Elena didn’t wait for an answer. She tapped on the tablet and continued in the same calm voice:
“I also checked the passenger manifest. Interesting… this is the third first-class international trip you’ve taken in the last eight months. All charged to Salazar & Associates. The same company my husband works for.”
She looked directly at Valeria.
“And you must be Valeria López. The woman whose hotel rooms, shopping trips, and spa days have also been appearing on the company expenses.”
Valeria’s face went white. “What are you talking about?”
Elena smiled — a small, terrifying smile.
“I had a lot of time during layovers to check the statements. Turns out my husband has been very generous with money that doesn’t belong to him.”
Ricardo’s voice came out hoarse. “Elena… please. Not here.”
“Oh, but we’re just getting started,” Elena replied softly. “I forwarded everything to the company’s legal team and to your boss thirty minutes before takeoff. They should be waiting for you when we land in Barcelona.”
Valeria turned to Ricardo, her voice shaking with rage and fear. “You told me the money was yours. You said it was fine!”
Ricardo reached for her hand, but she pulled away.
Part 3
The rest of the flight felt like a slow descent into hell.
Valeria refused to speak to him. She spent the next four hours staring out the window, tears silently running down her face. Every time a crew member passed, she flinched, convinced they all knew.
Ricardo kept checking his phone, but there was no signal at 35,000 feet. He could only imagine the emails piling up — messages from his boss, HR, and probably the police about misuse of company funds.
Elena never raised her voice. She didn’t cry. She didn’t make a scene. Instead, she did something far worse.
She treated him like any other passenger.
She offered him a warm towel. She asked if he wanted the steak or the fish. She even wished him a pleasant stay in Barcelona when she collected the trays.
That politeness destroyed him more than any screaming match ever could.
