I didn’t think much of it. I figured I’d just fallen into a deep sleep. Then I couldn’t finish the sentence. A lump formed in my throat. “I know how awful this sounds,” Julián said, looking at me with guilty eyes. “The next morning, when I woke up in a different room and realized my mistake, I was in shock. I didn’t even know who you were, but I understood I’d made an unforgivable error. I left the island immediately.” He paused before continuing, “but I recently saw a picture of your wedding to Miguel online and knew you were the woman from that night.”
When I investigated further, I discovered you had a daughter. Doing the math, I couldn’t help but suspect the truth. Your story was completely absurd, yet it answered every question that tormented my soul. It perfectly explained why the DNA test showed Lili wasn’t Miguel’s daughter. I hadn’t betrayed him. I was a victim too. Why? Why are you telling me this only now? I asked, my voice trembling. I doubted it for a long time, Julián admitted sincerely.
I didn’t want to ruin your marriage. I planned to take this secret to my grave, but then I learned that Miguel had left you for the baby and kicked you out. I couldn’t stand idly by. I couldn’t let you and my daughter suffer for something that wasn’t your fault. Tears streamed down my cheeks again, but this time they weren’t tears of despair. They were tears of pure rage, of bitterness at the truth. I had been brutally betrayed by the man I loved and trusted.
“The DNA test Miguel showed you was definitely rigged,” Julián said firmly. “He probably orchestrated the whole thing to have a convenient excuse to get rid of you. Let’s do a completely transparent new test. I want to prove what I’m saying is true, and more importantly, clear your name.” I looked at Lily, who was asleep. She had a broad forehead and a straight, delicate nose. I always thought she just looked like me, but now, looking at her closely, I could vaguely see the features of the man who was sitting next to me.
I had no other option to uncover the truth, to get justice for myself and my daughter; I had to trust him. Okay, I finally said, my voice firmer. Let’s do the DNA test. After I agreed, Julián didn’t press the issue and continued driving in silence. He asked me where I was going. Hesitantly, I gave him the address of a small, cheap, run-down apartment on the outskirts of Brooklyn, which I had hastily rented a few days earlier, when everything started to fall apart.
I was in a narrow, unsafe alley, in an old, dilapidated building. Compared to the elegant house I’d just been evicted from, it was like night and day, but with the money Miguel had left me, it was all I could afford. Julian’s luxury sedan barely made it through the narrow street. It stopped in front of the building, covered in graffiti and peeling paint. A wave of shame washed over me. He lived in a completely different world.
I was probably judging how pathetic my daughter and I looked at that moment. “We’re here,” I said softly, gently waking Lili. Julián got out first, opened my door, and shielded us with the umbrella. He took my only suitcase and walked with me to the apartment at the end of a dark hallway. With trembling hands, I put the key in the lock. The old wooden door creaked open, but what I saw inside left me speechless. The small studio apartment, which already had very little, was completely wrecked.
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