Chapter 3
One million eight hundred thousand pesos.
I stared at the number.
Then I looked at Beatriz.
She sat perfectly straight, wearing a satisfied little smile.
As though the matter had already been decided.
I had spent years negotiating contracts worth millions.
I knew what pressure looked like.
And I knew when someone was hoping a large number would frighten me into making a mistake.
"Who supposedly owes that money?" I asked.
Arturo adjusted his glasses.
"The agreement identifies several parties."
"That's not what I asked."
He looked toward Ernesto.
Then back at me.
"The document records a financial arrangement between the Villaseñor family and the Cárdenas family."
"Then why are we discussing my house?"
Beatriz answered before he could.
"Because your house exists because of that arrangement."
I folded my arms.
"Explain."
Ernesto leaned forward.
"Years ago, Julián Villaseñor and I planned a commercial expansion."
"What kind?"
"Warehousing and industrial refrigeration."
I glanced at Mateo.
He looked stunned.
Ernesto continued.
"The arrangement involved land, equipment, and future contracts."
"And Renata?"
Beatriz's expression hardened.
"She was supposed to marry Mateo."
I stared at her.
"Marriage isn't a commercial contract."
She scoffed.
"Don't be naive."
I took a slow breath.
"Was Renata's marriage legally required under this agreement?"
Arturo spoke carefully.
"No. The personal relationship and commercial documents were separate."
"Good."
I looked at Beatriz.
"Then stop discussing her as though she were part of the equipment inventory."
Alejandra lowered her eyes.
Paulina made an irritated sound.
Ernesto tapped the table.
"The development failed after the engagement ended."
I frowned.
"Why?"
He hesitated.
"Disagreements."
"Financial disagreements?"
"Among other things."
I looked at Arturo.
"Does this document create any registered charge against my property?"
He paused.
"Not directly."
I felt a small measure of relief.
"Does it identify me as a debtor?"
"No."
"Does it contain my signature?"
"No."
"Mateo's?"
He reviewed the page.
"No."
I looked around the table.
"Then nobody here gets to decide what happens to our home."
Beatriz slammed her palm against the table.
"You have no respect!"
I met her eyes.
"I respect contracts. I respect the law. I don't respect threats."
Mateo finally spoke.
"Dad, why didn't you tell me about this?"
Ernesto looked away.
"You were young."
"I was twenty-seven."
"Young enough to make foolish decisions."
Mateo stared at him.
"Breaking up with Renata was a personal decision."
Beatriz laughed bitterly.
"You cost this family everything."
I looked at my husband.
His face had changed.
He wasn't merely surprised.
He looked wounded.
For years, he'd carried blame for a failed relationship without knowing its financial details.
Now his parents were using that same guilt to pressure him.
I asked Arturo for a copy of the agreement.
He hesitated.
"That would need authorization."
"Then I won't discuss it further."
I closed my folder.
Beatriz leaned forward.
"You're not leaving until we settle this."
I stood.
"Watch me."
Ernesto raised his voice.
"Sit down, Valeria!"
Mateo stood beside me.
"Don't speak to my wife like that."
The room went silent.
I felt my heart tighten.
Mateo's voice was steady.
"She has asked reasonable questions. You haven't answered them."
Paulina scoffed.
"Now you're taking her side?"
Mateo turned.
"This isn't about sides. It's about honesty."
Arturo slowly closed his briefcase.
"I suggest everyone obtain independent legal advice before making further decisions."
I looked at him.
"On that, we agree."
We left.
Outside, Mateo stood beside our car without moving.
His hands trembled.
"I had no idea."
I touched his arm.
"I know."
He looked at me.
"Do you?"
I studied him.
He seemed terrified that I might no longer believe him.
I wanted to reassure him.
But trust required more than comfort.
"Mateo, I believe you didn't know the details. But there are things about Renata you've never told me."
He lowered his eyes.
"You're right."
We drove home silently.
At noon, Gabriela called.
I explained everything.
She sounded concerned but not alarmed.
"An old agreement doesn't automatically create rights over your current property."
"I understand."
"However, we should review the purchase history and verify whether any relevant claims were registered."
I nodded.
"Can you do that?"
"Yes."
She paused.
"And Valeria, I'd like to know who sent the anonymous photograph."
"So would I."
That afternoon, I messaged the unknown number.
Who are you?
No response.
I waited.
Then sent another message.
If you want us to know the truth, tell us why.
Twenty minutes later, my phone vibrated.
YOU'RE ASKING THE WRONG PERSON.
I stared at the screen.
Another message arrived.
ASK PAULINA WHAT SHE TOOK FROM RENATA'S APARTMENT.
My stomach tightened.
I showed Mateo.
His face changed.
"Paulina?"
"Apparently."
He shook his head.
"She and Renata were close once."
"What happened?"
"They stopped speaking after the breakup."
"Why?"
He hesitated.
"Paulina said Renata accused her of stealing."
My pulse quickened.
"Stealing what?"
"I never knew."
I looked at the message.
The anonymous sender knew details nobody had mentioned in years.
Someone wanted the truth exposed.
But they weren't willing to identify themselves.
That evening, I asked Mateo to tell me exactly how his engagement ended.
We sat in the kitchen.
He stared at his hands.
"Renata found documents in my father's office."
"What documents?"
"I don't know. She said they proved something was wrong with the partnership."
"What did you do?"
"I asked Dad."
"And?"
"He said she misunderstood the numbers."
I waited.
Mateo swallowed.
"Renata wanted me to help her investigate. I refused."
My chest tightened.
"Why?"
"Because I believed my father."
I stared at him.
He looked ashamed.
"She said I was choosing my family over the truth."
"Was she right?"
He closed his eyes.
"Yes."
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then he continued.
"Two weeks later, our engagement ended."
I looked at him.
"Did she leave because she stopped loving you?"
He shook his head slowly.
"I think she left because she no longer trusted me."
That answer hurt.
Not because I was jealous.
Because it revealed a pattern.
Mateo had once ignored evidence to protect his family.
And now his family expected him to do it again.
I reached for his hand.
"Then don't repeat that mistake."
He looked at me.
"I won't."
At 9:14 p.m., my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?"
A woman's voice spoke.
"Valeria Morales?"
"Yes."
"My name is Renata Villaseñor."
I went completely still.
She took a shaky breath.
"I sent the photograph."
I looked at Mateo.
He froze.
Then Renata said something that made my blood run cold.
"Your mother-in-law didn't just steal money from my family."
I gripped the phone.
"What did she do?"
May you like
Renata's voice broke.
"She made sure I took the blame."
