“Mr. Alejandro,” she began softly, “I need to talk to you about Sofia.”

Alejandro looked up from his papers, concern immediately knitting his brow. “Is she alright?”

Mariana nodded, but there was a somberness in her eyes. “She is, but there’s something you need to know about how she’s being treated when you’re not here.”

Alejandro listened intently as Mariana recounted the incidents of neglect and cruelty she had witnessed. With each word, Alejandro’s face grew more ashen. The notion that his beloved daughter was suffering so much while he was unaware weighed heavily on him.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Alejandro asked, his voice a mixture of regret and frustration.