Neophyte

Expose

Angelina became horrified as she covered her hands over the lower part of her face. Many of the Padres yelped or were silent in disbelief. Mariana violently trembled; Guillermo's eyes widened in horror. He immediately went inside, went to his mother's side, and looked at Victoriano.

Bishop Victoriano was aghast; his body felt like stone. Bishop Juan stood. "Federico, how dare you say such a thing!? You say such-!"

"I did not lie, Bishop! We all have been deceived by the one whom you all were supposed to look up to! He is nothing more than a hypocrite!" Federico's glare never left the Bishop. "Tell them your supposed brothers the truth! Tell them what you have done!" When Bishop Victoriano didn't respond, Federico focused on Mariana. Guillermo was trying to motion her out of the room. With his hands tied, he pointed at the duo. "That woman is Victoriano's lover; he is their son!"

Metztli felt her heart drop. "How did he know!?" The question repeated itself in her mind. 

"Before coming here, I asked the Soldados to take me to my quarters, for I have proof of Victoriano's sins and crimes! Reaching within his robes, Federico took out the journal. "This is Victoriano's journal! He wrote everything about his life and secrets! He admitted that Mariana, no, Mitena, was his lover and these two had their twin children: Guillermo and Valentina!"

Seeing the journal made Victoriano stand up. "How dare you!? You dare go through my belongings!?" 

Victoriano was about to run toward him, but Padre Fermin commanded the Soldados to stop the Bishop. The Bishop was blocked as he tried to retrieve his journal. He tried pushing through, but he was outnumbered and outmatched. Esteban immediately went to the Bishop's side. "Bishop enough! You will get hurt!"

"You invaded my privacy!"

"If I am to leave this place, so be it, but I will not go it alone! Padre Fermin, all the proof was written by the Bishop himself!" Federico motioned the journal to Padre Fermin, who looked uncertain, but curiosity got the best of him, and he motioned for the journal. One of the Soldados grabbed and gave it to Padre Fermin. "I shall read this to my own accord. Looking at Bishop Victoriano, I want him confined in his room, and he is not to leave without my permission."

"This is not right! Federico went to the Bishop's room without his permission! He-"

"Enough!" Padre Fermin gave her a warning glare. "If you speak against my decision then you shall suffer the same fate as well." He then looked at Mariana. "Take her to her room, she too is not allowed to leave, until I will it."

More Soldados went toward the mother and son. Guillermo immediately became protective as he stood before his mother. "You will not lay a hand on her!" The Soldados surrounded the duo; Mariana didn't speak, she couldn't.

Bishop Victoriano tried to reach Mariana and Guillermo, but he was detained. "Let them go! They will do no harm!"

Metztli walked forward. "P-Padre Fermin, please, Mariana is elderly and I can take her to her room. I will do as you ask but please, allow me to take her so everyone can be calm. Please, sir." She put her hands together, pleading for the Padre to consider her alternative. 

Seeing the situation and not wanting more escalation, Padre Fermin nodded and granted her request. He commanded the other Soldados to let Metztli walk to Mariana, who looked to be in a daze. "Guillermo, let me guide her." Guillermo was about to resist, but going closer to him, she whispered, "Please, I can't have you get in trouble. We need to work together."

Guillermo sighed deeply and let her hold onto his mother as she gently led her out of the meeting room. Victoriano was going to be motioned out by the Soldados, but Esteban stepped forward. "Padre, let Manuel and me take him to his quarters. He would be at ease with us. Worry not, we will ensure that he will not escape."

"Very well."

Esteban commanded the other Soldados to let the Bishop go and called upon Manuel for his assistance. Manuel did as instructed; both motioned Victoriano to walk forward. Esteban gave a glare at Federico, who stood victoriously. Outside, the men stopped when they saw Guillermo, Mariana, and Metztli stop. 

They saw why.

Valentina stood in the hallway, near the meeting room. She stood still as her eyes widened. The Bishop gasped, his hands trembled. "V-Valentina..."

Mariana covered her mouth with her hands; Guillermo and Metztli were stunned. 

Esteban and Manuel watched on but dared not say anything. They knew that what was about to happen next was beyond their control. Mariana slowly walked forward, trembling uncontrollably. "V-Valentina..."

Valentina walked backward, not blinking once. 

Bishop Victoriano watched as his daughter slowly walked backward in shock. He didn't want her to blame Mariana. Walking forward, he said, "Valentina, please...your mother is not at fault."

Suddenly, Valentina ran away, screaming in agony. Metztli and Guillermo immediately ran after her. The Bishop ran in suit. Esteban told Manuel to keep Mariana company while he ran for the others. Everything was going wrong.

Mariana almost fell onto her knees, but Manuel caught her, and he knelt beside her.

"Ah, so it would seem the Mestiza of your daughter heard the truth." Federico walked out of the meeting room as two Soldados were beside him. Mariana didn't respond, nor did she look at him. "Everything has come to light. You and Victoriano should be relieved that your secret doesn't have to haunt you any longer. Your children know the truth about their father and now everyone else does too."

The Soldados then motioned Federico back to the prison, leaving Mariana crying with Manuel by her side.