...from the kitchen.
Her skin was completely red.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
Her lips were pressed tight to keep from begging.
For years, she had convinced herself that Alejandro just had a strong personality.
That Rebeca was selfish, but harmless.
That families sometimes meddled too much.
That marriage meant enduring hardships.
But no one should have to endure having the person who promised to love them throw boiling coffee in their face.
Alejandro grabbed the car keys.
"I’m going to get Rebeca. When I get back, you’d better have learned your lesson."
The door slammed shut.
Valeria was left alone in the kitchen.
The bitter scent of burnt coffee still clung to her clothes as a silent decision began to take root within her.
She wrapped some ice in a towel.
She grabbed her purse and her documents.
And she walked out of the apartment without even turning off the computer.
In the emergency room, the nurse asked her twice
