Chapter 1 - The Folder on the Notary’s Desk
The next morning, Renata woke before sunrise.
Her lip was swollen.
Her cheek was purple.
But her hands were steady.
Mateo was still asleep beside her, curled beneath a thin blanket, one small hand resting near her arm as if he was afraid she might disappear.
Renata packed a small bag for him first.
Clothes.
His favorite dinosaur shirt.
A toothbrush.
The blue toy car he carried everywhere.
Then she packed her documents.
The deed.
The receipts.
The camera footage.
The photos of broken furniture, damaged walls, and unpaid utility notices.
Finally, she opened the bedroom door.
The apartment was quiet.
Saúl was asleep on the couch, one arm hanging over the side. Brenda and the children were crowded into the living room. Iván sat at the dining table with his head in his hands.
He looked up when Renata entered.
“Where are you going?”
“To protect my son.”
His eyes moved to Mateo’s bag.
“Renata, please. Saúl was drunk.”
She stopped.
For three years, she had accepted every version of that sentence.
He was tired.
He was stressed.
He did not mean it.
That is just how he is.
But this time, she looked directly at Iván.
“Your brother hit me six times.”
“I know.”
“You watched.”
His eyes filled with shame.
“I froze.”
“My son asked why his father did not help me.”
Iván’s face crumpled.
Renata’s voice remained calm.
“You did not freeze, Iván. You chose silence.”
He stood quickly.
“I will make him apologize.”
“I do not need his apology.”
“What do you want?”
Renata held the blue folder against her chest.
“I want all of you out of my home.”
Iván stared at her.
“You cannot throw out my parents. Saúl has children.”
“I gave them three years.”
“But where will they go?”
“That was never my responsibility.”
Then she took Mateo’s hand and walked out.
At the end of the hallway, Jimena was waiting.
She did not ask whether Renata was sure.
She saw the bruises.
She saw the fear in Mateo’s eyes.
And she simply opened the car door.
May you like
“Get in,” she said.
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