Chapter 3 - A Lifetime of Favoritism
Mariana sat perfectly still at the head table, her heart turning to stone as years of buried childhood memories resurfaced all at once.
Ever since their father passed away fifteen years ago, Teresa had made it abundantly clear that Valeria was the star of the family.
Mariana was expected to work hard, pay the bills, and remain silent, while Valeria was showered with unconditional praise, expensive cars, and tuition payments funded directly from Mariana’s after-school jobs.
When Mariana bought her first condo three years ago, Teresa forced her to sign over the spare room to Valeria rent-free. When Mariana bought her first luxury vehicle, Teresa demanded she trade cars with Valeria because "Valeria needed to look professional for job interviews."
Mariana had swallowed the injustice for years, believing that if she worked hard enough and achieved enough success, her mother would finally love and respect her.
She had tolerated the financial drain, the constant guilt-tripping, and the emotional neglect. But stealing her actual wedding gift at her own wedding reception in front of three hundred guests was the ultimate breaking point.
Alejandro, who had sat beside Mariana for three years watching her family exploit her kindness, leaned over and took her hand beneath the table.
"Are you ready to end this, my love?" Alejandro whispered softly into her ear.
May you like
Mariana looked at her husband, her eyes blazing with fierce, absolute determination. "Do it."
👉 Read Part 4 to see what happened when Alejandro dialed the executive hotline.
