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Mariana Castañeda: the woman who never had her place in the kitchen
« Stay home and do the dishes, Mariana. Tonight, I need to look like a successful man, not someone who’s dragging his wife around. »
Diego Alvarado’s words echoed in the kitchen.
Mariana remained motionless in front of the marble sink, her hands wet and a small cut on her finger.
Still on the table were the dishes she had prepared throughout the afternoon: chiles en nogada, baked salmon, individual desserts and a selection of wines that Doña Leonor, her mother-in-law, had personally chosen.
Everything had to be perfect.
As always.
But that night, Mariana realized that nothing she did would be enough.
Doña Leonor appeared on the threshold of the kitchen, dressed in a golden gown.
« Are you really going to stay like that? » she asked, looking at Mariana’s simple outfit.
— Diego told me I should stay home.
— For the first time, he made a sensible decision.
Cláudia, Diego’s sister, appeared shortly afterwards, her mobile phone in her hand.
« I’m going to take lots of photos tonight, » she said, smiling. « At least you’ll be able to see what you missed. »
Then Valeria Rios entered.
A burgundy dress, discreet jewelry and a confident smile.
She went straight to Diego and adjusted his tie.
Mariana didn’t need to ask who it was.
She knew it.
For months, she had noticed deleted messages, unexplained trips, and interrupted phone calls when she entered her room.
» Here we go ? » asked Valeria.
Diego nodded.
Before leaving, he glanced at Mariana.
— And don’t call me during the event.
— I’m not going to call.
He seemed satisfied.
– Perfect.
The SUV disappeared behind the gate.
Mariana found herself alone.
For a few seconds, she heard nothing but the sound of running water.
Then she turned off the tap.
She looked at her own reflection in the window.
And she smiled.
It wasn’t a smile of happiness.
It was the smile of someone who had finally made a decision.
What Diego didn’t know
What Diego didn’t know was that Mariana wasn’t the woman he imagined.
Eight years earlier, when they met, Mariana had hidden her true life.
She wanted to know if Diego would love her without money, without influence, without a last name.
At the time, Mariana was the heiress to one of the largest commercial fortunes in the country.
His father had created the Castañeda Council, an investment group that held stakes in construction companies, private hospitals, universities and real estate projects.
But Mariana hated being surrounded by people who were only interested in her last name.
That is why, when she met Diego, she simply introduced herself as Mariana.
His appearance had changed.
Attentive.
Ambitious.
Keen.
She believed him.
They got married.
Shortly after, Diego began questioning her about her past. When he discovered that Mariana had access to significant investments, he began suggesting that she help him.
Initially, it involved small quantities.
Next, the loans.
Finally, major investments.
Mariana discreetly financed the beginnings of the Alvarado group.
The first office.
The first project.
The first big contract.
Even the watch Diego was wearing that night, she had bought it herself.
But Diego told a different story.
He claimed to have built everything himself.
Mariana never denied it.
Until that night.
The black box
At 8:47 p.m., Mariana entered her room.
She opened a compartment hidden behind a drawer.
From there, she took out a small black box.
Inside, there were documents.
Contracts.
Bank transfers.
Company shares.
And a folder named:
ALVARADO GROUP — ORIGIN OF INVESTMENTS
Mariana put everything on the bed.
She picked up the phone and called her lawyer.
— Rafael?
— Yes, Mrs. Castañeda.
— Is everything ready?
— Since this afternoon.
Mariana took a deep breath.
— Then do exactly as agreed.
— Are you sure?
She looked at the navy blue dress hanging in front of her.
— For the first time in eight years, I am.
The Ball of the Heart of Mexico
Meanwhile, at the Bal du Cœur in Mexico, Diego was walking through the hall alongside Valeria.
The cameras were photographing them.
Doña Leonor was talking with businessmen.
Claudia used to do live broadcasts on social media.
And Valeria smiled as if she were already the new Mrs. Alvarado.
« Have you seen the number of important people who are here? » she asked.
Diego smiled.
— Tonight will change everything.
— Including your wedding?
He hesitated.
Valeria noticed it.
— Diego…
— I’ll sort that out after the Santa Fe project.
She was holding his arm.
— You promised.
— And I will comply.
At that moment, the lights in the hall dimmed.
The master of ceremonies went on stage.
— Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you have all been waiting for has finally arrived.
Silence fell in the room.
— The president of the Castañeda Council will make her first public appearance in almost ten years.
Diego sat up.
Valeria adjusted her hair.
Doña Leonor murmured:
— Finally, we will see who this woman is.
The main doors opened.
A group of security guards entered first.
Next, Rafael.
And then she appeared.
Navy blue dress.
Hair tied back.
Discreet necklace.
Firm posture.
Mariana slowly crossed the corridor.
The silence was absolute.
Diego froze.
Valeria lost her smile.
Doña Leonor dropped her glass. Claudia stopped recording.
« No… » Diego murmured.
Mariana went on stage.
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