PART 1

“My niece should have gone home with her newborn, not been left barefoot in the freezing street, clinging to him as if her life depended on it.”

On December 27th, in the freezing cold of Chihuahua, I was on my way to pick them up from the hospital — flowers, gifts, everything was ready.

Then I saw her.

Elena was sitting in front of the emergency room entrance, wearing a hospital gown and an old coat thrown over it, barefoot in the snow. Her lips were purple, her body was trembling, and she was clutching her baby so tightly it looked as if she were afraid it would be taken from her.

I rushed to her, wrapped her in my coat and carried them to the car. She was freezing cold, completely.

“Uncle… check Mateo…” she whispered.

The baby was warm, asleep, safe.

Then she handed me her phone.

A message:

“The apartment now belongs to my mother. Your belongings are outside. Don’t ask for help. Happy New Year.”

I felt a chill in my chest.