“No, Tenoch, what are you doing?”

“Getting rid of this junk. And don’t call me Tenoch again. Now I’m Ricardo.”

“But my love, don’t—”

“Don’t ever call me ‘my love’ again in your life.”

“I truly don’t understand you. I thought you’d be happy to see your wife, my love.”

“Happy? Happy? Who would be happy to see a filthy peasant like you? With your grimy little plants, please. Please, stop it.”

“I’ll do whatever I want. I don’t understand what you’re doing here.”

“I came to find you, Tenoch. I haven’t heard from you in so long. You haven’t answered my messages or calls for months. And while I was looking for you, I started selling these little plants.”

“You shouldn’t have bothered. You should have stayed in your damn little town. I don’t understand you. Look at me. I’m a renowned lawyer now, a city man. But you, you’re still the same filthy peasant as always.”

“How can you talk to me like that?”

“Tenoch, I’ll talk to you however I want. Now get out. I don’t want to see you here again.”

“No, my life—don’t talk to me like that. I already told you, please. Yes.”

“Well, my love, where are you? Oh yes, my love. Who is that? Yes. Who is it tonight? Shut up. Who is it? Shut up. Yes, yes, yes. Forgive me, love. I had a setback, but I promise I won’t be long.”

“And he says he won’t be long, Daddy. Arriving late to meet your future father-in-law—that doesn’t sound good to me.”

“I have to go, but—”

“My love, wait, please wait.”

“Let go of me. They’ll see us.”

“No, no, Tenoch, please.”

“Who did you call ‘my life’? Who were you talking to?”

“Tenoch, I found someone else. Isn’t it obvious?”

“What? Yes, exactly how you hear it. I have another life here now. You have no place in it, so just leave me alone.”

“No, don’t—let go of me. They’ll see us.”

“No, not until you give me an explanation.”

“Let go of me, or you’ll regret it. Officer! Officer!”

“No, no.”

“What happened here?”

“This thief tried to rob me.”

“I—”

“What did she steal from you?”

“Nothing, but it’s not necessary. Look at her.”

“Look, sir, I can’t just take her away just because you say so. If she didn’t take any of your belongings, there’s not much I can do.”

“What are you trying to pull tonight?”

“Shut up. So, how much do you want to take her away?”

“What? Yes, yes, yes. How much do you charge me to frame her for something? She’s a peasant. It can’t be that hard, kid.”

“I would never do that. Okay. I’m a police officer, you understand me? Yes. And now, what you want is to bribe me.”

“Everyone has a price. Come on, take it. Go ahead then. I’ll help you.”

“No, no, no, no. Let’s go. I’m sorry, peasant. You’re going straight to jail.”

“No, no. Let me go, let me go, please. Let me go. Tenoch, Tenoch, please, please, why are you doing this to me?”

“Let’s go. Come on. Come here.”

“After everything I did for you, you didn’t call me even once. You didn’t send me a single dollar, and I came here looking for you. I thought something had happened to you, Tenoch.”

“You wasted your time, huh? And the money thing—I only said that so you’d stop whining. So get out. Get out already.”

“This is how you repay me? After all the sacrifice I made for you, for love? This is how you repay my sacrifice?”

“Shut up already, peasant. Go feel sorry for yourself somewhere else. Officer. Take her away once and for all. See you never.”

“No, don’t—my love, please, let me go.”

“You’re going.”

“Okay.”

“I know. I’m sorry, love, I’m on my way out. I swear I’ll be there in five minutes.”

Years earlier.

“I’m home. Hi, my love. How was your day in the fields?”

“Very good, thank God. And you?”

“Great. Hey, yes. Tell me—they already called me from the law school.”

“No way. And then what else?”

“They accepted me. I’m in.”

“No, you’re kidding. Oh no, my life. What great news. I knew—I knew you would do it. You’re going to be an excellent lawyer.”

“Well, it won’t be easy. I still need to figure out how I’m going to pay that tuition.”

“I know what. I’ll pay for it.”

“No, my love, how could you? Besides, it’s a lot of money. I saw the tuition, and the truth is, I can’t—no, no.”

“Look, don’t worry. With what I earn from embroidery, we can make it work. I earn very well. Plus, I can sell tamales. Yes, see, with those two things, we can do it, just so you can focus on your studies.”

“No, my love, I’d be so ashamed.”

