The fact that they were now standing in front of her house was beyond Thalia's comprehension. She could still recall her parents' deaths in an "accident" when she was only five years old.
She saw her mother, Rizalyn, speaking with the mother of the twins, Bella. Thalia noticed Bella's bruises. She realized that, during their journey, Bella had already been at her breaking point—unable to endure Bernard's secret any longer. Bella had tried to have him imprisoned to change her life, but she failed, for he had the police on his side.
On more than one occasion, Bernard had abused her and threatened to harm her children. She never imagined, however, that the man destroying her life had once been a friend of Rizalyn's.
As her older brother had told her, Bella had come to their mother for help. The Blancos, seasoned journalists, were known for being one step ahead in uncovering the truth. But at the time, young Thalia had been too small to understand what was happening.
"Please, Riza, help me put my husband in prison. If I die, at least do that for me," Bella pleaded, her voice heavy with sorrow.
Sadness filled Rizalyn's eyes, but she only nodded. Later, in their home, she spoke in hushed tones with her husband.
"Riza, what have you gotten yourself into now?" Jeffrey asked, shaking his head.
"I need to help my friend," she answered, her tone firm.
"Do you know the danger you're inviting? This could be our downfall," Jeffrey warned. "Our children are still young. Felix is still in elementary school. Can't we think this through? Because if things go wrong, our children will pay the price."
But Rizalyn, lost in thought, did not reply. She quietly began observing Fuego's behavior, careful not to act recklessly. Jeffrey had forbidden her from getting involved, yet she continued to watch from the shadows.
Then the news came—Bella was dead, "killed by a stray bullet."
"Rizalyn!" Jeffrey tried to stop her.
"I can't remain silent any longer, Jeff. Bella's husband killed her—she found out something important, and he silenced her," Rizalyn said, her eyes fierce.
He exhaled deeply. "Alright. I understand. But we need to be careful… I'll help you, okay?"
Rizalyn felt a surge of relief knowing he was by her side. They gathered evidence—photos, documents, and information linking Bernard to illegal activities. They also uncovered that he had corrupted the children of her late friend, leading them astray.
But their efforts came to nothing. Bernard Fuego tampered with the evidence, and what they had left was not enough to win in court.
"I will not stop. Never—never will I stop," Rizalyn vowed to her husband.
After Bella's death, news spread that Bernard had remarried. His new wife, Bianca Roman-Fuego, came from the influential Roman family. They had a daughter—Chesca Daia Fuego.
The Blancos kept watch. Eventually, Bianca uncovered Bernard's secret. That was when Rizalyn and Jeffrey decided to work with her. Bianca began acting in secret, meeting with the Blancos, while little Thalia remained blissfully unaware.
"I have a friend who is a police officer," Bianca told them during one meeting.
"Can we trust him?" Jeffrey asked.
"Don't worry, he'll help us. I learned your case for Bella was dismissed. I regret not listening to my parents before. I'm not afraid for myself—I'm afraid for my child… and for Bella's three children." Regret and fear shadowed Bianca's face.
"It's been two years. We don't trust the police—they're too connected," Jeffrey said.
"I know. But we'll help each other," Bianca replied.
The couple nodded in agreement.
Traveling and premonition ran deep in the Blanco bloodline, and both sensed Bianca's death approaching. That night, the couple decided to meet the police officer Bianca had mentioned.
Thalia and Ericka were in the car as Rizalyn spoke. "We need to take action, Jeff. I won't waste years of surveillance on Fuego. We have to pass this on to Bianca."
"We have to be careful. His men are everywhere," Jeffrey warned, eyes fixed on the road.
Suddenly, armed men blocked their path. Rizalyn quickly hid an envelope inside the car. Inside were photos, documents about illegal markets, the trafficking of women, and evidence of Bernard's abuse and threats toward his own children.
They were forced out of the car. Guns were pointed at them. Without a word, they returned to the vehicle. Jeffrey tried to restart the engine—when a ten-wheeler truck rammed into them, sending them spinning.
"Felix… Jenny… Thalia… Greg…" Thalia heard her mother's fading voice. The sight of her parents—broken, unrecognizable from the crash—was seared into her memory.
Her mother's trembling hand reached toward the field. "Take care of your siblings, Felix… and be careful with Fuego." Then her breath slipped away.
Thalia's tears streamed freely. It was true—their deaths had been intentional.
"Mom… Dad…" she sobbed.
A police officer retrieved the brown envelope and handed it to Bianca.
"What will you do with that, Bianca?" the officer asked.
"The law will collect proof against him," she answered.
"Your husband already knows your moves," he warned.
"I know."
Bianca fled into a dense forest, clutching the envelope. With only a flashlight, she dug into the earth. "They can use this—my children, Chesca, Mikaela, and Ellese," she whispered, burying the evidence before leaving quickly.
Later, Thalia saw a young girl—her own age—emerging from the shadows of a mansion. It was little Chesca, who had just witnessed her mother's death. Bernard aimed a gun at her, but Bianca's desperate plea spared her life—only for Bernard to shower Bianca's body with bullets moments later.
The vision shifted. Thalia heard her sister Jenny arguing, then saw a man slap Chesca before walking away.
Memories from their journey flooded back.
"Are you okay?" Ericka asked, wincing from the strain of their shared vision.
Thalia's heart ached for Chesca and her siblings. Their lives had been a chain of suffering.
"I will save you," Mikaela had promised before, her eyes on the lifeless body.
"Don't worry," Thalia told Ellese's twin softly. "They're not dead yet."