Javier’s eyes darted between me and his mother, disbelief shadowing his face. “Laura!” he shouted, rushing to my side. He knelt beside me, his hands trembling as he tried to assess what had happened. Meanwhile, Carmen stood there, arms crossed, a twist of disdain curling her lips.
“She did it on purpose,” Carmen spat, but her voice wavered, betraying her uncertainty. “She wanted attention.”
Javier’s face hardened. “Mamá, enough,” he snapped, an edge to his voice I had never heard before. His hands were gentle as he helped me sit up, concern radiating from his every movement.
