CHAPTER 2 — THE CHRISTMAS DINNER THEY STOLE
Alejandro couldn't breathe.
He looked at the moldy bread.
Then at the empty dog bowls.
Then back at his daughters.
"Who fed the dogs?"
The girls stayed silent.
Camila quietly pointed toward the ballroom.
"Mom Jimena."
Alejandro clenched his fists.
"What did she tell you?"
Valeria looked ashamed.
"She said..."
"...the dogs have to stay healthy."
"They're expensive."
The words hit harder than a bullet.
Alejandro took off his suit jacket.
Wrapped it around Sofía first.
Then carried Regina into his arms.
"You're freezing."
Regina whispered,
"We're okay, Daddy."
"No."
His voice cracked.
"You're not."
He picked up the cracked plastic plate.
The moldy bread.
Every piece.
Then walked straight toward the ballroom.
The music was deafening.
Champagne sprayed into the air.
Guests cheered as Jimena laughed on top of the dining table.
No one noticed Alejandro.
Until...
He slammed the plastic plate onto the table.
The music stopped.
Green mold scattered across the white tablecloth.
Jimena blinked.
"Alejandro?"
"I thought you weren't coming until tomorrow."
He looked at her.
Then at every guest.
"Does anyone recognize this?"
Nobody answered.
He lifted one slice of moldy bread.
"My daughters were eating this..."
"...while your dogs were eating roasted chicken."
The ballroom fell silent.
Jimena forced a laugh.
"Oh, don't be dramatic."
"They're picky eaters."
Alejandro stared at her.
"They're five."
"They're hungry."
"They're terrified of you."
She rolled her eyes.
"I was teaching discipline."
One woman quietly lowered her champagne glass.
Another guest looked away.
Alejandro stepped closer.
"Discipline?"
He pointed toward the dining room.
"My daughters apologized..."
"...for being hungry."
Jimena's smile faded.
"They're exaggerating."
"They adore me."
Just then...
A tiny voice echoed from the doorway.
"No."
Everyone turned.
Little Sofía stood barefoot.
Still wrapped in Alejandro's jacket.
She held something in her tiny hand.
A folded piece of paper.
"Daddy..."
"You should read this."
Alejandro knelt.
"What is it?"
"It's the list Mom Jimena made."
He unfolded the paper.
Each daughter's name appeared at the top.
Beneath them...
Numbers.
Weights.
Calories.
And one sentence repeated four times.
NO DINNER IF THEY CRY.
The room erupted with horrified whispers.
Jimena's face drained of color.
Before she could speak...
The mansion's longtime housekeeper stepped forward.
Holding a thick envelope.
"Sir..."
"I think it's finally time."
"I've been keeping these..."
May you like
"...for six months."
END OF CHAPTER 2.
