The silence that followed was so heavy… that even from the kitchen the water was no longer heard.

The silence in the room was so deep that for a moment I thought no one had understood what I had just said.

My sisters looked at me as if I had spoken in another language.

My mother was the first to react.

“What do you say, Diego?” He asked slowly.

His voice was not strong, but he had that tone that since I was a child made me feel that I had crossed a dangerous line.

Breathed hondo.

For the first time in many years, I didn’t look down.

“I said that no one treats Lucia as if she were the servant of this family again.

Patricia let out a small incredulous laugh.

“Oh, please… Diego, don’t exaggerate.

Carmen crossed her arms.

“Lucía was just washing some dishes. Since when has that been a problem?”

Isabel, the eldest, looked at me with that serious gesture she always used when she wanted to put an end to any argument.

“We’ve worked in this house all our lives, too,” he said. “I don’t see why everything has to revolve around your wife now.

I felt the blood rise to my head.

But this time I didn’t back down.

“Because she’s eight months pregnant,” I replied. “And because while she’s standing in the kitchen… you’re sitting here like nothing.

No one spoke.

Silence filled the room again.

My mother turned off the TV.

That small gesture made the atmosphere even more tense.

“Diego,” she said finally. “Your sisters have done a lot for you all their lives.