PART 2

We sat on the floor beside my closed suitcase, like two unwilling accomplices. Gabriel spoke slowly, carefully, as if every word carried years of guilt.

He told me that three years earlier, Julián had convinced an ex-girlfriend to invest money in a fake import business. Teresa had coached him—what to say, how to make her feel special, how to sell her a dream of a shared future.

The woman discovered the truth before losing everything and chose to walk away quietly to avoid scandal.

“When I found out, I wanted to leave,” Gabriel said, rubbing his face. “But my mom convinced me Julián had changed. I wanted to believe her. Then a month ago, he started asking about your house—its value, your savings, whether it was in your name… I should’ve warned you.”

Pain and anger burned inside me.

—I told Julián everything because he was my husband.

Gabriel shook his head.

“No. They were building a plan to drain you.”

I inhaled deeply.

—What are they going to make me sign?

—A power of attorney, most likely. And documents to add Julián as co-owner of your house. My mom hides traps in “pretty” folders. She’ll rush you. Make you feel guilty for reading too much.

I didn’t cry anymore. Fear was slowly turning into something sharper.

—Then we need proof.

He nodded immediately.