Chapter 4 - The First ShockThe sun had barely crept over the city skyline at 6:30 AM when the screams began in the kitchen.
I had already dressed Camila in a warm woolen coat, packed two large suitcases with all of our clothing, documents, and essential belongings, and placed them quietly by the bedroom door.
I was sitting at my vanity, tying my hair back into a tight, professional bun, when the master bedroom door burst open without a knock.
Valeria stood in the doorway, wearing her silk pajama set, her face red with sheer fury, holding up her phone like a weapon.
"What did you do?!" she shrieked, her voice cracking. "My card got declined at the coffee shop! I tried to order breakfast for everyone on UberEats and it said 'CARD ACCOUNT TERMINATED'! Fix it!"
I didn't even turn around in my chair. I picked up my lipstick, applied a coat of deep crimson, and pressed my lips together.
"Get out of my bedroom, Valeria," I said calmly.
"I'm not going anywhere until you fix my card!" Valeria screamed, stepping further into the room. "I have a hair appointment at eleven! It costs four thousand pesos! Unblock it!"
Daniel pushed past her, wearing his bathrobe, holding his own phone with a look of utter panic. "Mariana, what is going on? I just tried to pay my gym membership fee and my corporate platinum card was flagged as reported stolen! The gym manager practically treated me like a criminal in front of my friends!"
Carmen appeared behind them, her hair wrapped in rollers, clutching her chest dramatically. "Mariana! What is the meaning of this childish behavior?! Is this because of last night? You are holding money over our heads because I tried to discipline your daughter?!"
I slowly stood up from my chair, smoothed down my designer blazer, and turned around to face the three of them.
Camila sat quietly on the bed, holding her favorite teddy bear, watching her father and grandmother with wide, curious eyes.
"Valeria," I began, my voice terrifyingly calm. "Your supplementary card has been permanently revoked. You are twenty-two years old. If you want four thousand pesos for a hair salon, I suggest you get a job at a coffee shop instead of ordering from one."
Valeria gasped, her jaw dropping. "Job?! I'm a full-time university student!"
"Not anymore," I replied. "Because I just canceled my monthly tuition payments to your college as well."
Valeria let out a shrill, hysterical shriek. "MOM! Tell her!"
"Mariana!" Carmen barked, pointing a finger at my face. "You cannot do this! We are family! You have a responsibility to support this household!"
"You are not my family," I said, stepping right up to Carmen until she was forced to take a step back. "You are a maid who got paid thirty-five thousand pesos a month to neglect my child. And as of 6:00 AM today, your employment is terminated."
Daniel stepped between us, his hands shaking. "Mariana, calm down! You're losing your mind! We can talk about this! Why are you canceling my card?!"
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"Because," I smiled, a cold, ruthless expression that made Daniel flinch, "a man who sits by and watches his three-year-old daughter freeze on a balcony doesn't deserve a platinum card. He deserves a reality check."
At that exact moment, two sharp knocks echoed through the front door of the apartment.
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