bank statements, insurance policies. Lucia shook her head.
Lost. The important things are in the office or the safe. I can’t get in. I only have one card for household expenses with a very low limit, and he sees every penny I spend—absolute control. “Do you have any money saved, even a little?” I asked, without much hope. He hesitated for a moment. His voice was almost a whisper. “Sometimes I manage to save some cash when I go shopping. It’s not much, maybe two or three thousand euros.” For a mother of four after so many years, it was a ridiculous amount, but it was her only lifeline.
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