Leticia closed her eyes. Two tears slid down her cheeks.
“I know. I don’t know what to tell you.”
Tomás stepped closer, though not gently.
“This is going to change. I’m keeping the children, and this time you won’t be able to do anything to stop it.”
“Are you going to take them away from me?” Leticia asked, her voice breaking.
“It’s not a punishment, Leticia. It’s what has to be done. I can’t let this happen again.”
“I was so tired, Tomás. You don’t understand. I’m alone with them all the time. I have no one to help me. I have no life.
” “And that justifies leaving them locked up for three days? Without food, with fevers, terrified, not knowing if you were coming back?”
Leticia lowered her gaze. Her hands trembled on the sheet. She didn’t say anything.
“You thought it was easier to go off and clear your head, and you almost killed them.
” “I already cut him off,” she said quietly.
“Cut off who?
” “Ricardo. The one who was with me in the car. He started yelling at me, grabbing me. I wanted to go back home, and we were fighting in the car. After that, I don’t remember anything.”
“He left you there on the side of the road and ran off. And you expect me to trust you again?
” “I’m not asking for that. Just tell me how the kids are.”
Tomás folded his arms.
“Alma’s awake now. She’s weak, but she’s stable. Santiago acted like a real man. He talked to me, he took care of his little sister. He was more responsible than you were.”
Leticia released a long breath, as if the air itself felt heavy.
“I don’t deserve to be their mother.”
“Honestly, I don’t know, Leticia. That’s not something I can decide right now. But I will do everything in my power to protect them. I’ve already talked to my lawyer. The process has started.
” “Won’t I be able to see them?”
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