My mother-in-law accu:sed me of ch3ating on her son because we only had daughters, but when my new baby boy was born it was too late to recover what they had destroyed.

We expected an apology.

Instead, after dinner, Alejandro said:

“Mom, you owe Isabela an apology.”

Mercedes stared at me coldly.

“When I see a paternity test, then we’ll talk.”

I stood up to leave, but she grabbed my blouse.

“You’re not going anywhere, liar.”

Alejandro shouted. Mercedes slapped me, then hurled a glass ornament that split my head open. I fell, instinctively shielding my stomach as she tried to kick me.

At the hospital, I needed stitches and observation. Thankfully, the baby was safe. The police took a report. Alejandro held my hand and swore:

“I’ll protect you from her.”

That night, I still believed him.

PART 2
In the days after the hospital, Alejandro seemed like the husband I needed. He took care of me, helped with Lucía, and kept repeating that his mother had crossed a line. The hospital had reported the incident, and Mercedes was briefly detained before being released on bail. Meanwhile, his father called nonstop, insisting it was all a misunderstanding.

A misunderstanding—that’s what they called my injuries, my fear, the risk to my unborn child.

I told Alejandro clearly:

“She will never come near me or my daughters again.”