Chapter 2: The Truth Behind the Marriage
By morning, the story had spread far beyond Cherry Hills.
Not because I spoke to reporters.
Because someone inside the house had quietly uploaded a thirty-second cellphone video.
It captured only one moment.
Diego standing.
The plate leaving his hand.
The impact.
Nothing else was necessary.
His construction company suspended him pending investigation.
Clients began canceling contracts.
The family blamed me.
Victoria called fourteen times.
I answered once.
"You ruined my son's life."
I listened quietly before replying.
"No."
"He ruined it the moment he decided violence was easier than hearing the word 'no.'"
Then I hung up.
That afternoon, I met with my attorney, Evelyn Brooks.
She placed several folders across the conference table.
"I reviewed everything."
"The condominium."
"The marriage."
"The financial records."
She looked at me carefully.
"Valerie..."
"Did Diego ever contribute toward your apartment?"
"Not one dollar."
"Utilities?"
"No."
"Mortgage?"
"I've paid every payment."
She nodded.
"Then your ownership is beyond dispute."
She slid another folder toward me.
"There's something else."
Inside were copies of emails recovered during financial discovery.
Victoria had been planning the move for months.
One message caught my attention.
Once the condo is in Diego's name, we'll convince Valerie to refinance.
Another read:
If she refuses, pressure her until she gives in.
My hands tightened around the papers.
This dinner had never been spontaneous.
It had been the final step of a carefully planned scheme.
Evelyn looked at me.
"We're filing for divorce."
"And?"
May you like
I met her eyes.
"We're also seeking every legal remedy available."
