24. The Decision
Luis asked me to return.
I shook my head.
“Not to that house.”
“We could find somewhere else.”
“Then find a job. Make a budget. And show me that you can make decisions without your mother controlling them.”
He looked at me.
“Are you leaving me?”
“I haven’t decided what happens to our marriage.”
He swallowed.
“But I’m not going back to the way things were.”
He nodded slowly.
I wanted to believe him.
But I had spent too long believing promises that never became actions.
This time, I needed to see change.
25. Rosa’s Message
Rosa sent me a long message that evening.
She said she’d been misunderstood.
She said she’d only been trying to help.
She said my father had embarrassed her.
Then she wrote:
You should remember who gave you a place to stay when you had nowhere else to go.
I read the message twice.
Then I replied:
I appreciated the accommodation. I did not agree to surrender my independence in exchange for it. Please contact Luis about household matters. I need space.
I didn’t argue further.
Some conversations only continue because one person keeps trying to win them.
I was done.
26. The Return to Work
My ankle improved with treatment and rest.
I returned to work according to my medical guidance.
My supervisor helped arrange a temporary adjustment to my schedule.
Dad watched Mateo during the hours I needed childcare.
I began saving again.
Not for emergencies created by other people.
For my own future.
I opened a separate account.
Reviewed my expenses.
And started looking for a small apartment.
Dad told me I could stay.
I knew he meant it.
But I wanted a home where I could make decisions without asking anyone’s permission.
27. The Apartment
Three months later, I found a modest apartment near my workplace.
One bedroom.
A small kitchen.
A balcony overlooking a quiet street.
It wasn’t fancy.
But there was enough room for Mateo’s crib.
The building had an elevator.
And the rent fit my budget.
When I showed Dad the photographs, he smiled.
“Looks good.”
I hesitated.
“Are you sure you’re okay with us moving?”
He looked surprised.
“Camila, I helped you so you could stand on your own feet. Not so you’d feel obligated to stay with me.”
I laughed softly.
Then I hugged him.
