It was Javier.

Leo returned to his chair in seconds, recovering his crooked posture, his gaze empty.

I answered in a controlled voice.

Javier asked about windows, smells, gas. Every question was a trap. I answered carefully.

When I hung up, I collapsed.

Leo pointed to a corner of the room.

“Camera.” He installed it last week. He says it’s a sensor, but it’s not. It only covers the living room; The service corridor is outside the angle.

“He’s looking at us right now.

The performance

A message came: to turn on the light, that I wanted to see Leo.

Leo was direct:

“Slap me.” And pretend you’re out of control.

I did.

We acted out a chaotic and convincing scene in front of the camera. I was delirious, he was crying.

Javier responded with false concern and told me to sleep, not to open the door.

He was pushing us to die slowly.

The Ultimate Test

In the camera’s blind spot, Leo pulled out a hidden tablet.

He had accessed his father’s synchronizations weeks ago, observing in silence. That morning, upon confirming the plan, he sent all the evidence in real time.

There were the messages with Clara: the loose regulator, the scented candle, the insurance, the fake trip.

And a photo: a pregnancy test.

Something broke inside me.

And something new was born.

“Record me,” I said. We are not going to run away. We are going to survive and expose it.

Javier’s return

Leo tracked the car’s GPS.