Chapter 13: The Ghost
The ribbon-cutting made every paper in the city.
ESCALANTE RISES FROM THE ASHES.
THE WOMAN WHO OWNED HER HUSBAND – NOW OWNS THE SKYLINE.
I clipped the articles and put them in a drawer.
Rosa thought I was crazy.
"You should frame them," she said. "Put them on the wall. Let everyone see."
"I don't need to prove anything anymore."
"Then why keep them?"
I didn't have an answer.
Maybe because I still couldn't believe it myself.
Two weeks later, I got a call from my father.
"Mariana, we have a problem."
"What kind of problem?"
"Andrew's mother is trying to sue you."
I almost laughed.
"For what?"
"She's claiming the mansion was a gift from Andrew to her. She says you stole it."
"The mansion was purchased with my money. I have the receipts."
"She's also claiming emotional distress. And defamation. And—"
"And she's broke."
"Yes."
"So she's desperate."
"Desperate people do stupid things."
I thought about it.
"Let her sue. I'll counter-sue for legal fees. She'll be in debt for the rest of her life."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
My father paused.
"There's something else."
"What?"
"Andrew is back in town."
I felt my stomach drop.
"He's been staying with a friend. He's been making calls. Trying to get investors. Trying to rebuild."
"He has nothing."
"He has his name. And there are people who still believe in him."
"Then let them believe. He'll fail again."
"Mariana—"
"I don't care, Dad. I really don't."
But I did.
I cared more than I wanted to admit.
That night, I couldn't sleep.
I kept thinking about Andrew.
The way he looked at me in the mansion that night.
The way his hand shook when he hit me.
The way his voice cracked when he begged.
I hated him.
But I also hated that I still remembered the man he used to be.
The one who held my hand at our wedding.
May you like
The one who promised to protect me.
The one who lied.
