Chapter 1: The Notary's Office
The next morning, Mexico City's skyline shimmered beneath a cloudless sky.
Renata arrived at the notary's office dressed in an ivory designer suit, smiling for everyone she passed.
She believed she had already won.
My mother sat quietly beside me, her hands folded in her lap.
The faint bruise near her temple remained hidden beneath her gray hair.
Across the polished conference table sat the notary, two corporate attorneys, and several witnesses.
Renata slid a thick folder toward me.
"Sign here."
She smiled sweetly.
"Then we can finally move on with our lives."
I slowly opened the folder.
Power of attorney.
Transfer of company shares.
Control of our family trust.
Exactly what I expected.
I picked up the pen.
Renata relaxed.
She thought hesitation meant surrender.
Instead, I closed the folder.
"No."
The room fell silent.
Her smile vanished.
"What did you say?"
"I said no."
She leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"Think about your mother."
"I have."
I reached into my briefcase and placed a small flash drive on the table.
"So should you."
The conference room television flickered to life.
The recording from the hidden surveillance camera began playing.
There was Renata.
Holding my mother's hair.
Threatening to institutionalize her.
Demanding control of everything I owned.
Every word echoed through the room.
The notary quietly removed his glasses.
May you like
One attorney slowly stood.
"This meeting is over."
