The night smelled of rain as Saval, Antonella, and I stepped out of the police station. Hours had passed since we handed over every document, every screenshot, every forged signature Antonella had given us. The officer in charge leafed through the evidence with a furrowed brow, made a couple of calls, and finally nodded: it was enough for an arrest warrant.
The air was thick with tension. Mia and David were waiting on the sidewalk, restless.
—What did they say?— Mia asked as soon as she saw us.
—They're going after him tonight,— I replied. My voice sounded steadier than I expected.
Antonella crossed her arms, her expression serious. —He won't get away so easily.
How ironic, I thought. She, the same one who tangled us in her games, was now the key to closing this circle.
A couple of hours later, Saval's phone vibrated. It was an unknown number. He answered on speaker.
—This is Inspector Lira. Your complaint was successful. We detained Santiago Medina a few minutes ago.
Saval closed his eyes, exhaling a breath he seemed to have held for weeks. —Thank you, Inspector.
—He will be charged with falsifying official documents and attempted fraud,— the voice continued. —If you need protection, you can request it.
—We will,— I said before they hung up.
The silence that followed was filled with an unusual calm. Mia smiled, though her eyes glistened with tears.
—You did it,— she whispered.
—We all did,— David corrected, placing a hand on Saval's shoulder.
Antonella stepped aside slightly, watching the streetlights. Saval watched her for a few seconds, then took a step toward her.
—Thank you,— he said, barely audible.
She turned her head, and for a moment, I saw an ancient weariness in her gaze. —Just… take care of yourselves. Don't let that guy's shadow catch up with you again.
Saval nodded. The past doesn't disappear, but today we struck a blow that forces it to stay behind.
When the police sent the official confirmation, we all let out a brief, nervous laugh. It was as if the weight we'd been carrying on our shoulders had crumbled along with Santiago.
—Now,— Mia said, wiping away a tear,— we can finally sleep a little easier.
I looked at Saval. His hand found mine, and I squeezed it tightly. The worst was over. At least for now.
As the rain began to fall, I knew the longest battle—protecting what we'd built—was only just beginning. But that night, under the sound of the rain and the city breathing, we had something Santiago could never take from us: the beginning of our freedom.