After my son’s funeral. I never mentioned the second house, nor the 33 million pesos he left me. A week later, my daughter-in-law told me, “Get your things ready.” The house was already sold. I smiled. It had been prepared beforehand. But it wasn’t my things. I’m glad you’re here. Stay until the

end and tell me from which city you see my story. I want to know how far it has gone.
I stood there, in front of the shining wooden coffin of Alejandro, my son, my heart broken. The crowd passed in silence, with slight nods, with whispers of condolences. Everything glided by like a gust of cold air. Alejandro, my boy, the one who until recently laughed, spoke,

He hugged me tightly every time he came to visit.
Now he lay motionless. That cursed cancer had taken him. After months of tireless struggle, I looked at his kind face in the photo on the coffin and his eyes still seemed to seek mine, as if he wanted to say something, but all that remained was the silence that crushed my chest.

Beside her, Isa, my daughter-in-law, was holding Valeria tightly. My granddaughter Isa was crying inconsolably, her shoulders shaking with sobs.
From now on, we only have each other, she repeated over and over again in a broken voice. I watched her, moved and confused at the same time. Isa was always strong, sharp, but today she seemed about to break. Valeria was silent, her eyes red-rimmed, clutching her cell phone as if it were the last thing she had ever seen.

The only thing keeping her standing.
I wanted to reach out and hug them both, tell them I was still here, that we would get through this together. But my throat closed up and I couldn’t get a word out. Mrs. Lopez, my neighbor of so many years, came over and placed her wrinkled hand on my shoulder. “Isa is very strong,” she murmured in a low voice.

compassionate. Your son will be at peace seeing you like this. I nodded slightly, forcing a smile, even though inside I was empty.
At peace. Alejandro didn’t know that. My son left too soon, leaving me with a void that was impossible to fill. As people began to leave, the funeral home grew quieter. Isa came over and took my hand. She was frozen, but her eyes were steady. Mom said hoarsely, This house is too

Big and expensive. I think we should sell it.
I still hadn’t responded when she continued with the swiftness of someone who has already made up her mind. With the money we can move to a smaller place. And also to pay for Valeria’s university. Alejandro is no longer with us. We can’t continue to afford this house. Her words cut through me like a knife. Not because

the idea of ​​selling, but by the way she said them bluntly, as if everything had been resolved without consulting me.
I looked at Valeria, hoping she would intervene, but she just lowered her head, sliding her fingers across the phone screen, her lips pressed together. I put my hand on Isa’s shoulder and nodded, not because I agreed, but because I didn’t want to argue on a day when my soul was crumbling from the

loss of my son. The father appeared with a grave voice.
He asked everyone to prepare for the last rites. I stepped aside, avoiding the milling crowd. Suddenly, an attendant accidentally pushed me and I almost fell. At that moment, I heard Isa’s voice, barely distinguishable among the murmur. She leaned toward someone I knew and whispered. After the

I’ll have to take care of the funeral.
What a pain! I froze. I felt my heart stop. Annoyance. Alejandro’s family estate was a nuisance to her. I kept telling myself I had heard wrong, that the noise had led me to believe something else. But those words kept going around in my head,

like a wound that wouldn’t stop bleeding.
I wanted to go over and ask, but my legs felt nailed to the floor. I just stood there, staring at Isa. Continuing to talk. Her face was still covered in sadness, as if nothing had happened. The funeral was over and I returned to the house. Now it was only mine. The living room was so large and before it was full of

Alejandro’s laughter, I felt frozen.
I sat down in the old armchair where he used to lie down and watch TV, and the feeling of emptiness enveloped me completely. The family photos on the wooden shelf, the things Alejandro had left behind, everything seemed to remind me that my son was truly gone. I covered my face with my hands and

Tears flowed uncontrollably.
Not only had I lost Alejandro, I had also lost that sense of family security that I had built up over so many years. That night the doorbell rang. I quickly wiped my tears, opened the door, and saw Isa and Valeria standing there with their hands full of suitcases. Isa looked at me. Her eyes widened.

They softened. Mom shouldn’t stay here alone. It’s very dangerous. She told me in a worried voice. I thought it was best if we stayed with you.
I already transferred the apartment we were renting to someone else. I was surprised, but I didn’t refuse. I nodded. I went to get more blankets and pillows and made a place for them to sleep inside me. I thought maybe it was the right thing to do. Isa and Valeria were suffering too. They also needed a

A place to lean on, just like me.
Maybe the three of us could hold on together, face those tough days. I looked at Valeria, who remained silent, her gaze lost, and I promised myself to do everything possible to protect her, as Alejandro had always done. At dawn the next day, the dim light filtered through the curtains,

illuminating the old wooden floor.
I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands trembling and my heart heavy with sorrow. The house was too quiet. There was no more laughter from Alejandro, nor the sound of his hurried footsteps every morning before leaving for work.
I decided to open my son’s old closet in the hope of finding a bit of his memories, a bit of that warmth I was still missing. The wood creaked and an old smell escaped, taking me back to the days when Alejandro was a child and rummaged through the closet looking for toys. I took out

Each thing: shirts, a watch, a few books. Each object was like a stab in the chest. Then I saw it. A thick envelope hidden at the bottom of the drawer.
I opened it, my heart pounding. Inside were legal documents, savings accounts, and a handwritten letter. I instantly recognized Alejandro’s handwriting. Firm but full of feeling. I sank back into the chair, my eyes fixed on those lines. Mom, if you’re reading this letter,

I’m probably not here anymore.
Sorry I can’t stay with you longer. I’m leaving you the house in Polanco and the savings account. 33 million pesos. Mom, I trust you’ll know how to take care of it. I don’t want Isa to find out because I don’t trust her anymore. She’s changed, Mom. Some nights I heard her talking on the phone. Planning about

money, about selling the house.
As if everything in this family was just something to take advantage of. I don’t want you or Valeria to fall into their hands. Keep this secret until you see the need to use it. I love you, Mom. And I trust you’ll protect Valeria for me. I read it over and over again with tears streaming down my face. Alejandro, my

Son.
Even in the face of death, he kept thinking of me, of Valeria. But Isa wasn’t trustworthy. My son’s words left me frozen. I always believed Isa to be a strong, caring woman, although sometimes a bit cold. But that nagging yesterday at the funeral and now this letter. They had my head in a spin.

