I folded it carefully and placed it in a bag.
Then I walked upstairs.
The guest bedroom where Teresa usually slept was empty. Bianca’s room was filled with shopping bags and discarded clothing. The bathroom counter was crowded with expensive cosmetics.
Everything looked ordinary.
Too ordinary.
I went to Sofia’s room.
Her bed was neatly made. The curtains were closed, and her schoolbooks had been stacked against the wall.
But her favorite photographs were missing.
The small frame containing a picture of her and Elena at the beach was gone.
I opened the wardrobe.
Most of Sofia’s clothes had been pushed to one side, leaving space for Bianca’s dresses.
On the bottom shelf, I found a shoebox.
Inside were folded notes, birthday cards, and a small notebook.
I recognized Elena’s handwriting on several of the cards.
Sofia had kept every one.
I sat on the edge of the bed and opened the notebook.
