Chapter 5: The Wife Who Had Already Planned Her Escape
At 7:15 a.m., Mateo Villarreal walked into his office and discovered that his key card no longer worked.
He tried it three times.
The red light flashed every time.
A security officer approached.
"Good morning, Mr. Villarreal.""
"Open the door.""
"I'm sorry, sir. Your access has been temporarily suspended.""
I stared at him.
"Who gave you that instruction?""
"The board.""
I took out my phone.
"Call the chairman.""
"He's expecting you in the conference room.""
I walked past him.
The conference room was on the eighteenth floor.
It had floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Monterrey, a long black table, and a framed photograph of my father standing in front of the company's first completed development.
I had always liked that room.
It reminded me of everything I believed I had built.
When I entered, six board members were seated around the table.
Diego sat near the far end.
The chairman, Mr. Esteban Robles, had a thick folder in front of him.
He didn't offer me a chair.
"Mateo, thank you for coming.""
I remained standing.
"Let's get this over with.""
Robles opened the folder.
"Yesterday evening, we received evidence concerning the San Jerónimo financial transactions.""
"I know.""
"Do you dispute the authenticity of these documents?""
"Yes.""
"All of them?""
"Some of them have been altered.""
Robles removed a sheet of paper.
"Then perhaps you can explain this.""
He pushed it across the table.
It was a bank transfer authorization.
My signature appeared at the bottom.
I recognized it immediately.
The date was three years old.
I had signed that document in my father's office.
Robles continued.
"We also have an email from your personal account instructing Diego to replace the original authorization files.""
I looked at Diego.
He stared at the table.
"Is that true?"" I asked.
Diego shifted in his chair.
"Mateo...""
"Answer me.""
He swallowed.
"Yes.""
The room became very quiet.
I looked around the table.
"So that's how it is?""
Robles folded his hands.
"This is not personal.""
I laughed.
"You're suspending me based on documents supplied by a man who was accused of stealing from us.""
"That accusation has now been disproven.""
"By whom?""
"Independent forensic accountants.""
He slid another report toward me.
"An external audit was completed overnight. The original transfer records match the documents submitted by Mr. Serrano.""
I looked at the pages.
There were transaction numbers, bank references, timestamps, and electronic signatures.
My stomach tightened.
"Who authorized the audit?""
"The board.""
"Without me?""
"Yes.""
I slammed my hand against the table.
"You're making a terrible mistake.""
Robles didn't flinch.
"Your position has been suspended. The matter has been referred to the appropriate authorities.""
I looked at Diego again.
"You knew?""
He finally raised his eyes.
"I didn't know Camila had the original files.""
I stared at him.
He continued.
"I thought Alejandro had destroyed everything.""
I stepped toward him.
"You were supposed to handle this.""
"I did what you asked.""
"Then you should have done it properly.""
Robles stood.
"Enough.""
I turned.
"You're going to regret this.""
He looked at me with something resembling pity.
"Mateo, your father built this company with his hands. You nearly destroyed it with your ego.""
I walked out before he could say anything else.
By 9:00 a.m., the story had reached the local business news.
The headline appeared on my phone.
*VILLARREAL CONSTRUCTION SUSPENDS CEO AMID FRAUD INVESTIGATION.*
I threw the phone onto the passenger seat.
My driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror.
"Where to, sir?""
"The hospital.""
"Yes, sir.""
I leaned back.
My mind kept returning to Camila.
The blue folder.
The trust.
Valeria's company.
I called my wife.
Her phone rang several times before someone answered.
"Hello?""
It was Alejandro.
My grip tightened.
"Give the phone to Camila.""
"She's resting.""
"I need to speak to my wife.""
"She doesn't want to speak to you.""
"That's not your decision.""
Alejandro's voice remained calm.
"She made it herself.""
I took a breath.
"Listen, Serrano. Whatever she's told you, this is a family matter.""
"Then you should have treated it like one.""
I closed my eyes.
"Where are the documents?""
"Which ones?""
"The blue folder.""
A pause.
Then Alejandro asked, "Why?""
"Because those documents are company property.""
"No, Mateo. They're evidence.""
"Camila has no right to interfere with my business.""
