21. The Property Manager
Dad contacted his property manager.
He asked for copies of the current lease and payment records.
He also made it clear that any future property matters would be handled through the management company.
He wasn’t going to use his ownership to punish Rosa.
But he wasn’t going to allow her to misrepresent the situation either.
The manager confirmed that Rosa and Ernesto had been tenants for years.
Their lease was valid.
Their payments were current.
Dad had no reason to interfere.
That mattered to me.
I didn’t want my father to become the kind of person who used housing to control someone.
I wanted him to help me leave that kind of control behind.
22. The Car Loan
A few days later, Luis and I met at a café.
Dad watched Mateo nearby while we talked.
I brought the payment records.
Luis looked exhausted.
“I didn’t realize you’d paid this much.”
I stared at him.
“The transfers came from my account every month.”
“I know.”
“Then what didn’t you realize?”
He looked down.
“That I let Mom treat it like hers.”
I nodded.
“We need to decide what happens with the car.”
He agreed.
We discussed the financing, insurance, registration, and the practical steps needed to make the arrangement clear.
I wasn’t going to keep paying for a vehicle I couldn’t reliably use.
Luis finally understood that.
At least, he said he did.
23. The Apology
Luis leaned forward.
“Camila, I’m sorry.”
I waited.
“I should’ve taken you to the clinic. I should’ve stopped Mom from taking the keys. I should’ve listened when you said you were unhappy.”
My eyes burned.
“Why didn’t you?”
He rubbed his forehead.
“Because every time I disagreed with her, she reminded me that we were living in her house.”
I looked at him.
“And you let her use that against me.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
It hurt to hear.
But it was the first time he’d admitted it without making excuses.
