I only wanted to enjoy a peaceful weekend at my beach house. But when I arrived, my sister’s husband was already there with his entire family and shouted, “What is this parasite doing here? Leave right now!” I simply smiled and said, “Alright, I’ll go.” But what happened afterward made him deeply regret those words.
Those words struck me like a sudden sla:p.
I stood motionless at the entrance of my own beach house, my weekend bag still hanging from my shoulder, staring at my brother-in-law.
His face was full of contempt, his finger pointed at me as if I were some unwanted guest.
Behind him, I could see his parents, his brothers, and several relatives scattered around my house, drinking beer from my glasses and leaving their shoes all over my white living-room carpet.
My name is Valeria. I’m thirty-two years old. I’m a marine biologist, and I work in Veracruz, where I’ve spent nearly a decade building a career I’m proud of.