Alejandro gave a quiet laugh.
"Your business?""
I gripped the phone.
"Don't push me.""
"You're still doing it.""
"Doing what?""
"Talking as if everyone around you exists to obey you.""
The line went dead.
I stared at the phone.
Then I called Valeria.
She answered on the second ring.
"Mateo?""
"Where are you?""
"At home.""
"Which home?""
A pause.
"Mine.""
I lowered my voice.
"We need to talk about the company registered under your name.""
Silence.
Then she said, "What company?""
I laughed without humor.
"Don't insult me.""
"Mateo, I don't know what you're talking about.""
"Four million dollars passed through that company.""
Her breathing changed.
"You're accusing me of something?""
"I'm asking you a question.""
"Then ask it properly.""
I looked through the window.
"Did you know about the transfers?""
Valeria didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
When I reached the hospital, Rosa was sitting beside Camila's bed.
My wife looked slightly better.
There was color in her face.
A nurse was checking her blood pressure.
I approached slowly.
"Camila.""
She turned her head.
"Mateo.""
Rosa stood.
"I'll give you a moment.""
I nodded gratefully.
But she didn't leave immediately.
Instead, she looked at me.
"Don't upset her.""
"I won't.""
Rosa walked out.
I pulled the chair closer.
"How are you feeling?""
"Tired.""
"Have you eaten?""
"Yes.""
I looked at the monitor.
"Doctor says you're improving.""
"Somewhat.""
I hesitated.
"Camila, we need to talk about the documents.""
She closed her eyes.
"Not again.""
"Just listen.""
"I'm listening.""
I leaned forward.
"The company is in trouble.""
She opened her eyes.
"Because you stole money?""
I clenched my jaw.
"Because Alejandro has decided to reopen something that should have stayed in the past.""
"He didn't reopen it. You never closed it.""
I stared at her.
She continued.
"Those investors deserved to know what happened.""
"You don't understand what this could do to our family.""
She looked at me for a long moment.
"Mateo, you keep saying family whenever you want me to protect you.""
I looked down.
"That's not fair.""
"Neither was leaving me on the floor.""
I swallowed.
"I made a mistake.""
She turned toward the window.
"One mistake?""
I reached for her hand.
"Camila, please.""
She withdrew it.
"Don't.""
I sat back.
"I know I hurt you.""
"You hurt Alejandro too.""
"He's not the person we're discussing.""
"He is if you keep using him as an excuse.""
I rubbed my face.
"What do you want from me?""
She looked directly at me.
"The truth.""
I sighed.
"Fine.""
She waited.
"About what?""
"Everything.""
I stared at her.
Then I laughed softly.
"That's a lot to ask.""
Camila's expression didn't change.
"Then perhaps we have nothing else to discuss.""
I stood.
"You're making this impossible.""
She looked at the ceiling.
"No, Mateo. I'm finally making it possible for myself to leave.""
I froze.
"What?""
She didn't look at me.
"I want a divorce.""
The words landed with such force that I actually took a step backward.
"You're emotional.""
"I'm recovering from surgery.""
"You're not thinking clearly.""
"Neither was I when I spent three years pretending you were a good man.""
I stared at her.
"Camila, don't do this.""
She turned her head.
"You did it first.""
I left her room and walked straight into Alejandro.
He was carrying a small paper bag.
He looked at me.
"How is she?""
"Fine.""
He nodded.
"Good.""
I blocked his path.
"You're filling her head with nonsense.""
Alejandro looked at me.
"She can think for herself.""
"She's my wife.""
"Not for much longer, apparently.""
I grabbed his jacket.
He looked down at my hand.
"Let go.""
"Stay away from her.""
Alejandro removed my fingers.
"You're going to have to stop saying that.""
"Or what?""
"Or nothing. She has made her decision.""
I stepped closer.
"You think you can replace me?""
His expression changed.
For the first time, I saw genuine anger.
"Is that what you think this is about?""
"She's asking for a divorce because you're standing beside her.""
"No, Mateo. She's asking for a divorce because you abandoned her when she needed you most.""
I laughed.
"You've always wanted her.""
Alejandro stared at me.
Then he said something that silenced me.
"I loved Camila long before you married her. I also loved you enough to step aside when she chose you.""
