CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE - VOICES FROM THE PAST

  Maria stepped between them, her hands raised placatingly. "Nia, please, let me explain—" "Explain what?" Nia snapped. "How long has this been going on?" Maria's eyes filled with tears. "Two years," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Since you went to prison." The words hit Nia like a physical blow. She staggered back, leaning against the wall for support. "Two years?" she repeated, incredulous. "You've been meeting with my mother for two years and never told me?" Elena moved closer, her face etched with pain. "Nia, please, it's not Maria's fault. I asked her not to tell you." "Why?" Nia demanded, her voice cracking. "Why would you do that?" Elena's composure crumbled, tears streaming down her face. "I wanted to support you, mija. But your father... he was so angry, so hurt. He forbade any contact with you. I couldn't go against him openly, but I couldn't abandon you either." "So you went behind my back?" Nia's voice rose, anger and hurt battling for dominance. "