Matthew shook his head.
—I didn’t escape.
Another pause.
—They let me out… when I was no longer useful.
Silence.
—But they… had no one.
Valeria frowned.
—The children?
Mateo nodded.
—I found them… in different places… on the street… in shelters… abandoned.
He looked up for the first time.
Her eyes did not plead for compassion.
—I couldn’t leave them.
Valeria felt something inside her… settle.
All the pieces.
All the rumors.
—And that’s why you say they’re your children?
—Because nobody else does it.
Nothing else.
Without pride.
No lengthy explanation needed.
Just… truth.
The silence between them was no longer awkward.
It was… profound.
Valeria took another step.
Closer.
He extended his hand.
He didn’t hesitate.
He touched one of the scars.
Mateo tensed up.
Instinct.
But he did not step aside.
“Does it hurt?” she asked.
-Not anymore.
But that wasn’t entirely true.
Valeria knew.
Because there are pains that are not felt on the skin.
They feel… in what was left after.
“I thought I was marrying a man with a complicated past,” she said. “But I’m not.”
He paused.
—I married someone who decided not to repeat it.
Mateo lowered his gaze.
—I am not a good man.
—No —she replied.
He looked up.
Confused.
Valeria held his gaze.
—You are one who chose to be.
Silence returned.
But now… different.
Lighter.
Mateo took a deep breath.
As if something that had been carried for years… loosened up a little.
“I didn’t mean to deceive her,” he said. “I just… didn’t know how to explain it.”
—You didn’t fool me.
Valeria barely smiled.
—You were protecting yourself.