I felt the air leave my lungs.
"What?""
He looked away.
"That was a long time ago.""
I shook my head.
"You're lying.""
"I'm not.""
He held the paper bag tighter.
"But I never asked her to choose me. Not once.""
I stared at him.
He continued.
"Even tonight, when she asked me to stay, I stayed because she was afraid. Not because I wanted something from her.""
He walked past me.
I turned.
"Where are you going?""
"To bring her breakfast.""
Then he disappeared into her room.
I stood in the corridor, staring at the closed door.
For three years, I had told myself Alejandro was jealous of my success.
Now I was beginning to understand that he had once been willing to sacrifice his own happiness to protect mine.
And I had repaid him by destroying his life.
At noon, a woman in a dark navy suit entered Camila's hospital room.
She carried a leather briefcase.
Rosa stood.
"Can I help you?""
The woman introduced herself.
"My name is Laura Benítez. I'm Camila's attorney.""
I stepped forward.
"Her attorney?""
Laura nodded.
"Yes.""
I looked at Camila.
"You hired a lawyer?""
She nodded.
"Three weeks ago.""
I felt my stomach tighten.
Laura placed a document on the bedside table.
"This is a preliminary divorce petition. Camila has also requested a temporary financial separation and protection of her inherited assets.""
I stared at the papers.
"You're serious?""
Camila met my eyes.
"Completely.""
Laura continued.
"Additionally, we've submitted an application to establish an independent trust for the minor child, with Camila's inheritance protected from any claims connected to the Villarreal businesses.""
I looked at my wife.
"What minor child?""
"Our son.""
"He's my son too.""
"Of course," Laura replied.
"This document does not change that. It protects his financial interests.""
I looked at Camila.
"You're putting my own son in a trust without consulting me?""
She shook her head.
"The money belongs to him.""
"What money?""
"My grandmother's estate.""
I laughed.
"That's our family money.""
Camila's eyes hardened.
"No, Mateo. It was mine before I married you. And I have every legal document to prove it.""
Laura opened her briefcase.
She removed a certified copy of the trust agreement.
"Your wife's grandmother established this trust years ago. Camila has now exercised her authority to transfer the remaining assets to her son's benefit.""
I stared at the paperwork.
The figures were printed on the first page.
I read them twice.
Then a third time.
It wasn't a small inheritance.
It was a substantial estate consisting of commercial property, investment accounts, and land outside Monterrey.
I looked at Camila.
"You never told me it was worth this much.""
She gave me a tired smile.
"That's because you never asked.""
I turned to Laura.
"Can this be challenged?""
"Not on the grounds you're suggesting.""
"You're her lawyer. Of course you'd say that.""
Laura closed the folder.
"I'm also an officer of the court. I would advise you to read the documents before making threats.""
Then she placed another sheet on the table.
It contained a list of individuals authorized to manage the trust.
My name was nowhere on it.
I looked at Camila.
"Who is the trustee?""
She didn't answer immediately.
Then she looked toward the doorway.
Alejandro was standing there.
Laura followed her gaze.
"Mr. Serrano has agreed to serve as independent financial administrator, subject to the court's approval.""
I felt something snap inside me.
"Absolutely not.""
Camila spoke quietly.
"He's the only person I trust to protect our son from people who might use him to get to his money.""
I stared at Alejandro.
He didn't look pleased.
In fact, he looked uncomfortable.
"Camila, I told you I didn't need to be involved in the financial arrangements.""
She reached for his hand.
"I know. That's why I trust you.""
I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
My wife had given another man authority over my son's inheritance.
And she had done it while I was standing in the room.
But before I could speak, Laura's phone rang.
She answered, listened for a few seconds, and her expression changed.
"What?""
She looked at Camila.
"Are you certain?""
A pause.
Then she ended the call.
Camila watched her.
"What happened?""
Laura slowly closed the briefcase.
"The bank has just confirmed that someone attempted to withdraw money from your grandmother's investment account this morning.""
My stomach dropped.
"Who?""
Laura looked directly at me.
"An authorized representative of Villarreal Construction.""
I stared at her.
May you like
Then Camila whispered:
"Mateo, what did you do?""
