I smiled at the recording open on my laptop.
“Yes.”
On Friday evening, I set the table using my grandmother’s dishes.
Rodrigo interpreted it as surrender.
Patricia arrived wearing a dark green suit.
Daniel came ten minutes later.
Rodrigo’s sister and her husband arrived soon after.
Gabriel, the partner responsible for the company’s accounts, joined them.
Rodrigo frowned when Fernanda walked in.
“What is she doing here?”
“She’s a family friend,” I said.
Then my father entered.
Patricia gave him a condescending smile.
“Mr. Salgado.”
My father nodded politely.
“Mrs. Luján.”
Nobody knew that Fernanda’s briefcase contained certified copies of the money transfers, apartment records, and documents submitted using my forged authorization.
We ate for about forty minutes.
Rodrigo performed the role of perfect husband beautifully.
He even held my hand.
Finally, he put down his glass.
“All right. Mariana said she wanted to discuss the apartment.”
Everyone looked at me.
I picked up my phone.
“Yes.”
Rodrigo pushed a folder toward me.
“It’s simple. We only need to adjust a few details.”
Patricia smiled.
“Now you’re thinking like a wife.”
I looked at her.
“That’s exactly why I invited everyone.”
Rodrigo slid a pen toward me.
I didn’t touch it.
Instead, I turned on a small speaker positioned behind us.
At first, music filled the dining room.
The music from our wedding.
Then Patricia’s recorded voice came through.
“She still doesn’t suspect anything?”
Rodrigo went completely still.
The recording continued.
