It was my birthday, a day that should have brought joy and excitement like in every girl's dreams. But for me, it was different. Dread loomed over me, matching the fears that haunted my parents. I vividly remembered the conversation we had on my sweet sixteen, where the truth of our journey to America unfolded. They sacrificed everything for me, leaving Colombia behind, my mother pregnant and my dad abandoning all he cherished.Their words were not sugar-coated; they revealed the harsh reality of our circumstances. Last night, I had a nightmare that lingered throughout the day, casting a shadow over my every move. It felt as though I was living with eyes wide open, my senses heightened, anticipating an impending threat. I feared they were coming for me.Mom and Dad chose not to acknowledge my birthday, keeping the day hushed within our small household. Their restraint reflected their own apprehension, and I mirrored their subdued emotions. When I arrived home, the silence greeted me,

I was left alone in the room with Lara, the enigmatic housemaid who had intervened just moments ago. Confusion and a hint of defiance swirled within me as I gathered the courage to address her. My voice trembled with a mix of fear and curiosity as I spoke. "Who are you? And what am I doing here?"Lara's gaze met mine, her expression unreadable. A faint smile graced her lips as she assessed me. "Oh, Yadira," she began, her voice tinged with a touch of sadness. "Surely you know what should take place on your eighteenth birthday?"I swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling heavily upon me. "I... I do," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. I had always known about the traditions and expectations that accompanied this milestone, but I had held onto a glimmer of hope that living in America would shield me from them.Lara's eyes bore into mine, her gaze piercing. "Your parents were fools," she said, her voice tinged with a mix of disappointment and resentment. "They believed