“Oh no, no, no, no. It’s worse to steal and get caught. Besides, when you become an excellent lawyer and earn a lot of money, you can pay for my school. Okay? Does that work?”

“Okay, I accept.”

“Oh, good, my love. I promise that’s how it will be. I love you very much.”

“I love you too, my love.”

“No, please, officer. I haven’t—you can’t take me. Look, I just obey the one who pays. And from what I see, you can’t offer me much, so get moving.”

“But officer, you can’t take me to jail. I didn’t do anything.”

“That’s exactly where we’re going. I’m going to have you locked up. After all, who’s going to listen to a filthy peasant like you? Come on, jump in there.”

“And who are you?”

“I’m Fabiola Torres, defense attorney. Here’s my card.”

“And what do you want or what?”

“To prevent you from arresting this poor innocent woman.”

“This woman is under arrest for robbery.”

“Oh really. Do you have any evidence against her?”

“Well, no, but I’m an officer.”

“Well then, you know you can’t take her against her will, especially without an arrest warrant.”

“Yes I can. I’m a police officer.”

“And I’m a very experienced lawyer who knows the law perfectly, and I know you can’t just take her away. Should I call your commander?”

“Over here. You’re free, girl.”

“I’m free?”

“Yes, you’re free. Now get out of here, both of you, fast.”

“Oh, miss, thank you so much. You saved me. I don’t know how to repay you.”

“Don’t worry. Helping is the best payment. Besides, I saw how that guy treated you from the beginning.”

“Yes, I don’t know what happened to my Tenoch. I thought he would be very happy to see me, but I was wrong.”

“I’m very sorry he treated you like that, but at the same time, I’m glad you’re okay. Thank you. Look, if you ever need anything else, call me. You can count on me.”

“Thank you. Thank you, truly.”

“Do you need help with anything else?”

“Well, no. I just don’t know what to do. I’m in this big city with no job. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“Well, I know. Look, they’re looking for a receptionist at my office. Maybe you could get the job. Would you like that?”

“No, I couldn’t. No, how could I? I don’t know how to do that.”

“No, no, relax. Don’t worry. It’s not hard at all. You just have to answer calls and schedule appointments.”

“But miss, I’m just a peasant. How would I know about those things?”

“Don’t say that. Growth begins with wanting to grow. Don’t let what your ex-husband says get to you. You can do it. Well, what do you say?”

“Well, yes, yes, yes, yes. Okay. Yes, yes, I’ll do it.”

“Great, perfect. Let’s see. Oh, look, I’ll write the address here. Okay, very good. I’ll see you here tomorrow at nine. Nine in the morning. Yes. Very good.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll do it, miss. Thank you very much.”

“See you tomorrow.”

“Until tomorrow.”

“Things might work out, even if Tenoch doesn’t want me anymore.”

“Let’s see, my love, smile. Smile, my love. Turn around.”

Years earlier.

“One more, one more, one more. That’s it. You look super handsome, my life. Seriously, you look it, my love. Super handsome, my life. Congratulations on your graduation. I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you so much. It seems like just yesterday when they accepted me into law school, right?”

“Yes, right? Time passed so fast. You’ll see, you’re going to do excellently, my love.”

“I can’t wait to enroll in school.”

“Enroll in what?”

“Enroll in school, my love. There’s a sewing program. So I was thinking that I could—”

“Wait, wait, wait—you study? Don’t talk nonsense.”

“But they’re not nonsense, Tenoch.”

“We agreed that when you finished studying, you were going to help me with my studies.”

“No, no, no. Let’s see, let’s see. We didn’t agree on anything. You imagined that. What’s more, I’ve already been offered a job in the city.”

“The city? We’re moving to the city? What great news. Then I have to start packing everything.”

“Easy, easy. I’m going, and you’re staying here.”

“What do you mean I’m staying, Tenoch? No, I can’t stay. I sacrificed many years of my life for you so you could study. Now it’s my turn too.”

“Seriously. Always me, me, me. Don’t you know anything else to talk about besides yourself? I just got a job, and instead of being happy for me, you start crying. Seriously.”

“But—but nothing. What do you want? For me to stay here forever? To be a failure or what? I’ve always hated this damn town.”

“No, my love, that’s not it.”

“Then what is it?”

“My love, forgive me. I’m sorry. No, no, I didn’t want to bother you. I didn’t want you to get angry. Much less today.”

“Well, it’s too late. It’s too late. What’s more, the bus leaves today, and I’m leaving forever.”

