Chapter 13 - The Foundation of Glass
Back in Providencia, the commercial lot that Sergio had illegally attempted to transfer into his private portfolio was finally cleared by the municipal land registry. The title was officially restored back to Raúl and Elvira Morales.
To celebrate, the family gathered not at a barbecue filled with extended relatives and forced obligations, but around the small kitchen table in the Chapalita house. There were only four plates: Raúl, Elvira, Mariana, and little Lucía, who was busy feeding her stuffed rabbit a imaginary piece of sweet bread.
“The commercial agent called today,” Raúl said, cutting a piece of roasted chicken. His hands were steady now, the tremor born of constant stress finally gone. “He wants to buy the lot outright. Says we can clear a very clean profit if we sell.”
“And what do you want to do with the money, Dad?” Mariana asked, taking a sip of water.
Raúl looked at Elvira, then down at Lucía, who was giggling as she made her rabbit "hop" across the salt shaker.
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“We’re putting it into a trust fund,” Raúl said softly. “For Lucía’s education. And whatever is left over… we’re setting up a counseling initiative for families dealing with domestic toxicity in Guadalajara. No more secrets, Mariana. No more hiding behind closed doors.”
Elvira reached across the table and squeezed Raúl’s hand. For the first time in their lives, the silence in the house didn’t feel like a cover-up; it felt like a sanctuary.
