My Daughter Showed Up at My Door Covered in Bruises on Her Wedding Night—Then She Whispered a Secret That Changed Everything

Just as Alexander predicted, Carmen and Javier didn't stay away for long.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, the intercom in my apartment buzzed.

The security guard's voice came through the speaker.

"Mr. Vance, Carmen and Javier are downstairs. They are demanding to see Sofia."

Alexander didn't hesitate. "Send them up."

My heart began to race. "Are you sure about this?" I asked, looking toward the bedroom where Sofia was still resting.

"Stay in the room with Sofia," Alexander instructed me calmly. "Keep the door closed. Do not let her see them."

I did exactly as he asked.

I went into the bedroom, sitting beside my sleeping daughter, holding her hand.

A few minutes later, I heard the heavy sound of knocks on my front door.

Then, the sound of the door opening and closing.

Through the thin walls, Carmen’s sharp, arrogant voice cut through the air.

"Where is she, Elena? Tell your daughter to stop throwing a tantrum and come out here."

She didn't know Alexander was there.

She expected to find me, a worried, single mother whom she believed she could easily intimidate.

"She isn't going anywhere with you," Alexander's voice boomed from the living room.

The sudden silence that followed was deafening.

I could imagine the look of shock on Carmen's face upon realizing Sofia’s father was standing in front of her.

"Alexander?" Carmen’s voice lost some of its confidence, replacing it with forced politeness. "I didn't expect to see you here. This is a misunderstanding between young lovers. Sofia completely overreacted to a family discussion."

"A family discussion?" Alexander repeated, his voice dripping with venom.

"Is that what you call using physical violence to force a young woman to sign over her property?"

"Dad, look," Javier chimed in, his voice trembling. "Sofia signed the prenuptial agreement. We are married now. What happens between us is our business."

"Do not call me Dad," Alexander barked, and even from the bedroom, I flinched at the power in his voice.

"You are not her husband. You are a criminal."

"And your mother is a monster."

"We came here to settle this quietly," Carmen said, her voice turning cold and sharp again. "If Sofia doesn't return to the hotel and finalize the paperwork, we will make sure her reputation is ruined in this city. We have powerful friends, Alexander."