Chapter 7: Rewinding the Timeline
Back in the main ballroom, Beatriz took control of the security monitors connected to the estate’s closed-circuit cameras. With the help of the young, tech-savvy wedding coordinator, they bypassed the live feed and scrolled back to the exact window when the reception was in full swing. Valeria and Mateo stood behind the monitors, their eyes glued to the small high-definition screen. The video showed the bright, joyful chaos of the first dance. Then, it cut to the moment the lights dimmed for the multimedia slide show celebrating the couple's courtship.
In the dim amber glow of the projector, movement near the bridal table caught their attention. A figure in a dark dress slipped out from the shadows of the floral archway. The camera angle was imperfect, but the glittering gemstone necklace caught the overhead beam just long enough to identify the wearer. It was not Elena. It was Sofia. On the screen, Sofia’s hands moved with practiced speed, reaching over the back of Valeria’s vacated chair, unhooking the clasp with the ease of someone who had practiced the motion a hundred times. She then tucked the velvet pouch deep inside a large decorative floral arrangement before casually walking back to her seat as the lights flared back up. Valeria gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Mateo stared at the screen, his face turning an ash-grey as he processed the betrayal committed by his own blood aunt.
