CHAPTER 22

NELLY NARRATING...

The eagle is an animal with a very interesting characteristic: it has the ability to see a certain target even if it's miles away, but Kaciana Álvares, my mother-in-law, goes further and sees any human being with just a quick glance. She's an expert at detecting someone's weaknesses with just a few minutes of conversation and can tell in a few seconds whether I'm lying or not, although the fact that I'm a terrible actress helps her a lot. I hid all the candy wrappers in a plastic bag and put them under my desk, but knowing my mother well, I know she'll find a way to find out.

"Where are they? " he says, as soon as he walks through the door and meets me. Ignoring my silence and the fact that we're not alone, she holds out her hand, palm up and open.

"Who?" I try to disguise it, but my attitude only makes her more uncontrollable and harsh.

"Not who, but what. Where are the sweets you were devouring seconds ago?" I stiffen my posture and pretend nothing is wrong, bu