PART 1 — THE SECOND BRIDE THAT NO ONE HAD INVITED
—Why are you wearing a wedding dress?
Clara Martínez could hardly believe what she was seeing.
It was less than an hour until her wedding and a luxurious black car had just stopped in front of the entrance of an impressive stone mansion.
Beatriz Montenegro had gotten off it.
Her future mother-in-law.
She was sixty-two years old, her blond hair was tied up in an elegant bun, and she had a smile so satisfied that she seemed to be expecting applause.
But what left everyone speechless was her dress.
It was white.
Long.
With floral lace, a plunging neckline, embellished straps, and a wide skirt that flowed to the floor.
It looked like a different wedding dress.
Clara, thirty years old, had been preparing for that day for months.
Her own dress was white, strapless, with a delicate lace bodice and a sweetheart neckline.
A small silver tiara held her veil in place.
In her hands she held a bouquet of white roses.
Behind her, three bridesmaids dressed in light blue looked at each other in bewilderment.
“It can’t be,” whispered Paula, Clara’s best friend. “Is your mother-in-law coming dressed as a bride?”
Beatriz finished getting out of the car.
She adjusted her skirt.
She smoothed down her silver necklace.
And she walked towards the mansion’s stairs as if everyone was there to greet her.
“Today is also a great day for me,” she announced, smiling.
Clara tried to remain calm.
—Beatriz, we had talked about the wardrobe.
—And what’s wrong with my dress?
—It’s white. It looks like a wedding dress.
The woman let out a small laugh.
—Oh, Clara, don’t exaggerate. It’s ivory.
Paula glanced discreetly at the other bridesmaids.
The difference between white and ivory was practically invisible.
Beatriz continued:
—Besides, I’m the groom’s mother. I also have the right to stand out.
Clara felt her stomach clench.
This was not the first time Beatriz had tried to become the center of attention.
Ever since Miguel asked her to marry him, his mother had questioned almost every decision.
First he wanted to choose the restaurant.
Then he tried to change the guest list.
Later he asserted that the decoration Clara had chosen was too simple for the Montenegro surname.
Miguel always tried to calm conflicts.
“My mother has a strong personality,” he said. “But she doesn’t do it with bad intentions.”
Clara had tried to understand her.
I knew that Beatriz had raised Miguel practically alone since her husband died.
I understood that it was difficult for him to accept that his son was building his own family.
But that was different.
It was her wedding.
And her future mother-in-law had appeared dressed almost exactly like her.
—Beatriz, this is my wedding —Clara said in a firm voice.
The woman’s smile faded slightly.
—We’ll see who’s in the photos.
Clara frowned.
—What does that mean?
—It means I want to go out with my son. I don’t intend to stand in a corner while everyone takes pictures of you.
Beatriz took a step closer.
—I am the most important woman in Miguel’s life since he was born.
Clara looked at her in surprise.
—Nobody is trying to take your place as a mother.
—That’s what you say.
Beatriz’s voice became colder.
—But after marriage, mothers always end up being forgotten.
Clara lowered her bouquet slightly.
—Miguel loves you very much.
—Then he’ll have no problem proving it.
Beatriz smiled again.
But when Clara refused to move aside from the entrance to let her go first, the woman lowered her hand next to her dress.
Her silver bracelet sparkled in the sun.
The fingers closed slowly.
Until you form a fist.
Paula approached Clara.
—I’m going to look for Miguel.
But before he could leave, the photographer appeared.
—Perfect, you’re here. Let’s start with the family photos.
Beatriz immediately raised her head.
—Great. First, I’d like a picture with my son.
Clara nodded.
—Of course. We have time to take pictures of everyone.
The mother-in-law smiled.
—No, dear. I mean the first official photograph.
The photographer checked his instruction sheet.
Then he looked at Clara.
—Excuse me… it says here that the first session is with Miguel and his mother, in front of the columns. And that the bride must wait inside.
Clara felt her blood run cold.
She had never given that instruction.
Beatriz, on the other hand, seemed to know perfectly well what she was talking about.
And what happened when Miguel appeared almost made the bride burst into tears.
PART 2 — THE PHOTOGRAPH THAT SHOULDN’T EXIST
Miguel Montenegro left the mansion accompanied by his godfather.
He was thirty-four years old and was wearing an elegant dark blue suit.
She was smiling until she saw her mother.
