Simona’s Revelation: The Poison That Unravels a Legacy

In the sun-drenched courtyard of La Promessa, as roses bloom and secrets fester beneath the surface, Simona stumbles upon a truth so lethal, it could tear the household apart. What begins as a simple search for answers quickly spirals into a discovery that changes everything: Rafaela didn’t die of natural causes—she was murdered. And the murder weapon? A rare, nearly undetectable poison.

An Unsettling Clue in the Garden

It starts with a scent.

Simona, the loyal housekeeper known for her calm presence, is tending to the herb garden—one of Rafaela’s favorite places. But something feels wrong. The rosemary bush, usually thick with fragrance, smells… sharp. Metallic. Almost artificial. Intrigued, she examines the roots and finds a small vial, half-buried in the soil. It has no label, just a faint residue clinging to the glass like a ghost.

That night, she brings it to her room, locking the door behind her. The more she thinks, the more memories come rushing back: Rafaela’s sudden illness, the convulsions, the way her skin turned pale as wax, and how quickly the doctor dismissed it all as “heart failure.” But Rafaela had no heart condition. She was healthy, proud, full of life—and full of enemies.

Simona’s hands shake. She knows this isn’t just a garden mystery. This is murder.

The Chain of Suspicion

Simona begins to investigate quietly, weaving through the household like a shadow. And the more she listens, the more she realizes how many people had a motive.

• Leocadia, who loathed Rafaela’s growing influence over the estate’s finances.

• Petra, who feared Rafaela would expose her secret affair with one of the stable boys.

• Don Alonso, who always treated Rafaela with contempt—until recently, when he suddenly became polite. Too polite.

Every look, every whispered conversation now takes on a sinister meaning.

But one person rises to the top of her list: Cruz.

Cruz, who had always smiled too sweetly at Rafaela, only to turn cold when no one was watching. Cruz, who argued with her behind closed doors. Cruz, who now walks through the corridors of La Promessa like a queen, unchallenged.

And then Simona remembers something chilling: the teacup.

The day before Rafaela fell ill, Simona had seen Cruz insist on bringing her tea personally. A gesture that seemed generous at the time—until now.

Science and Secrets

Terrified but determined, Simona seeks out Don Gregorio, the only person she trusts with the vial. Gregorio once studied pharmacology before becoming a priest. He examines the residue under a magnifying glass, sniffing it carefully. His face goes pale.

“It’s called belladonna extract, but this version has been refined. Industrial. Someone knew exactly what they were doing.”

Simona feels the floor tilt beneath her. Belladonna—also known as “deadly nightshade.” A single drop could cause hallucinations, paralysis, and death.

Gregorio insists she go to the authorities, but Simona hesitates. This isn’t just about justice—it’s about survival. If she accuses the wrong person, she could be the next to fall ill… or vanish altogether.

Rafaela’s Diary: The Final Blow

Just as Simona is about to retreat in silence, a twist of fate gives her one last piece of the puzzle.

Rafaela’s diary is discovered in the attic—tucked behind a loose board in her bedroom wall. Pages filled with ink stains and raw emotion. And on the final entries, the handwriting changes. It becomes rushed. Desperate.

“If anything happens to me, it will be because of her.
She warned me once—‘Stay away from my past, or you’ll have no future.’
I didn’t listen. I found the letters. I know what she did in Madrid.
And now… I feel strange. My stomach burns.
I pray this is just fear. But if it’s not… tell Simona. She will know.”

The name isn’t written. But “her” is clear.

Cruz.

The Power Shift

With Rafaela gone, Cruz has indeed gained everything. The freedom to manage the household without interference. The ability to rewrite the estate’s future. And above all, the silence she so desperately wanted.

Until now.

Simona isn’t sure if she will survive what she’s about to do. But she knows Rafaela deserves justice. Not just for her death—but for the legacy she was building. One of independence, of strength, of refusing to be controlled.

Simona walks down the grand staircase the next morning, holding the vial in one hand and the diary in the other. The staff watches. A few avert their eyes. Others nod.

She places both objects on the dining table, right in front of Cruz.

“This belonged to Rafaela. And this,” she lifts the vial, “is what killed her.”

To Be Continued…

La Promesa has never been a simple tale of romance or lineage—it’s a labyrinth of loyalties, betrayal, and buried truths. And now, with Simona’s discovery, the gates of that labyrinth have been blown wide open.

Who else was involved? Will Cruz strike back?
And how deep does the poison go—not just in the cup, but in the family tree of La Promessa itself?

One thing is certain:
Justice has been awoken. And it is furious.