The smell of jasmine and wet earth was the only thing keeping Doña Elena tied to reality.
Two months.

Two months since her son Miguel’s heart had stopped without warning, leaving a hole no words of comfort could ever fill.

Her daughter-in-law, Sofía, moved around the house with a coldness that chilled the blood—an indifference Elena couldn’t comprehend in the middle of mourning.

A week after the funeral, Miguel’s lawyer had called her to his office, a meeting that left her in shock.

“Mrs. Elena, the will is very clear,” the notary had said calmly. “Miguel leaves you the house you’re living in, as well as the apartment in the city he bought last year. The rest of his assets, including the bank accounts, have also been placed in your name.”

Elena lost her breath.
“And Sofía? His wife?”

“For her, only a life insurance policy in her name. Nothing from the real estate or accounts. It’s a firm and legal decision.”

A shiver ran down Elena’s spine. Her son had never been a careless man. If he had excluded his wife from an inheritance that was supposed to belong to both of them, he must have had a reason… a very deep and painful one.

She decided to stay silent.
Out of loyalty to Miguel’s memory, and because of that maternal instinct telling her to wait.

“Miguel knew what he was doing. Time will tell,” she thought, closing the envelope with the legal documents.

Two months and one week after Miguel’s death, Elena came downstairs and walked into a scene that knocked the air out of her chest: Sofía, wearing a shameless smile, was kissing a broad-shouldered man right there in the living room.

“Oh, perfect timing, Mother-in-law,” Sofía said, pulling away without the slightest embarrassment. “Let me introduce you to Ricardo. He’s my… partner.”

Elena’s heart pounded hard, but she stood her ground.
“Sofía, it’s too soon…”

“Too soon?” Sofía scoffed. “Don’t be so old-fashioned, Elena. And now that we’re all here, let’s get to the point.”

She folded her arms and pointed toward the door with a dismissive gesture.

“Ricardo and I need space. This is our home now. Pack your bags and leave. You have no reason to be here.”

Elena felt the weight of pain and betrayal choking her. In that exact moment, she understood everything: Sofía’s coldness, Miguel’s decision. Her son hadn’t wanted this woman to enjoy what he had built with his own hard work—maybe because he knew just how quickly he’d be replaced.

Anger gave Elena a strange, steady strength.

“Your home?” Elena asked, and a new chill entered her voice. She gave Sofía a smile as cold as her own. Then she pulled some papers from her pocket and let them fall onto the coffee table with a sharp thud.

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, dear Sofía, but this is not your house. And it hasn’t been yours since the day my son died.”

“What are you talking about, old woman?” Sofía snapped.

“Miguel didn’t leave you this house. He didn’t leave you the apartment in the city. He didn’t leave you any property at all, other than that insurance policy. Every single one of his assets is legally in my name.”

Sofía and Ricardo froze, mouths hanging open.

“I kept this secret because I trusted my son had his reasons,” Elena continued, stepping closer, her voice low but loaded with authority. “And I see now I was right. So here’s what’s going to happen: you have twenty-four hours to get your things out of my property—my house. If you don’t, my lawyer will file for your eviction, and I will press charges for trespassing.”

Elena picked up her phone and dialed.

“Hello, Mr. Vargas? It’s Elena. I want you to file the eviction request first thing tomorrow. It’s time for my son to rest in peace and for justice to be done.”

Sofía’s face shifted from disbelief to pure panic. Ricardo, realizing the house he thought he was moving into was slipping through his fingers, had already started backing toward the door.

Elena sat down on the sofa, the true and sole owner of the house—and of the truth.
Her son had entrusted her with his justice.

She had kept quiet out of love.

Now she was speaking out for justice… and for Miguel’s memory.