The silence grew heavy. For the first time, Patricia lost her composure. Her lips trembled slightly.
“We didn’t know…” someone whispered in the room.
“No, they didn’t know,” Elena replied calmly. “Because I never felt the need to wear my pain like a badge of honor. Widowhood isn’t a title. It’s a wound you learn to live with.”
Patricia cleared her throat.
— Well… that doesn’t change the fact that…
“It changes everything,” Elena interrupted, without anger. “Because today he hasn’t just humiliated a poor woman. He has humiliated the memory of a man who gave his life for others. And he has hurt a daughter I raised to be better than me.”
Camila couldn’t contain herself any longer. She approached and hugged Elena. The room witnessed that simple and sincere gesture.
“I’m sorry,” said Alejandro, looking at his mother. “I’m really sorry.”
Patricia looked around. The approving glances she was used to were gone. They were cold. Some, full of disappointment.
“Perhaps I went too far…” she said softly, but the words sounded empty.
