“For you.”
Carla crossed her arms.
“I didn’t know this hurt you so much.”
“You watched me leave your house.”
“I thought you would cool down.”
“That is worse.”
Her arms loosened.
“For years, I wanted to know how you would treat me if you believed I couldn’t give you anything.”
My throat tightened.
“I didn’t expect the answer to hurt this much.”
Hugo looked toward the terrace.
“So last night was punishment.”
“No.”
“You invited everyone we excluded.”
“I invited people I love because you decided I should be alone.”
“You posted the picture.”
“I posted a photograph of my Christmas dinner. I did not mention either of you.”
“Everyone is asking questions.”
“Then tell them the truth.”
Carla looked down.
“My parents are furious.”
“At me?”
“At us.”
“Why?”
“They said we made them look arrogant.”
“Your parents did not exclude me.”
Carla went still.
“You did.”
Her expression changed.
“We told them you had other plans.”
“So you lied to them too.”
“We didn’t want them uncomfortable.”
“You mean you didn’t want them to know.”
Hugo leaned forward.
“Mom, we made a terrible mistake.”
“No.”
He blinked.
“This wasn’t one mistake.”
I counted softly.
“The clothes. The gifts. The food. Olivia. Mauricio. The comments. The years you watched. Christmas Eve.”
His eyes filled.
“I know.”
“You know today.”
“I’m trying to understand.”
“Because you saw a villa.”
He flinched.
“Maybe I needed something shocking to open my eyes.”
I looked at my son.
“That’s the problem, Hugo. My pain wasn’t enough. You needed to see money.”
His shoulders dropped.
Carla began crying.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Everything.”
“That means nothing.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“The truth.”
“I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“How?”
She stared at me.
