Chapter 2 – The Honeymoon Ends in Handcuffs
Chapter 2 – The Honeymoon Ends in Handcuffs
Alexander never raised his voice.
He simply stood up from Sofia's bedside and buttoned his wrinkled suit jacket.
"Stay with your mother," he said quietly.
"I'll be back."
Elena knew that tone.
It was the same voice he'd used years earlier when a business partner tried to ruin his company.
By sunrise, that company no longer existed.
This time...
Someone had hurt his daughter.
At eight o'clock that morning, the honeymoon brunch at the Grand Riviera Hotel continued as though nothing had happened.
Carmen laughed with relatives while Javier smiled for photographs.
Guests congratulated the newlyweds, unaware the bride had vanished during the night.
Then every conversation stopped.
Six black SUVs rolled into the hotel's entrance.
Police officers stepped out first.
Behind them came Alexander.
Elena walked beside him, supporting Sofia, whose bruised face was partially hidden beneath oversized sunglasses.
The ballroom fell silent.
Carmen's smile disappeared.
"There she is," Carmen said loudly. "Our unstable bride finally came back."
Alexander didn't answer.
Instead, he nodded toward the police captain.
"We're here to report aggravated assault, unlawful confinement, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy."
The room erupted.
Carmen laughed.
"She has no proof."
Sofia slowly removed her sunglasses.
Gasps echoed through the ballroom.
The bruises covering her face silenced half the guests.
But Carmen still smiled.
"She probably fell."
Alexander looked directly at Javier.
"Tell them exactly where you were while your wife was being beaten."
Javier couldn't.
His silence said everything.
Then the hotel manager hurried into the room.
"Sir..."
He looked nervous.
"The security department recovered the hallway footage."
Every face turned toward the large television mounted behind the reception stage.
The recording began.
Javier was clearly visible opening the honeymoon suite.
Moments later...
Carmen and four women entered.
Javier remained outside the door.
He checked his watch.
Looked around the hallway.
And walked away.
Forty-three minutes later...
The women left laughing.
Sofia staggered out several minutes afterward, barefoot, bleeding, and barely able to stand.
Nobody spoke.
The police captain looked at Carmen.
"You are under arrest."
She lunged toward Sofia.
"This is your fault!"
Before she reached her...
Alexander stepped between them.
His eyes never left Carmen's.
"If you touch my daughter again..."
He paused.
"...you'll never see another day outside a prison cell."
The handcuffs clicked shut.
May you like
For the first time in her life...
Carmen looked afraid.
