Half a year later I was taken to an orphanage, while my aunt sold my parents apartment on the black market.
When I turned five, I became an orphan. Custody passed to my aunt, my fathers sister. While my parents were alive we lacked nothing; they held highranking jobs, we owned a spacious city apartment and a modest country house. Their death changed everything.
My aunt looked after her own daughter, Sofia, but we never formed a bond. My cousin constantly mocked me, even though she was younger. Aunt Clara, though pleasant with strangers, was actually stingy and scheming, never missing a chance to profit. She never gave me affection, support, or a kind word.
From childhood I was tasked with cleaning the house and washing dishes. Television was forbidden, and sweets were bought only for Sofia. Soon after, my aunt sold my fathers car. My mothers clothing and jewelry vanished, while the aunt and her daughter grew increasingly fashionable, frequenting cafés and restaurantsnever inviting me.
When I was little I didnt realize that Clara had sold everything, claiming the money was for my upbringing. A few years later we moved into my aunts onebedroom flat on the outskirts. Six months after that I was placed in the orphanage and the aunt sold that apartment.
Adapting to the new conditions was hard at first, but I soon settled in the new place. I received a decent education and, after finishing school, rented a modest flat. I worked in a supermarket as a cleaning assistant, with a promised promotion. One day the owner, Mr. Miguel, came to the store.
When Miguel saw me, he invited me to his office after closing. Inside I found only him. He asked me to tell my life story and what my parents had done. I recounted everything from the beginning.
He smiled, saying he remembered me as a childhe had been a friend of my parents. Years earlier he had started a business and opened a chain of stores; now he was building a new shopping center. Once construction was complete, a manager would be needed, and he offered me the job, though I lacked the required training.
Just as I was about to decline, Miguel promised to help me obtain the necessary qualifications. I could not say no. The studies were challenging but engaging. I completed the course without trouble and, at the end, received the wellpaid position he had promised.
Several years passed. I bought a twobedroom apartment. One day my cousin knocked on the door. I dont know how she and the aunt learned my address, but Sofia, in an authoritative tone, demanded that I let her in and help her find work.
My cousin had no higher education, so I offered her a temporary cleaning job. Outraged, she rejected the offer and immediately called her mother. Aunt Clara shouted over the phone that I owed her for my upbringing and that, without her, my fate would have been unknown. She threatened revenge if I didnt assist Sofia.
I felt conflicted. During the years we had been apart she hadnt changed, but I had. I was no longer the helpless girl I once was. I decided I didnt need that aunt or that cousin any longer.
