CHAPTER 4 — THE PRICE OF A MARRIAGE
Lucía locked the doors.
Daniel lowered the tablet and reached for his phone.
Alonso emerged from the darkness with two private security men behind him.
He stopped beside the car.
“Renata,” he said, tapping the glass. “You have no idea who those people are.”
Lucía opened her window only a few inches.
“I am her attorney. Step away from the vehicle.”
“This is a family matter.”
“It became a criminal matter when your wife’s identity was used to move forty-eight million pesos.”
Alonso’s expression sharpened.
“You think she’s innocent?”
Renata leaned forward.
“Say what you came to say.”
He looked directly at her.
“The documents in your envelope were placed where you would find them.”
Daniel frowned.
“What are you claiming?”
“That someone wants her to believe my mother controls everything.”
Lucía gave a humorless laugh.
“Your mother authorized a false repair invoice connected to Elena Cruz’s death.”
“My mother authorized thousands of invoices.”
“And you married the beneficiary of Elena’s hidden trust.”
Alonso looked away for half a second.
It was enough.
Renata opened the door before Lucía could stop her.
She stepped into the garage.
“Did you know about the trust when you met me?”
Alonso did not answer.
“Did you know who my mother was?”
“We should discuss this privately.”
“Did you know?”
His security men shifted uncomfortably.
Alonso lowered his voice.
“My family asked me to find you.”
Renata felt something cold settle beneath her ribs.
“Find me?”
“They wanted to confirm whether Elena had left you any documents.”
“So you approached me.”
“At first.”
“You took me to coffee.”
“Yes.”
“You began waiting outside my office.”
“Yes.”
“You brought soup when I was sick.”
His face tightened.
“That part was real.”
“You proposed six months later.”
“I fell in love with you.”
“You married me because your mother told you to.”
“No. I married you because—”
“Because once I became your wife, anything I inherited could be pulled into your family’s control.”
“That was my mother’s plan. Not mine.”
Renata stared at him.
“Then why did you ask me to sign a new marital agreement?”
Alonso stepped closer.
“Because if my mother believed she controlled the trust, she would leave you alone.”
“Do you expect me to believe you were protecting me?”
“I was trying to protect both of us.”
“By forging my signature?”
“I did not forge it.”
“By opening accounts in my name?”
“I was told the accounts were temporary.”
“By laughing when your mother kicked my chair?”
His face faltered.
For the first time, he had no prepared explanation.
Renata’s voice became quieter.
“That laughter was the only honest thing you’ve given me in six years.”
She turned back toward the car.
Alonso grabbed her arm.
Lucía opened her door immediately.
The security camera above them flashed red.
Alonso released Renata.
“You cannot take the company,” he said. “Even with the shares, you don’t have voting control.”
“I don’t need control tonight.”
“What do you need?”
“The truth.”
“You think Lucía Herrera is giving you that?”
Renata stopped.
Alonso pointed toward the attorney.
“Ask her who paid for her first investigation into Grupo Ibarra.”
Lucía’s face did not change.
But Daniel looked at her.
Alonso smiled without warmth.
“Ask her why she already had your mother’s police report before you ever contacted her.”
Renata turned slowly.
Lucía met her eyes.
There was no fear in the attorney’s expression.
Only reluctance.
“Get in the car,” Lucía said. “I will explain.”
Alonso gave a quiet laugh.
“She won’t explain the most important part.”
Renata looked between them.
“What part?”
May you like
Alonso’s answer followed her into the silence.
“Lucía Herrera worked for my mother.”