knot.
I wanted to believe Alejandro was wrong, that Isa was just suffering like me, but in a corner of my heart doubt was starting to grow. The sound of footsteps on the stairs made me jump. Quickly, I stuffed the envelope into my coat pocket, my heart pounding in my chest and center with a

A faint smile spread across her lips, but her gaze was icy. Mom said flatly.
I’m thinking of changing the lock on the front door today. Old keys aren’t safe anymore. I tried to keep my voice calm, even though my hand was shaking. This key still works, honey. Don’t change it. I don’t know why I said it. It was pure instinct. Maybe because of Alejandro’s letter, I was beginning to feel that

I had to be cautious.
Isa looked at me with a flash of annoyance in her eyes. Then she smiled. A forced smile. Mom, you’re just so careless. I just want the house better protected. She turned around, but I saw her clench her fists as if they were holding something. I stood there with a heavy heart, feeling

that the invisible wall between Isa and me was growing ever thicker.
At noon, I mustered up all my courage and called Mr. Ramírez, an old friend of Alejandro’s, whose contact my son had left in the letter. His warm voice rang out on the phone, and we agreed to meet a few days later in a discreet café where no one would notice us. I didn’t want to talk too much,

fearing that Isa would hear.
When I hung up, I felt like I’d just taken a step in a chess game whose rules I didn’t yet understand. I went to the market trying to lose myself in the crowd, seeking to clear my mind. But Mrs. López, the neighbor, took me by the arm and whispered. Isa told me she wants to sell the house. Are you okay with that?

Okay? I froze, as if someone had thrown a bucket of cold water in my face.
Isa had already told the neighbors. Was she acting so quickly? I shook my head, trying to sound calm. I haven’t decided anything yet, Mrs. López. There’s no need to rush. She nodded, but her curious eyes made me even more uneasy. I returned home with my soul full of suspicions.

What was Isa up to behind my back? At night, Valeria slowly entered my fourth floor. She placed an old photo on the table. Alejandro was smiling, carrying a tiny Valeria on his shoulders. Dad once told me he wanted to protect Grandma. He said in a fragile voice, on the verge of breaking. But no.

He managed to do so. His words pierced my heart like a dagger.
I touched the photo, remembering Alejandro’s letter. “Sleep, daughter,” I replied, swallowing my tears. “Don’t think so much, but deep down I knew I couldn’t leave things like that. Alejandro had left me with a responsibility, and I wasn’t going to let him down. That night I hid the envelope under my pillow, guarding it.

as if it were a treasure. I went down to the kitchen for a glass of water, walking silently so as not to wake anyone.
But as I passed the living room, I heard Isa’s voice filtering through the half-open door. “Don’t worry,” she said confidently into the phone. “In just a few weeks, everything will be ready.” I stood motionless, my hand squeezing the glass of water. “Ready?” What was she talking about? Selling the house or something.

More than me? I still didn’t know.
I wanted to go in. I wanted to confront her immediately, but my feet felt nailed to the floor. I returned to my room, lay down on the bed, but I couldn’t close my eyes. Alejandro’s letter and Isa’s voice swirled around in my head. I knew I was facing a big secret. A secret that Alejandro

I had tried to keep to protect myself.
The next morning I woke up to the aroma of coffee wafting through the kitchen. Isa was already up early and had set breakfast on the old wooden table. Sweet bread, orange marmalade, and a pot of hot coffee. She smiled, her voice soft as a breeze. Mom, about what

Don’t worry about selling the house. Let me take care of everything.
Now all you need is to rest. I looked at her and suddenly felt an unexpected warmth, as if last night’s doubts had been just a nightmare. Isa, my daughter-in-law, seemed as attentive as if she wanted to protect me during these days of mourning. I nodded and forced a smile, although in

At the back there was still a restless corner.
When I stood up with the intention of clearing away the dishes, Isa hurried to stop me, quickly taking everything away. “No need,” Mom said in a sweet but firm voice. “From now on, leave those things to me. You just stay in your room and rest.” I was surprised. I wanted to say something,

But I could only stare at her as she took the dishes to the sink.
Isa’s attitude made me feel cared for, but at the same time as if I were being removed from my own home. I kept telling myself that maybe she was just trying to help. She just wanted to take the weight off my shoulders. The murmurs of obstruction at the funeral, the secret phone call last night. I forced myself to

believe that it had all been a misunderstanding, that Isa had no bad intentions.
But that warmth didn’t last long. At noon, while I was in the living room leafing through an old photo album of Alejandro’s, Isa came in with a glossy brochure in her hand. She put it in front of me and in the same sweet voice said, Mom, I found an excellent place. This luxury nursing home has many friends of yours.

old and doctors who treat her regularly.
I think she’ll be happier, more comfortable there. I froze, staring at the brochure with the photos of smiling elderly people in a green garden. A nursing home. I had never thought of leaving this house full of memories of Alejandro, of my family. I wanted to protest, to say that I could still take care of myself. But

Before I could speak, Valeria came running in with red eyes.
Mom almost screamed. Grandma doesn’t want to go anywhere. She has to stay in this house. I don’t want her to leave either. Valeria’s voice trembled. Stubborn, but full of fear. I looked at her and felt a knot in my chest. Valeria, my granddaughter, was only 15 years old, but she had already lived through too many things.

losses. Isa pressed her lips together, a flash of annoyance flashing in her eyes.
She took Valeria’s hand and led her outside, speaking softly but sharply. “Don’t get involved in adult matters. Your mom and your grandma. We’re serious.” The door slammed shut, leaving me alone with the cold brochure on the table. I stood there, my hand trembling over the photo of

Alejandro, wondering if I was exaggerating or if Isa really wanted to keep me out of her and Valeria’s lives. In the afternoon, Isa continued with her own business.
She opened the refrigerator, checked every meal, and carefully wrote it down in a notebook. “Every expense has to be planned,” she said without looking at me. “I’ll put the keys and the bank card away so they’re safe. Mom, don’t worry about that stuff anymore.”

