Valeria

The crying on the phone got louder, but I stayed quiet. I held the phone close to my ear and listened to my mother sob like the world had ended. I did not feel fear. I did not feel panic. I only felt a cold calm spreading in my chest.

“Valeria—” she cried again, almost choking on her words.

I leaned back on the bed and let out a small breath. “Are you done?” I asked. “Or do you want to drag this drama longer?”

She stopped crying for a second. I could hear her ...