“Arturo says the girls ruined his life.”
“Today he hid my car keys so I couldn’t go to the doctor.”
“They changed my work schedule again. Human Resources said it came from management.”
“Arturo works in Human Resources.”
A chill crawled down my spine.
Rosa and Arturo worked at the same company. She handled administration. He worked in Human Resources, meaning he had control over schedules, leave requests, and internal reports.
I always believed he took care of her.
She often told me she felt exhausted. That her chest hurt. That she couldn’t sleep anymore.
I begged her to stay with me for a while, but she always answered:
“I don’t want my daughters growing up without their father.”
I kept reading.
“They denied my medical leave again.”
“Arturo said if I died, he’d finally feel free.”
“Mariela doesn’t want girls around. Arturo said he would solve that problem.”
I slowly looked up.
“Who’s Mariela?”
Renata answered quietly.
“The woman from the white van.”
Abril started crying.
“Dad called her ‘my love’ even when Mom was nearby.”
