Valeria

The moment the doors shut behind us, my mother threw the bag onto the dining table. The sound of it hitting the wood echoed across the room. Notes spilled everywhere, sliding off the edge and scattering onto the floor.

She pointed at them with shaking hands. “This is what you gave me!” she said loudly. “You think I wouldn’t find out? You think you can fool me?”

I didn’t move. I watched her without expression. My brother stood beside her, his eyes moving between us ...