Chapter 4
PART 4:
On the first day Julian was gone, Doña Carmen came with groceries and stayed four hours.
She rearranged the nursery.
Moved the crib away from the window.
Folded baby clothes Mariana had already folded.
Then she found a small envelope on the dresser.
It was from the doctor’s office.
Inside were instructions about a private follow-up appointment and a note about additional monitoring.
Doña Carmen read the words “paternity and genetic history” on one line of medical paperwork and smiled like she had found a weapon.
Mariana snatched it from her hand.
“That’s medical history. Because Julian’s side has a genetic condition. The doctor asked for records.”
Doña Carmen’s eyes narrowed.
“Or because you are unsure who the father is.”
Mariana stared at her.
“That is disgusting.”
“Is it untrue?”
Mariana’s chest tightened.
“You need to leave.”
Doña Carmen stepped closer.
“This family has been embarrassed before. I will not let a stranger bring shame into my son’s bloodline.”
That was the first time Mariana understood.
Doña Carmen did not want proof.
She wanted permission to hate her.
The second day, Doña Carmen called Julian and cried.
She told him Mariana was acting secretive.
She said she refused to share medical paperwork.
She said she had become angry when asked simple questions.
Julian called Mariana immediately.
His voice was careful.
Too careful.
“Baby, what paperwork?”
Mariana sat on the edge of the bed, stunned.
“You believe her?”
“I’m asking.”
“No,” she whispered. “You’re doubting.”
Silence.
Then Julian said the sentence that cracked something inside her.
“I just need to understand why you hid it.”
Mariana ended the call.
Not because she had nothing to say.
May you like
Because if she kept talking, she would beg him to be the husband he had promised to be.
👉 But that night, the pain started — and Mariana realized she might have to save herself without Julian…