I stood there, feeling as if my freedom was being taken away piece by piece within my own home. I wanted to tell her that I could still handle myself, that I didn’t need her to control me, but Isa’s cold, steady gaze silenced me. I just nodded. I turned around, feeling heavy with pain.

heart. As evening fell, I entered my 4th floor, turned on the TV just to have a little noise to scare away the loneliness, but I didn’t even manage to see anything when Isa appeared and quickly turned off the device.
“Why is Mom watching so much? It hurts her eyes,” she said in an orderly tone. “Let me put this remote away.” She took it. She put it in her sweater pocket and left as if nothing had happened. I stayed there, staring at the dark screen, feeling like they had taken away the last thing I had left. A doubt. It began to grow inside me.

Inside.
Was Isa watching over me or controlling me? Later that night, when I thought everyone was asleep, I heard Isa’s voice from the living room. She spoke softly, but in the silence of the house every word was clear. “Don’t worry,” I murmured into the phone. “I’ll soon convince her to sign the papers.”

My heart almost stopped. Papers. What was she talking about? Selling the house or something else.
I still didn’t know. I stood behind the door, holding my breath, my head in a mess. Alejandro’s letter came back to me. Isa can’t be trusted. I had tried to ignore it. I wanted to believe my daughter-in-law was just hurt. But now every word she said confirmed my fear. I went out.

Slowly I walked to the garden. I needed fresh air to ease the feeling of confinement.
The dim moonlight fell on the wooden fence. And I saw Doña López there with a cigar in her hand, greeting me. Isa is so attentive, she said admiringly. She wants to sell the house to take care of you. You’re lucky to have a daughter-in-law like that. I just nodded, but Doña López’s curious look made my hair stand on end.

skin.
There was something in the way he spoke, as if he were sizing me up, as if he knew more than he was letting on. Isa talks to me a lot about you. He continued to lower his voice. He says you need to rest, that a quieter place would do you good. I think he’s right. What do you think? I smiled half-heartedly,

Dodging. I haven’t thought anything yet. Doña López. Everything in its own time. But inside I felt cornered.
I returned to the house, touching my coat pocket with my hand, where Alejandro’s envelope was still hidden. I knew I could no longer pretend that everything was fine. The next day I woke up early with my heart as heavy as a stone. I grabbed some freshly made corn tortillas and wrapped them in

I carefully covered it with a napkin and walked toward Doña López’s house.
I wanted to see her, not so much to talk, but to test out how much she knew about what Isa had said. The door to her house was open, and Doña López, with her gray, disheveled hair, smiled at me when she saw me. Marisol came to visit me. “What’s delicious?” she said, cheerful as always. I put the little package of tortillas in the bag.

on the table and sat down in her old wooden kitchen chair.
Mrs. Lopez pulled up a chair and sat down opposite me, her eyes curious. I heard Isa say that you’ve already agreed to sell the house. She commented in a low but firm voice. Are you really planning on doing this? I froze, as if I’d been slapped. I never said that. I responded, trying to maintain

Calm, even though my heart was pounding.
What had Isa said to Mrs. López? And why was she telling me something I’d never agreed to? Mrs. López smiled, but it wasn’t the friendly smile it had been before. Maybe Isa misunderstood. She tilted her head with an inquisitive look. But you should think it over carefully, Marisol.

Why do you want such a big house on your own? Yeah, major. Maintaining it costs a lot. Isa’s right. Selling it to secure Valeria’s future would be the most sensible thing to do. I clenched my fists under the table, holding back my anger. Mrs. López, this house is my memory of Alejandro. I said in a hushed voice.

shaky. I haven’t thought about selling it. And if I ever do, it will be my decision.
She shrugged and gave a soft laugh. It’s okay, I’m just mentioning it. Isa cares a lot about you. She knows that. She only wants the best for everyone. But I saw a strange glint in her eyes, as if she was waiting for me to say something else. As if she wanted me to give myself away.

I got up with the excuse that I had to prepare dinner and left her house with a growing sense of distrust. This neighbor I had trusted for so many years, with whom I could share difficult moments, was now making me doubt her. When I got home, I barely crossed the door and saw Isa already waiting for me.

in the living room. In front of her was a sheet of paper full of letters and numbers. She handed it to me, speaking in a soft but urgent tone.
Mom, I just spoke to the agency. They’ve already transferred the house. I just need to sign here. I was in shock, my hand shaking as I took the paper. The numbers and clauses seemed to move before my eyes. How far Isa had gone. Without asking my opinion, without a shred of respect. Isa. I said with my head

hoarse voice. I haven’t agreed to sell the house.
Why the rush? Isa looked at me with a look of mild annoyance, though she quickly faked a smile. Mom, I just want everything resolved quickly. We need the money. Valeria needs it for college. Firm. And I’ll take care of everything. Her words sounded sweet, but behind them, there was a

Pressure that took away any option.
That afternoon, while I was trying to organize my thoughts in the room, Valeria came in stealthily with her cell phone in her hand. Her face was pale and her eyes full of worry. Grandma. She said in a low but firm voice. Mom sent a text to someone saying Sell fast before she

regret it.
I looked. She showed me the screen where Isa’s text was clearly visible. Is she really going to sell the house? I read the message, and every word cut through me like a knife. I had never given my consent. I had never mentioned selling the house. And yet, Isa acted as if everything had been done. Valeria.

I said, placing my hand on her shoulder. I never agreed to sell the house.
I don’t know why your mom says that. Valeria looked at me, her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t understand my mom anymore,” she whispered. “She keeps saying she doesn’t need this house. That she should rest somewhere else. But I want her here with me.” Her words left a lump in my throat. I hugged her.

Valeria trying to hold back my tears.
My granddaughter, the girl who had lost her father. Now she was trapped between her mother and me. I wanted to tell her about Alejandro’s letter, but I knew it wasn’t time yet. That night I couldn’t sleep. The cool breeze coming through the window wasn’t enough to calm my mind. I drew the curtain.

