He didn’t even know what was inside, and his mother’s reaction had just turned that key into something much more disturbing than just a house rule.

—Where is the key? —she asked.

Rebeca clenched her jaw.

—You have no right to look through my things.

Julián continued to hold Valentina. The girl had her fingers red from holding onto his shoulder, and upon hearing her grandmother, she hid her face again.

That was enough for him not to argue.

—Lucía, come with me.

She remained by the sink.

For a moment, it seemed like he was going to obey Rebeca again, as if leaving that kitchen required permission.

Julián extended his hand toward her.

—You don’t have to stay there anymore.

Lucía took a step.

Then another.

Rebeca intervened.

—You’re destroying this family over a ridiculous scene. Ask your wife. I never forced her to do anything.

Lucía lowered her gaze toward her wet towel.

Julián didn’t respond for her.

He waited.

And for the first time since he had entered, Rebeca couldn’t do it either.

Lucía raised her head.

—The drawer is in her room —she said in a broken voice. I don’t know what she keeps there either. I just know she never lets Valentina get close.

Rebeca immediately turned toward the hallway.

Julián moved first and blocked the way, not letting his daughter go.

Then he understood something: until the help he had just asked for, no one was going to touch that drawer, no one was going to take anything out, and above all, Rebeca was no longer going to decide who could speak inside that house.

———————————————

Write KEY and I will publish Part 3.

ANSWER “KEY” IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE READING THE FULL