CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO - THE WHISPERS OF REGRET

  "I guess I'll start," she said, her voice shaky. "Being in prison... it was the loneliest time of my life. Not just because I was locked up, but because I felt like I'd lost my family too. Like you all had given up on me." Elena's eyes filled with tears. "Oh, mija," she whispered. "I'm so sorry. I should have been there for you more. I was just... I was scared. And confused. The media was saying such terrible things, and I didn't know what to believe." Carlos scoffed. "Believe your daughter, that's what you should have done." "And you did?" Luis shot back. "Because I remember you saying she was dead to you." "That's enough," Dr. Ramirez interjected calmly but firmly. "Remember, we're here to listen and understand, not to accuse. Carlos, can you tell us more about what you were feeling during that time?" Carlos shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I was angry," he admitted gruffly. "Angry at the situation, at the justice system, at... at Nia, for putting us through this. But most