We gathered in the marble hallway outside the courtroom as the bailiffs cleared the doors.

Paola met Doña Victoria and Alejandro by the tall brass water fountain, carrying a silver shopping bag from a downtown boutique.

She looked at my small canvas bag sitting beside my plain leather shoes and let out a dramatic scoff.

“She really packed her whole existence into one bargain handbag,” Paola said, tapping her acrylic nails on her phone screen.

Doña Victoria stepped into my path, smoothing her silk neck scarf with clipped little flicks.