Eyes filled with tears.
Lips pressed tightly together to avoid pleading.
For years he convinced himself that Alexander simply had a strong character.
That Rebecca was selfish, but harmless.
That families sometimes interfered too much.
That marriage meant enduring hardships.
But no one should have to endure having boiling coffee thrown in their face by the person who promised to love them.
Alejandro took the car keys.
—I'm going to get Rebecca. When I get back, you'd better have learned your lesson.
The door slammed shut.
Valeria was left alone in the kitchen.
The bitter smell of burnt coffee still clung to her clothes as a silent decision began to grow within her.
She wrapped ice in a towel.
She took her bag and her documents.
And he left the apartment without even turning off his computer.
In the emergency room, the nurse asked her twice if the burn had been an accident.
Valeria was about to answer yes.
Out of habit.
Out of shame.
And because of that irrational fear of getting the man who had just hurt her into trouble.
But when he opened his mouth, a completely different truth came out.
—My husband threw boiling coffee at me.
The medical staff photographed the injuries, documented every detail in the medical report, and requested the intervention of a social worker.
Valeria signed the complaint with a trembling hand.
But she signed it.
