#LaPromesa #avance #capítulo
Leocadia contra Lorenzo: el precio por Ángela
En La Promesa, la desaparición de Ángela da un giro brutal: Lorenzo confiesa y pone a Leocadia entre la espada y la pared. Si quiere recuperar a su hija con vida, tendrá que pagar un precio altísimo. Mientras tanto, Alonso se enfrenta a un nuevo fracaso en sus intentos de pactar con el barón de Valladares, lo que hunde aún más a los Luján. En otro frente, la reconciliación entre Toño y Simona no convence a Enora, que acusa a su pareja de falta de si ...
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#LaPromesa, #avance, #capítulo, #667Leocadia, #contraLorenzo, #precio, #Ángela
Leocadia contra Lorenzo: el precio por Ángela
En La Promesa, la desaparición de Ángela da un giro brutal: Lorenzo confiesa y pone a Leocadia entre la espada y la pared. Si quiere recuperar a su hija con vida, tendrá que pagar un precio altísimo. Mientras tanto, Alonso se enfrenta a un nuevo fracaso en sus intentos de pactar con el barón de Valladares, lo que hunde aún más a los Luján. En otro frente, la reconciliación entre Toño y Simona no convence a Enora, que acusa a su pareja de falta de si ...
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#LaPromesa, #avance, #capítulo, #667Leocadia, #contraLorenzo, #precio, #Ángela
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CortometrajesTranscripción
00:00Leocatia vs Lorenzo
00:07The Price for Angela
00:08En The Promise, Angela's disappearance takes a brutal turn.
00:12Lorenzo confesses and puts Leocatia between a rock and a hard place.
00:19If she wants to get her daughter back alive, she will have to pay a very high price.
00:24Meanwhile, Alonso faces a new failure in his attempts to make a pact with the man from Valladares,
00:29which sinks the Lujans even further.
00:34On another front, the reconciliation between Tonio and Simona does not convince Enora,
00:39who accuses her partner of being dishonest.
00:45Kuro, desperate, begs Cristobal to organize the search for Angela,
00:49but receives a blunt refusal and decides to act on his own.
00:52And when all seems lost, Maria Fernandez remembers the cave where she was kidnapped
01:00and proposes an idea as risky as it is dangerous to look for Angela there.
01:09Wednesday, September 3rd, an episode where lies are paid for in blood and every decision can cost a life.
01:14The air in The Promise had become thick, almost unbreathable.
01:22Every corridor, every room, every corner of the service area
01:26seemed to have absorbed the collective anguish that hung like an invisible miasma.
01:30Silence was no longer a bomb, but a stifled cry.
01:37Angela did not appear.
01:38Each passing hour was a hammer blow to the anvil of Leocadia's soul,
01:42forging a fear that was ever sharper and colder.
01:44The young maid, with her easy laugh and charming clumsiness,
01:52had vanished like the smoke from an extinguished candle,
01:55leaving behind only the cold trace of her absence.
02:01Leocadia did not eat, did not sleep.
02:04Her body moved by pure inertia,
02:06a puppet whose strings were hope and despair in a constant pulse.
02:09Her eyes, once lively and full of a spark of maternal mischief,
02:18were now two dark, feverish wells that searched every face,
02:21searching for an answer that no one had.
02:26She had walked the grounds of the estate
02:28until the soles of her shoes wore out and her feet bled.
02:34She had asked every farm laborer,
02:36every guard, every living soul for miles around.
02:39The answer was always the same.
02:46A shrug, a look of pity,
02:48a, sorry, Leocadia, we haven't seen you.
02:54The civil guard had combed the surrounding area,
02:57their green uniforms a somber stain
02:59against the golden beauty of the Lujan fields.
03:04Their questions were methodical,
03:06their searches exhaustive,
03:08but their results were nil.
03:09Angela had vanished from the face of the earth.
03:15For Leocadia,
03:16the world had stopped the moment she realized
03:18that her daughter would not be back for dinner.
03:25Everything else was a blur,
03:26background noise to the deafening pounding
03:28of her own terrified heart.
03:29And then, just when hope was beginning to fray to the thinnest of threads,
03:38the summons arrived.
03:43It was not an official note or an urgent message.
03:46It was a simple message delivered by a footman with his eyes downcast,
03:49almost fearful.
03:54The captain of the bush wanted to see her in his office.
03:58Leocadia's heart immediately skipped a beat so violently
04:00that she had to lean against the wall of the service corridor.
04:06Lorenzo.
04:07What could Lorenzo possibly want from her at a time like this?
04:11Her relationship with the captain had always been distant, professional,
04:15tinged with the deference that a maid should show a gentleman.
04:17But beneath that surface she had always sensed an undercurrent,
04:25an intensity in his gaze that unsettled her.
04:31Now that unease was turning into an icy panic.
04:35She felt, with the bestial certainty of a mother,
04:37that this man was the key to everything.
04:42On trembling legs,
04:43she smoothed her apron with clumsy hands
04:46and climbed the grand staircase,
04:47each step a step toward an unknown gallows.
04:53The gentleman's wing was silent,
04:55an oppressive calm that contrasted brutally
04:57with the chaos inside.
