—I just hope she didn’t marry you because she’s afraid of ending up alone and broke.
The room went completely silent.
I felt my face burn with humiliation.
Manuel slowly put down his fork.
—Leave the table.
His son laughed nervously.
—I’m just being realistic.
—I said leave the table.
I had never seen Manuel raise his voice before.
His son stood up angrily.
—You think this woman loves you? At your age?
Manuel suddenly slammed his hand against the table.
—At my age, son, I finally learned the difference between people who stay for money… and people who stay out of love.
His son stared at him in shock.
Then he looked at me.
And for the first time, I didn’t lower my eyes in shame.
Because after sixty years of life…
I was tired of apologizing for wanting happiness.
His son left furious.
The door slammed so hard the picture frames shook.
That night, I told Manuel maybe I should move back to my old house.
—to avoid problems.
He looked at me as if I had stabbed him.
—Don’t say that again.
—But your family—
—You are my family.
My eyes filled with tears.
