“He had the baby look into Down syndrome before you knew it,” Carla said.

“He also says that he is going to ask for custody of Matías because you have no resources.

I felt terror.

Carla took my shoulders.

“And I told him that first he would have to explain why he advised not to recognize his grandson because he has Down syndrome.

Breathed.

“Did you record?”

He took out his cell phone.

“Everything.

That woman was dangerous.

Thank goodness.

The DNA was ordered quickly because Marcos denied paternity with ridiculous certainty. He arrived at the laboratory smelling of expensive perfume, like the day I met him. He was wearing a blue suit, dark glasses and a victim’s face.

When he saw Matías in my arms, he looked away.

Not because of pain.

Out of shame.

Matías, on the other hand, stared at him and smiled.

He had that smile of his, open, luminous, as if the world had not yet taught him to distrust.

Marcos broke down for just a second.

Then he hardened his face.

“I don’t intend to take responsibility for a trap.

Carla, who was next to me, stepped forward.

“You made the trap. Only that you came up with a name.

Marcos looked at her with hatred.

“You’re doing this out of spite.

“No, Marcos. I’m finally doing something without you.

The test came out with such a high probability that even the paper seemed to mock him.

Marcos was Matías’ father.

The judge ordered provisional alimony. Marcos tried to say that his expenses were many, that he had other commitments, that Carla had unfairly frozen his accounts. Rodrigo presented receipts for his trips, watches, club dues and hidden deposits.

The judge didn’t laugh, but almost.

Doña Elvira was worse.

He arrived at my apartment one afternoon without warning, with a driver and dark glasses. I was alone with Matías, who had just vomited milk on my blouse.

“I’ve come to make you an offer,” he said from the door.

I didn’t let it go.

“I don’t sell babies.

His mouth twitched.

“Don’t be vulgar. We can give you a monthly amount if you sign that you are not going to look for the last name. That child is going to suffer less without being linked to us.

I looked at my son.

She was in her little chair, moving her feet, happy with a cloth doll.

—To suffer less without being linked to you? In that he is right.

He wanted to push the door open.

“Girl, you don’t know who you’re messing with.

Then a voice behind her said:

“I do.

Carla came up the stairs with two bags of food. Behind, Rodrigo and a neighbor who had heard everything.

Doña Elvira turned pale.

Carla left the bags on the floor.

“If you threaten Ana or Matías again, I’m going to release the audios.” Including the “it’s bad”. Let’s see how it goes with your friends at mass, with your foundation for poor children and with your son crying on television that everything was a confusion.

Doña Elvira lowered her voice.