THEY SERVED YOU DOG FOOD AT YOUR OWN 70TH BIRTHDAY—SO YOU CANCELED THE CARDS AND EXPOSED THE SECRET YOUR SON AND HIS GIRLFRIEND WERE HIDING

Every time he tries to complain, you show him the spreadsheet.

That ends most conversations.

Karla’s story unravels fast.

She is five months pregnant, not three.

The baby may be Daniel’s.

Daniel is married.

That one arrives like a bad joke. His wife shows up at your gate one Tuesday afternoon, holding screenshots and fury. She is seven months postpartum with their second child. She had no idea about Karla, Luis, or your house.

For a moment, you almost invite her in for coffee.

Then you do.

Her name is Marcela.

She sits at your kitchen table and cries into one of Lupita’s old napkins. Luis, to his credit, does not make the moment about himself. He stands near the sink looking like a man realizing he was not even the villain in the story he thought he controlled.

He was also a fool.

Marcela gives Arriaga more messages.