I chose instead to survive.
To feed them.
To raise them.
To love them without conditions, even when the world insisted on placing conditions around us at every turn.
Years passed, and the questions did not disappear, but they changed shape as my children grew into themselves.
Daniel became quiet and observant, always noticing what others missed, always watching before speaking.
Samuel was the opposite, loud and fearless, ready to challenge anyone who dared to look at us with judgment in their eyes.
Lucía had a softness that frightened me sometimes, because I knew how easily the world could bruise someone like her.
Andrés carried a calm strength, the kind that held everything together when things threatened to fall apart.
Raquel, the youngest, laughed in a way that made even the hardest days feel survivable.
They asked about their father when they were old enough to understand that something was missing from our family.
At first, I gave them simple answers.
That he had left.
That he could not stay.
