Chapter 16 - THE LAST LIE
I thought I had heard every possible betrayal.
I had not.
Mateo rushed to explain.
“Diego hated that part. He said no.”
I looked at the screen. “Did he?”
Diego covered his face.
That answer was worse than words.
“Did you agree to it?” I asked.
“No.”
“Did you know your mother suggested it?”
“Yes.”
“And you married me anyway.”
“Yes.”
I felt something inside me finally detach.
Not break.
Detach.
He whispered, “Elena, I was ashamed. I thought once we were married, I could keep Mom away from our finances.”
“You gave her my documents.”
“I know.”
“You let Victor copy my signature.”
“I know.”
“You hit me because I would not serve rice to your brother.”
Diego started crying harder.
“I know.”
For months, I had imagined marriage as teamwork.
Diego imagined it as an escape hatch from consequences.
That was the last lie I needed to understand.
The next day, I filed to end the marriage.
Not as revenge.
As paperwork catching up with reality.
Rosa reacted by showing up at my mother’s house.
She stood outside the gate shouting that I had destroyed her sons.
My mother called me before opening the door.
“Stay inside,” I said.
But Rosa climbed over the low side wall.
A neighbor recorded her crossing the yard.
My mother backed toward the porch.
Rosa pointed a finger at her.
“Tell your daughter to stop this!”
My mother said, “You should have taught your son not to hit women.”
Rosa raised her hand.
Before she could move closer, a police cruiser turned onto the street.
Rosa froze.
She had not noticed the patrol car already coming in response to the neighbor’s call.
As an officer approached, Rosa began crying.
“She invited me!”
My mother looked at the officer.
“No, I did not.”
Then Rosa’s phone fell from her hand.
Its screen was unlocked.
May you like
A text message from Victor was visible at the top.
I HAVE THE ORIGINALS. MEET ME TONIGHT OR I SEND THEM TO ELENA.
