Chapter 15 - The Unbroken CircleThree years later.
The warm summer sun shone brightly over the pristine white sand beaches of Cancun.
The turquoise ocean waves lapped gently against the shore, casting white foam over my bare feet as I walked along the water's edge.
A few yards ahead of me, six-year-old Camila was running through the shallow water, wearing a bright pink swimsuit, holding a yellow plastic bucket filled with sea shells.
"Mommy! Look!" she shouted, her voice full of pure, unbounded joy as she held up a shiny pink shell. "I found a giant one!"
"It's beautiful, sweetie!" I called back, smiling warmly as I picked up my camera and snapped a photograph of her laughing against the backdrop of the open ocean.
She was healthy, brilliant, and loved. She was enrolled in the top private school in the country, excelled in her piano lessons, and had a mother who would burn the world down before letting anyone harm a single hair on her head.
I sat down on a plush beach lounge chair under a wide white umbrella, taking a sip of fresh mango juice.
My phone chimed on the small wooden table beside me.
It was an update from Victoria.
Victoria: "Just checking in! Daniel’s probation expired today. He tried to apply for a loan to start a small detail shop, but his felony record caused an instant denial. He's still working at the car wash. Carmen was released last week and is living in a government shelter in the north. They are officially broke, forgotten, and powerless."
I looked at the message, smiled softly, and typed my reply.
Mariana: "Thanks for the update, Victoria. But those names don't mean anything to us anymore. Have a wonderful weekend."
I deleted the chat thread, locked my phone screen, and tossed it into my canvas beach bag.
The parasites were gone. The past was buried. The debt had been paid in full.
"Mommy! Come swim with me!" Camila cheered, splashing in the crystal-clear water, extending her tiny hand toward me.
May you like
I stood up from my lounge chair, stepped into the warm ocean water, and took my daughter's hand in mine.
"I'm coming, sweetie," I said, pulling her close into a tight, warm hug as the sun shone brilliantly over our bright, unbroken future. "Mommy is right here."
