CHAPTER 4: THE NIGHT EVERYTHING BROKE
Santiago didn’t confront Camila immediately.
He waited.
Watched.
And that night—
He saw it himself.
From the hallway, hidden in the shadows, he watched as Camila locked his mother’s door.
Watched as she removed the food tray—untouched.
Watched as she poured something into a glass of water.
His hands curled into fists.
When she turned—
He stepped forward.
“Open the door.”
Camila froze.
Then smiled. “Santiago, you’re home early—”
“Open. The. Door.”
Something in his voice made her hesitate.
But she couldn’t escape it now.
The key turned.
The door opened.
And there—
In the dim light—
Was Doña Consuelo.
Fragile.
Hungry.
Terrified.
“Mom…” Santiago whispered, stepping inside.
She looked up at him slowly, her eyes filling with tears.
“You came,” she said.
That broke him.
Completely.
Behind him, Camila tried to speak—tried to explain.
May you like
But for once—
No one was listening to her.
