Tears streamed down Mercedes's wrinkled cheeks. She wasn't crying because of the insults; she was crying because she saw her daughter humiliated. "Son, please... I don't want to cause any trouble. I can stay locked up all day, and no one will even notice I'm there. I just... I have nowhere else to go."
Rodrigo let out a dry, humorless laugh. "That's your problem, old woman, not mine. I pay for this house. I paid for every single damn brick. And I'm fed up. Fed up with supporting parasites." He approached Mercedes, invading her personal space, his gaze burning with classist fury. "This ends today. Carolina, if you want to stay my wife, this old woman is leaving today. Right now."
Carolina burst into tears, covering her face. "Rodrigo, she's my mother... she's almost 80, she has no money, my father died years ago, my brother is up north and doesn't answer... if we kick her out, she'll die." "Well, let her die!" he shouted. "I'd rather pay for her funeral than keep seeing her in my kitchen!"
The silence that followed was terrifying. Mercedes looked at her daughter, searching for a lifeline, a look of defense, anything. But Carolina lowered her gaze. The fear of losing her luxuries, her status, and her tyrannical husband was greater than her love for the mother who had gone without to give her an education. Rodrigo smiled triumphantly. "See, you useless old woman? Not even your daughter wants you. You're a burden. Pack your things and get out. Or I'll call the police and kick you out for trespassing. Do you understand?"
CHAPTER 2: THE STORM AND THE STRANGER
Mercedes felt the marble floor open up beneath her feet. Paralyzing fear ran down her spine. Outside, the Mexico City sky had darkened completely; a thunderstorm lashed against the windows. "But... it's raining so hard... I don't have money for the bus... just let me stay until it stops..." Mercedes pleaded, her voice barely a whisper.
"I'm not the weather service!" Rodrigo grabbed her arm so violently that she gasped in pain. His fingers dug into the old woman's flabby skin. He began dragging her toward the front door. Mercedes stumbled; her old feet couldn't keep up with the furious pace of the young, strong man. "My things! Let me get my coat!" Mercedes cried.
