I picked it up carefully. It was heavy. My heart pounded in my ears.
“Open it,” she whispered.
I tore the edge open. Inside was a thick stack of photocopies, several original documents with notary stamps, and a small black USB drive clipped together.
The first page read in capital letters:
“FOR WHEN I DECIDE TO COLLECT WHAT THEY OWE ME.”
Just then, behind me, the front door lock turned sharply.
The metallic sound cut through me. I quickly closed the envelope and slipped the USB back inside, hiding it beneath the folded sheets just as a shrill voice echoed down the hallway.
“Lucía? Are you back already?” It was Pilar.
I took a deep breath and stepped into the hallway, closing the bedroom door behind me.
Pilar dropped grocery bags onto the kitchen floor without even looking at me. Her hair was pulled into a hurried bun and her lipstick was smudged.
