Chapter 3: The Strategy

The sun was just beginning to rise when Amelia arrived at her new apartment. It was small, modest, and nothing like the mansion she had left behind—but it was hers. She had everything she needed to start over. There was no time to mourn what she had lost. Revenge had to begin, and for that, she needed to proceed carefully.

Amelia’s phone vibrated on the table. It was Héctor. She knew the call would be important, and though she had resolved to stay firm in her desire for revenge, a knot formed in her stomach when she saw her lawyer’s name on the screen.

—Amelia, we need to talk —Héctor said without preamble when she answered.

—What’s wrong? —she asked, keeping her voice steady.

—I’ve been reviewing your divorce documents, but there’s something you should know. Diego has more connections than we thought. This is going to be more complicated than we imagined. It’s a war that won’t just be fought in court.

Amelia frowned. She had anticipated it wouldn’t be easy, but Héctor’s warning unsettled her.

—What do you mean by that? —she said, her tone turning serious.

—You need to be very careful, Amelia. Diego has powerful friends. People who wouldn’t hesitate to use their influence to protect him. If you really want to destroy him, you’ll have to play a dirty game, and I don’t know if you’re ready for that.

She took a deep breath. The challenge excited her, but it also frightened her. She knew Héctor was right, but she had come too far to turn back now.

—I am, Héctor. Do what you have to do, but make sure Diego knows his time is running out.

Héctor was silent for a moment, weighing Amelia’s words. Finally, he nodded.

—All right. I’ll keep you updated, but remember—this could have huge repercussions. This isn’t just about your divorce anymore. It’s a power struggle. If you decide to move forward, there’s no turning back.

Amelia ended the call and stared at her phone for a few seconds. Uncertainty lingered, but her determination was stronger. There was no going back now. Everything she had done had led her to this point, and she wouldn’t miss her chance to make Diego pay.

That same day, Amelia headed to a café where she had arranged to meet an old colleague of Diego’s, a man named Eduardo. Though they had never been close, she knew Eduardo had valuable information about her ex-husband’s business dealings. Diego trusted him more than anyone else, and that gave Amelia an advantage. If she could win his trust, she might get the details she needed to destroy him.

When she arrived at the café, Amelia saw Eduardo sitting at a corner table. He was a tall man with dark hair and piercing eyes, who always seemed in control. Amelia approached with a slight smile, trying to maintain a friendly demeanor.

—Eduardo, thank you for meeting me —she said, sitting across from him.

The man looked at her without much enthusiasm but nodded.

—Amelia, what do you really want? I don’t like surprises.

Amelia studied him intently. She knew Eduardo wouldn’t be easy to manipulate, but she had one advantage: she knew his weaknesses. She had studied him for years while Diego did business with him. He was an ambitious man, more concerned with his own power than loyalties.

—I want you to help me make Diego pay for what he did to me —Amelia replied bluntly. She knew there was no point in beating around the bush with him.

Eduardo frowned and leaned in, lowering his voice.

—What do you mean by that? —he asked, suspicious.

Amelia didn’t flinch.

—I want you to help me destroy his business. I know Diego has promised you great things, but I also know you have your own interests. What I’m offering is far more than he can give you now. If you really want power, the first step is stripping Diego of what he has.

Eduardo studied her in silence for a few seconds. Then, a sly smile spread across his face.

—I’m not stupid, Amelia. I know you’re trying to manipulate me, but what you’re offering doesn’t sound bad. However, how do I know you won’t betray me once you get what you want?

Amelia met his gaze with a coldness that made it clear she wouldn’t be intimidated.

—The guarantee, Eduardo, is that without Diego, you would be the one in charge. And I don’t betray people who help me. If we work together, we both win.

After a long silence, Eduardo nodded slowly.

—All right. I’ll help you, but you should know this won’t be easy. Diego has resources, and his downfall won’t be quick or painless. But if you’re really willing to go all the way, I’m with you.

Amelia smiled, feeling a wave of satisfaction at having gotten what she wanted. Now she had someone inside Diego’s inner circle. But this was only the beginning. Everything was about to unfold, and Amelia was willing to sacrifice whatever it took to see her ex-husband fall.

That night, as she returned to her apartment, Amelia reflected on what she had just done. She knew she was playing a dangerous game, but she was no longer afraid. She had lost too much, and the only way to reclaim her life was to destroy everything Diego had built. She wouldn’t rest until she had him at her feet.

The first step had been taken. Now, she just had to wait and see how the rest of the plan unfolded.

A new thought crossed her mind as she sat on the couch: Diego wouldn’t just lose his power, his money, or his allies. He would also experience what it was like to be alone, abandoned—just as she had been. That would be the final blow, and Amelia was ready to deliver it.

Amelia leaned back into the worn cushions of her couch, the faint hum of the city outside her window a stark contrast to the heavy silence of the mansion she'd left behind. As she stared at the ceiling, a slow, calculated smile curved her lips—not one of joy, but of dark anticipation. The pieces were now in motion, the first domino had been tipped, and soon Diego would learn that the quiet, obedient wife he'd taken for granted had been studying his every move for years. She closed her eyes, imagining the moment when his empire would crumble, when the fear in his eyes would mirror her own pain. The game had begun, and this time, Amelia would be the one making the rules.