"Amelia, are you going to keep telling me? You fell silent. Why? Do you not trust me?" he asked with a hint of impatience in his tone.

She sighed, a look of anguish on her face.

"The truth is, I don't know if it's such a good idea to tell you... because what happened to me was your cousin’s responsibility, and I don't know how you might take it."

Amelia looked at Sergio, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and determination. She took a deep breath, gathering the courage to begin her account.