Chapter 2: The Collapse of an Empire
Within hours, the illusion shattered.
Phones rang nonstop.
Accounts froze.
Partners withdrew.
By midnight, Santiago’s empire—so carefully curated for the public—was crumbling faster than he could comprehend.
“You did this,” he hissed at me as security stood between us.
“No,” I said quietly. “You did.”
He lunged forward, but one of the guards restrained him effortlessly.
Beatriz screamed, demanding lawyers, threatening lawsuits, calling powerful friends.
No one answered.
Because every “powerful friend” she relied on… worked with my father.
Upstairs, I packed a single bag.
Not because I had to.
But because I wanted to leave that house with nothing that belonged to him.
When I reached the door, my father was waiting.
His expression softened when he saw me.
“You should have told me sooner,” he said.
Tears finally fell—but this time, they weren’t from fear.
“I know,” I whispered.
He placed a gentle hand over mine… over my belly.
“You’re safe now.”
May you like
For the first time in months…
I believed it.
