Chapter 1: The Christmas Truth
Chapter 1: The Christmas Truth
Alejandro slowly stood, his hands trembling as he looked at his daughters' pale faces. The laughter from the party downstairs echoed through the mansion, making the silence around the little girls feel even colder.
"Nobody is ever going hungry in this house again," he said softly.
He wrapped each of them in his arms before removing his expensive coat and placing it over all four tiny shoulders.
"Stay here. Daddy will be right back."
Valeria grabbed his sleeve.
"Please don't make Mom Jimena angry."
Those words hurt more than any business failure he had ever faced.
Alejandro walked back toward the grand ballroom, his expression calm, but every step carried years of restrained anger.
The music stopped the moment he unplugged the sound system.
Guests turned to stare.
Jimena frowned as she climbed down from the dining table.
"Alejandro! You're home early!"
She rushed toward him, pretending to kiss his cheek, but he stepped aside.
"Where is the Christmas dinner for my daughters?"
She laughed dismissively.
"Oh, that? They refused to eat the healthy food I prepared."
"They were eating moldy bread."
Jimena rolled her eyes.
"They're dramatic. Besides, little girls should learn discipline."
One guest awkwardly looked away.
Another quietly lowered his champagne glass.
Alejandro's voice became dangerously calm.
"I transferred nearly fifty thousand dollars every month for this household."
Jimena smiled.
"And I managed it beautifully."
Before she finished speaking, Alejandro picked up the television remote.
Every television in the mansion switched to the home's security system.
Dozens of recorded clips appeared.
The staff watched in horror.
Jimena throwing away fresh meals.
Jimena locking the pantry.
Jimena ordering the nannies not to feed the girls without permission.
Jimena shouting at the frightened children.
"If you're hungry, drink water."
Several guests gasped.
Others quietly picked up their coats.
The housekeeper began crying.
Jimena's smile disappeared.
"You've been spying on me?"
"I've been protecting my daughters."
"No..."
"I installed backup cameras before I left for Monterrey."
Her face turned white.
"And that's only the beginning."
Alejandro called his attorney.
"Freeze every account under Jimena's name."
Within seconds her phone vibrated.
Account frozen.
Credit cards suspended.
Luxury vehicle ownership revoked.
Jimena stared at the notifications in disbelief.
"You can't do this!"
"I already did."
Then he looked at the guests.
"The party is over."
No one argued.
May you like
Within minutes the mansion was nearly empty.
For the first time in months, silence returned to the house.
