Mi suegra apareció en mi restaurante con 38 amigos y anunció: “Ordenen las cosas más caras. Hoy estoy tratando a todos”, aunque sabía que no tenía intención de pagar. En lugar de echarlos, miré al gerente y le dije: “Sírveles todo”. Tres horas más tarde, cuando vio el billete de $ 23,289 y la carpeta que puse sobre la mesa, dejó de sonreír.

To make matters worse, my corporate lawyer had recently discovered documents that Lucas had secretly drafted in an attempt to trick me into surrendering my majority share of the business. He could not legally take over the company with a simple signature, but his intention was clear: he wanted to use my successful business as a financial lifeline to save himself.

That was the moment I realized my marriage was over, and I immediately filed for divorce.

That very morning, my attorney had handed me the certified copy of the final divorce decree. Lucas did not know it yet, because he assumed that I would end up forgiving him just like I always did.

Meanwhile, Beatrice continued celebrating lavishly in the dining room for nearly three hours, ordering extra rounds of fine wine, supplementary courses, gourmet coffees, and our most expensive desserts.

“Do not be stingy, girls,” she repeated loudly. “It is my treat today!”