Claudia was still smiling.
“Seriously, brother, the girl needs strength. You can’t bring her into the world wrapped in cotton wool.”
Sofia pressed herself closer to me.
When Claudia tried to touch her head, I pushed her hand away.
“Don’t you ever go near my daughter again.”
My sister’s face changed.
“Don’t exaggerate. You’re ruining Mateo’s birthday.”
My dad, from the kitchen, just watched. Silent. As always.
I walked toward the door. My mom yelled behind me:
“Daniel, come back! Don’t you dare leave this house like that!”
Then I heard a plate smash against the wall.
I didn’t look back.
I put Sofia in the car, locked the doors, and started the engine while she kept whispering:
“Dad, I didn’t do anything…”
And that’s when I understood that what had happened wasn’t a joke.
But I still couldn’t imagine how far they were willing to go to hide it.