I was looking for some fresh air, and what I saw outside stopped me in my tracks.
Isa and Doña López were sitting on the wooden bench, talking in low voices under the dim light. I hid behind the curtain, my heart pounding, trying to catch every word she signed the papers with. “Is that enough?” Isa said in a low but sharp tone. “I’ll give you your

She’s leaving as promised, but you have to keep convincing her.
Tell her she shouldn’t be alone, that this house is too big. Doña López giggled. Her voice was heavy with calculation. Don’t worry, I know how to talk. I tried today, but Marisol is very stubborn. She always brings up Alejandro. The memories. You have to hurry, or she’ll start to suspect. Isa

She nodded, clasping her hands nervously. I know. I just need a few more days and I’ll make her sign.
If not, I’ll find another way. I stood there in the dark, feeling like my world was falling apart. The neighbor I trusted the most, the one who brought me food when Alejandro was still alive, was in league with Isa. They were plotting everything inside my own house, right in front of my eyes. Tears came to my eyes.

burst forth, but I pressed my lips together, refusing to let out a sob.
I couldn’t show weakness. I couldn’t let them win. I quietly went back inside. I opened the drawer and took out the envelope with Alejandro’s papers. I went through it page by page. Line by line, as if to make sure everything was still in its place. Then I put the envelope in an old cloth bag and

I locked it in the metal box under the bed. That was Alejandro’s legacy.
His last message to me. And I would protect it at any cost. Before going to sleep, I picked up my phone and wrote a short message to Licenciado Ramírez. We need to see each other immediately. I can’t wait any longer. Tomorrow I’ll confirm the time. I sent it. With my heart. Still racing, but with a

New determination. Isa and Doña López might think they had everything under control.
But I wasn’t someone easy to manipulate. For Alejandro. For Valeria. I would fight to the bitter end. The next afternoon, as the golden light filtered through the window, I sat in my bedroom with my phone in my hand. Isa had taken Valeria shopping, leaving the house in a state of confusion.

An unsettling silence.
I took the opportunity, took a deep breath, and dialed Mr. Ramírez’s number. His deep, calm voice sounded on the other end of the line, like a ray of hope amid the storm of doubts surrounding me. “Is Marisol okay?” he asked. I briefly told him what had happened. Alejandro’s letter.

Isa’s whispered words and Doña López’s machinations.
We have to meet. I told her in a trembling voice. Tomorrow at her office. Maybe. She agreed without hesitation and I hung up with my heart pounding. I knew I was entering a battle, but I couldn’t back down. At dusk I heard the front door click. Only Valeria entered with the

sad face.
Isa, she told me, had stopped by the bookstore and asked Valeria to come back earlier. I was about to ask her how she was when I heard her voice whispering from the lower room, but full of concern. I walked slowly toward the door. I stood behind the wall and clearly heard every sound.

A word she said on the phone to a friend.
Mom says Grandma is hiding money and papers. Valeria murmured, her voice breaking. Mom is convinced her dad left her something. I don’t know who to believe anymore. Mom insists Grandma isn’t well. But she. She’s not like Mom says. Valeria’s words were like a knife.

digging into my chest.
My granddaughter, whom I love so much, was caught between truth and lies. I wanted to run out, hug her, and tell her everything. Alejandro’s letter, what I had heard from Isa. But I held back because I knew that if I said it now, Valeria would be even more confused. I only returned to my room in

I sat in silence, touching the bag where I kept Alejandro’s envelope with my hand, as if it were the only thing keeping me going. That night I couldn’t sleep.
The cool breeze coming through the window wasn’t enough to calm my restless mind. I went out into the hallway toward the bathroom and then I heard Isa’s voice from the kitchen. She was talking on the phone in a low but icy tone, as if she were drawing up a carefully calculated plan. I’ll get the signature soon, she said. All the

The estate will be mine. She won’t be able to resist. I froze, my hand gripping the doorknob.
My blood was boiling. Isa was talking about the house in Polanco, about the money Alejandro had left me—33 million pesos. I wanted to burst in. To shout at her that I already knew everything, that she couldn’t deceive me. But I held back because I understood I had to remain calm. If she found out now, Isa

I’d find another way, and I wasn’t ready to face it head-on yet.
The next morning, I was sitting in my fourth-floor room with a cup of cold coffee in my hands. When Valeria walked in, she was carrying her notebook, but her eyes reflected an enormous burden, as if she were carrying an unbearable weight. Grandma said in a trembling voice.

Is it true that Dad left money for you and not my Mom? I was startled. I almost dropped the cup in my hands. How much did Valeria know? She had heard Isa’s call the night before. I didn’t have time to respond because Isa appeared at that moment, her gaze hard. Valeria said in a sweet voice.

pero cargada de autoridad. No deberías molestar a tu abuela. Ella ya no está lo bastante lúcida para acordarse de esas cosas.
Sus palabras fueron como una bofetada que no estaba lúcida. Isa intentaba pintarme como una anciana frágil y confundida para que Valeria dudara de mí. Mi nieta miró a su madre, luego a mí, con los ojos llenos de incertidumbre. No dijo nada. Sólo se dio la vuelta y se encerró en su 4.º de un portazo.

Ese golpe seco retumbó como un martillazo en mi corazón.
Valeria, mi nieta, estaba siendo manipulada por su propia madre y yo no sabía cómo hacer para traerla de vuelta a mi lado. Isa se volteó hacia mí con una ligera mueca en los labios, una sonrisa fría como el hielo. ¿Ves, mamá? Dijo con un tono parejo, pero lleno de burla. Hasta Valeria piensa que no

deberías quedarte con nada. Más te vale aceptar vender la casa.
Ya estás vieja. ¿Para qué aferrarte a ella? Al morirte no te la vas a poder llevar. La sangre me hervía, pero me mordí los labios para mantener la calma. No podía dejar que Isa notará mi titubeo. Abrí el cajón, saqué el recibo de la luz y del agua de este mes y se lo puse enfrente. Si de verdad

quieres encargarte de la familia le dije con una firmeza que me sorprendió.
Empieza por cosas pequeñas como esta. Desde este mes yo ya no pagaré. Isa frunció el ceño al recibir el papel. Sus ojos mostrando un destello de molestia. Siempre me la pones difícil dijo en voz baja, como conteniendo la ira. Pero está bien. Yo me haré cargo. Tú descansa.

