A Newer Beginning

Isabela watched her husband silently as he finished buttoning up his blouse in front of the mirror. The tension in the room was thick until she finally spoke, her voice weary and tinged with bitterness:

— "Thank God the trial is tomorrow. We can finally go back to our normal lives. This whole idea of putting us in witness protection, changing our identities... turning you into this so your former partners wouldn’t recognize you... It was the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard. It turned our lives upside down."

Gabriel turned slowly, offering a sheepish, almost resigned smile.

— "Yeah, these three years haven’t been easy... But, you know, in a strange way, I’ve gotten used to it. It was a fresh start. A different life. And honestly? I kind of liked it."

Isabela frowned in disbelief.

— "A fresh start? Used to it? I lost my husband, Gabriel! They turned you into a joke," she snapped, pointing at him, her voice rising. "Those agents went overboard with the prosthetics, the surgeries... You look twenty years younger! We haven’t been a couple in years, and now you’re telling me you’re fine with all of this?"

He shrugged, sarcasm curling the corners of his lips.

— "Oh, come on, honey. You only had to dye your hair. I, on the other hand, got the full makeover. And let me tell you — the people at the agency keep joking that we look like mother and daughter... and guess who they think is the daughter?" he said, letting out a mocking laugh.

Her eyes burned with fury.

— "Then go ahead, keep this little doll life of yours. Be the pathetic little woman you’ve become. I’m done! I stood by your side for three damn years, even after everything. And you were always an idiot!"

Gabriel met her gaze, arms folded.

— "Let’s be real, Isa. My life in that gang funded your lifestyle — the beachfront apartment, the designer clothes, the luxury trips. Now that my accounts are frozen, suddenly you’re done. How convenient. And don’t bother denying it. I know all about your affair with your boss."

Her face turned pale.

— "You… you knew?"

— "Of course. We’re under surveillance 24/7, remember? I charmed one of the agents. He talks. Pretty faces open more than just doors — they open mouths too. I’ve known from day one."

She said nothing, stunned as if the truth had knocked the breath from her lungs.

Gabriel, now calmly finishing the last button of his blouse, gave her a half-smile.

— "Like you said — tomorrow, it’s all over. You’ll get half of what’s left, I’ll take the other half, and we can finally go live our separate lives. Actually… maybe I’ll start paying more attention to my boss. He’s married, but... always a bit too friendly."

He turned toward the door, ready to face the day — leaving behind a silent woman, a shattered past, and a future painted in new colors and secrets.