“No, no, don’t—please don’t go. Do whatever you want, but don’t leave me. Don’t leave me, Tenoch. I couldn’t live without you. Take me with you. Yes, take me, please.”

“Okay. Okay.”

“Yes, seriously? Yes, my love?”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, my life. But look, I’m going to leave before you. I’ll go ahead.”

“What? You alone?”

“Yes, yes, yes. I’ll find a place for the two of us, get settled, and while I’m getting established, you stay here. What’s more, what’s more, don’t worry. In the meantime, I’ll send you some money so you don’t have to keep working. How does that sound?”

“Well, yes, yes. Okay. Okay, right?”

“Yes, yes, yes. It’s fine, my love. Yes.”

“Really? Thank you, Tenoch. You treat me like a princess. I love you.”

“I love you too. Well, I have to go now.”

“Okay. Well, that’s all then. Okay, I’m off.”

“Yes, my love.”

“This is unacceptable. Let’s go already, please.”

“No, Daddy, let’s wait a little longer. He must be here any minute. Already? How long have we been here? Hours.”

“He’s here, love.”

“Oh, my love, oysters, where were you? We’ve been waiting like a thousand years.”

“Forgive me, love. I got distracted with some things.”

“More important than eating with your fiancée and meeting your father-in-law?”

“Forgive me, sir. I promise it won’t happen again.”

“I hope not. Armando del Valle.”

“Ricardo Paniagua.”

“Paniagua. Good last name. My seat.”

“And that’s not all, Daddy. Ricardo is a great lawyer.”

“Oh yes, that’s right. I graduated recently, and since then, I’ve been killing it.”

“And where have you worked?”

“I’ve worked at the Altamirano firm and subsequently with Licenciado Buen Rostro.”

“Impressive. You see, Daddy? Now I’ve caught myself a good man.”

“Oh please, can you give him a job at your firm? Please, Daddy.”

“Girl, easy. I need to get to know him more. Tell me about yourself. Tell me your story.”

“Yes, of course. I grew up in the city. My dad is Mexican, and my mom is foreign. Since I was a child, they sent me to the best schools in Mexico, and since then, my only goal has been this: to be a lawyer.”

“And you want to work at my firm?”

“Of course. For me, it would be excellent to work for the most exclusive firm in Mexico. It would be an honor.”

“Oh please, Daddy, give him a job at your firm. He’s the best at what he does. Yes, please. Please, Daddy.”

“I can’t deny my princess anything. You’re hired. I’ll see you tomorrow at my office for a meeting. There are some very heavy projects coming up this year, and we’re going to make a lot of money.”

“Of course, sir. I promise you won’t regret it. It will be an honor.”

“Well, now let’s eat. Let’s go eat. We need to celebrate. You’re going to love it.”

“It’s here, my love. Wow. It’s more luxurious than I imagined.”

“Are you excited for your first day?”

“Very much. I couldn’t be better.”

“Get that filthy peasant out of here.”

“What’s wrong with you, my love? The way he called you that, my love.”

“Look, I’ve never seen this peasant in my life. What’s more, who are you?”

“What do you mean? Who am I going to be? I’m Sochi, your wife.”

“No, no. Let’s see, let’s see. I’ve never known anyone with such a horrible man. Do me a favor and get out of here.”

“No, I work here.”

“What? Yes, today is my first day.”

“And who is she?”

“Watch how you talk to me, peasant. I’m his fiancée.”

“And working here as what, huh? As a maid? What else?”

“As a receptionist.”

“You? A receptionist? Please, don’t make me laugh. Get out of here. Don’t be a liar.”

“No, no, I’m not a liar. Truly, I’m going to work here.”

“Please, you don’t even know how to turn on a computer. How are you going to work here as a receptionist?”

“Well, a lady gave me her card and this address to come here exactly.”

“Look, look, I don’t care who brought you here. This is my father-in-law’s firm, and nothing in the world will make me let you in. So get out.”

“Very well, my love, that’s how you talk.”

“Besides, who could be so stupid as to hire a wretch like you?”

“I hired her. Any problem?”

“Who are you? She’s a busybody.”

“Love, don’t talk to her like that.”

“Well, look at her, she’s a busybody. Who do you think you are or what?”

“She’s Fabiola Landeros, the second most important lawyer in Daddy’s firm.”

“You must be Ricardo, right? Mr. del Valle told me you were coming. Whatever. But at your first mistake, I’ll tell my daddy to fire you. And please, dress properly. You give a terrible image for the firm.”