05:02The door to Lorenzo's office stood ajar,
05:05an ominous invitation.
05:07She took a breath that didn't quite reach her lungs
05:09and knocked softly with her knuckles.
05:11Come in, Lorenzo's voice rang out, raw and sharp,
05:18with a steely edge.
05:20Leo Katia entered.
05:23The office smelled of leather,
05:25expensive tobacco,
05:27and power.
05:28Lorenzo stood by the window,
05:30his back to her,
05:31gazing out at the gardens that stretched out
05:33in the afternoon sun.
05:34He didn't turn around immediately.
05:40The silence stretched,
05:41taut as a violin string about to snap.
05:47Leo Katia could hear the ticking
05:49of the large grandfather clock,
05:50every second a dull thump against her temples.
05:56Poor Leo Katia, Lorenzo said finally.
05:59His voice was a murmur laden with false compassion
06:02that made her skin crawl.
06:06He turned slowly,
06:08and the expression on his face
06:09was not one of pity,
06:10but of predatory satisfaction.
06:15What terrible ordeal are you going through?
06:18The uncertainty must be unbearable torture.
06:24Captain, Leo Katia stammered,
06:26her hands wringing on her apron.
06:30I appreciate your concern.
06:32If you called me to offer me comfort,
06:35I appreciate it,
06:36but right now.
06:37Quote.
06:41Oh, no, Leo Katia,
06:43he interrupted her,
06:44taking a step toward her.
06:46His dark eyes searched her,
06:48baring her soul.
06:51I did not call to offer you comfort.
06:54Comfort is useless.
06:56I prefer solutions.
07:00Leo Katia looked at him,
07:01confused.
07:02A shiver ran down her spine.
07:05Solutions.
07:06What do you mean, sir?
07:07Do you know anything?
07:09Have you heard any news about Angela?
07:13Lorenzo smiled.
07:14It was a slow, cruel smile
07:16that did not reach his eyes.
07:17He went to his mahogany desk,
07:21poured himself a glass of brandy
07:22and held it up to the light,
07:24staring at the amber liquid
07:25as if it contained all the secrets of the universe.
07:27I know many things, Leo Katia.
07:32I know, for for example,
07:35that her daughter is an impulsive,
07:37curious young woman.
07:38Sometimes curiosity leads people
07:43to places they shouldn't be,
07:45to overhear conversations
07:46they shouldn't hear.
07:51She set her glass down on the table
07:53without drinking
07:53and leaned against the edge,
07:55crossing her arms.
07:56Her posture was relaxed,
08:01but her gaze was that of a panther
08:02about to pounce.
08:04And I know that you,
08:05her mother,
08:06would do anything for her.
08:07Absolutely anything.
08:12I'm wrong.
08:13The air escaped from Leo Katia's lungs.
08:19The implication was so monstrous,
08:21so clear,
08:22that it left her speechless.
08:24The color drained from her face,
08:26leaving it like a wax mask.
08:31You, the broken voice whispered.
08:34You have her.
08:35Do you know where she is?
08:36Knowing where she is
08:38is one way of putting it,
08:39Lorenzo replied,
08:41savoring every word,
08:42every ounce of the terror
08:43he was instilling in her.
08:47Let's just say I have
08:48considerable influence
08:49over her current whereabouts
08:50and her future well-being.
08:56The confession,
08:58though veiled,
08:58hit her with the force of a punch.
09:01Leo Katia staggered,
09:03her knees giving way
09:04and she had to grab
09:04the back of a chair
09:05to keep from falling.
09:06The tears she had been
09:12holding at bay
09:13with superhuman determination
09:14sprang to her eyes
09:15hot and bitter.
09:20Why, she whimpered,
09:22why would I hurt my child?
09:23She's just a kid,
09:24she's done no wrong to anyone.
09:28I beg you,
09:29Captain,
09:30for the love of God,
09:31give her back to me.
09:32I'll do anything,
09:34anything.
09:37Lorenzo stepped closer to her,
09:39his shadow falling over her.
09:41He leaned down,
09:42his face inches from hers,
09:43and his voice dropped
09:44to a venomous hiss.
09:45Ah, Leo Katia,
09:51that's the key word,
09:52anything.
09:53I'm glad,
09:53hear it,
09:54because what I'm going to ask of you
09:55is no small thing.
09:59Look,
10:00you and I have a problem.
10:04Your daughter,
10:05in her infinite stupidity,
10:06overheard something
10:07that could ruin my plans for good.
10:09And I can't allow that to happen,
10:14but killing her would be a waste
10:15and, frankly,
10:16too noisy.
10:22He raised a hand
10:23and with repulsive delicacy
10:24brushed a lock of hair
10:25from Leo Katia's sweaty face.
10:31She recoiled as if his touch
10:33burned her.
10:34So I offer you a deal,
10:36he continued,
10:37ignoring her revulsion.
10:39An exchange,
10:42your daughter's life
10:43and freedom
10:44for something I need.
10:46A small service.
10:50An act of loyalty to me.
10:52What do you want?
