to keep silent… in order to survive.
And then I understood…
There are pains that do not begin within the home.
But if they aren’t spotted in time…
They end up coming in with our children… every day.
I didn’t sleep that night.
I sat on the edge of Sofia’s bed, watching her breathe slowly, as if even in her sleep her body couldn’t quite let go. Her small hand still clutched the stuffed bunny, as if it were the only thing keeping her anchored to something safe.
Alejandro’s words kept echoing in my head.
“It’s okay… you’re strong.”
For hours, I was torn between guilt and relief.
Guilt… for having doubted.
Relief… for not having found something worse.
But deep down, she knew that none of those emotions were enough.
Because there was something that still didn’t fit.
Why would a five-year-old girl, even if she was being bullied