“Would you like me to show you your workplace?”

“Yes, yes, yes. Okay. Let’s go.”

“Terrible.”

“Well, do you need anything else?”

“No, no, miss, thank you very much. No, just getting me this job was more than enough. Oh, I don’t know how I’m going to repay you.”

“Don’t worry. By striving more every day. Very well. I’ll be in my office. If anyone bothers you, let me know.”

“Okay. Okay. Very well. Thank you.”

“That policeman was supposed to have taken you away arrested.”

“Yes, but Miss Fabiola told him he couldn’t take me because it was against the law, so he didn’t take me, Tenoch.”

“I knew I shouldn’t have given so much money to that damn useless policeman.”

“Forgive me, my love.”

“Don’t call me ‘my love.’ I don’t know how you’re going to do it, but I want you to resign here today.”

“What? No, no, Tenoch, I can’t do that. I need to work.”

“Yes, but not here. Can’t you see that you could ruin everything I’ve worked so hard for? Filthy peasant.”

“Tenoch, how can you talk like that? We come from the same land, the same town. You can’t be ashamed.”

“No, no, no, no, no. We had the same life, and watch out if my fiancée finds out about this, huh?”

“What? But you’re married to me.”

“I was. Now I’m with Wendy.”

“But why? What do you mean, why? Because her family and she can take me to the top, give me the life I deserve. If I stayed with you, I’d still be in that little town, working the fields like a donkey. But no more. Tenoch, you’re hurting me.”

“I don’t care. I swear to God that if you don’t leave, I’ll break you in half.”

“Tenoch, you can’t do that to me, please.”

“I was here explaining to the peasant that I don’t want any mistakes in her work.”

“Oh, love, don’t waste your time. How about I show you your new office?”

“Get ready, family. From now on, there will be a new video every day at eleven in the morning, Monday through Friday. Subscribe to the channel and activate the bell. We’ll be giving special prizes to the most active subscribers.”

“Oh, come, my love. Let me show you your new office. How do you like it?”

“I love it. My love. All this office is for you and because of you. What do you think?”

“I love it. It’s much better than I imagined. No doubt about it, I’m in the big leagues now. Oh, I deserve it.”

“Oh no, it can’t be. From here you can see the whole city.”

“What? What? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, no, nothing, my love. I just remembered I left my phone in the car, and I have to go get it.”

“Okay, I won’t be long.”

“Okay.”

“You’ve been acting strange since yesterday. Something’s going on here.”

“Oh, and now, how do you turn this on? I’ve never seen one of these before. Gosh, where does this thing turn on? Oh, Tenoch, Tenoch, can you help me turn it on, please?”

“Shut up! Hey! You, rat. We had a deal.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Of course you know what I’m talking about. I gave you money to lock up the peasant. You lied to me.”

“Watch how you talk to me. I remind you that I’m a police officer.”

“Oh yeah? Well, I work for the most important law firm in the country, so I can talk to you however I want. What? Yes, exactly how you hear it. I’m a lawyer at Armando del Valle’s firm. del Valle. del Valle. If you have at least two neurons in that head, you should know that del Valle has bought the entire city police force. Therefore, I’m the one who gives orders here.”

“Forgive me, sir. I had no idea. I wasn’t informed.”

“Now you respect me, right? Be grateful I don’t get you fired.”

“Sir, please. Look, you know we can make a deal. There’s no need to take it to the limit.”

“Okay. I like that. From now on, you’re going to obey everything I say. Understood? Come here.”

“Yes, it turned on, it turned on. Oh, how cool. It turned on. How great. See?”

“There’s the peasant you should have locked up. Now she works here.”

“An old lady like that managed to get a job? What does that matter, idiot? Look, I don’t care how much I have to pay this time. I need you to get rid of her.”

“But how will I proceed with that, sir?”

“That’s your problem. What I will tell you is that I want her out today. That peasant could ruin everything I’ve worked for.”

“Get moving.”

“Ricardo. Hi, how are you? How’s your first day?”

“Very good, thanks.”

“So why do you look so tense? It wouldn’t have anything to do with a conversation you had with a policeman, would it? Yes, I saw you talking to one outside earlier.”

“Everything’s fine, everything’s normal. He’s a policeman I met on an old case, and I went out to say hello to him. That’s all. What’s wrong with that?”