10:55Leo Katia asked,
10:56her voice barely a thread.
10:59Money,
11:00I don't have much,
11:01but I can.
11:02Quote,
11:02Lorenzo La La La La,
11:03a dry,
11:04mirthless sound.
11:09Money,
11:10please,
11:10Leo Katia,
11:11don't insult me.
11:13I have more money
11:14than you could count
11:14in 10 lifetimes.
11:18No,
11:19what I want from you
11:20is much more valuable.
11:21I want your soul.
11:22I want your unwavering obedience.
11:23There are certain matters
11:29within this palace,
11:31certain people,
11:32specifically Mr. Kuro,
11:33who have become a nuisance.
11:37You are close to him.
11:39You enjoy his trust.
11:43You will be my eyes and ears,
11:45and when the time comes,
11:46you will be my executing hand.
11:48Leo Katia's blood ran cold
11:53in her veins.
11:54Sheer,
11:55utter horror paralyzed her.
11:58He wasn't asking for money,
12:00he was asking her to betray,
12:01to spy,
12:02to become a weapon
12:03against a young man
12:04she cared about,
12:05a young man who had
12:06suffered enough already.
12:10No,
12:11she murmured,
12:11I can't do that to Kuro.
12:13He is,
12:14he is not,
12:15his daughter,
12:16Lorenzo snapped,
12:17his mask of calm falling
12:18to reveal the fury
12:19that burned beneath.
12:23He grabbed her by the arms,
12:25his fingers sinking
12:25into her flesh.
12:27Your daughter is in a cold,
12:29dark place,
12:29Leo Katia,
12:30alone and afraid.
12:32Every minute you hesitate,
12:33your suffering grows longer.
12:37Perhaps she is hungry,
12:38perhaps she is thirsty,
12:40perhaps,
12:40perhaps she does not
12:41have much time left.
12:44He released her with a shove
12:45that sent her stumbling.
12:47The choice is yours,
12:49loyalty to a boy
12:49you barely know
12:50or the life of the child
12:51you brought into this world.
12:56Think carefully,
12:57but do not take too long.
12:59Patience is not one of my virtues.
13:01He turned back to his desk,
13:03bidding her farewell.
13:08He had backed her into a corner,
13:10stripped her of all defenses,
13:11and now he left her writhing in agony
13:13from which there was no escape.
13:18Leo Katia stood there trembling,
13:21broken,
13:21the echo of that cruel choice
13:23echoing in her head.
13:27She had to pay a price
13:28to get her daughter back.
13:30A price that was not measured in coins,
13:32but in pieces of her own consciousness.
13:34The captain not only had Angela,
13:39now she had her too.
13:42While Leo Katia faced the abyss
13:44in Lorenzo's office,
13:45another kind of battle
13:46was being fought miles away.
13:48Alonso,
13:53Marquis of Lujan,
13:54felt the weight of the world
13:55on his shoulders
13:56as his carriage rocked down
13:57the dusty road
13:58leading to the palace
13:59of the man of Valladares.
14:04The mission was,
14:05as he himself had admitted to cruise,
14:07practically impossible.
14:10Convincing Ezekiel de Valladares
14:11of anything that did not spring
14:13from his own twisted convenience
14:14was like trying to stop the wind
14:16with your bare hands.
14:18The man was a man
14:21from another era,
14:22a dinosaur of the aristocracy
14:24who clung to his privileges
14:25with the tenacity of a bloodhound.
14:31His grudges were legendary,
14:33his memory for insults prodigious,
14:35and his heart,
14:36if he had one,
14:37was like stone.
14:41The conflict that pitted them
14:42against each other
14:43was a tangle of old debts,
14:45broken promises,
14:46and a pride so immense
14:47that it overshadowed
14:48any semblance of reason.
14:52But Alonso had no other choice.
14:55The promise's financial situation
14:56was precarious,
14:57and the man's influence
14:58in certain circles
14:59was the only lever
15:00that could get them
15:01out of this predicament.
15:02He had to try,
15:06if only so he could look himself
15:08in the mirror
15:08without feeling
15:09that he had failed his family
15:10through lack of courage.
15:15The Valladares palace
15:16rose before him,
15:18a gray, austere stone mass
15:19that looked like a mausoleum.
15:21In contrast to the warm
15:26bustle of the promise,
15:27a sepulchral silence
15:28reigned here,
15:29broken only by the crowing
15:30of crows in the ancient trees.
15:35The butler who received him
15:37was a reflection of his master,
15:38tall, gaunt,
15:39with an expression
15:40of perpetual disdain.
15:41The Lord Marquis of Lujan,
15:47the butler announced
15:48in a monotone voice
15:49as he opened the doors
15:50to the great hall.
15:54The man was sitting
15:56in a wingback chair
15:56that looked like a throne,
15:58a glass of sherry in one hand
15:59and a look of boredom
16:00on his wrinkled face.
16:05He didn't get up, Alonso.
16:07What an unexpected
16:08and surely unwelcome visit.
16:10I suppose you're not here
16:12to have tea and chat
16:13about the weather,
16:14he said,
16:14his voice like the crunch
16:15of gravel under a boot.
