Chapter 7 - My Son's Confession
Rodrigo was transferred to county jail.
I visited him once.
He looked nothing like my son.
He looked exhausted.
Older.
Broken.
“Why, Rodrigo?”
He stared at the table.
“I hated you.”
The words hurt.
“Why?”
“You left.”
“I thought you were grown.”
“I wasn't.”
I swallowed.
“You were twenty-eight.”
“I still needed you.”
I closed my eyes.
“I didn't know.”
“You didn't ask.”
He was right.
That was the hardest part.
I had left Texas because I couldn't bear my husband's death.
I hadn't realized my son was drowning too.
But pain didn't excuse cruelty.
“You hurt Mariana.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“You hurt Sofia.”
His eyes filled.
“I know.”
“You almost killed them.”
“I know.”
I waited.
“Do you love them?”
He whispered:
“Yes.”
“Then why?”
He shook his head.
“I don't know.”
I believed him.
Sometimes people become monsters one terrible choice at a time.
Rodrigo had been angry.
Then greedy.
Then afraid.
Then desperate.
And every time he had a chance to stop, he chose another lie.
“Will you testify against Cortez?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“To protect Sofia.”
I nodded.
“That is the first good decision you've made in years.”
He looked at me.
“Will you forgive me?”
I couldn't answer.
Not then.
Maybe someday.
But forgiveness wasn't a gift he could demand.
It was something he'd have to earn.
I stood.
Before leaving, I turned around.
“You are still my son.”
His eyes filled.
“But being my son doesn't protect you from consequences.”
He nodded.
May you like
“I understand.”
For the first time, I believed him.
