I didn’t trust my wife, so I decided to send my entire monthly salary to my mother so she could keep it safe…

— Dad!

He jumped into my arms.

I felt his small arms wrap around my waist.

My heart broke.

— Hello, champ — I whispered.

Then I lifted my gaze.

Lucía was standing a few meters away.

She looked different.

Thinner, but also calmer.

Her eyes were still the same.

— Hello, Daniel — she said gently.

We sat on a bench in the park while Mateo played nearby.

For several minutes, no one spoke.

Finally I said:

— I lost my job… and I also lost all my savings.

Lucía looked at me with a mixture of surprise and compassion.

— I’m sorry.

Those words made me lower my head.

— I don’t deserve your compassion — I replied. — I was a terrible husband.

Silence returned.

Then I continued:

— I distrusted you when you only wanted to help. I made you work harder, spoke to you badly… and even then you never complained.

Lucía sighed.

— Daniel… I didn’t want a divorce. I just wanted you to treat me like your partner, not someone you couldn’t trust.

A knot formed in my throat.

— I know… but I understood it too late.

Mateo ran back and sat between us.

— Can you both come to my school festival on Friday? — he asked excitedly.

Lucía and I looked at each other.

For the first time in a long while… we both smiled.

— Of course — I said.

That Friday I went to the school.

Mateo sang on stage wearing his little white shirt.