Until the phone rang.

“Mom, it’s great that you’re all settled in,” my son Álvaro said, in that rushed tone he uses when he’s already made a decision. “Listen, we’ve been thinking that this summer we’ll all go to the house. Laura, the kids… and her parents too. Since it’s big, it makes sense.”

I stayed quiet for a few seconds, looking out at the sea through the window.

“Of course…” I finally replied.

“Great. Oh, and so we’re more comfortable, you can use the small bedroom at the back. The master suite is better for us with the kids, you know.”

“You know.” As if it were the most logical thing in the world.

I swallowed and smiled, even though he couldn’t see me.

“Yes, my son. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of preparing everything.”

I hung up and stood motionless in the middle of the living room. I looked at the freshly painted walls, the curtains I had sewn myself, the master bedroom where I had finally slept without crying. Something inside me hardened, like plaster once it dries and can no longer be reshaped.

I worked nonstop for three weeks before they arrived. I moved furniture, emptied closets, took apart things I had put together with hope. When they finally parked in front of the house and got out laughing, I was already sitting on the porch, waiting for them.

“Mom!” Álvaro shouted, carrying suitcases. “We can’t wait to see the house!”

I opened the door and let them go in first.

It took less than ten seconds for them to stop smiling.

Part 2

They came in all talking at once, the children running down the hallway and Laura scanning the space with that silent, evaluative expression that had always made me uncomfortable. But when they turned left—where the large living room with ocean views used to be—they froze.

The wall separating the living room from the master bedroom was gone. So was the suite. In its place was an open space with six single beds perfectly aligned, identical nightstands, and reading lamps fixed to the wall. Everything white, functional, with no trace of personal decoration.

“What is this?” Laura asked, frowning.