Chapter 2: Christmas Masks Fall
Chapter 2: Christmas Masks Fall
Jimena raised another glass of champagne as her guests applauded.
"My hardworking husband practically lives in Monterrey," she joked. "Someone has to enjoy the mansion."
Laughter erupted.
Then the music stopped.
Alejandro stood at the entrance.
Rainwater dripped from his coat onto the marble floor.
Every guest turned toward him.
Jimena's smile disappeared.
"Alejandro! You weren't supposed to arrive until tomorrow."
"So you knew."
She forced a laugh.
"I wanted to surprise you."
"You already did."
His voice was calm.
Far too calm.
He walked toward the television mounted above the fireplace.
Without saying a word, he inserted a flash drive.
Security footage filled the screen.
The guests watched silently as Jimena ordered servants to remove food from the children's table.
Another clip showed her locking the pantry.
Another showed her screaming at Rosa for giving Sofía a banana.
"If they complain," Jimena said in the recording, "they can sleep hungry."
The room became painfully quiet.
Then came bank statements.
Luxury boutiques.
Diamond purchases.
Five-star resorts.
Nearly every dollar Alejandro had sent for his daughters had been spent on Jimena's lifestyle.
One guest whispered,
"My God..."
Jimena lunged toward the television.
"Turn it off!"
Alejandro caught her wrist.
"No."
She pulled away.
"You're humiliating me!"
"No."
His eyes never left hers.
"You humiliated yourself."
Just then, two attorneys entered the mansion.
Behind them came financial investigators.
And finally, uniformed police officers.
Jimena's face lost all color.
"What is this?"
Alejandro handed one investigator the folder Rosa had protected for months.
"Evidence."
The lead officer stepped forward.
"Mrs. Jimena Santillán, we have a warrant to investigate allegations of financial fraud, child neglect, and abuse."
Guests rushed for the exits.
Nobody wanted to be associated with the scandal.
Jimena screamed.
"This is my house!"
Alejandro answered quietly.
May you like
"No."
"It was my daughters' home."