Se dio la vuelta, pero noté cómo apretaba el recibo en su mano, como si quisiera hacerlo pedazos. A la mañana siguiente me levanté temprano, con el corazón hecho un nudo. Tomé un viejo rebozo. Me puse un sombrero de ala ancha y con la excusa de ir al mercado, salí de la casa. Cada paso hacia la

calle pesaba como si estuviera entrando en una batalla cuyo resultado desconocía.
Pero no podía seguir aplazando nada. La carta de Alejandro, las palabras envenenadas de Isa y la traición de doña López me empujaban a actuar. Tomé el camión rumbo a la oficina del licenciado Ramírez, con el corazón latiendo fuerte. Entre el miedo y la determinación.

La oficina de Ramírez estaba en un edificio pequeño, sencillo pero ordenado. Me recibió con una sonrisa cálida, aunque sus ojos serios parecían adivinar que yo traía un asunto nada grato. Me ofreció asiento y desplegó una copia del testamento de Alejandro frente a mí. Marisol dijo con voz grave.

Alejandro dejó muy claro la casa en Polanco y 33 millones de pesos son tuyos. No menciona a Isa en absoluto.
Él planeó con cuidado para protegerte a ti y a Valeria. Mire las letras en el papel. La escritura de mi hijo. Y sentí que las lágrimas querían brotar. Alejandro, incluso enfrentando la muerte, pensó en mí. Se preocupó por mi futuro y el de su hija. Pero Ramírez continuó bajando la voz. Sin embargo,

There’s a problem.
Isa could file for guardianship if they manage to declare you legally incapable. If she succeeds, she would manage the entire estate. I clenched my fists, feeling my blood freeze. What if Isa falsifies documents? I asked with a trembling voice. She’s already told Valeria that I’m not in my right mind. She’s plotting

Something. I know. Ramirez nodded with a worried expression.
We need witnesses and evidence to confront him, he explained. If Isa tries to falsify something, we must prove it. I’ll talk to some people to see if she’s moving in the dark. But you have to be careful. Marisol. Don’t let her know you suspect her. I left the office with my mind

revolt.
His words were a warning, but also a spark of hope. I wasn’t alone in this struggle. However, as I crossed the street, I didn’t notice the man sitting in the cafe across the street holding a cell phone and surreptitiously taking pictures of me. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t see those eyes.

Strangers following my every step.
At noon, when I came home and opened the door, I saw Isa already sitting in the living room with a cold look on her face. Mom went to the market. And why is there no food? she asked in an even, but reproachful tone. Who did she run into? Trying to stay calm, even though my heart was pounding

“Strength,” I replied. “
I was visiting a friend from before.” I spoke in the softest voice possible, but Isa let out an icy laugh that made my skin crawl. “What a friend!” She walks around in a suit and briefcase, sitting in a lawyer’s office, like mom knew lawyers back then. Her words were like a knife, sharp and precise.

How did she know I’d gone to a law office? Had she been following me? I wanted to confront her, ask her straight out what her game was, but Valeria’s suspicious look from the stairs stopped me.
The girl was there, clinging to the railing, watching me as if searching for an answer. I couldn’t let her see me hesitate. “He’s just a friend of Alejandro’s,” I said, trying to sound calm. I wanted to talk about him. Isa frowned, but didn’t say anything else. She just turned around with a smile.

Late
that night, as I was trying to get some sleep, Isa knocked on my 4th floor door. She came in with a stack of papers in her hand and her voice so sweet it was unnerving. Mom said, Just sign here, and I’ll take care of everything for you. You won’t have to worry about a thing anymore. I took the

I was flipping through papers, my heart pounding.
The logo of a neurology clinic stood out on the cover, and the phrase “legal guardianship” in large letters was like a threat. Just as Ramírez had warned me. Isa was trying to prove that I didn’t have the capacity to handle my own affairs. I looked up, pretending not to understand anything, and looked at her.

straight in the eyes. I’m going to sign it. I said slowly. But there isn’t any.
Will you give me time to think about it? Isa gathered the papers and although she kept smiling, she couldn’t hide her annoyance. Think about it. She said coldly. But the opportunities won’t last long. She turned away, leaving me with the feeling of having escaped from a trap, although knowing that the next one will

I was ready. That night I couldn’t sleep. I stayed by the window watching as darkness covered the street.
The wind shook the branches of the trees, but it couldn’t dispel the fear that oppressed my chest. Just as I was about to get up, I heard voices whispering in the doorway. I opened the curtain, hiding in the shadows, and saw Isa talking to Mrs. López. “She’s already seen the lawyer,” Isa said in a low voice.

Her voice was low and tense.
We have to move before it’s too late. Mrs. López nodded, clasping her hands. “Calm down,” she replied. “I’ll keep talking to her. I’m going to tire her out. Just get the papers ready.” I froze. My heart stopped. Isa wasn’t just manipulating me. She’d also

He had gotten Mrs. Lopez into his plan. I returned to my 4th floor
with trembling hands on the chest where I kept Alejandro’s will. I knew my time was running out first thing in the morning. I was in the kitchen, my hands shaking, making coffee, trying to ward off the cold that had seeped into my soul. The aroma

The intense aroma of the coffee failed to calm the restlessness inside me.
Every day that passed, I felt like I was walking on a tightrope and that with one false step everything would fall apart. The hurried sound of Valeria’s footsteps brought me out of my thoughts. The little girl came in frowning, her eyes red-rimmed as if she’d been crying. Grandma said in a

harsh, almost shouting.
Why did Dad leave all the money and the house in your name? Mom says you’ve been cheating on her this whole time. Valeria’s words cut through me like a knife. Sharp and unexpected. I froze. The coffee cup almost fell from my hands. I wanted to explain.

