On Thursday, I dressed carefully—like I was going into battle. Navy silk dress, pearls, modest heels, red lipstick Carlos used to say made me look unstoppable. Then I called my lawyer, Mr. Richard Collins.
“Richard, meet me at the Pacific View Club at eight. Bring the police. I’m filing charges for fraud, forgery, and abuse of trust.”
He hesitated. “Margaret… he’s your son.”
“And he broke that bond first.”
I arrived at exactly eight.
The party was extravagant—white flowers everywhere, a string quartet, champagne, a towering cake. All paid for—or promised—with money Daniel thought he had.
When he saw me, he went pale.
Vanessa looked flawless in a designer gown. Daniel approached me, furious.
“What are you doing here? I told you not to come.”
“I came to give you a wedding gift,” I said.
“A gift? You have nothing left.”
I looked at him calmly.
“Oh, Daniel. You took grocery money, not the fortune. And that apartment—did you already give the keys to the buyer?”
“Yes. He paid a deposit this morning. Why?”
I smiled slightly.
“Because that apartment doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to a holding company. The power of attorney you used is useless for selling it. You sold something that isn’t yours.”
His face drained of color.
“What… are you saying?”
“That the buyer will discover the fraud. That you forged authorization. That you took advantage of a sick woman. And legally, that’s a crime.”
Vanessa stepped forward, annoyed.
“What is this? Why are you ruining everything?”
I looked at her calmly.
“Enjoy the party. The honeymoon won’t be in Paris.”
At that moment, the doors opened.
Not waiters.
Police officers, an investigator, and my lawyer.
The music stopped. Guests whispered.
An officer approached Daniel.
“Daniel Villanueva, you are under arrest for fraud, forgery, and abuse of trust.”
Vanessa screamed.
“That’s impossible!”
“That doesn’t put you above the law,” the officer replied.
Daniel turned to me, terrified.
“Mom, please. Tell them it’s a misunderstanding. Tell them you authorized it.”
Everyone was watching.
I stepped closer, held his face gently, and said:
“I love you, Daniel. But I didn’t give you that apartment. I didn’t authorize you to take my money. And if I save you now, you’ll never grow up.”
He broke down.
They handcuffed him in front of everyone.
Vanessa looked at him, realized the truth, and snapped.
“You’re an idiot! You said you were rich! I’m not marrying a criminal!”