6. Araceli Pov

Araceli descended the stairs and was immediately greeted by the maid. She was about to ask the maid what was going on when there was a loud knock at the door. She walked over to the entrance, wondering who could be visiting at this hour.

As she opened the door, she was shocked to see Franco standing on the doorstep. Shock rushed through her spine as her eyes twinkled. 

He had just disappeared the night before without saying anything to her, and now, here he was, standing in front of her with another detective by his side.

"Franco," she said, unable to hide the surprise in her voice. "What are you doing here?"

He didn't even spare her a glance, but simply held out a piece of paper. "We're here to question Francisco," he said gruffly. "Is he home?"

Araceli was taken aback by the coldness in his voice. She had loved Franco once, but he had shattered her heart when he left without a word. And now, here he was, acting as if she meant nothing to him.

Yes, Francisco is home," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "But why do you need to question him?"

"That's none of your concern," Franco said, pushing past her and into the house. "Just show us to where we can find him."

Araceli led the two detectives to the living room.

As Araceli entered the living room, she saw that Francisco was just coming down the stairs. He smiled at the detectives, and greeted them warmly.

"Hello, I'm Francisco," he said, extending his hand to Franco. "And you are?"

"I'm Detective Franco, and this is my colleague, Detective Miguel," Franco said, shaking Francisco's hand. "We're here to ask you a few questions."

Francisco didn't seem surprised by the detectives' visit. He simply nodded, and walked over to Araceli. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and she felt a pang of discomfort. She still cared for Franco, even after all these years.

"Is everything okay?" Francisco asked, looking between Araceli and Franco. "What's this about?"

"We're investigating a case, and we need to ask you some questions," Franco said, his demeanor cold and professional. "If you don't mind, we'd like to speak with you in private."

Araceli watched as Francisco nodded, and followed the detectives into the study. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. She tried to catch Franco's eye, to see if he was jealous of Francisco's embrace, but Franco's expression was unreadable. He didn't seem to care at all.

She sighed, and sat down on the couch to wait. She didn't know what the detectives wanted to talk to Francisco about, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't good. 

As the minutes ticked by, Araceli found herself becoming increasingly anxious. She paced around the living room, trying to calm herself down, but it was no use. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

The head maid, Marina, tried to reassure her, but Araceli was too distracted to listen. She couldn't sit still, and she couldn't stop thinking about what was happening in the study.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. She sneaked over to the study, and placed her ear against the door. She could hear the detectives' voices, but she couldn't make out what they were saying. She strained to listen, but it was no use.

She was about to give up, when she heard Franco's voice. He sounded angry, and she could hear the tension in his voice. She listened intently, trying to make out what he was saying.

"We have evidence that links you to the crime," Franco was saying. "You have the right to remain silent, but anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."

Araceli's heart sank. She had a feeling that this wasn't going to end well.  

Araceli's mind was racing with anxiety. She didn't know what was happening, and she felt completely helpless.

Just then, Rafael, walked up to her. He had a grave expression on his face, and he looked like he had something important to tell her.

"Araceli, I have some news," Rafael said, his voice low and serious. "I've been investigating, and I've found out what Franco is investigating Francisco for."

"What is it?" Araceli asked, her heart pounding with anxiety. "What's going on?"

"It's not good," Rafael said, shaking his head. "Franco is investigating Francisco for murder."

"Murder?" Araceli repeated, her eyes wide with shock. "Whose murder."

Rafael sighed, suddenly he grabbed her hand and leading her to the bedroom. "But Franco has evidence that links Francisco to the murder of his foster father."

Araceli felt tears welling up in her eyes as she listened to Rafael. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. 

"Why does Franco think that Francisco did it?" she asked, her voice shaking with emotion. "What kind of evidence does he have?"

"I don't know all the details," Rafael said, shaking his head. "But Franco is determined to prove that Francisco is guilty."