Marcos lowered his gaze, unable to meet his mother’s eyes. “I know, Mom. But her parents and sisters are in there. She says she feels more comfortable with them.”

He paused, took a breath, and uttered the phrase that would shatter something inside Lucía forever: “Don’t pressure her, Mom… please. The truth is, she’s never wanted you around. She says you make her nervous.”

The world seemed to stop.

The laughter coming from Elena’s room, where her parents and siblings were, sounded like a slap in the face.

Lucía felt an icy chill run down her spine.

She clutched the bag with the knitted blanket, nodded slowly without shedding a single tear, and with unwavering dignity, turned away.