“Is that why you didn’t marry Néstor? Because you were sleeping with myabuelo?”
I’m as horrified as Flora. This isnotthe direction I expected this conversation to go.
Holy hell.
“No. I didn’t love Néstor, but I loved the lifestyle I lived with him. He felt the same way.”
“Do you loveAbuelo?”
“No, and he doesn’t love me either. I told you he’s a way for me to remain connected to the man I’ve always loved.”
What kind of twisted mind does Magdalena have? I can’t imagine Domingo would ever be all right with that from how possessive he was with mytía. Not because he loved her, but because the idea of another man having what he claimed was his drove him to his death. Sharing his mistress with his father is something he never would’ve accepted. From what I heard, much of what drove his jealousy and possessiveness was trying to prove he was better than his father. I heard he claimed Ernesto was too old to lead the family, and that Domingo was ready to step into his shoes.
“So, you pickedAbueloover me. You could’ve sacrificed for me, but you didn’t. I gave up my chance for a career in the States and rushed home to you the moment I heard you were sick. Once you were better, I could’ve gone back, but you asked me not to. It was never about wanting my company or needing me because of your health. You did it so I was available toAbuelo. I can’t believe how you’ve betrayed me,Mamá.”
“I admit I’ve done plenty of selfish things in my life. But I had few career options. I got involved with your father when I was nineteen. He promised I’d never have to work a day in my life. When I discovered he accepted a marriage contract with Luciana, I tried to break it off with him. I even got a job. But he was so apologetic and kind to me. I know Ernesto and Josue forced him. He valued family too.”
I barely keep from snorting when I hear that bullshit. But I remain quiet since we might actually get somewhere with Magdalena’s confession.
“He was willing to set aside his happiness with me for his duties to his family and to the cartel.”
“Papáwas never really cartel. I know the entire story now,Mamá.Even the parts everyone’s always left out.LosAguilartried to overthrowlos Diaz. It didn’t work. That was the whole reason for the marriage contract.Papáwould’ve worked for Josue. It meant he would’ve been an underling to thejefe de jefes. In exchange,los Diazagreed not to obliteratePapá’sfamily. It wasn’t some great sacrifice onPapá’spart to be the price of peace. It was to keep himself alive. Yet he still pursued his revenge. Look where it got him. Dead.”
Magdalena knows what happened better than Flora or me. She nods along with what Flora says, but it’s as though she’s waiting for her daughter to finish, so she can carry on with her side of the story.
“Once I had you, I was a single mother without a job. I relied onlos Aguilarand my parents, so I wouldn’t have to get a nanny for you. I wanted to be the one who raised you. That was more important than being independent and struggling to put a roof over our heads. By the time you were old enough not to need me as much, it felt like I was too old to learn anything new. And everyone knew my connection tolos Aguilar. That’s when things began with Ernesto.”
“He provided for us, but at what cost,Mamá? My life. That’s what it would have come down to.”
“He told me you’d work in a lab. I had no idea it would be in the jungle. He told me he was getting you a professional position. But it wasn’t until the second time you went to the lab that I truly discovered what he was doing. Believe me or not, but I argued with him. He threatened both of us. That’s when I learned you’d met with Humberto directly. Things were beyond my control,mija. I didn’t want to fill your head with ideas that you could disagree with Humberto or yourabuelobecause I knew they wouldn’t forgive you for that. Ernesto lied to me about you not having protection. He swore up and down you had guards going with you. That’s why I thought they were just men at your place watching out for you. After all these years—even as duplicitous and calculating as yourabuelohas always been—it’s hard to accept he’d risk your life. I knew deep down he would, but it’s far easier to blamelos Diaz.”
She shifts her focus to me. She observes how I hold Flora close. I believe she sees the genuine affection I feel for Flora. How I really am dedicated to her daughter. However, unlike the other men in their lives, I am not lying when I pledge to make Flora my priority.
Her shoulders droop as she sighs. Resignation makes her look older than she did a moment ago. She’s a beautiful woman who didn’t look her age until now.
“Mamá, can you accept Pablo?”
Her gaze bores into me.
“I can’t promise more than I’ll try. I need to see him with you longer.”
“We aren’t staying in Bogotá,Mamá. We’re going to New York.”
“Why? If Humberto’s dead and so is Néstor, the threat is gone.”
It’s time for me to interject with more truth that’ll only hurt her. But secrets at Flora’s and Magdalena’s expense got us in this mess.
“No,Señora, it’s not. Humberto didn’t have the money to pay such an expensive hit. Neither did Néstor. Someone bankrolled that. We still need to find out who. They may not kill Flora. But if they let her live, it’s because they want her knowledge and the formula. We have more resources at our disposal when we’re in New York.”
“But in New York, you have more syndicates than just the Cartel.”
“That’s true. But like I said, we have more resources there than we do here. Flora’s also not as recognizable there as she is here. She can blend in far better.”
Magdalena assesses me, and I know she’s finally accepting what we’ve said is true and that Flora hasn’t exaggerated. I don’t believe she’s a fickle woman who’s simply thrown up her hands in annoyance and given in. I think we’ve cracked the shell she’s kept around herself for decades, that she knows the things we’re saying resonate because of how the men have been in her life. I don’t know that she’ll ever fully believe in my innocence and Ernesto’s culpability, but it’s a start.
“Mamá, Pablo and I need to get going. We’ve already packed up my apartment. I didn’t want to leave again without saying goodbye. I don’t know when I’ll make it back down here, but I hope you’ll consider coming up to the States.”
Flora hedges her bets and doesn’t suggest Magdalena move there but at least come for a visit. I squeeze Flora’s waist.
