Chapter 4 - The Gold Dress
On the morning of the wedding, Elena found Sofia standing alone beside a window at the hotel.
The bridal suite was filled with white roses, garment bags, cosmetics, and champagne glasses. Bridesmaids laughed in the adjoining room.
Sofia did not appear happy.
Elena approached her.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
“Mothers know when ‘nothing’ is lying.”
Sofia looked at her reflection.
“Javier asked about the condo again last night.”
Elena’s smile faded.
“What did he say?”
“That married couples shouldn’t keep separate property.”
“You told him no?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“He said he understood.”
Elena took her daughter’s hands.
“You can postpone this.”
Sofia turned sharply.
“Mom.”
“A postponed wedding is better than a dangerous marriage.”
“He isn’t dangerous.”
“I didn’t say he was. But you’re allowed to listen to your fear before it becomes proof.”
Sofia looked toward the wedding gown hanging near the mirror.
Six hundred guests were already arriving downstairs. Every table, flower, musician, and menu had been selected. Photographers waited in the ballroom. The wedding had become larger than the two people getting married.
“I love him,” Sofia said.
Elena nodded slowly.
“Then marry him because you trust him, not because too many people are waiting.”
A knock interrupted them.
Carmen entered without waiting for permission.
She wore a fitted gold evening gown. Her smile was flawless.
“There are my two beautiful girls.”
Elena released Sofia’s hands.
Carmen studied them.
“Is everything all right?”
“Wedding nerves,” Sofia replied.
Carmen embraced her.
“By tonight, you and Javier will share everything.”
The words sounded affectionate.
Yet Sofia felt her body tense.
At the ceremony, Javier cried when she walked down the aisle.
His voice trembled during his vows.
“I will stand beside you in every storm,” he promised.
Sofia believed him again.
Hours later, the reception filled the hotel ballroom with music and golden light. Javier danced with Sofia beneath crystal chandeliers. Carmen raised a glass and welcomed Sofia into the Morales family.
Alexander attended alone.
He remained near the back of the room, speaking little.
During the father-daughter dance, Sofia almost refused to join him. Elena persuaded her.
Alexander placed one hand carefully at her waist.
“You look beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you.”
They moved in silence.
After a moment, Alexander said, “It is not too late to call me if you need help.”
Sofia pulled back slightly.
“Can you please be my father for one night instead of an investigator?”
Pain crossed his face.
“I am trying to be both.”
When the dance ended, he kissed her forehead.
Sofia returned to Javier without looking back.
Near midnight, Carmen approached the couple carrying a leather folder.
“There are a few signatures needed before the family trust office closes the file,” she said.
Sofia glanced at the folder.
“Tonight?”
“Just routine documents.”
Javier placed his hand at the small of her back.
“We can sign upstairs.”
Something inside Sofia became very still.
“Send them to my attorney.”
Carmen smiled.
“That is hardly necessary among family.”
“It’s necessary for anything involving property.”
Javier’s fingers pressed more firmly against her back.
“Let’s not make a scene,” he whispered.
Sofia turned to him.
“I said no.”
For the first time during their wedding, Javier did not hide his anger.
May you like
Carmen closed the folder.
“Perhaps we should discuss this privately.”
