Living as Palacios (Shadows of the Past) BOOK 2

Chapter 21

Chapter 21- Investigation

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The Palacios' Estate, once a symbol of wealth and power, had now turned into a haunting tableau of grief and suspicion again. Police cars surrounded the property and officers moved about like silent phantoms, investigating the latest tragedy that had happened two days ago.

This time, the air was full with tension, and the whispers of murder echoed through the halls. Aurora stood on the porch, her heart heavy as she watched her daughter-in-law, Samantha, struggle to cope with the recent loss of her mother.

Samantha's eyes were red from tears, and her body trembled with the weight of her sorrow. Aurora felt an unexplainable urge to comfort her, to embrace her with the warmth and strength of a mother, even though the circumstances were far from ideal.

"Samantha, you don't have to worry about your son. I will take good care of him. For now, focuse yourself on Mercy." Aurora said.

Samantha nodded before she stood up looking at the coffin of her mother. It's been two days and the pain and trauma are still fresh in their mind; especially in the innocent mind of Ronron.

"Lola, is Mommy gonna be okay?" he asked, his wide eyes filled with worry.

"Of course, apo. She's a strong woman. She'll be okay." Aurora reassured him, knowing that in the back of her mind, the future was uncertain not just for Samantha, but for all of them.

Aurora was singing a lullaby for Ronron but suddenly he sat down on the bed which made Aurora startled a bit. He turned to her and asked her questions.

"Lola, can I tell you a secret?" he whispered, his voice barely above a murmur.

"Yeah. Ano ba 'yon?"

"I saw the guy who killed Lola Mercy."  he said, his eyes darting around the room as if he feared being overheard.

A heavy silence enveloped them as Aurora processed his words. In that moment, time seemed to freeze. She was taken aback.

"Apo, you go to sleep na. Gabi na—"

"But, Lola. Promise po..." Ronron raised his hand, his little face earnest and desperate. "I saw him before, hindi ko lang po maalala kung saan but I am sure." her heart ached for him, torn between disbelief and concern.

"Ronron, lying is bad—"

"I am not lying, Lola!" the conviction in his eyes made Aurora pause. She sat on the edge of the bed, her heart racing as she saw him crying.

"Okay, my dear, sabihin mo sa akin lahat ng naaalala mo." she urged gently, realizing that this was far more than a child's imagination.

Ronron began recounting fragmented memories, his expression shifting from fear to determination until they were interrupted by Amando. He's in his usual pajamas before walking towards them.

"Bakit hindi pa kayo natutulog?" he asked them before he noticed the tears of Ronron and the undeniable fear in Aurora's face.

"A-amando..." Aurora whispered, her voice barely audible, as if she feared the walls might have ears.

"Lolo, I'm scared..." Ronron scoot over them while Amando started to comfort his grandson and Aurora.

"Shhh... tahan na. Nandito ako." he tucked in Ronron to bed until he fell asleep.

Aurora needed fresh air so she went outside the mansion. She saw the stillness of the night but can't deny the hell behind it. Amando saw her and he hugged her from behind. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he could feel the tension in her body.