I took out the file. There was a murmur in the church like a wave. Daniel’s face turned pale. Carmen suddenly stood up.
I continued:
«Before I marry this man, everyone should hear the truth about him.»
Then I pressed the play button.
The recordings circulated throughout the church with harsh clarity. Carmen’s cold, controlling voice. Daniel’s complicit voice. Every word about the apartment, the money, and the sanatorium. People froze in place. Some of them put their hands over their mouths, and others stared at Daniel in horror.
Carmen shouted:
«This is a lie! She manipulated everything!»
But it was really too late. Isabel appeared from one of the front seats and walked steadily towards the altar, her head held high, her features calm but decisive. She slowly took out her career card, as if giving everyone a moment to realize that what was happening was not a passing emotion, but a calculated action.
She said in a clear, unshakable voice:
«I’m Isabel Rodriguez, Laura Martinez’s attorney. Everything presented here is legally documented and has been officially handed over to the Public Prosecution, including recordings, correspondence, attempts to seize property, and plans for psychological abuse».
There was a heavy silence, a silence that was not even interrupted by the breath of those present. Daniel collapsed on one of the seats as if his strength had been drained all at once. His back bent down, and he avoided looking at anyone. He was no longer the confident groom, but an exposed man, naked of truth. Carmen stared around madly, trying to find one sympathetic face, but the eyes she met were a mixture of shock and disgust.
The priest closed his book quietly, and did not utter a word. There was nothing to say. At that moment, I felt a strange, deep tranquility, as if a huge weight that had been crouching on my chest had finally been lifted. I took a deep breath, for the first time in weeks, maybe months, without fear, without hesitation.