16:19I suppose you're not here
16:20to have tea and chat
16:21about the weather,
16:21Alonso maintained his composure,
16:23forcing a courtesy
16:24he didn't feel.
16:28Ezekiel,
16:29thank you for seeing me.
16:31And no,
16:32I'm not here
16:32for trivial reasons.
16:36I've come to speak
16:36as one man of honor
16:37to another.
16:40The man let out
16:40a dry chuckle.
16:42Honor,
16:43a word used
16:44far too lightly
16:45these days.
16:48What do you want,
16:49Alonso?
16:50Get to the point.
16:51My time is valuable.
16:52Alonso took a deep breath.
16:54I've come to ask you
16:55to reconsider your position.
16:58The arrangement
16:59we've proposed
16:59is fair to both parties.
17:01It would help
17:02to improve our finances
17:03and strengthen
17:04the bonds
17:04between our houses
17:05as it should
17:06always have been.
17:10Fair enough,
17:11the man repeated,
17:12arching a bushy,
17:13graying eyebrow.
17:16You come to me
17:17with your hat
17:17in your hand
17:18after having scorned me
17:19for years,
17:20after your family
17:21has tarnished my name
17:22with their intrigues
17:22and scandals.
17:25The only bond
17:26I care to strengthen
17:27is the one
17:27that keeps my money
17:28well tied up
17:29in my pocket,
17:30out of reach
17:30of spendthrifts
17:31like you.
17:35The blood rose
17:36to Alonso's face,
17:37but he held it in.
17:39Anger would do him
17:39no good.
17:43Ezekiel,
17:44the mistakes
17:45of the past
17:45cannot continue
17:46to poison our future.
17:48I'm talking
17:48about pragmatism.
17:52What I'm offering
17:53you is not charity,
17:54it's an investment,
17:55an investment
17:56in stability.
17:57You know,
17:58as well as I do,
17:59that if a house
17:59like mine falls,
18:00the tremor
18:01could affect
18:01many others,
18:02including yours.
18:06Veiled threats.
18:07How unoriginal,
18:09Alonso.
18:10The man scoffed,
18:11taking a sip
18:11of his sherry.
18:16My house
18:16is built on rock,
18:17not on the sand
18:18of mismanagement
18:19and unfortunate marriages.
18:24Your downfall,
18:25if it comes,
18:26will be a pitiful
18:27spectacle
18:27that I will watch
18:28with great interest,
18:29but it will not
18:30drag me down
18:30with you.
18:34There was a tense
18:35silence.
18:36Alonso felt
18:37frustration
18:37like a lump
18:38in his throat.
18:42The man was
18:43a wall of granite.
18:44There were no cracks,
18:46no empathy,
18:46only an ancient,
18:47petrified contempt.
18:48Is there nothing I can say
18:54to change your mind?
18:56Alonso asked,
18:57his voice tinged
18:58with the desperation
18:58he had trouble hiding.
18:59The man stared at him,
19:05his small eyes gleaming
19:06with malice.
19:09Nothing you can say,
19:11but perhaps something
19:11you could do,
19:12though I doubt
19:13your pride would allow it.
19:14He set down his cup
19:19and leaned forward.
19:21Kneel,
19:21Alonso.
19:22Kneel and beg my forgiveness.
19:27Not for your finances,
19:29but for the arrogance
19:29of your lineage.
19:31Humble yourself
19:31before me.
19:32Perhaps,
19:33just perhaps,
19:34if your humiliation
19:35is convincing enough,
19:36I will consider listening
19:37to your pathetic proposal
19:38again.
19:39Alonso froze.
19:44The demand was so excessive,
19:45so insulting,
19:47that for a moment
19:47he thought he had misheard.
19:52But the crooked smile
19:53on the man's face
19:54confirmed that he was serious.
19:56He wanted to see him broken,
19:58not just financially,
20:00but morally.
20:03He wanted to trample
20:04the Lujan name.
20:06Pride and need
20:07waged a fierce war
20:08inside Alonso.
20:09Images of his family,
20:14of the promise,
20:15of everything he loved
20:16flashed through his mind.
20:20Could he swallow
20:21this humiliation for them?
20:23He looked at the man
20:24before him,
20:24an old man
20:25consumed by resentment,
20:26and knew that
20:27even that sacrifice
20:28would not guarantee anything.
20:32It would only feed
20:33the man's monstrous ego.
20:35With a rigidity
20:36that denoted iron control,
20:37Alonso straightened.
20:42I'm afraid,
20:43Ezekiel,
20:44that you have
20:44confused desperation
20:45with a lack of dignity.
20:47A Lujan does not kneel
20:51before anyone.
20:52Have a good afternoon.
20:54He turned and walked
20:55out of the room
20:56without waiting for a response,
20:58the echo of the man's
20:58dry laughter
20:59following him
21:00through the silent hallways.
21:01The mission had not only
21:05been impossible,
21:07it had been a trap
21:07for his soul.
21:09He returned to the promise
21:10empty-handed
21:11and his heart
21:12heavier than ever.
