Their eyes widened as they absorbed the transformation. The once open and airy living room now felt compact and intimate, with a partitioning wall adorned with photographs of Javier, capturing moments he had cherished. The oversized couch I had painstakingly chosen was replaced by two smaller, cozy loveseats, perfect for solitary evenings or quiet conversations but not for a crowd. The dining area, once designed to host a family feast, now held a small round table surrounded by four mismatched chairs.
“Mom, what happened?” Álvaro asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
I smiled gently and replied, “I made some changes. It’s more comfortable for me this way.”
