For three months, every night I noticed a strange smell, not a normal body odor, but a damp, musty, and pungent smell that clung to the sheets and especially to the side of Miguel’s bed.

For three months, every night I went to bed next to my husband, there was a strange, unpleasant smell that wouldn’t go away. No matter how much I cleaned, he became irritated every time he touched the bed.
When he went away on a business trip, I finally opened the mattress… and what I found inside took my breath away.

It started subtly. A few nights ago, I noticed a strange smell every time I sat next to Michael. It was pungent, almost unbearable, the kind that lingers in the air and makes it impossible to sleep. I changed the sheets repeatedly, washed everything in hot water, sprayed perfume and essential oils, but nothing worked. In fact, the smell got stronger every night.

A silent fear began to settle in my chest.

When Michael went away on a business trip for three days, I decided I could no longer ignore him.

Something wasn’t right.

I dragged the mattress to the center of the room, my hands trembling as I held a box cutter. I took a deep breath and cut the fabric.

The moment it opened, a wave of stench overwhelmed me, making me nauseous.

I cut deeper.

Then I froze.

Inside there was no spoiled food or a dead animal.

It was a hermetically sealed plastic bag, which was already damp and moldy.

Trembling, I opened it.

Bundles of banknotes were scattered about: thick stacks held together with rubber bands, some stained and damp. Underneath were envelopes, receipts, contracts, and a small notebook filled with dates, amounts, and company names: records of hidden transactions.

My heart was beating strongly.

What was my husband involved in?
Then I noticed something strange: a small cross marked at the bottom of each page.

I opened another envelope.

Photographs.

Thin children, wearing worn clothes.

Continue on next page