21:17In the service area,
21:18the tensions
21:18were no less palpable,
21:20although their roots
21:21were more intimate
21:21and personal.
21:26The relationship
21:27between Tonio and Anora,
21:29which had blossomed
21:30like an unexpected flower
21:31in the arid soil
21:32of their lives,
21:33was now faltering
21:34under the weight
21:34of mistrust.
21:38The source of the conflict
21:40was ironically
21:40an act of apparent kindness.
21:43Tonio's reconciliation
21:44with his mother,
21:45Simona.
21:45Anora watched him
21:50from the other side
21:51of the kitchen
21:52as he peeled potatoes
21:53with almost feverish
21:54concentration.
21:58His face,
21:59normally open
22:00and expressive,
22:01was an impenetrable mask.
22:04They had been like this
22:05for days,
22:05moving around each other
22:06in a silence
22:07heavy within spoken words.
22:12Finally,
22:13she couldn't take it anymore.
22:14We can talk,
22:16Anora said,
22:17her voice sharper
22:17than she intended.
22:22Tonio looked up,
22:23the knife stopping halfway.
22:24Sure,
22:25about what?
22:29About us,
22:30about you,
22:31about your mother,
22:32she snapped,
22:33crossing her arms
22:34at the sight
22:34of that farce
22:35you put on the other day.
22:39Tonio dropped
22:40the knife and potato
22:41on the table
22:42with a thud.
22:43Farce.
22:44What do you mean?
22:45I made peace
22:46with my mother.
22:49I thought it would
22:50make you happy.
22:51I did it for you.
22:52And that's precisely
22:53the problem,
22:54Tonio,
22:55she exclaimed,
22:56her voice vibrating
22:57with frustration.
23:00You did it for me.
23:02You didn't do it
23:03because you felt it.
23:04You didn't do it
23:05because you truly
23:06forgave her
23:06for all the harm
23:07she'd done to you.
23:08You did it to please me,
23:13as if I were a spoiled
23:14child who had
23:15to be pleased.
23:20But I just wanted
23:20us to be okay,
23:21he defended himself,
23:23confused.
23:26You told me
23:27it was important
23:28to you that my mother
23:28and I got along,
23:29that you couldn't be
23:30with me if I held
23:31so much resentment.
23:32I wanted you
23:35to resolve
23:36your resentment,
23:37not sweep it
23:37under the rug.
23:39She reproached him
23:39on the hour,
23:40moving closer to him.
23:44Her eyes shone
23:45with a mixture
23:45of anger and pain.
23:47I saw your face
23:48when you hugged her.
23:49I saw your eyes,
23:52there was no
23:53forgiveness in them,
23:54Tonyo.
23:54There was resignation.
23:56There was an effort.
23:59It was an act.
24:01And you know
24:01what's worse,
24:02she knows it too.
24:03Simona is not stupid.
24:07She knows that
24:08your reconciliation
24:08is hollow,
24:09that it's not genuine.
24:11Tonyo ran a hand
24:12through his hair,
24:13exasperated.
24:17And what did you
24:18want me to do
24:18on the hour?
24:19What did you expect?
24:21To forget years
24:22of abandonment
24:22and pain overnight?
24:24I did what I could.
24:27I took a step.
24:28That's not what counts.
24:30Not if the step
24:31is a false one,
24:32she insisted.
24:36What matters
24:37is the truth
24:37and you're not
24:38being honest
24:38with yourself,
24:39her or me.
24:45You're building
24:45our relationship
24:46on a lie,
24:47on an empty gesture.
24:49I don't want that,
24:50Tonyo.
24:54I can't love a man
24:55who can't face
24:56his own demons,
24:57who would rather
24:57pretend that everything
24:58is okay than do
24:59the hard work
25:00of truly healing.
25:00The accusation hit him
25:05hard.
25:06That's not fair.
25:08Anora,
25:08you don't know
25:09what it's like
25:09for me.
25:13You don't know
25:13what it's like
25:14to look her
25:14in the eyes
25:15and show me.
25:16She interrupted him,
25:18her voice breaking.
25:21Let me in.
25:23Share your pain
25:23with me
25:24instead of hiding
25:24it behind a fake
25:25smile.
25:26I fell in love
25:28with you,
25:28Tonyo,
25:29with all your
25:30wounds and scars.
25:34I don't need
25:35a fairy tale prince,
25:36I need a real man.
25:38And a real man
25:39doesn't lie
25:39to keep the peace.
25:43They stared at each
25:44other in the silence
25:45of the kitchen,
25:46the abyss of their
25:47incomprehension
25:47opening between them.
25:48For Tonyo,
25:53her gesture
25:54had been the
25:54ultimate sacrifice
25:55for love.
25:56For Anora,
25:57it had been the
25:58ultimate betrayal
25:59of the authenticity
26:00she valued so much.
26:05The lack of
26:05authenticity
26:06in her reconciliation
26:07with Simona
26:08had put the
26:08authenticity
26:09of her own love
26:10at risk,
26:10and neither of them
26:11knew how to
26:12bridge the gap.
26:17Desperation
26:17had many faces
26:18in the promise,
26:19but none as sharp
26:20and feverish
26:21as Kuro's.
