With trembling hands, the family removed the lock. When the lid was lifted, gasps could be heard from the crowd. Isela’s face, though serene, still glistened with marks of tears. His eyes were still closed, but the wet eyelashes spoke of pain… even after death.
Carmen screamed and fell beside the coffin, taking her daughter-in-law’s cold hand.
“Isela… My daughter… don’t cry anymore… If anything was left unsaid, let me know… Forgive us, my girl…”
Silence took over the courtyard. Suddenly, a muffled sob broke the air.
Everyone looked at Luis, Isela’s husband. He was kneeling, his face covered in his hands, crying inconsolably.
Carmen turned around in alarm, her voice trembling:
“Luis… what’s going on? Did you hear it?”
Luis raised his face, drenched in tears and rain. His voice was just a broken murmur:
“It was my fault… I… I made her suffer…”
The courtyard held its breath. The rain increased, but no one moved. Luis looked at his wife’s tear-drenched face and whispered, shattered:
“That night… he found out that there was another woman. He did not shout, he did not argue. She just sat there, crying… hugging her belly all night. I swore I would finish it… that meant nothing… But she was already so hurt. That night he fainted… I took her to the hospital, but… it was too late…”
“I’m sorry… Isela… I’m so sorry…”
Tears broke out among those present. Carmen trembled as she spoke:
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