PART 1 — THE GOLD FOLDER

“You two can travel later.

She needs it more.”

My father’s voice carried across a ballroom filled with more than three hundred wedding guests.

I didn’t cry.

I didn’t argue.

I simply looked at my new husband, reached beneath the table for his hand, and watched my mother give our honeymoon to my younger sister.

At least, that was what Teresa Salgado believed she was doing.

It was nearly ten at night in Austin.

Alejandro and I had been married for less than four hours.

The reception had reached that pleasant stage where the formal schedule was mostly finished and everyone had started relaxing.

My shoes hurt.

Alejandro’s tie was crooked.

My cheeks ached from smiling.

For the first time all day, I thought:

We actually did it.

Then my mother asked the bandleader for the microphone.

“Before we continue celebrating Mariana and Alejandro,” she began, “Robert and I have another happy family announcement.”

I immediately knew this would involve Valeria.