“Perhaps we should wait a little longer, just to be sure,” Daniel suggested, trying to remain calm as he observed Ernesto’s dejected expression. Ernesto sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. “I look at her every day and all I see is suffering, Daniel. I don’t know what to do anymore. Each day seems worse than the last.” “Perhaps, perhaps it’s time to let her rest,” Ernesto replied, his voice trembling but resolute. Tears began to stream down his face as he gazed at his daughter, who remained motionless.
I’m not a good father for wanting this, but I’m a monster for thinking about what’s best for her. Ernesto finished, his eyes fixed on Alicia, searching for an answer he knew wouldn’t come. Daniel approached, trying to convey empathy with his gaze. He knew Ernesto was being consumed by guilt and pain, but he felt there was still something he could do. “Ernesto, no one can judge you for your feelings. What you’re going through isn’t something just anyone can fully understand.”
But what if we wait for Natalia? Perhaps she needs to be here for that decision too. It’s only fair that she knows before any action is taken, Daniel suggested, trying to buy some time. Ernesto hesitated, the weight of Daniel’s words echoing in his mind. While the two men were discussing things in the room, Natalia was already at the pharmacy. Walking with purposeful steps, she entered the establishment and went straight to the counter. The pharmacist, a middle-aged woman who recognized her from her regular visits, smiled politely.
Good morning, Mrs. Natalia. Are you here for your niece’s medication? she asked as she began to check the prescription in her hands. Natalia nodded with a controlled smile, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. Yes, exactly, as always, it’s for her treatment. We know how important it is, she replied, maintaining a casual tone that betrayed none of her intentions. The pharmacist disappeared for a few moments behind the shelves to look for the prescribed medications, while Natalia looked around as if studying the scene.
When the woman returned, she was carrying two bottles of expensive medication. Natalia looked at the bottles for a moment, then said in a calm but firm voice, “Actually, before we finish, I’d like to add something else. Do you have Sedarex?” The pharmacist frowned slightly, clearly surprised by the request. “Cedarex,” she repeated, placing the bottles on the counter and searching the shelves behind her. “Yes, I have it. It’s an inexpensive medication, but what exactly would it be used for in your niece’s case?”
The question hung in the air, but Natalia maintained her composure. “Oh, it’s just a supplement. I heard it helps with some adverse reactions in patients with her condition,” she replied without hesitation as the pharmacist took the bottle from the shelf and placed it next to the other medications. However, the woman didn’t seem convinced. She looked at Natalia with a doubtful expression. “Excuse me for asking, but your niece is the child in a vegetative state, isn’t she? Cedarex, in fact, can cause extreme sedation and even further compromise her breathing.”
“Are you sure she wants that?” the pharmacist asked, her voice heavy with concern. Natalia sensed the risk in the question, but her response was quick and rehearsed. “Yes, yes, I understand your concern, but this medication is for a different stage of treatment. Nothing directly related to her condition, just something to help with any flare-ups that might come up,” she said, punctuating her words with a polite smile. The pharmacist hesitated, but finally nodded. “Okay, I’ll include it in the package.”
“I just ask that you be very careful. Helsedarex can be dangerous if not used correctly,” she warned as she jotted down the order. Natalia, remaining calm, replied politely. “Don’t worry, I’m aware. We follow all the medical recommendations.” When payment was requested, Natalia took out a small portion of the money she had withdrawn from the bank earlier, paying only for the Cedarex. The paltry amount seemed almost insulting compared to what she would have to spend on Alicia’s correct medication.
The rest of the money remained safely in her purse, a constant reminder of her scheme. As she placed the bottle of Cedarex in a separate bag, she thought to herself, “No one will ever suspect a thing. It’s all so simple.” The discreet smile that had touched her lips only widened as she left the pharmacy, ignoring the faint expression of doubt that still lingered on the pharmacist’s face. Before heading home, Natalia made a detour to a small stationery shop along the way.