26:26The young man
26:26felt Angela's
26:27disappearance
26:28as a personal
26:28affront,
26:29a failure
26:30that burned
26:30in his gut.
26:35He was convinced,
26:36with a certainty
26:37that bordered
26:37on obsession,
26:38that he could
26:39find her.
26:42He knew
26:43the terrain
26:43better than anyone.
26:44Every hidden
26:45path,
26:46every stream,
26:47every cave.
26:48He had spent
26:51his childhood
26:52exploring those
26:53places and felt
26:53that the land
26:54itself would
26:55speak to him
26:55if he let it.
27:00But to do so,
27:01he needed the
27:02authority to
27:02organize a search,
27:03to direct the men,
27:04to act quickly
27:05and effectively.
27:10And that authority
27:11was systematically
27:12denied to him
27:13by one man,
27:14Christobal,
27:15the butler.
27:18She found him
27:19in the great hall,
27:20supervising the
27:21cleaning of the
27:21silver with
27:22exasperating
27:23meticulousness.
27:24Kuro approached
27:29him, unable to
27:30contain the
27:31urgency that
27:31consumed him
27:32any longer.
27:33Quote,
27:36Mr.
27:36Christobal,
27:37I must insist,
27:38Kuro began,
27:39his voice tense.
27:40Every hour we
27:41lose is one less
27:42chance of finding
27:43Angela alive.
27:47Allow me to
27:48organize a search
27:49party.
27:50I know these woods
27:51like the back of
27:51my hand.
27:55I know where
27:56to look,
27:56where no one
27:57else has thought
27:57to.
28:00Christobal didn't
28:01even look up
28:01from the
28:02candelabra he
28:02was polishing.
28:05Mr.
28:06Kuro,
28:06we've been over
28:07this.
28:08The Guardia
28:09Civil is in
28:09charge of the
28:10investigation.
28:13They're
28:13professionals.
28:15We don't need
28:15some enthusiastic
28:16amateur running
28:17around and getting
28:18in the way of
28:18their work,
28:19erasing possible
28:20traces.
28:21I'm not an
28:23amateur,
28:24Kuro protested,
28:25raising his
28:26voice.
28:28I grew up
28:29here.
28:29The Guardia
28:30Civil are
28:30outsiders,
28:31they don't
28:31know the
28:32terrain.
28:36I could
28:36find her,
28:37I'm sure
28:37of it.
28:39Your safety
28:39is irrelevant,
28:40Christobal replied,
28:41his tone
28:42icy.
28:46My duty
28:46is to
28:47maintain order
28:47in this
28:48house,
28:48and order
28:49dictates that
28:49the gentlemen
28:50do not play
28:50explorers while
28:51the servants
28:52work.
28:56Their
28:57place is
28:57here,
28:57in the
28:58palace.
28:59Yana,
29:00who was
29:00passing by
29:01with a
29:01bucket and
29:01a rag,
29:02stopped when
29:02she heard
29:03the
29:03conversation.
29:06She saw
29:07the frustration
29:07on Kuro's
29:08face and
29:08decided to
29:09intervene.
29:10Excuse me,
29:11Mr.
29:11Christobal,
29:12she said in
29:13a soft but
29:13firm voice.
29:14Mr.
29:18Kuro is
29:19right.
29:20No one
29:20knows this
29:20land better.
29:22If there
29:22is anyone
29:23who can
29:23have a
29:23hunch,
29:24a sure
29:24instinct,
29:25it is
29:25him.
29:29You
29:30should
29:30listen to
29:30him.
29:31Christobal gave
29:32him a
29:32withering
29:32look.
29:33And now
29:34the maids
29:34are also
29:35meddling in
29:35the management
29:36of the
29:36estate.
29:37Get back
29:38to your
29:38work,
29:39Yana,
29:39if you
29:40don't want
29:40me to
29:40find you
29:40a less
29:41pleasant
29:41one.
29:44A little
29:45later it
29:45was Lopez
29:46who approached
29:47from the
29:47kitchen,
29:48drying his
29:48hands on
29:48his apron.
29:52Mr.
29:53Butler,
29:54what Kuro
29:54says is
29:55not nonsense.
29:56If he
29:57would give
29:57us permission,
29:58several of
29:58us would
29:59gladly go
29:59with him.
30:03We are
30:04more hands
30:04to search.
30:05Christobal's
30:06refusal was
30:07even more
30:07emphatic.
30:08Enough.
30:11The
30:11decision
30:12has been
30:12made.
30:13No
30:13one
30:13is
30:13going
30:14anywhere.
30:15The
30:15search
30:15is
30:15a
30:15matter
30:16for
30:16the
30:16competent
30:16authorities.
30:20And
30:21you,
30:21Kuro,
30:22I
30:22absolutely
30:22forbid
30:23you
30:23to
30:23leave
30:23the
30:24palace
30:24grounds.
30:28That's
30:28been
30:29made
30:29clear.
30:30The
30:30word
30:30forbid
30:30resounded
30:31in the
30:31lobby
30:31like a
30:32slap
30:32in
30:32the
30:32face.
