Chapter 13 - The Alliance
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Over the next six months, the legal war raged in the courtrooms, but Elena refused to let it consume her daily life.
With her father’s legal team backing her, the pre-nuptial agreements were completely voided on grounds of domestic abuse and fraudulent financial concealment. The four million dollars was safely returned to a restricted, court-monitored trust for Nicolás.
Alejandro’s criminal trial concluded with a conviction on multiple counts. Due to his lack of prior official criminal record, he avoided a lengthy prison sentence, but was sentenced to two years of strict probation, mandatory court-monitored psychological rehabilitation, and a five-year restraining order.
His reputation in the business community was utterly obliterated. Major investors pulled out of the Navarro Group, forcing the board to strip Alejandro of his CEO position.
One afternoon, Elena received a letter forwarded through her attorney. It was written on plain white notebook paper in Alejandro’s jagged handwriting.
Elena,
The court-mandated therapy sessions forced me to review the audio recording from that night over fifty times. For months, I told myself you trapped me. I told myself your father ruined my life.
I was wrong.
What happened that night was my doing. It was my rage, my insecurity, and my sickness. You did not ruin my life; I destroyed my own. I am not writing this to ask for your forgiveness, nor do I expect you to ever let me near you again. I am writing this because for the first time in my life, I have to own my actions.
May you like
— Alejandro.
Elena read the letter twice. She didn't feel anger. She didn't feel satisfaction. She simply folded the paper, placed it inside a folder, and locked it in her desk. She didn't send a reply.