“No, no, nothing. So why are you so nervous?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, and if you’ll excuse me, counselor, I have a lot of things to do. It’s my first day, and I have things to learn, so do whatever you want with your free time.”

“Easy, easy, I’m just playing. You’re in the big leagues now. You don’t have to ask anyone for permission anymore.”

“Well, I’m not asking anyone for permission, actually.”

“Very well. What does this old lady care what I do or what?”

“My love, why are you taking so long?”

“Love, forgive me. A counselor made me waste my time. She told me I don’t know how many things. That’s all.”

“First, fix your shirt. If Daddy sees you, he’ll say something. Speaking of which, he just invited us to dinner in ten minutes.”

“How’s that shirt?”

“Oh, Miss Fabiola, how was your day? How was your day today?”

“Oh, good, I suppose.”

“I made several mistakes.”

“Oh, well, that’s normal. Truthfully, I was really scared that you were going to fire me.”

“No way. If we fired everyone on their first day, nobody would work here.”

“It’s the first time I’ve ever touched a computer. I don’t know anything about those things.”

“Yes, it shows. But you learn fast. Besides, you were answering calls all day. That’s already quite a bit.”

“Yes, yes. I was also really scared to answer calls and give the wrong information and then mess everything up.”

“Well, that doesn’t go away. You just get used to it.”

“Yes, right? Did that happen to you too?”

“Yes, yes. I just think I learned to hide it better.”

“Oh, thank you for the opportunity, Miss Fabiola. Thank you.”

“Of course. I just need you to come back tomorrow.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll be here first thing tomorrow morning.”

“Very well. You’ll see, everything will get easier for you.”

“Oh, I hope so.”

“You’ll see it will. Just don’t give up.”

“No, not at all. I won’t give up.”

“Well, see you tomorrow at eight.”

“Until tomorrow, Miss Fabiola. Rest well.”

“Oh, I can do it. Yes, I can.”

“What? No, let go of me.”

“We received a report about a filthy peasant who looks just like you, selling who knows what kind of junk.”

“What? What are you talking about? I didn’t do anything. Let go of me. Oh no, that’s not mine. You just took that out.”

“I found this among your things. And besides, it looks pretty illegal. You’re going to spend a long time in jail. I’m an officer of the law, and it’s your word against mine.”

“But I didn’t do anything, sir.”

“You’re going to do what I tell you. You can’t arrest me.”

“Hello, peasant.”

“Tenoch. Sorry—Ricardo, you came to get me out of here, right?”

“Get you out of here? I’m the one who brought you here to be locked up.”

“What? Yes, exactly how you hear it. That useless policeman finally did his job. He learned from his mistake. What’s more, he couldn’t wait to bring you here to be locked up forever.”

“This is a joke, right? Tell me it’s a joke. Are you joking?”

“No, the truth is I want you to stay here forever. What’s more, I’m already doing everything to get you the maximum sentence. I warned you that you weren’t going to ruin my new life, peasant.”

“Tenoch, please don’t do this to me. I beg you. Please don’t do this to me.”

“I already told you, I’m not Tenoch. I’m Ricardo. And be grateful we’re here. If not, I’d—”

“You’re a monster, Tenoch.”

“Yes, a monster. A monster who won. Enjoy your life locked up in here, peasant.”

“Please don’t leave me. What am I going to do?”

“Miss Fabiola, thank heavens.”

“Easy, easy, I’m here now.”

“Miss Fabiola, I don’t know what I’m going to do. My life is ruined.”

“No, no, no, that’s not true. I’m going to get you out of here very soon, I promise. Truly. Yes, I’m your lawyer, and I’m going to protect you no matter what.”

“But how, miss? How?”

“Look, I have a plan. I just need you to trust me.”

“Yes. Okay, very good.”

“Well, I won’t be long. I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay, don’t worry. Everything is going to be fine.”

“This is what they call ‘being dirty.’ Halt. You again. What do you want now?”

“You know very well what I want. To free my friend.”

“Well, it’s a little late for that. That criminal is going to spend a long time in jail. It only serves her right for carrying and selling illegal junk.”

“I know very well that you and that guy set her up. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh please, don’t play dumb with me. I have proof.”

“Where did you get that?”

“I recorded you. You were so deep in your corruption that you didn’t even notice. There. Destroy it.”

“It doesn’t matter. I have more copies. What did you think? I’m a lawyer. This is over. You’re going to pay the consequences.”

