Proditio

By Atlas Maxwell Sage

In a realm where every secret casts a shadow and allegiances are as fleeting as whispers, one individual's simple choice binds them to a treacherous fate. This gripping thriller unravels a world of ambition, deceit, and the gray areas that lie between justice and vengeance. As truths become tales and trust is a currency few can afford, unexpected bonds are forged, but betrayals lurk in every corner. The deeper one ventures, the more intricate the deception, revealing that sometimes the greatest enemy is the one within. Immerse yourself in this heart-stopping narrative that poses a chilling question: When the pursuit of truth becomes an obsession, what hidden dangers await?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Atlas Maxwell Sage
• Release date: Oct 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223877592

Book preview

Chapter 1: Ab initio

The jarring cacophony of his neighbor's alarm clock, which peaked through the flimsy, unforgiving walls of his modest apartment building, startled Javier awake. For a brief instant, he found himself ensnared in a mirage of disorientation, thinking the alarm was his own.

As if an orchestra of the city’s grit, the sound echoed through the hollows of the building, creating a ripple effect that scored Javier’s morning routine. He tumbled out of bed, fingers massaging his weary eyes, the remnants of sleep stubbornly clinging to his consciousness.

The dawn of a new day proclaimed its presence, the sun boldly dispelling the remnants of the retiring night. The humble surroundings, worn by time, seemed to stir in unison with him. This wasn't a life of extravagant opulence, but it was his own, and he found comfort and gratitude in that simple truth.

His wife, Mariana, still lay submerged in the realm of dreams, an image of tranquility despite her fatigue. Pregnancy had drawn an enchanting transformation on her—her Mexican roots reflecting in her lustrous beauty. Her enlarged breasts, a testament to the new life blossoming within her, were as captivating as the slumber she dwelled within. Her rear, curvaceous and enticing, was a seductive sight, the promise of her tight, delightful femininity lingering in his thoughts.

Rather than yielding to the desire to join her in their bed, he resisted the allure. With a sigh, he turned on the shower, hoping the cold water would quench his fiery desire.

Retreating to the simplicity of their quaint kitchen, Javier navigated the familiar space with practiced quietude, careful not to stir Mariana from her slumber. A task, as habitual as the sunrise, he began to prepare breakfast, the potent blend of coffee wafting through the air, subtly entwined with the tantalizing aroma of chorizo con huevos. This Mexican staple, a tangible connection to his roots, was his homage to his homeland—a harmonious blend of fiery sausage and tender scrambled eggs.

As the sizzling notes of his favorite dish danced in the pan, memories of his childhood in Mexico became vivid and poignant. At the tender age of five, he recalled a day fraught with fear and uncertainty—the day his family decided to abandon the familiarity of Mexico for the unknown promise of the United States.

The last memory that clung to Javier's heart was his desperate attempt to remain, running into the comforting embrace of his Abuelita. He could still feel her knowing that leaving for the states was for the best, but her face contorted with pain from the fear in his eyes and the sound of his cries. He could still hear her pleas, begging his father to let him stay. She vowed to look after him, a promise filled with genuine love and concern—a promise that seemed to fall on deaf ears. No matter how much his Abuelita pleaded, Javier’s father had been unyielding, prying him away from his grandmother's embrace with a sternness that left no room for argument. An overwhelming shade of frustration shadowed his father's countenance as he firmly nestled Javier onto the hot vinyl of the backseat of their 1975 AMC Matador.

The drive from Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, to McAllen, Texas, wasn't long in distance, but it was dangerous and fraught with uncertainty—especially for those unaware of its dreadful whispers. This early chapter of his life shaped his character profoundly, carving humility into his essence. Born into a modest family in a tight-knit community, Javier had friends he held dear. Most of their time was spent collecting empty Mexican soda bottles for a few pennies, but in those moments, he and his neighborhood friends found genuine happiness. The thought of leaving them behind was unbearable. While it was the adults who yearned for more, craving the allure of a different life, Javier was content with the simplicity and joy of his life in Mexico. The unforgiving shackles of poverty had imprisoned Javier's parents' hopes for a prosperous future for their child. Such harsh circumstances coerced Javier's father, Francisco, into forfeiting his medical studies at The Autonomous University of Nuevo León. The vibrant corridors of academia were exchanged for the harsh reality of menial labor, with each odd job further eroding his dream to heal and help.

