“See? You can’t. Charles, I really don’t understand. Why does your family place such importance on her? She’s just your cousin. Why does your family care so much about her?”
“It’s not that!” Charles finally said, unable to stop himself from covering his face with his hands. He was the picture of helplessness and looked to be on the verge of breaking down. “It’s because she’s my parents‘ child; she’s my biological sister!!”
His words hit me like a thunderclap, stunning me deeply. Before I could even recover, Charles began telling me the story of his sister.
“Due to the government policy back then, my parents were constantly criticized by the family for not having a son after they had Selene. The pressure was overwhelming, and since my uncle was old and had no children of his own, they sent Selene to be raised by his family.
“But my parents always felt guilty toward her, thinking they shouldn’t have sent her away. That’s why I’ve always been with her ever since we were children. When she divorced that
1/2
+25 BONUS
scumbag, I even thought about going after him with a knife.
“Celía, you understand this, right? She’s my real sister. If I don’t take care of her, who will? You can understand this, right?”
I clapped my hands. “What a spectacular family drama, full of emotional turmoil and tears. But unfortunately, I don’t get it. You and your parents have just been consoling yourselves, haven’t you?”
“What?” Charles was stunned.
“After your mom sent your sister to your uncle, not only did the two families not keep their distance, but your parents also allowed you and your sister to grow up together. Your parents disrespected both your uncle’s family and your sister.
“Your uncle raised your sister all these years, and instead of being grateful, your family
to think that you should all become one big happy family. Did your uncle raise her for nothing all these years? What’s the difference between that and taking advantage of him?
“And your sister, I don’t believe she hasn’t had all of this figured out. Children are very perceptive, and with all the things that go unsaid by adults, she probably guessed long ago that she was your parents‘ biological child–even if she didn’t have proof.
“She had to grow up in this divisive environment, torn between her adoptive parents or her supposed uncle and aunt. If I were in her shoes, I’d go crazy too.”
