My mother cried, but it wasn’t for me.
She cried because she was being witnessed.
Mauricio took off the engagement ring and handed it back to Sofía.
“I can’t marry a lie.”
Sofía stood motionless.
“Mau, please…”
“This isn’t Lucia’s fault,” he stated. “But is a reflection of who you’ve chosen to be.”
My father had threatened to contact an attorney. My mother begged him to book her another room. Sofía yelled that I had ruined her life.
The truth was very simple.
They built their facade on hatred, lies, and using other people’s money.
I just let go of the rope.
The security escorted my parents from the building. My mother continued to yell from the hallway,
“Lucia, you are so ungrateful!”
I turned back one last time.
“No, Mom. I’m just done paying for the love I’ve never received.”
And I walked into the security elevator with my tiny suitcase.
As the doors closed, I experienced no joy.
But I was at peace.
In the suite, I opened the balcony doors. Below me lay the pristine and vast Caribbean in Cancún, filled with bright blues, greens, and golds. Shortly after this, I received messages from my uncles, cousins, and family members who had never come to my defence.
So I blocked them from the family chat.
Six months later, the Mar de Jade Company had its most successful season in several years. My father was legally removed from the board of directors. My parents both sold their homes and possessions to pay for their debts. Sofía lost her fiancé and sold off the expensive purses, clothing and jewellery she had previously displayed as if they were trophies.
I never hoped for either of my parents to suffer.
But I also never financially supported their falsehoods again.
At times you are not abandoning your family,
You are simply refusing to carry what was already broken.
On that day, I knew I chose me for the very first time.
