Then he held my wrist.
His fingers were frozen.
"Listen to me," he whispered. If today he gives you documents... Don't sign anything.
I felt my stomach empty.
"Excuse me?"
"Don't sign even if he gets angry. Even if it humiliates you. Even if he threatens you.
I looked at her confused.
"Who are you?"
But she didn't answer.
He looked behind me.
Efraín returned.
And as soon as he saw her... His face changed.
It was instantaneous.
Contempt.
Hate.
Fear.
He recognized her.
He came up to me and took my arm too tightly.
"Stay away from her," he muttered.
The woman held her gaze.
"Tell him the truth, you coward.
Efraín smiled to hide in front of the people around.
But it was hurting me.
"Come on, love. Don't listen to the crazy ones.
Before entering, she murmured,
"Your life is worth more than that dress."
I should have listened to her.
But I went in.
I got married.
I signed the minutes.
I smiled for the photos.
My mother cried emotionally.
Silvana, my best friend, hugged me tightly and asked me softly:
"Are you sure?"
I said yes.
Because admitting fear at the altar feels like admitting failure.
The meal was at an old hacienda on the outskirts of Zacatecas.
Efraín acted perfectly.
He toasted to love.
He called me "my queen".
He kissed my hand in front of everyone.
And for a few hours I almost managed to convince myself that I was exaggerating.
Until we got into the truck.
That's when everything changed.
He pulled a gray folder from the back seat.
"Before we get to the house we have to go to a notary," he said. All that remains is to sign a property agreement.
I felt a blow in my chest.
The woman's voice returned to my head.
Do not sign.
"I'm not going to sign anything today.
Efraín tightened the steering wheel.
"Margot, don't start.
"First I want to review it.
"My lawyer has already checked it.
"Not mine."
Silence.
Heavy.
Hostile.
Then he spoke without looking at me.
"I don't like distrustful people.
"And I don't like to sign documents without reading them."
Then he smiled.
But he no longer looked human.
"You're going to get used to doing things as I say."
My blood froze.
We arrived at the house where we would spend the night. A huge, secluded property on the outskirts. Too quiet.
There were candles.
Flowers.
Wine served.
Everything perfectly planned.
Too perfectly.
Efraín left the folder on the table.
"I'm going to take a bath," he said. When he comes out we talk calmly.
He went into the bathroom.
I was left alone.
Trembling.
Then his cell phone vibrated over the kitchen.
I didn't want to see it.
I saw it.
"So he did sign?"
My mouth went dry.
Another message arrived.
"If you didn't sign, do it today. Norma says she can't wait any longer."
Standard.
His mother.
I unlocked the phone.
The password was my birthday.
Because manipulative men love to disguise control as romanticism.
I opened the conversation.
And the world came crashing down on me.
"First of all, I sign."
"Then we started with the drops."
"The doctor has already agreed to diagnose severe anxiety."
"With temporary mental incapacity, Ephraim controls property and accounts."
"After the accident, no one will ask for an autopsy."
Accident.
I felt like vomiting.
I kept reading.
And I found photos.
Photos of another woman.
Blonde.
Smiling.
Dressed as a bride with Efraín.
Another wedding.
Another victim.
The water in the bathroom stopped running.
I locked the phone fast.
Efraín came out with a black robe and a calm smile.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing.
His eyes swept across the kitchen.
Looking for signs.
"You look nervous.
"I'm tired.
He approached slowly.
Like a predator.
"I'll make you tea."
That's when I understood everything.
The message.
The drops.
The accident.
While the water boiled, I looked for a way out with my eyes.
My bag was far away.
The keys too.
My cell phone barely had a signal.
Ephraim poured the tea and set it down in front of me.
"Take it."
It was not an invitation.
It was an order.
Then my phone rang.
Silvana.
I answered quickly.
"Well?"
"Margot, answer me only yes or no," she said. Are you in danger?
I felt like crying.
"Yes... I say yes, the photos did come out beautiful.
Silvana was silent for two seconds.
He understood.
"I'm outside the house.
Efraín looked up immediately.
"What did he say?"
"That she forgot her bag."
I lied.
He walked to the window and looked outside.
Then he smiled slowly.
A horrible smile.
"Tell him to come in."
"No need,"
"Tell him." What. Come in.
They knocked on the door.
Three strong blows.
"Margot!" Silvana shouted.
And then another voice.
That of the woman of the Civil Registry.
"Open before it's too late."
Efraín lost his color.
He could no longer pretend.
"Damn old woman...
I backed off.
"Who is she?"
His eyes filled with fury.
"Open the damn door and be quiet!"
That's where the real Ephraim appeared.
Violent.
Cruel.
Desperate.
He took my arm so hard that I screamed.
"You hurt me!"
He leaned close to my face.
"You still don't know what it's like to suffer.
Fear pierced me completely.
They played again.
Stronger.
Then I ran.
I opened the door.
Silvana came in first.
And behind her came the woman.
But she no longer seemed helpless.
He looked like someone consumed by years of rage.
He looked Efraín straight in the eye.
"Hello, murderer.
Silence exploded.
Efraín breathed heavily.
She took an old photograph.
"My daughter's name was Rebeca. You married her seven years ago using another surname.
I was short of breath.
The woman took another photo.
Rebecca smiling.
In a white dress.
With Efraín hugging her.
"Three months later she was found dead at the bottom of some stairs," she said. Just like you planned to do with this girl.
"She's crazy," Efraín spat.
"No," she answered. I only survived to destroy you.
Silvana was already recording everything with her cell phone.
Then Efraín made the mistake that sank him.
He laughed.
A cold laugh.
Empty.
"Women like you always end up serving a purpose," he said. Money, property or pity.
The silence was brutal.
Because he had just confessed alone.
He tried to snatch Silvana's phone.
I reacted earlier.
I threw the boiling tea in his face.
He shouted.
He backed away.
And the woman took a stun gun from her purse.
"Not one more step.
Efraín remained motionless.
For the first time he seemed to be afraid.
We fled.
Barefoot.
Crying.
We ran down to the street while he shouted insults behind us.
Sirens began to be heard in the distance.
And then I saw a black pickup truck parked in front of the property.
Norma was inside.
Efraín's mother.
Watching me.
No guilt.
Without shame.
Only fury that the plan had failed.
Our eyes met.
And she smiled.
A small smile.
Dark.
Then the truck started and disappeared among the streets of Zacatecas.
That night I understood something terrible:
There are families who are not looking for a daughter-in-law.
They are looking for a victim.
And I was at a signing... of becoming yet another dead woman buried under lies, money and a white dress. Author
I MARRIED THE PERFECT MAN... UNTIL A WOMAN ON THE STREET WHISPERED TO ME, "IF YOU SIGN TONIGHT, YOU'LL END UP BURIED IN
