Her lawyer pushed back on several phrases.

But gradually her account became more specific, with dates and actions rather than excuses.

One message she provided came from my mother on the morning after Mariana had first refused the waiver: Keep her isolated.

She will cave when she realizes Julian isn’t coming to save her.

I had to stop reading.

My mother’s words made plain what I had wanted to believe was merely thoughtlessness or a bitter family dispute.

Isolation had been part of the plan, not an accident.