Entering with quick steps, she approached the employee and asked to use the computer and printer. “I need to print something very important. A label to replace one that got damaged,” she explained casually. With the help of a file previously saved on her phone, Natalia printed a label identical to the one on Alicia’s original medication, cutting it out precisely. With the job done, she sat down at one of the available tables in the stationery store, took the Cedarex bottle out of the bag, and began sticking the new label over the original.
She did everything with the precision of someone who had repeated the process before. Using a special glue, she adjusted the label until it looked perfect, leaving no trace of the original. Looking at the jar in her hands, she smiled contentedly. “Perfect. Even the most discerning eye would believe it’s legitimate,” she murmured to herself before throwing the original label in the trash and putting the altered jar in the bag. Her expression was one of complete confidence as she left the stationery store, ready to go home as if nothing had happened.
Back at home, Ernesto was still in Alicia’s room, battling his emotions. He held his daughter’s hand while Daniel adjusted the appliances. “I don’t know if I can do this, Daniel. Every time I get close to making this decision, I feel like I’m failing her,” Ernesto said, his voice barely a whisper. Before Daniel could reply, a faint sound interrupted the conversation. They both looked at Alicia, surprised. Her lips were moving slightly, as if she were trying to speak.
Daniel leaned in quickly, trying to hear better. “She’s saying something,” Daniel said, his heart racing. He leaned even closer, listening intently as Alicia murmured an almost inaudible word: “Aunt.” Ernesto froze, his conflicting emotions now even more apparent. He interpreted the murmur as a request to wait for Natalia’s arrival. “She wants Aunt here. We can’t make this decision now. We’ll wait until Natalia returns,” Ernesto said, wiping the tears from his face.
Daniel agreed, relieved to have more time to think of a solution. Natalia, on the other hand, was heading home with a triumphant expression, unaware that Alicia had called her. She carried the bag with the altered medication, confident that no one would suspect a thing. As she drove, she felt the weight of the money in her pocket as a guarantee that she was in control. Everything is going exactly as it should, and no one will ever know the difference, she thought with a smile that mixed pride and disdain.
The front door creaked open, and Natalia strode in, carrying a carefully arranged bag of medicine. A confident smile spread across her face, and her voice was lively as she called to Daniel and Ernesto, who were in the kitchen. “There, I got the medicine. Alicia will be better soon. We just need to keep the faith,” she said, placing the bottles on the table in front of Daniel. Ernesto, sitting defeated, looked up at his aunt, but showed no reaction.
Daniel, meanwhile, approached to examine the bottles. “Thank you, Natalia. I’ll start administering them right away,” Daniel replied as he separated the medications. He didn’t notice that the label on one of the bottles looked too new, perfectly affixed. Natalia, maintaining her mask of concern, gave a slight smile. “Of course, Daniel, I trust you. You’ve done an incredible job with her. If anyone can help her, it’s you,” she said in a soft voice, full of underlying meaning. Daniel felt a slight warmth in those words, but something in Natalia’s gaze made him uneasy.
He chose not to say anything, focusing on preparing the medications. While Daniel organized the medications in Alicia’s room, Ernesto remained in the kitchen staring into space. He couldn’t get the scene from the previous day out of his mind when Alicia murmured, “Auntie,” despite it seeming like a sign, he couldn’t quite grasp its meaning. Natalia approached him, gently touching his shoulder. “Ernesto, we need to have hope.” Alicia showed that she was still there. “Did you see what happened yesterday?”
He called me, and that means something. We can’t give up now, she said with controlled gentleness. Ernesto sighed deeply, pressing his temples with his fingers. I don’t know, Natalia. I don’t know if it was real. I want to believe, but every day that passes seems like we’re just prolonging his suffering. It’s as if he’s being punished for everything I did wrong, he confessed, his voice breaking. Natalia leaned closer, looking directly into her brother’s eyes. It’s not a punishment, Ernesto.
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