“I didn’t mean for you to see that.”
“How much?”
“Mr. Mendoza…”
“How much?”
She didn’t answer.
“I’ll pay it.”
“No.”
He frowned.
“No?”
“I can’t accept that.”
“You work for me.”
“Exactly.”
“I can help.”
“I know.”
“Then why won’t you let me?”
“Because I don’t want to become another person who depends on you.”
Ricardo stared at her.
She continued.
“You have money. I understand that. But I don’t want your money to become the reason you think I belong to this house.”
He leaned back.
“You don’t.”
“I know.”
“And the girls?”
She looked toward the hallway.
“They’re not mine either.”
“Yet they trust you.”
Luía smiled.
“Trust isn’t ownership.”
Ricardo didn’t know what to say.
Finally he asked:
“What happens if you lose your place at school?”
“I work more.”
“You already work too much.”
“I’ll figure it out.”
He nodded slowly.
“Fine.”
He picked up the letter.
