My sisters looked at me as if I had spoken in another language.
My mother was the first to react.
“What do you say, Diego?” He asked slowly.
His voice was not strong, but he had that tone that since I was a child made me feel that I had crossed a dangerous line.
Breathed hondo.
For the first time in many years, I didn’t look down.
“I said that no one treats Lucia as if she were the servant of this family again.
Patricia let out a small incredulous laugh.
“Oh, please… Diego, don’t exaggerate.
Carmen crossed her arms.
“Lucía was just washing some dishes. Since when has that been a problem?”
Isabel, the eldest, looked at me with that serious gesture she always used when she wanted to put an end to any argument.
“We’ve worked in this house all our lives, too,” he said. “I don’t see why everything has to revolve around your wife now.
I felt the blood rise to my head.
But this time I didn’t back down.
“Because she’s eight months pregnant,” I replied. “And because while she’s standing in the kitchen… you’re sitting here like nothing.
No one spoke.
Silence filled the room again.
My mother turned off the TV.
That small gesture made the atmosphere even more tense.
“Diego,” she said finally. “Your sisters have done a lot for you all their lives.
“I know.
“Then you should respect them.
I swallowed hard.
“Respecting them doesn’t mean allowing my wife to carry everything.
Isabel got up from the sofa.
“Are we the bad guys in history now?”
“I didn’t say that.
“But you’re hinting at it.
Carmen chimed in:
“Lucia never complained.
Those words hit me hard.
Because it was true.
Lucía never complained.
He never raised his voice.
She never said that anything hurt or that she was tired.
But suddenly I understood something very simple.
Just because someone doesn’t complain… doesn’t mean they aren’t suffering.
I looked into the kitchen.
The light was still on.
Lucía was surely listening to everything.
I took a deep breath again.
“I’m not here to discuss who has done the most for the family,” I said. I’m just saying something very clear.
I went one step closer.
“My wife is pregnant. And I’m not going to allow him to continue working as if he wasn’t.
Patricia rodó los ojos.
“Then let him rest, who prevents him?”
“You,” I answered.
All three looked at me at the same time.
“Every time they come,” I continued, “Lucia ends up cooking, serving, and cleaning everything. And no one lifts a finger.
Carmen raised her voice:
“Because that’s how it’s always been in this house!”
“Well, that’s over.
The silence fell again.
My mother stared at me.
“Are you saying that your sisters are no longer welcome here?”
I shook my head.
“I’m saying that if they come… they help.
Patricia let out a short laugh.
“Just look… The child is now grown.
I felt the insult hidden in those words.
But I didn’t answer.
Isabel watched me for a few seconds.
Then he said something he didn’t expect.
“All this… for a woman?
He did not raise his voice.
But the contempt was there.
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