To tell her that I hadn’t hidden anything, that everything Alejandro left was to protect her. But before I could open my mouth, Isa left the room, quick as a breath of wind. She hugged Valeria by the shoulders with a fake smile on her lips. “Daughter,” she said in a sweet but icy voice. “Your

Grandma is just looking after him. We have to think about your future. Both your grandmother and I want the best for you.
Valeria took her hand away from her mother, made a gesture of disgust, and raised her stubborn voice. Yesterday I saw that Mom was writing to someone. She said almost shouting. She told her that Grandma had all of Dad’s property. She also said that if she didn’t give anything up, it would prove that Grandma was no longer in her care.

her wits about her. Mom thinks I don’t understand anything. I gasped.
My heart leaped. Valeria already knew. In her innocence and in the midst of her pain, she had stumbled upon the truth I was trying to hide to protect her. Isa was stunned. Her face hardened, and her eyes flashed with panic. What nonsense are you talking about? She screamed.

with a voice as sharp as a knife. I already told you not to meddle in adult matters.
Go to your 4th floor and stop bothering your grandmother. Valeria looked at her mother and then at me, her eyes full of anger and confusion. I don’t trust anyone anymore. She screamed and ran upstairs. Her footsteps echoed loudly, breaking the silence in the house. I stood there, still holding the cup.

between her hands, her chest torn open.
Valeria, my beloved granddaughter, was trapped between her mother and me, and I didn’t know how to bring her closer without hurting her further. Isa turned to me with an icy stare. “Do you see?” she said in a flat, but sarcastic voice. “The girl is confused. Don’t make things worse.” She turned away, but I saw how

She clenched her fists, struggling to contain her anger. I wanted to scream at her, tell her that she was the one hurting Valeria. But I bit my lip and remained silent.
I knew this wasn’t the time for confrontations. That afternoon I stayed in my 4th trying to sort out my jumbled mind. I heard a soft knock on the door and Valeria came in. She slammed a notebook down on the table, her eyes swollen, her voice trembling. Grandma said, almost pleading, “You have to.”

You have to tell me the truth. What did Dad leave you? I want to hear it from you.
I’m part of this family too. Why do you and Mom keep everything from me? Or do you think I’m too young to understand? When I looked at her, I saw Alejandro when he was young. Stubborn, but full of love. I knew she was upset, desperately searching for support in the midst of the storm.

Of truths and lies.
I went to the drawer and took out an old photo of Alejandro holding her as a baby, smiling in the sun. I placed the photo in his hands and spoke with a broken voice. “Your dad loved you more than anything in the world,” I told him. He just wanted everything to be safe.

I can’t tell you everything now, but I promise you the time will come when you’ll understand. I just want to protect you. Just like your dad did. Valeria looked at the photo with tears in her eyes. “I don’t know who to trust anymore,” she murmured, then turned around, slamming the door. “I heard

Her sobs from her room, and I felt my heart break into a thousand pieces.
I wanted to run after her, hug her, and tell her the whole truth, but I knew it wasn’t the time yet. If I told her about Alejandro’s letter, about Isa’s plan, maybe Valeria wouldn’t be able to bear it. That night, Isa came into my 4th floor with a tray of food. The smell of freshly made corn tamales filled the room.

air, but her voice was as cold as ice. Mom said, placing the tray on the table. Valeria is in her teens.
She’s very impressionable. Don’t confuse her any further, and don’t think you’re going to manipulate her into your side. Her words were like a slap, sharp and painful. I nodded silently, but when Isa turned around, I noticed a piece of paper sticking out of her pocket. A hospital logo.

A stranger jumped out at me.
A medical file. My heart was pounding. Was this what Isa was planning to use to prove I was no longer in my right mind? I wanted to snatch the paper from her hands, demand an explanation immediately, but I held back. I needed time. I needed proof. Just as Ramirez

The next day, a letter from the court arrived in my mailbox.
I took it with trembling hands, my heart pounding in my chest. The envelope was thick, bearing the court seal, and as I opened it, I read the icy words. Isa had officially filed for legal guardianship of me. I stood in the middle of the courtroom, feeling the floor shake.

crumbled beneath my feet.
Isa, my daughter-in-law, whom I had once considered a daughter, now wanted to take away my freedom, turning me into an old woman incapable of making decisions for herself. Tears burned in my eyes, but I pressed my lips together. I couldn’t afford to show weakness.

I put the letter in my pocket and hurried to Attorney Ramirez’s office. Ramirez’s office was the same as the last time. Simple, but imposing. He welcomed me behind his desk, frowning as he read the letter. Marisol said in a deep voice. He must be

Prepared.
Isa must have attached a fake medical record saying you suffer from severe memory impairment. Her words were like a knife, confirming my worst fear. Ramírez reviewed the attached medical record page by page, his expression increasingly serious, from the doctor’s signature, to the seal

to the hospital. It’s all false, she claimed. That hospital doesn’t exist. And the doctor signing here doesn’t either. Isa is playing a very dangerous game.
I sat there, clutching the arms of the chair tightly, trying to hold back my tears. How could she do this to me? I whispered, my voice breaking. I treated her like a daughter. Ramírez. I wanted to believe she was only hurting over Alejandro’s death, but now she wants to take everything from me, even

Valeria. Ramírez placed a hand on my shoulder with a look full of compassion.
We’ll confront him, he assured me. But you must remain calm and not let Isa realize that you’ve already discovered his plan. We’ll need time to gather more evidence. Returning home, I felt like a soldier returning from the battlefield, tired, but unable to stop myself. I barely entered the

In the living room, I saw Isa sitting at the dining room table with papers scattered in front of her.
She looked up and smiled as if nothing had happened. “Mom. The court will be in touch soon,” she said in a sweet but icy voice. “Don’t worry, I just want everything to be simpler.” I couldn’t contain myself anymore. I walked over, looking her straight in the eyes. “Who signed these documents? Isa?”

I asked with a firmness that surprised me.
It says here I have memory loss, that I’m no longer in my right mind. Who forged this? Isa raised her head with a flash of panic in her eyes, though she quickly regained her composure. What are you talking about? She mocked with a bitter smile. Sometimes you have to do what’s necessary. You shouldn’t.

worry. You’re already old. Let me take care of it.
Take care of it? I groaned, feeling the blood. Boil. Taking care of you is falsifying documents to take away my rights. It’s telling everyone that I don’t think clearly anymore. Isa, I treated you like a daughter. And this is what you do to me. Isa stood up abruptly, her eyes cold as knives. Don’t act like this.

