And for his sister, Rebeca Salazar, it was a source of money… although it was almost never his, but rather that of the wife whom they could always exploit.
Rebecca never asked for anything small.
First it was an imported perfume.
Then a designer jacket.
Then he borrowed two hundred and fifty thousand pesos “for just one week”.
Later, she wanted to use Valeria’s credit card to pay for a nail course, a new television, and a trip with her friends to Cancun.
Every time Valeria said no, Alejandro’s tone changed.
—Stop being so stingy.
—That’s what family is for.
—You’re too cold to understand.
—My sister has suffered a lot.
That morning, while they were having breakfast, Alejandro read a message from Rebeca and gave the order without even looking up from his phone.
—Rebeca needs your card. A payment she made was declined.
“No,” Valeria replied firmly. “I’ve already lent him money three times and he’s never paid me back a single penny.”
Alejandro slammed the cup against the table.
—I’m not asking you.
—And I’m not negotiating.
That’s when the coffee flew out.
As the cold water continued to fall on her face, Valeria caught a glimpse of her blurry reflection in the kitchen window.
The skin was completely red.
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.
THE NIGHT MY HUSBAND WAS RUSHED TO THE ER WITH MY BROTHER’S WIFE
MY EX-HUSBAND CALLED FROM HIS WEDDING TO MOCK ME—THEN HE HEARD A NEWBORN CRY IN MY HOSPITAL ROOM
My Wife Left After Learning Our Newborn Son Had Down Syndrome – I Hated Her for 18 Years Until Last Night
On the first morning after our wedding, my husband sla:pped me while his whole family watched. They expected tears, sh:ame, and silence. Instead, I looked at him coldly and left without a word.
At 3:07 a.m., She Sent Me the Photo That Ended His Career by Noon