When the family arrived in the United States, it took some time for them to get used to speaking even English. Francisco would often struggle to communicate with his coworkers and customers, and his wife, Maria, would have to translate for him. They spoke Spanish at home, so they had to learn English in a new environment. They took English classes at a local community college, and they also watched English-language TV shows and movies. Francisco and Maria made a point of speaking English to each other at home, even when they were alone. They were all patient with each other and didn't get discouraged when they made mistakes.

The kids, however, grew up learning English better than their parents due to this.

A significant chapter unfolded when they relocated to San Diego, California. Francisco found work in a cleaning service, the humdrum of daily toil echoing with the unfulfilled promise of his education. However, this chapter also took its time before things loosened up—only a tad bit.

It took years of labor before life granted him a modicum of redemption when he secured employment at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, albeit far from his actual ambitions.

In contrast to Francisco's tumultuous career journey, Javier's mother embodied the warm heart of their household, a steadfast homemaker devoted to her family. Her love for Javier was profound, a bond that transcended mere maternal duty. Wherever she went, he was by her side— her constant shadow. Their shared time blossomed into precious memories, with her teaching him the evocative strains of traditional Mexican rancheras songs and the subtle artistry of guitar playing.

Life, at least on the surface, seemed to take on a semblance of normalcy, a comforting rhythm that promised a better future. However, this veneer of contentment was short-lived. Javier's parents embarked on a bitter and public separation, their divorce unfolding like a painful drama, a narrative that threatened to eclipse his childhood—for his entire life.

Javier's parents were young and in love when they got married, but their relationship quickly began to deteriorate under the strain of poverty. They were both struggling to find jobs that paid enough to support their growing family, and they often argued about money. The lack of communication between them only made things worse. They were unable to talk about their problems in a healthy way, and they eventually grew apart.

The problems in keeping the family afloat also took a toll on their relationship. They were constantly worried about making ends meet, and this stress led to more arguments and tension. They eventually reached a point where they could no longer live together, and they decided to get a divorce.

This period of tumultuous upheaval dominated the years of his young life until he carved his own identity, stepping out from the shadow of familial discord into the light of self-discovery.

Javier often found himself retracing the steps of his family's migration, attempting to make sense of the seismic shift that had shaken their world. His father, Francisco settled into the American lifestyle, and the bright lights of opportunity began to cast long, dark shadows on the memories of his past. The days when he would talk about his home country, its vibrant culture, and his dreams began to dwindle. Instead, a different kind of spark emerged in Francisco’s eyes—a spark that Javier couldn’t quite comprehend.

One evening, a hint to this mystery was provided when Francisco returned home from work. He spoke animatedly about Caroline, a colleague from the Methodist Hospital. To Javier, she seemed like the epitome of America: confident, free-spirited, and untethered by the weight of ancestral memories. As weeks turned into months, Francisco’s absences became more frequent, often explained away as ‘extra shifts’ or ‘mandatory training.’

It was during one of those prolonged absences that Javier, driven by a mix of curiosity and suspicion, stumbled upon a hidden photograph in his father's belongings. The picture painted a thousand words—Francisco, Caroline, and two children, their features blending Francisco's deep-rooted lineage with Caroline's American essence.

To Javier, the image was a gut-wrenching epiphany. His father wasn't just seeking the financial comfort of the American Dream. Instead, Francisco was yearning for a fresh narrative, a chance to rewrite his story, one where he was not bound by the chains of his past or the memories of sacrifices made. The rift between his parents, it seemed, wasn’t merely the product of unfulfilled ambitions; it was a divergence of dreams, of yearnings that had grown in different directions, leading them down separate paths.

In the aftermath of the revelations about Francisco's new life, Javier's relationship with his father grew even more complicated. The weight of feeling responsible for the schism between his parents was a burden Javier struggled with every day.

While the external world saw Francisco as a man rebuilding his life, behind the closed doors of their home, another narrative unfolded,