Chapter 3 - The Trap ClosesThe front door swung open with a soft squeak that Daniel had meant to fix a year ago.
Irene stepped into the foyer first, holding a large thermal container of soup, her face sculpted into an expression of practiced, theatrical grief. Leonel followed close behind her, scrolling lazily on his phone, wearing a designer jacket that cost more than Daniel’s monthly rent.
—Dani? —Irene called out, her voice dripping with sweet, suffocating concern—. Honey, we brought you...
She stopped dead in her tracks as she rounded the corner into the kitchen.
Leonel bumped into her back, lowering his phone. —What’s up, man? Why is it so dark in here? You look like you’re...
His voice trailed off when he saw the laptop open on the table, displaying the high-resolution spreadsheet of their embezzled bank accounts, and the heavy steel pipe wrench resting casually across Daniel’s lap.
Daniel didn’t stand up. He looked at them with an eerie, terrifying calm that made Leonel’s color drain instantly.
—Close the door, Leonel —Daniel said, his voice terrifyingly quiet—. And sit down. We need to talk about medical expenses.
—Dani, what is this? —Irene’s theatrical mask slipped instantly, her eyes darting toward the front door—. You’re scaring me. You’re not thinking clearly, you’ve been through a trauma...
—Shut up, Irene —Daniel whispered.
The single command carried the weight of an executioner's axe. Irene flinched as if she had been physically struck.
Leonel tried to recover his swagger, forcing a nervous, jagged laugh. —Hey, come on, brother. Look, I know things look weird, but online platforms take a huge cut, and administrative fees—
—Administrative fees? —Daniel interrupted, slowly standing up from the chair. The metal wrench clicked against the floor tile—. Is that what you call a hundred and fifty thousand pesos for a truck? Is that what you call funding your vacation to Cancún while my daughter was throwing up blood in room 412?
Leonel’s eyes bulged. He looked at Irene in absolute panic. —How... how do you know about that?
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Daniel reached into his pocket, pulled out the worn, gray stuffed rabbit with one long ear, and tossed it onto the kitchen table. A small digital watch tumbled out from the torn seam.
—Capitán has a very good memory, Leonel. Much better than yours.
