Chapter 4 – Judgment Day
Chapter 4 – Judgment Day
The courtroom overflowed.
Journalists packed every seat.
The country watched the trial live.
For years, Santiago had been known as Mexico's golden billionaire.
Now he stood at the defendant's table.
His expensive suits couldn't hide the fear in his eyes.
Beatriz testified first.
She denied everything.
Until prosecutors played the recording.
"Don't leave bruises anyone can photograph."
Her own voice echoed through the courtroom.
Every excuse collapsed.
Then came my testimony.
I walked slowly toward the witness stand, my newborn son sleeping peacefully in Ricardo's arms.
The courtroom became completely silent.
I didn't cry.
I didn't scream.
I simply told the truth.
Every slap.
Every threat.
Every night I believed I wouldn't survive.
When I finished, even members of the jury looked shaken.
The verdict came two days later.
Guilty.
On every count.
Santiago was sentenced to decades in federal prison.
Beatriz received years for conspiracy and fraud.
The Rivas fortune was dismantled through asset seizures and civil judgments.
Outside the courthouse, reporters rushed toward me.
“Mrs. Rivas!”
I stopped.
May you like
“My name,” I said calmly, “is Valeria Salazar.”
“And it always was.”
