Chapter 2: The Man They Never Expected
Chapter 2: The Man They Never Expected
The silence that followed felt heavier than the crystal chandelier hanging above the foyer.
No one moved.
Not Santiago.
Not Beatriz.
Not even the house staff standing near the hallway.
My father stepped inside as if he owned the mansion.
In a way, he almost did.
His eyes found me immediately.
The bruise darkening my cheek.
My trembling hands wrapped around my stomach.
The tears I was trying so hard not to shed.
For one endless second, the powerful businessman the world feared disappeared.
All I saw was my father.
"Mi hija..."
His voice cracked.
I hadn't heard that tone since my mother died.
I tried to smile.
"I'm okay."
The lie lasted less than a second.
My knees gave out.
Before I could hit the floor, one of the security guards caught me while my father rushed forward.
"Call Dr. Alvarez," he ordered one of his assistants.
"Now."
Santiago finally found his voice.
"What the hell is this?"
Ricardo Salazar slowly turned toward him.
"You must be Santiago Rivas."
His tone was calm.
Almost polite.
"I am."
Santiago straightened his shoulders, trying to reclaim the confidence that had vanished only moments earlier.
"This is a private residence."
Ricardo gave a faint smile.
"It won't be for much longer."
Confusion flashed across Santiago's face.
"What does that mean?"
One of my father's attorneys stepped forward carrying a thick leather portfolio.
"It means your company has officially defaulted on its loan agreements."
He placed several documents on the marble table.
"Three hours ago, Grupo Salazar acquired the remaining debt held by your creditors."
Santiago stared at the papers.
"No..."
"The loans have been called due."
Beatriz hurried downstairs.
"That's impossible!"
The attorney continued.
"You have seventy-two hours to repay three hundred eighty-four million dollars."
Santiago's face turned white.
"You planned this."
Ricardo looked him directly in the eye.
"No."
He paused.
"You did."
Another attorney removed a tablet from his briefcase.
"We also have evidence of domestic violence, conspiracy to commit fraud, falsification of psychiatric records, attempted custodial kidnapping, and financial misconduct."
Beatriz's confident smile disappeared.
"What evidence?"
I slowly reached into my pocket and removed my phone.
"I've been recording everything."
I pressed play.
The foyer filled with Santiago's voice.
"If you don't sign tomorrow, that baby is going to be born without a mother."
Then Beatriz's voice.
"Don't leave any visible marks."
Neither of them spoke.
The silence condemned them more effectively than any accusation ever could.
Ricardo turned toward me.
"You don't have to stay here another second."
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For the first time in nearly two years...
I believed him.
