Elvira’s face tightened. She pulled out a tray of marinated steaks. “Surely this is for lunch.”
Paola did not move. “No. That is my dinner for tomorrow.”
“Paola,” Elvira said, voice low, “don’t be ugly.”
“I’m not being ugly. I’m respecting Diego’s new financial structure.”
Raul looked confused. “What financial structure?”
Paola closed her laptop gently. “Diego announced he was tired of supporting me and wanted separate money. I agreed.”
The room went still.
Martha’s eyebrows lifted.
Elvira looked at Diego. “You said that?”
Diego’s face went red. “Not like that.”
Paola stood and walked to the drawer. She pulled out a printed sheet and placed it on the kitchen island.
“I thought it might help to have numbers.”
Diego’s eyes widened. “Paola.”
She ignored him.
“This is a twelve-month household expense summary,” she said. “Mortgage: paid 82% by me. Utilities: paid 100% by me for eleven months. Groceries: paid 94% by me. Cleaning supplies, toiletries, laundry, guest meals, birthday gifts, school supplies for the children, pharmacy runs, holiday hosting, and Saturday family meals: paid almost entirely by me.”
Raul’s mouth opened slightly.
Martha stopped reaching for the chips.
Elvira scoffed. “Nobody asked you to do all that.”
Paola looked at the plastic containers in Elvira’s hands. “You brought five empty containers today.”
One of the kids whispered, “Grandma, she’s right.”
Elvira shot him a look.
Paola continued, “In the last year, Saturday meals for this family cost $9,840. That does not include my time, gas, or the extra groceries taken home afterward.”
Raul looked at Diego. “Dude.”
Diego snapped, “Why are you acting surprised? You eat too.”
Raul raised both hands. “I never said you supported her.”
Martha, quieter now, looked at Paola. “You paid for the kids’ backpacks?”
“Yes.”
Martha’s face flushed. “Elvira told me Diego bought them.”
Paola turned slowly toward her mother-in-law.
Elvira’s lips pressed together.
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