—What right do you have to decide that my daughter is worth less than others in my house?
Teresa was startled.
—Oh, Mariana. Why did you arrive so early?
—I asked you a question.
Sofia lowered her gaze, as if she were the one to blame.
Mariana took a clean plate and went over to the stove. There was a third steak left in the pan.
Teresa intervened.
—That one’s for Sergio. He’s going to arrive starving.
—Sergio can have pasta for dinner.
Mariana placed the salmon in front of Sofia.
—Eat, my love.
—But Grandma said she couldn’t.
—Now I’m telling you yes.
Teresa let out a dry laugh.
—You’re exaggerating. You’re making a fuss over a fish.
—On Monday I transferred twenty thousand pesos to you for Emiliano and Diego’s expenses while they stayed here for Laura’s remodeling. Where is that money?
Teresa stopped smiling.
—Everything is so expensive.
—I paid for the groceries in the refrigerator. Where are the twenty thousand?
The mother-in-law pursed her lips.
—I paid some overdue mortgage payments. Your father-in-law and I can’t stretch our pensions like you do. You have more than enough.
Mariana breathed slowly.
—So you took money meant for the children, paid off your debts, cooked with my groceries, and decided my daughter didn’t deserve to eat the same food.
Teresa looked at her with contempt.
—Sofia may be your world, but to Sergio she will always be another man’s daughter.
Sofia remained motionless.
Mariana called her husband on speakerphone and told him everything.
Sergio remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he said:
—Are you seriously calling me at work about a piece of salmon?
Mariana saw Sofia look up at her.
