His Daughter Was Breathing Inside the Coffin

CHAPTER 2 - The Child Nobody Believed

Clara was rushed to Saint Anne's Hospital.

Doctors confirmed that she was alive but trapped in a deep, drug-induced coma. A powerful sedative had slowed her breathing and heartbeat until they were almost impossible to detect without proper equipment.

Dr. Cole should never have declared her dead.

The hospital immediately contacted the police.

Rafael waited outside intensive care with Oliver.

"How did you know?" he asked.

Oliver looked down at his muddy shoes.

His mother, Maria, had worked as the Alvarez family's house manager for seven years. Oliver often came to the estate after school.

Clara was his best friend.

Three nights earlier, Oliver had been waiting in the kitchen when he saw Victoria pour something from a dark bottle into Clara's evening drink.

Clara refused to finish it.

Victoria gripped her chin and forced the glass toward her mouth.

Oliver ran to find his mother.

Maria confronted Victoria and discovered several prescription bottles hidden inside a locked pantry cabinet.

The labels carried Clara's name, but Maria knew the child had never been prescribed those medicines.

Victoria accused Maria of stealing jewelry and ordered security to remove her from the estate.

"Mom tried to call you," Oliver said. "But your assistant said you were away on business."

Rafael had been attending a conference arranged by Victoria.

When he returned, Clara was already unconscious.

"Why didn't your mother go to the police?"

"She did. They said she needed proof."

Oliver returned to the estate and searched the outside trash bins. He found the empty bottle and took it home.

When Maria learned about Clara's funeral, she rushed the bottle to the police station.

Oliver could not wait.

He ran to the cemetery alone.

Rafael covered his face.

This child had fought harder for Clara than her own father had.

"Where is your mother now?"

"At the police station."

Detectives soon arrived with Maria. She held a plastic evidence bag containing the bottle.

Rafael approached her.

"I should have listened when Clara said she was afraid."

Maria's expression remained guarded.

"You should have listened to your daughter before a servant's child had to save her."

Rafael accepted the rebuke.

Police found Victoria trying to leave the country. She was detained at the airport but denied harming Clara.

She blamed Dr. Cole.

Then investigators searched the doctor's private clinic.

They discovered that Victoria had paid him a large sum shortly before Clara's supposed death.

The money came from an account connected to Clara's inheritance.

Rafael stared at the transfer records.

Clara's late mother, Sofia, had left her daughter twenty million dollars in trust.

Victoria had been attempting to gain access to it for months.

Detectives also discovered a signed death certificate dated the day before Clara became unconscious.

Dr. Cole had prepared it in advance.

But that was not the most frightening discovery.

Inside his office was a second unsigned certificate.

It carried Rafael's name.

Victoria had not planned to stop after burying Clara. Rafael was supposed to die next.