I was sitting in the doctor’s waiting room when my phone rang. It was Angela, my only daughter. Her voice sounded strange, almost cold, when she said, “Mom, we’re going to Europe tomorrow. I already sold your beach house and your car.”

It’s less than I expected, but it’s enough to pay off the most urgent debts.” “Are you sure you want to do this?” “I have no choice. If I don’t pay something soon, they’re going to seize everything. Even this house could be at risk if they prove I have any kind of legal connection to the properties.” How ironic the situation was.

Ángela was worried about losing a house I owned, paying off the debts of a man who had abandoned her with money from jewelry that had belonged to the same man who had created the fortune that could save her. “And how are you going to decide which debts to pay first?” “I spoke with a free financial advisor at the bank.” She told me to prioritize debts with real guarantees, because those are the ones that can affect property or lead to immediate liens. Ángela had matured a lot in these few weeks.

The woman who had sold my things without consulting me was now carefully investigating every financial decision. The suffering had made her more responsible, but also more fragile. That night, while she was organizing the debt documents on the table, I received a call from Jorge.

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