PART 1

Elena, 34, stood in the kitchen of her Riverside apartment, phone pressed to her ear, listening to a silence that didn’t feel right. The call had ended—or at least, that’s what she thought.

“I love you,” Diego had said moments earlier, his voice warm and familiar. “Just wanted to check in before dinner gets chaotic—you know how Hugo’s parties are.”

She smiled, told him to enjoy himself, heard the click… and then nothing.

She was about to hang up when she heard it—faint voices, laughter, glasses clinking. The line was still open, the phone forgotten somewhere in his pocket, unknowingly broadcasting everything.

“So, when are you finally going to make your move?” a man’s voice asked—probably Hugo.

“In two months,” Diego replied casually, like he was discussing something trivial. “I need to wait until the company valuation is finalized. Once the paperwork is dated before the lawsuit, her lawyer can’t touch it.”

Elena froze. Her grip tightened around the phone.

“Smart,” another voice said. “How long have you been planning this?”

“Since her promotion,” Diego laughed—the same laugh she knew, the one he used when he felt proud of himself.

“The moment she became partner, I knew the payout would be worth it. California’s a community property state. I just had to wait for the right timing.”

Someone whistled softly.

“That’s cold.”

“It’s not cold—it’s practical,” Diego replied. “I’ve been managing her for three years. Keeping her happy, keeping her focused. She thinks we’re building something together… but I’m just waiting to cash out.”

Elena slowly sank into a chair, her legs no longer steady.

“And Valeria?” Hugo asked.