Page 44 of Hidden Memories

The moment shatters.

Santi steps back as if he’s been caught somewhere he shouldn’t be.

Theo’s footsteps echo through the kitchen and down the hallway, stopping abruptly when he spots Santi. His hands are cupped shut, hiding something delicate inside them. His gaze bounces between me and Santi, suspicion flickering in his youngeyes.

Then Julia enters, her knowing smile says everything she doesn’t. She leans against the wall, one brow raised. “You two all right?”

Santi doesn’t answer. He drops his gaze to the floor, tension still thick in the air.

I clear my throat, forcing my attention back to Theo. “Do you have something to show me?”

Theo grins and unclasps his hands, revealing a wriggling caterpillar. “Julia says this one will turn into a Monarch butterfly. She said there are tons of them around here. I told her about the time we went to Santa Cruz and saw millions of them in the trees.”

I smile, grateful for the distraction. “Ooh,” I say, putting on a ridiculous royal British accent. “Little boy, I demand to know where you’re taking me.”

Theo laughs, the thick air in the room thins at the sound of it.

My son considers the tiny creature. “Julia said she has a terrarium in her attic. We can keep him and watch him, but I have to let him go when he metamorphosizes.”

Santi steps forward, his voice softer. “The largest Monarch butterfly sanctuary in the world is in Mexico. That’s where they end their migration.”

Theo’s eyes widen. He looks down in awe at the striped mini-beast in his palm. “I can’t believe they fly that far.”

Santi crouches next to him, examining the caterpillar. “You’ll need milkweed. Without it, he won’t make it.”

Theo frowns. “Where do I get that?”

Santi nods toward Julia’s backyard. “That’s why you found him here. You’ll be able to feed him fresh every day.”

Theo sizes Santi up like he’s deciding whether to trust him. Then, slowly, he nods. “Thanks for the tip.”

Santi stands and exhales deeply. Our gazes meet again, but before I can process it, the doorbell rings.

Julia moves past us to answer. When she swings the door open, a man and a woman stand outside, both dressed in suits. The man lifts a badge.

“Agent Meyer, FBI. This is Agent Montoya. We’re here to seize a vehicle belonging to Petras Holdings.”

My stomach plummets.

The company owns my car. This is it. The investigation has begun. They’re coming for everything.

I didn’t leave with much but I need my car. I need to get to the grocery store, to take Theo to school when he starts back up. What the hell am I supposed to do now?

“You can’t just take it.” My voice cracks. “I need it. Please.”

Agent Montoya’s expression softens. “I’m afraid it’s part of the investigation.”

Santi steps closer, his body angled slightly between me and them. “Is this necessary right now? She’s been through enough.”

Meyer doesn’t flinch. “It’s standard procedure.”

Procedure. The word tastes like metal and finality.

The walls close in, suffocating me.

Santi’s fingers brush my arm, grounding me. And suddenly, I can breathe again.

I turn to face him, my eyes locking on to his. For a second, I see it again—the world we almost had. Dancing barefoot in the grass. Dusty horses. Love under the moonlight.

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