My husband said he was “on a business trip,” but when I went to the hospital to visit my sick friend, I suddenly heard his voice behind the door… and what I heard chilled me to the bone.

I stood up, adjusted my jacket, and fixed my gaze on the corridor leading to room 305 as if it were a target.

“Enjoy your honeymoon in the hospital,” I murmured. “Because tomorrow… your hell begins.”

Outside, in my car, I didn’t even start the engine before calling Hector, my trusted IT and security boss.

“Good morning, Hector,” I said in a calm voice that no longer sounded like my own.

“Mrs. de la Vega? Is everything alright?”

“I need your help tonight. Urgent. Confidential.”

“Always, ma’am.”

First: block Ricardo’s platinum card. Second: freeze the trading account he manages, in case of a sudden internal audit. Third: notify the legal team so they can prepare for asset recovery.

A brief silence. Hector was smart enough not to ask why.

Understood. When do we execute?

Now. Immediately. I want the notification to arrive right when I try to pay for something.

—I’ll take care of it.

“One more thing,” I added. “Find the best locksmith you can. And hire two strong security guards. We’ll go to the house in Segovia tomorrow morning.”

—At your service, ma’am.

I hung up, started the car, and looked in the rearview mirror.

The woman who had been crying in that hallway was gone.

Only Sofia, the general manager, remained, who had finally learned the price of mercy.

My phone vibrated: a WhatsApp message from Ricardo.

“My love, I’ve arrived in Valencia. I’m exhausted. I’m going to sleep. Kisses. I love you.”

I laughed softly, dryly, and without joy.

Then I wrote my answer completely calmly.

“Okay, honey. Sleep well. Sweet dreams, because tomorrow you might wake up to a… surprising reality. I love you too.”

To send.

And when the screen went black, a crooked smile spread across my lips.

The game had officially begun.