“Nothing was taken deliberately.”
Esperanza lifted her gaze.
“Then why can I not remember?”
“You were ill. You were given sedatives during treatment. Later, you suffered episodes of confusion.”
“Three years later?”
“No.”
The doctor’s answer was too quick.
Mother Caridad heard it.
“So there were no sedatives before Tomás was conceived?”
Paloma looked toward the window.
“I did not administer any.”
The distinction was unmistakable.
Mother Caridad’s voice became very quiet.
“Who did?”
“I do not know.”
Esperanza held Miguel closer, not from fear for him, but as if the steady warmth of his body helped keep her grounded.
“Was Doctor Paloma present when I became pregnant with Tomás?”
“No,” the doctor said.
“And Miguel?”
“No.”
“And this time?”
“No.”
Mother Caridad frowned.
“Then why did you sound as though you expected today’s result?”
Paloma reached inside her coat and removed an envelope.
It had been opened, but the paper remained crisp.
“This arrived at my clinic two weeks ago.”
