Part 3
The sun began to rise, casting a pale gray light through my living room windows.
Sofia had finally fallen into a deep, medicated sleep in my bedroom.
I sat on the kitchen stool, staring at a cup of coffee I hadn't touched.
Alexander was still at the table, his eyes fixed on his laptop screen, typing methodically.
Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the sharp ringing of a cell phone.
It wasn't my phone.
It wasn't Alexander's.
It was Sofia's phone, which I had placed on the counter.
The screen flashed with a name that made my blood run cold: "Javier."
My hand trembled as I reached for it, but Alexander's hand got there first.
He picked up the phone, looked at the screen, and slid his finger across to answer.
He put it on speakerphone.
"Sofia?" Javier’s voice came through, sounding annoyed rather than worried.
"Where the hell are you? My mother is furious. You left the hotel and caused a scene."
"You need to come back right now and sign those papers before this gets worse for you."
I had to bite my lip to keep from screaming at him.
The sheer arrogance in his voice was sickening.
He honestly believed they still held all the power.
Alexander didn't say a word for a few seconds, letting the silence stretch over the line.
"Sofia? Answer me!" Javier snapped.
"She isn't going to answer you, Javier," Alexander said, his voice dangerously calm.
There was a sudden, sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line.
"Who is this? Is this her father?" Javier's tone shifted, a hint of nervousness creeping in.
"Yes," Alexander replied smoothly. "This is her father."
"Look, sir," Javier tried to sound confident, but failed. "This is a private matter between my wife and my family. Sofia is being dramatic. She just needs to learn how our family operates."
"Is that what you call forty slaps across the face? Learning how your family operates?" Alexander asked.
Javier went completely silent.
"Listen to me very carefully, boy," Alexander said, leaning closer to the phone.
"You and your mother think you understand power because you have a little money."
"But you have no idea what real power looks like."
"Do not call this number again. Do not look for my daughter."
"Enjoy your morning, Javier. It will be the last peaceful one you ever have."
Before Javier could reply, Alexander hung up the phone.
He immediately removed the SIM card and placed it into a small plastic bag.
"He’s panicking," I said, my voice shaking. "What if they come here?"
Alexander closed his laptop and stood up, looking out the window.
May you like
"Let them come," he said, a dark smile playing on his lips.
"In fact, I am counting on it."