The innocent girl screamed. You hid Alejandro’s assets. You kept everything for yourself.
Do you think I don’t know? Everything I do is for Valeria, for this family. The living room door suddenly opened and Valeria was there, her eyes wide open and her face pale. Mom screamed, her voice trembling. How could you do that? How dare you say that my grandmother is not well in the

head? She’s not like you say.
Isa turned to her daughter and shouted, “Shut up, Valeria! You don’t understand anything. Everything I do is for you, for your future.” But Valeria shook her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. She ran into the street, leaving Isa and me in a thick air about to explode. That night I stayed

by the window, looking out onto the patio.
Valeria was sitting on the bench, talking on the phone in a halting voice. “I don’t know who to trust anymore,” she told her friend. “My grandmother and my mother fought. Horrible. Everything is upside down. I just wish everything could go back to the way it was. When my father was alive.” Listening to her, I felt my heart sink.

It broke me. Valeria, my beloved granddaughter, was trapped between truth and lies. And I didn’t know how to protect her without hurting her more.
An hour later, when Valeria had already entered, I saw Isa sneak out to the gate. Mrs. López was there, under the dim light of the lantern. Isa slipped a thick envelope into her hand. “When the court asks,” Isa murmured. “Just say that Marisol forgets things and gets confused. Nothing more.”

Mrs. Lopez nodded in a low but calculating voice. Calm down.
I know exactly what to say, but make sure I get my share. I stood behind the curtain, my hands shaking, feeling like my whole world was falling apart. Isa had not only falsified documents, but she had also bribed Mrs. Lopez to give false testimony. She had

He’d gone too far, not only manipulating me, but dragging in people I’d trusted.
I returned to the room, sat down next to the metal chest, and placed my hand over the envelope with Alejandro’s papers. My son’s letter. His last message was the only thing keeping me going. I knew the legal battle was about to begin, and I had to be ready. For Alejandro. For

Valeria. I wasn’t going to let Isa win. I closed my eyes and whispered into the darkness.
Son. Mom is going to keep her promise. I’m going to protect everything you left behind. The morning of the trial, I woke up feeling like the whole world was crushing my shoulders. I stood in front of the mirror. I saw my face, the wrinkles, the tired eyes. But inside them, a steadfast flame still lingered.

Today I was going to confront Isa, her lies, and I knew this was my last chance to defend Alejandro’s inheritance, to protect Valeria. I put on a simple black dress, covered myself with a shawl, and left the house with lawyer Ramírez, my heart full of nerves, but also of

Determination. The courtroom was cold. The atmosphere was heavy, as if a storm were about to break. I sat next to Ramírez, clasping my hands, without taking my eyes off Isa.
She was already there, sitting opposite, her face cold but confident. Valeria was at her side, her eyes red-rimmed. Visibly tense. I wanted to reach out, tell her everything was going to be okay, but Valeria’s distrustful look tore at my heart. She was trapped.

between her mother and me and I didn’t know if she still believed in me.
The trial began. Isa stood up. Her voice calm but dramatic, she presented a thick medical file and placed it in front of the judge. Your Honor, she said in a firm voice. My mother-in-law, Mrs. Marisol, is no longer lucid enough to manage her own assets. I request that the Court grant me the

guardianship so I could protect the family’s assets and take care of her.
He turned to me with a look of false compassion. She forgets things. She gets confused all the time. And I just want the best for her and my daughter Valeria. The judge nodded, flipping through the pages with a serious expression. I felt my heart stop. Everything was tilting to the side

Then
Mrs. Lopez, the neighbor I once trusted, raised her hand to speak. She took the stand, her voice trembling but full of drama. Your Honor, she said, I have lived next door to Mrs. Marisol for many years. She tends to forget even the simplest things, like locking the door or paying.

an account. Once she even called me by another name, believing I was someone else. I’m deeply worried about her condition.
I stood there, my blood boiling. Every word from Mrs. Lopez was a lie. Every sentence was like a knife stabbing into my chest. I wanted to get up, scream that she was lying, that Isa had paid her to testify falsely. But Ramirez put his hand on my shoulder with a look

that told me Calm down.
I pressed my lips together tightly, fighting back tears as my heart shattered into a thousand pieces. As soon as Isa and Mrs. Lopez finished, Ramirez stood up. His voice was strong and confident. His Honor said, We have evidence that the medical documents Mrs. Isa presents are

False. The courtroom filled with murmurs. Ramírez produced a stack of papers, speaking without hesitation.
Here is the official confirmation from the hospital, along with testimony from a real doctor who assures that Ms. Marisol has no neurological problems. Furthermore, the hospital mentioned in Ms. Isa’s file does not exist. The doctor’s signature, the stamps, everything is false. The judge

He frowned. He took the documents Ramirez handed him and flipped through each page with distrust.
He looked at Isa and spoke to her in a stern voice. “How do you explain this discrepancy?” Isa stood there, her face pale and her eyes filled with panic. “There might be a small mistake,” she stammered in a trembling voice. “Me. I just repeated what the doctor told me. I don’t know anything about forgery.” But her voice

She sounded weak, lacking the confidence she’d shown at the beginning.
The discussion grew tense with Ramírez’s voice, resonant and dismantling every one of Isa’s arguments. I sat with my heart pounding between hope and fear. The situation was changing, but I knew Isa wouldn’t give up so easily.

Then, suddenly, Valeria stood up from her seat with a folded letter in her hand. Her voice trembled, but she was determined. “Your Honor,” she said with tears running down her cheeks. “This is a letter from my dad, Alejandro. I found it by accident under my grandmother’s pillow when I was cleaning her.”

4. Dad wrote clearly, Everything my mother keeps is to protect my daughter.
Isa can’t touch anything. The courtroom erupted in murmurs, like a wave crashing against the shore. Isa tried to snatch the letter, but the judge was quicker and took it. He opened it and read it aloud. Mom. The judge’s voice sounded clear and solemn. I’m leaving you the house in Polanco and my savings so you can protect

Valeria.
I don’t trust Isa. She’s changed, and I don’t want her to touch what I left behind. Keep this a secret until it’s necessary. I looked at Valeria in disbelief, unable to believe what I was seeing. My granddaughter, whom I love so much, had found Alejandro’s letter. I wanted to run to hug her and tell her what she was doing.

proud of her. Valeria looked at me, her voice breaking.
Grandma, I’m sorry. I trusted my mom for too long. Isa was beside herself. She sat up suddenly, her face distorted by anger and fear. Everything belongs to me. She cried out in a broken voice. I’ve sacrificed my life for this family. Why didn’t he trust me? Why does she get everything? The judge struck

with the gavel in an icy tone.
Mrs. Isa, calm down. The court will open an investigation into your falsification of documents. The hearing is suspended. I left the room with Valeria and for the first time in weeks, I felt a little relief. She took my hand with her small fingers, which were still trembling. Grandma whispered. No

I want to lose you. I hugged her, tears streaming down my cheeks.
I don’t want to lose you either. I said in a choked voice. I’m going to protect you like your father wanted. As we left the courthouse, the sun hit my face warmly, but it couldn’t erase the wound in my heart. The battle wasn’t over, but for the first time, I didn’t feel alone.

