Then the conversation shifted to something even more unsettling.
“What about the property in your wife’s name?” the woman asked. “You said things would move forward soon.”
I felt my stomach twist. For many years, I had saved modestly—hard-earned pesos tucked away so I could help Maricel later. She had planned to start a small business someday, and I wanted her to have something stable to begin with. I had never mentioned the amount to Rafael, but I knew my daughter might have.
The tone of their conversation left me cold. They spoke carelessly about decisions that did not belong to them, about plans Maricel knew nothing about. It was clear my daughter was not at the center of those plans at all.
Just then, Maricel’s voice came through Rafael’s speakerphone.
“Honey, I’ll be home early. Is Mom awake already?”
Rafael answered quickly, pretending calm. “I haven’t seen her. I’m heading out to a meeting.”
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