Chapter 6: The First Crack
Emiliano started paying closer attention.
He came home earlier. He ate dinner with the family every night. He watched Patricia carefully.
One evening, Martina had a nightmare and came running into the living room crying. She climbed onto Emiliano’s lap.
Patricia’s face tightened.
“Martina, you’re too big to be acting like this,” she said sharply. “Go back to bed.”
Martina froze, tears still on her cheeks.
Before Emiliano could speak, Rosa appeared from the kitchen.
“Come, mi amor,” she said gently to Martina. “I’ll read you a story.”
She took the little girl’s hand and led her upstairs without looking at Patricia.
Emiliano watched them go.
Then he turned to Patricia.
“Don’t speak to my daughter like that again,” he said, his voice low and cold.
Patricia blinked, surprised.
“Emiliano, I was just—”
May you like
“I heard what you said.”
For the first time, Patricia looked genuinely worried.
