Chapter 6 - The Diagnosis
Dr. Silva set his medical bag on the coffee table. The metallic click of the latches opening sounded like a gunshot in the quiet room.
“Miss Marquez,” the doctor said, pulling out a blood pressure cuff and a small, ominous-looking vial. “Your family is deeply concerned about your mental state. If you could just roll up your sleeve...”
“No.” Elena stood up, backing away from the desk.
“Don't make this difficult, Elena,” her mother warned. “The car is waiting outside. You can either walk out of here as a wealthy woman who helped her family, or you can be carried out in a straitjacket.”
Elena looked frantically around the room. The notary, Vargas, was suddenly staring very hard at the floor, pretending he didn't hear the blatant extortion happening in front of him.
Tomás moved closer to her, his physical size meant to intimidate.
“You’ve always been the difficult one,” Tomás sneered. “Always asking questions. Always digging into things that weren't your business. Father indulged you. I won't.”
“Father knew what you were doing,” Elena shot back.
Tomás blinked, a flash of genuine panic crossing his eyes before he masked it with rage.
“Father was senile at the end! Now, sit down and sign the paper, or Dr. Silva will administer a sedative.”
The doctor held up a syringe, flicking it casually with his fingernail.
Elena let out a ragged breath, slumping her shoulders in total defeat. She let a single tear roll down her cheek.
“Fine,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “You win.”
Her mother let out a long sigh of relief, smoothing her black dress. “A sensible choice, finally.”
Elena walked slowly back to the desk. She picked up the heavy gold fountain pen. Her hand shook as she hovered the nib over the signature line.
“All three copies,” Mr. Vargas instructed quietly.
Elena signed the first page.
Then the second.
May you like
As she pulled the final page toward her, she paused. She took a deep breath, steadying her hand, and signed her name with absolute, elegant precision.
She set the pen down gently.
