“Do you have anything to say, Sofía?” Luis’s voice echoed from inside the house, already breaking with frustration. Sofía shrank, unable to meet her father’s eyes. She stared at the floor, her trembling hands clutching the edge of her shirt.
“Shameless,” added Sofía’s mother, Isabel, her gaze void of any sympathy.
“She’s so young and already pregnant. My God! How can someone like that bring a child into this world?”
“I… I wanted to,” Sofía stammered, unable to hold back her tears.
Luis slammed his fist on the table, making the entire room shake.
“Do you know the disgrace you’ve brought upon this family? Do you have any idea what people will say? How will you show your face in this town?”
Isabel sneered contemptuously.
“Luis, why are you wasting your life on her?”
“A girl like that doesn’t deserve to stay here. Let her deal with the consequences.”
“No, please, Mom, I beg you…” Sofía raised her tear-streaked face, only to meet a cold stare.
“Why are you still on your knees? Get out!”
Luis suddenly stood up, pointing toward the door. It felt like the ground was collapsing beneath Sofía’s feet. She stepped back, eyes wide with fear.
“I have nowhere to go… I don’t know what to do,” she sobbed.
“That’s your problem. Don’t come back.”
Luis turned his back on her as if she were a stranger.
“Luis, you’re right. Having her here would only bring more shame on the family,” Isabel said firmly, dripping with disdain.
Outside, some neighbors chuckled, peeking at the house with curiosity. The prying eyes and whispered gossip cut like knives into Sofía’s back.
“Get out of here right now!” Luis shouted, exhausted and impatient.
Sofía turned and ran, tears streaming down her face. Heavy, cold rain began to pour. She wandered through dark streets, her small feet muddy and freezing.
“Get out of here! This place isn’t for you.” A middle-aged man blocked the door of the abandoned house where Sofía had taken shelter.
“I just need a place to stay for the night,” she pleaded, her voice broken.
“Disappear. I don’t want trouble.” He shut the door, leaving Sofía alone in the rain.
She staggered to a nearby park, where cold benches became her last refuge. As night deepened, Sofía curled up on the bench, clutching her belly as if protecting the tiny spark of life within her.
“Hey, girl, stop right there!” A rough voice called out, followed by malicious laughter. Sofía turned and saw three figures…
