On my birthday they left me alone at home and went to Europe with my savings.

I looked at her firmly.

“I want it to go away. But in a fair way.”

We post the house for sale on Thursday.

For Saturday there were visits.

For Monday, offers.

Meanwhile, on social media:

Mauricio toasting in Madrid.

Doña Estela showing paella.

Fernanda posing in front of the Eiffel Tower as if the whole world were her stage.

With my money.

On the sixth day I accepted an offer above the price.

Clean payment.

Immediate transfer.

I changed my address.

I opened a new bank account.

I updated passwords.

I canceled services.

I blocked my credit.

The night before the delivery I walked through the empty house.

I didn’t feel sad.

I felt relief.

As if he had dropped an invisible weight.

The day they returned, I was already settled in a small but bright apartment in another neighborhood.

I served coffee.

I opened the front door chamber.

The taxi stopped in front of the house.

Mauricio went down first.

Then the suitcases.

Doña Estela smoothed her coat.

Fernanda continued recording… until he saw the sign.