I Never Told My Husband’s Family I Understood Spanish – Until I Heard My Mother-in-Law Say, ‘She Can’t Know the Truth Yet’

“Tell me what you need.”

I took a deep breath.

“I need you to understand something. I’m not asking you to choose between me and your parents. I’m telling you that you’ve already made a choice.

And you chose wrong.”

“Sandra… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

“From now on,” I cut him off, “I come first. Not your parents.

Not their feelings. Not their opinions. Me.

Mateo. Us. This family that you and I built.”

Luis nodded, tears running down his face.

“Okay. Yes. I promise.”

“I don’t know if I believe you yet,” I said honestly.

“But that’s what I need to hear.”

We stood there in silence for a long moment. Finally, Luis spoke.

“What are you going to do? About them?”

I looked toward the door, imagining his parents downstairs, probably wondering what we were talking about.

“Nothing,” I said.

“Not yet.”

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