Chapter 15

For a split second, the world seemed to stop.

Annabelle's ears rang as she stared at the podium, the name hitting her like a punch to the gut.

Her vision blurred as she saw Miguel, her ex-husband whom she had belittled and humiliated, rise from the back of the room.

The crowd erupted in applause again, this time louder and more enthusiastic than before, as Miguel walked confidently to the stage.

As Miguel finally reached the podium, the applause began to die down as he smiled warmly at the audience, waiting for the room to quiet before he spoke.

"Thank you. I'm truly honored to be here tonight, and even more honored to contribute to a cause that was dear to my mother's heart," Miguel said into the microphone.

There was a moment of silence as everyone in the room stayed quiet, intrigued by Miguel's story.

"My mother believed deeply in giving back to the community. She was a woman of strength, and she always said that true wealth wasn't measured by what you have, but by what you give. T