“Mom, please come get me… my husband’s family mistreated me.” The Mexican colonel rushed to the hospital to protect her daughter, but when the powerful Cárdenas family tried to shame her, they realized too late they had challenged the wrong mother.

Alejandro rolled his eyes.

“She’s exaggerating. She’s always been overly sensitive.”

Ricardo laughed.

“Some people marry into families far more important than they can handle.”

I stood without releasing Camila’s hand.

Teresa stepped closer.

“Let’s not make this unpleasant. Our family has friends everywhere—courts, hospitals, newspapers. Your military rank means very little to us.”

Ricardo smirked.

“Take your daughter home and be grateful we’re not accusing her of damaging our family’s reputation.”

I looked at each of them in silence.