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The doctor understood that this was only the beginning… and that what she was about to discover could be far worse than she imagined.
The doctor led Ernesto to a small adjoining room, away from the examination table where Laura was trying to stifle her sobs. She closed the door carefully, without rushing. Her tone was firm, but measured.
For a moment, Ernesto showed no reaction whatsoever. No surprise, no worry, no anger. Just a slow blink.
“I see,” he replied, too calmly.
A chill ran through Valeria. That reaction wasn’t the natural one for a father who had just received such news.
“I need to ask your daughter some questions unsupervised,” she continued. “It’s a medical and legal requirement. And I have to notify social services. It’s protocol.”
Ernesto’s face hardened.
“There’s no need to involve anyone. I’ll take care of it.”
The tone was dangerous. Controlled, but threatening. Even so, Valeria wasn’t intimidated.
“It’s mandatory,” she repeated. “And I’ve already asked someone to come. I ask you to wait in reception.”
The teenager was huddled on the examination table, breathing in short, shallow breaths.
“Laura,” Valeria said gently, “I need you to tell me the truth. Do you know who the father is?”
The girl took several seconds to answer. Finally, she shook her head.
“I don’t want any trouble… He says that if I talk, he’ll ruin everything. That he’ll leave us with nothing.”
“Him?” Are you referring to your father?
The silence was confirmation.
Valeria felt a mixture of indignation and deep sadness, but she kept her face calm.
The teenager looked at her with desperate eyes.
“He never leaves me alone at home. He’s always watching me. And if I cry, he says it’s my fault. That I have to behave. That…” Her voice broke. “…that I should be grateful.”
Valeria made a decision.
“I’m going to call a social worker and the police. They’re going to help you. No child should have to go through this.”
Laura trembled.
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