Valeria had chosen to be on my side, and Alejandro’s letter, like a lamp in the darkness, restored my faith. I knew the road ahead would be long. But for Alejandro, for Valeria, I would keep fighting. A few days after the trial, the atmosphere in the house felt as if it had been

cleaned. Isa gathered her things and left silently. One foggy morning she said nothing.
She just dragged her suitcase to the door with her eyes lowered, not daring to look at me or Valeria. I stood on the threshold watching her figure slowly disappear, my heart torn between relief and a little sadness. After all, Isa had been my daughter-in-law. She had formed

part of this family. But what she did—the lies, the scheming—destroyed everything.
Valeria was by my side, her little hands gripping the railing tightly. “I don’t want to go with Mom,” she said softly but firmly. “I want to stay with you, Grandma.” I hugged her, tears welling up for the first time in days. I felt like I had recovered a part of my family. Mrs.

López, my neighbor and former friend, now avoided me.
After the trial, the entire neighborhood whispered about the money she’d received from Isa to testify falsely. Every time I went out into the garden, Mrs. López slammed the door, not daring to say hello like she used to. Once, our eyes met over the fence.

Her eyes were filled with regret, but I simply looked away. I wasn’t angry, but the trust had been broken, and I knew I’d never see her the same way again. I went with Attorney Ramirez to the bank to finalize the paperwork confirming ownership of the house in Polanco.

The 33 million pesos. Sitting in that small office, I signed page after page, my hand shaking.
Each signature was an affirmation that Alejandro’s legacy, my son’s last message, was protected. When I finished, Ramírez looked at me and smiled. Alejandro trusted the right person, he said softly. He left a perfect system to protect you and your daughter. His words made me

A lump in my throat.
I remembered Alejandro’s letter, his words full of love, and I knew I had done the right thing. I had kept my promise to my son. Deciding to leave the old house wasn’t easy, but I knew I needed a fresh start. I put that house, filled with memories of Alejandro, up for sale and moved.

to the one in Polanco. The new one was spacious, bright, with large windows overlooking a quiet street.
At first, I was afraid it would feel cold, like the other one, after Alejandro left, but Valeria changed everything. She brought laughter, stories from school, and also those moments of stubbornness that made me angry and at the same time moved me. Valeria turned the house into a home, and I knew I was no longer there.

alone.
I rehired Carmen, the housekeeper who had been with us since Alejandro was a child. Isa had fired her after my son’s death, but I never forgot her loyalty. Carmen came in with the same smile as always and immediately started cleaning and cooking. Doña Marisol

She said in a warm voice, “This house needs it, and I need a place to come back to, too.” Carmen not only took care of the house, she also became my companion.
Listening to my confidences during those long nights with her, I regained a security I had lost a long time ago. I began participating in an older women’s group at the local church. They met every week, cooked together, baked, and shared life stories. For the first time after

For many years, I felt like I belonged somewhere.
Those women, with their stories of loss, hope, and resilience, made me realize I wasn’t the only one who had struggled with grief. One afternoon, as we were making tamales, an old woman took my hand and said, Marisol, you are stronger than you think. Alejandro must be very

Proud of you. I smiled with tears rolling down my face.
For the first time, I felt like I wasn’t just living to survive, but to continue my own story. With the 33 million pesos, I began funding scholarships for some poor students in the neighborhood. I remembered Alejandro used to say he wanted to help those most in need. And I wanted to fulfill that

dream in my son’s name.
Every time I saw the children receive their scholarships with their eyes shining, I felt as if I saw Alejandro’s smile. She no longer lived only for me, but to continue what my son had left behind. Valeria grew closer to me. She
used to sit with me at night, telling me about her problems at school, her new friends, and also her dreams. Once she asked me for help with her history homework, and we sat for hours laughing while I told her about the old days. Valeria was no longer the confused little girl I had known.

before. I had regained my confidence, and I knew it was thanks to the love Alejandro had left for her. I secretly opened a trust for Valeria that only she and Ramirez knew about.
It was my way of ensuring that my granddaughter’s future wouldn’t be in anyone’s hands, not even after I left. One night, while we were having dinner, Valeria suddenly said, “Grandma, one day I want to study law. I want to defend people like you.” I looked at her, and my heart melted. I know

that you’ll do it better than anyone else.
I replied, placing my hand on his shoulder and feeling the strength in it, the same strength that Alejandro had transmitted to him. As I returned to my room, I stopped in front of Alejandro’s photo on the shelf. His eyes were still as kind as ever. “Son,” I whispered. “I’ve kept my promise.”

Protect Valeria and I will continue to do so until the end of my life. Tears flowed, but this time they were of peace.
As night fell, I sat by the window of my new house, watching the endless lights of Mexico City. The battle was over, but my life went on. These were no longer days of control, but the life of a grandmother who was free, calm, and stronger than ever. I knew Alejandro was smiling in my face.

Somewhere, and I had finally found myself again. The story we’re telling is fictional, but it’s based on some true events.
The names and locations have been changed to protect the identities of those involved. Are we telling this not to judge, but in the hope that someone will listen and stop to consider how many mothers are suffering in silence inside their own homes? I’m truly curious.

If you were me, what would you do? Would you choose to remain silent to keep the peace? Or would you dare to face everything to regain your voice? I want to know what you think, because every story is a candle that can light someone else’s path. God always blesses. And I firmly believe that courage

takes us to better days.
Meanwhile, on the final screen, I’ll leave you with two of the channel’s most beloved stories. I assure you, they’ll surprise you. Thanks for staying this far.