At my father’s funeral, my husband leaned towards me and murmured, “You’re not needed here.” I just smiled.

I opened it.

“My dear Alexandra,

I know that for years you doubted your own worth because someone made you doubt it. Don’t blame yourself. Predators always recognize kindness as weakness, and Tomás did from day one. That’s why I kept my fortune hidden, to protect you. Now it’s yours. Use it wisely, with dignity… and with freedom.”

I had to close my eyes. My father had seen what I refused to accept.

Tomás never loved me. He chose me.