I Pretended to Be Sick to Skip School — But That Afternoon I Discovered Something at Home I Wasn’t Ready For

Valeria glanced at the clock.

1:15 p.m.

If the police arrived that evening and found whatever Leticia had hidden… her mother would be blamed.

Fear made her tremble beneath the blanket. But when she looked at the coat hanging on the wall, something stronger rose inside her—anger, fierce and protective.

She wasn’t going to let it happen.

The game had just begun.

Valeria leapt off the sofa, adrenaline instantly clearing the last traces of sleep. She hurried to the coat rack and slipped her hand into the pocket.

Inside was the velvet pouch.
When she opened it, the sparkle nearly blinded her.