“Look, miss, we don’t have to do this. You understand me? No.”

“Yes, yes, we do, because you and that man tried to ruin my client’s life, and I’m not going to allow that.”

“Miss, I was desperate. Okay. I only took the money because they pay us peanuts here. Please, I can’t go to jail.”

“Do you truly regret it? Then testify. You know what can happen to me if I do that, right? Yes. It’s the right thing. And yes, you’re also going to go to jail, but at least they can reduce your sentence. What do you prefer?”

“Cheers to my daughter and to my in-laws.”

“Oh, thank you, Daddy. You’re the best in the world, right, my love?”

“Of course. No doubt he’s the best lawyer in the city and also an excellent father-in-law.”

“And I want to be a grandfather soon.”

“Obviously. Yes, Daddy. With Ricardo, we’re going to give you many.”

“Very well. And when that happens, I won’t hesitate to make them my legal heirs.”

“Here it is, officer. Arrest him.”

“What? What is the meaning of this? Fabiola, what’s happening?”

“This is unacceptable, Fabiola.”

“What’s unacceptable is the crime this man has committed.”

“What? What crimes? Ricardo is an honorable lawyer.”

“Honorable? Does this seem honorable to you?”

“What? How? Where did you get that?”

“I recorded it. And not only that, Omar has already confessed to all his crimes. Testimony against you, so both of you are going to jail.”

“Ricardo, how could you?”

“My love, I swear I can explain.”

“What were you going to explain? That you’re a liar? A corrupt—”

“Easy, my love. Easy.”

“He wasn’t what I thought he was. Easy, officer. Get him out of our sight. He doesn’t deserve to be here.”

“We want to see—”

“Rat, all this is your fault.”

“Look, I did what I had to do. It was about time you were taught a lesson.”

“Say that again. Say whatever you want, but you lay a hand on me, and you’re only going to get yourself into more trouble.”

“Sochi, thank God you’re here. Tell them I didn’t do anything, please.”

“Why would I lie for you, Tenoch? That’s what you are. You’re a liar and a thief.”

“You can’t leave me here, my love.”

“Now I’m your love, huh? Yes, of course. Your Tenoch. Always yours.”

“So where did Tenoch come from? Wendy, I can explain this to you.”

“Oh, your little speech, I know it. Everyone already knows what you did. You’re burned all over the city. Damn liar.”

“Please get me out of here. I know I made a mistake, but I’m sorry now. Truly, I’m sorry.”

“I’m not going to fall for your lies again. I hope that all the time you’re in here helps you reflect and change a little. Let’s go.”

“Curses! But one day I’ll get out of here, and I swear you’ll pay.”

“I’m very sorry about what happened, Sochi. Truly, I didn’t know Ricardo was such a despicable being.”

“Neither did I. Truthfully, Tenoch was very sweet at first, but then I don’t know what happened to him.”

“Like many. Sometimes money and power rot the heart.”

“I’m glad we’re friends now.”

“Me too. Hey, where’s Fabiola? Look.”

“Now everything makes sense.”

“What thing? About Miss Fabiola. She helped me from the beginning, and without her support, none of this would have been possible. It’s as if—as if—like she was an angel.”

“My grandmother used to tell me that angels come down from heaven to help good people. I think that’s what happened.”

“You think so?”

“Yes. Yes, I think so. My heart tells me so, and I know that no matter what happens from now on, everything is going to be fine.”

“How good.”

For a long time, I believed that love meant enduring, staying quiet, making myself small so someone else could feel big. I thought that if I loved him enough, someday he would stop being ashamed of me, of my roots, of who I am. But that’s not what happened.

Today I understand that the real problem was never my origin, nor my way of speaking, nor my way of seeing life. The problem was that I wasn’t choosing myself. Yes, it hurt. It broke me to realize that the person I shared my life with didn’t value me. But that pain also woke me up. It forced me to look in the mirror and recognize the strong, brave woman I have always been. A woman who doesn’t need to change to be worthy of love.

I learned that love shouldn’t make you feel less, or hide you, or make you ashamed of who you are. True love embraces you, celebrates you, and walks with you—not ahead of you, not leaving you behind.

Today I am no longer the woman who stayed silent. Today I choose myself, I respect myself, and I love myself. And although the road hasn’t been easy, I discovered something much more valuable than any relationship. I found myself. And now I know that when a woman truly learns to love herself, she never again accepts crumbs disguised as love.