30:36Kuro
30:37glared
30:37at the
30:37butler,
30:38impotent
30:38fury
30:39burning
30:39in his
30:39eyes.
30:40He
30:41felt
30:42caged,
30:42tied
30:42hand
30:43and
30:43foot
30:43while
30:43his
30:44life
30:44hung
30:44in
30:44the
30:44balance.
30:49He
30:49nodded
30:49stiffly,
30:50not out
30:50of
30:51compliance,
30:51but to
30:52end the
30:52humiliating
30:52conversation.
30:53But
30:57as he
30:57walked
30:58away,
30:58his
30:58fists
30:59clenched
30:59until
30:59his
31:00knuckles
31:00turned
31:00white,
31:01he
31:01made
31:01up
31:01his
31:02mind.
31:06Cristobal
31:06could give
31:06him
31:07orders,
31:07but he
31:07could not
31:08control
31:08his
31:08conscience.
31:09If he
31:10had to
31:10act on
31:11his
31:11own,
31:11he
31:11would.
31:14He
31:15would
31:15wait
31:15until
31:15nightfall,
31:16until the
31:17guards
31:17relaxed.
31:18He
31:19would
31:19take a
31:19horse,
31:20a
31:20lantern,
31:20and a
31:21map he
31:21had drawn
31:21from
31:22memory.
31:25He
31:26was
31:26not
31:26about
31:26to
31:27stand
31:27idly
31:27by.
31:28If
31:29the
31:29world
31:29wouldn't
31:29save
31:29Angela,
31:30he
31:30would
31:30try
31:31alone.
31:35Defying
31:35Cristobal's
31:36authority
31:36was a
31:37risk,
31:37but it
31:38was a
31:38risk he
31:38was more
31:39than
31:39willing
31:39to
31:39take.
31:44Inaction
31:44was,
31:45to him,
31:45the one
31:46unforgivable
31:46sin.
31:48Amidst
31:48the general
31:49uncertainty,
31:50fear,
31:50and intrigue,
31:51a
31:51painful
31:51memory
31:52blossomed
31:52in
31:53Maria
31:53Fernandez's
31:53mind,
31:54transforming
31:55into an
31:55idea that
31:56was as
31:56risky as
31:56it was
31:57brilliant.
32:01As she
32:01scrubbed the
32:02floor of the
32:02gallery,
32:03the smell
32:03of dampness
32:04and stone
32:04brought back
32:05to her
32:05with terrifying
32:06vividness,
32:07her own
32:07ordeal.
32:12She
32:12remembered the
32:13darkness,
32:13the cold,
32:14the paralyzing
32:15fear of being
32:16trapped,
32:16kidnapped,
32:17waiting for a
32:18rescue that
32:18seemed like it
32:19would never
32:19come.
32:21She
32:24remembered
32:25the cave,
32:25stopped short,
32:26the brush
32:27falling from her
32:27hands with a
32:28thud.
32:32The cave,
32:33that natural
32:34hiding place,
32:35isolated and
32:36difficult to
32:36access,
32:37where she
32:37herself had
32:38been a
32:38prisoner.
32:42It was the
32:43perfect place
32:44to hide
32:44someone,
32:45close enough
32:45to the
32:46promise for a
32:46kidnapper
32:47familiar with
32:47the area,
32:48but far enough
32:49away and
32:49hidden that
32:50no search
32:50party would
32:51stumble upon
32:51him.
32:57Her heart
32:58began to
32:59pound.
33:00The idea
33:00was crazy
33:01to return
33:02to that
33:02place.
33:05The mere
33:06thought sent
33:07shivers down
33:07her spine.
33:08It meant
33:09facing her
33:09own trauma
33:10all over
33:10again,
33:11the ghosts
33:11of her
33:11abduction.
33:12But the
33:16image of
33:17Angela's
33:17frightened
33:17face
33:18overlapped
33:18her own
33:19memories.
33:22She knew
33:23the terror
33:23she must
33:24be feeling.
33:25She knew
33:26what it was
33:26like to
33:26count the
33:27seconds in
33:27utter solitude
33:28and hopelessness.
33:33And that
33:33knowledge,
33:34that empathy
33:35born of
33:35shared
33:35suffering,
33:36became an
33:37unstoppable
33:37driving force.
33:43She left
33:44the bucket
33:44and brush
33:44where they
33:45were and
33:45ran in
33:45search of
33:46Yana and
33:46Salvador,
33:47her two
33:47pillars,
33:48the only
33:48people she
33:49trusted
33:49blindly.
33:53She found
33:54them in
33:54the laundry
33:54room,
33:55their somber
33:56faces reflecting
33:56the atmosphere
33:57of the
33:57palace.
34:01I have
34:02an idea,
34:03Maria said
34:03without
34:03preamble,
34:04her breathing
34:05ragged.
34:06I know
34:07where Angela
34:07could be.
34:10Yana and
34:11Salvador
34:11looked at
34:12her with
34:12equal parts
34:13skepticism
34:14and concern.
34:15What are
34:15you saying,
34:16Maria?
34:17How would
34:17you know?
34:19Salvador
34:19asked,
34:20approaching
34:20her and
34:21putting a
34:21hand on
34:21her shoulder.
34:25The
34:26cave,
34:26Maria said,
34:27her voice
34:28a whisper
34:28laden with
34:29meaning.
34:30The same
34:30cave where
34:31they kept
34:31me.
34:32Quote,
34:35Yana's
34:35face
34:35transformed.
34:37Disbelief
34:37gave way to
34:38intense
34:38concentration.
34:41She
34:42remembered
34:42the
34:42story
34:42of
34:43her
34:43friend's
34:43kidnapping
34:44perfectly.
34:46The
34:46logic
34:46of
34:47Maria's
34:47idea
34:47was
34:47impeccable
34:48and
34:48terrifying.
34:51No one
34:52would think
34:52of looking
34:53there.
34:55Maria
34:55continued,
34:56her eyes
34:57darting from
34:57Lana to
34:58Salvador,
34:58seeking his
34:59support.
35:01The
35:02civil guard
35:02doesn't know
35:02about her
35:03existence.
35:04It's a
35:04remote place.
35:05If
35:05someone from
35:06around here
35:06has kidnapped
35:07her,
35:07this is
35:10the first
35:10place I
35:10would take
35:11her.
35:13But
35:13Maria
35:14began to
35:14say
35:14Salvador
35:15cautiously,
35:16go back
35:16there.
35:20For
35:21you,
35:21are you
35:22sure you
35:22can do
35:22it?
35:23Her
35:23concern
35:24was
35:24palpable.
35:25She
35:25didn't
35:25want him
35:26to relive
35:26that
35:26horror.
35:27Quote,
35:28it's
35:31not about
35:31whether I
35:32can or
35:32can't,
35:32Salvador,
35:33she replied
35:34with a
35:34steely
35:34determination
35:35that surprised
35:36them both.
35:37it's
35:40about
35:40whether
35:40I
35:40have
35:40to.
35:42And
35:42if
35:42she's
35:42there
35:43alone,
35:43hurt,
35:44waiting,
35:44I can't
35:45stay here
35:45scrubbing
35:45floors while
35:46she goes
35:46through what
35:47I went
35:47through.
35:50I
35:50can't.
35:52She
35:53saw the
35:53doubt on
35:53their faces,
35:54the fear
35:55for her,
35:55but she
35:56also saw
35:56the spark
35:57of hope
35:57that her
35:57words had
35:58ignited.
36:01It
36:02was a
36:02possibility,
36:03a remote
36:03and dangerous
36:04possibility,
36:05but it
36:05was more
36:06than they
36:06had ever
36:06had.
36:07I
36:11will
36:11go
36:11tonight,
36:11Maria
36:12declared.
36:13We
36:13can't
36:13tell
36:13anyone.
36:14If
36:15we
36:15are
36:15wrong,
36:16we
36:16will
36:16look
36:16crazy.
36:19And
36:20if
36:20we
36:20are
36:20right,
36:21there
36:21is
36:21no
36:21telling
36:21who
36:22we
36:22might
36:22find
36:22there.
36:23It
36:23has
36:23to
36:23be
36:24a
36:24secret.
36:27Yana
36:28nodded
36:28slowly,
36:29her mind
36:30already
36:30working,
36:31planning.
36:31You
36:32will
36:32not
36:32go
36:32alone,
36:33we
36:33will
36:33go
36:33with
36:33you.
36:34No
36:37way,
36:37Salvador
36:38intervened
36:38protectively.
36:39It
36:40is too
36:40dangerous.
36:41I
36:41will
36:41go or
36:42the
36:42three
36:42of
36:42us
36:42will
36:42go.
36:45But
36:46you
36:46are
36:46not
36:46going
36:46in there
36:47alone,
36:47Maria.
36:48Maria
36:49felt
36:49immense relief
36:50flood through
36:50her at the
36:51feeling of
36:51his
36:51unconditional
36:52support.
36:55The idea
36:56was risky,
36:57almost
36:58suicidal,
36:59involved
36:59defying the
37:00darkness,
37:00her own
37:01fears,
37:01and a
37:02potentially
37:02dangerous
37:03kidnapper.
37:06But in
37:07the gloom
37:07of promise,
37:08where every
37:09hope seemed
37:09to be
37:10extinguished,
37:11the
37:11dangerous
37:11memory of
37:12Maria
37:12Fernandez
37:13had just
37:13ignited a
37:14small,
37:14defiant
37:15flame.
37:18A
37:19flame that
37:19would guide
37:20them to
37:20the mouth
37:20of a
37:21cave,
37:21to the
37:21heart of
37:22danger,
37:22and
37:22perhaps,
37:23just
37:23perhaps,
37:24to the
37:24salvation
37:25of
37:25Angela.
37:29The
37:30plan was
37:30drawn up.
37:31Was
37:34the
37:34one
37:36one
37:37who
37:38was
37:38the
37:40one
37:40in
37:43the
37:44one
37:44who
37:45does
37:45the
37:47one
37:48in
37:50the
37:52one
37:53of
37:55the
37:58one
37:59on
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