{For those interested, check AN}
"¡¿Qué diablos es esto?!"
(What the hell is this?!)
The roar echoed through the Reyes home like thunder. Jaime, freshly showered and in the middle of brushing his hair, nearly yanked out a chunk as he scrambled to the living room.
He found his parents standing in front of the computer like it was counting down to a nuclear launch. Roberto's jaw was slack. Rocio looked pale, one hand on her chest and the other gripping the back of the chair like she needed the support to stay upright.
Jaime blinked, towel still draped around his shoulders. "…You guys okay?"
His dad slowly turned, eyes wide behind his glasses. "Mijo... why are there thousands of dollars in our bank account?"
Rocio didn't even wait. She rushed toward him, gripping his arms like she was checking for bruises. "Did someone scam you? Was this some kind of scheme? Jaime, tell me you didn't sign up for something illegal!"
"What? No! I—Ma, calm down! It's okay! I can explain!"
"Start explaining," Roberto said, arms crossed, tone flat. The scary kind of flat.
Jaime winced, rubbing the back of his neck. "I made a mobile game. It's been online for about a week and... people started paying for extra lives."
There was silence. You could practically hear the gears turning.
"You… made a game?" Rocio repeated, like she hadn't heard correctly.
"Sí, Ma. With Uncle Rudy's help," he added quickly, pointing toward the kitchen where Rudy was half-hiding behind the doorframe. "We got it set up legal and everything. We even made an LLC. There's paperwork!"
Rudy sheepishly walked in, holding up a manila folder like it was holy scripture. "Swear on my life. It's all above board."
Roberto took the folder with a skeptical grunt, flipping through forms. "Tax ID… banking info… business license…" His eyes skimmed a letter from Miguel's business office confirming everything. Then he read it again.
When he looked up, he didn't say anything. He just blinked at Jaime, stunned.
"I didn't want to say anything until I was sure it'd work," Jaime said quietly. "But we needed money. I saw you guys working yourselves raw, and—Ma wouldn't let me get a job. So I made something I could do from home."
Rocio covered her mouth, her eyes glassy. "Mi'jo…"
Jaime tensed—until she pulled him into a tight hug.
"You didn't have to do that," she whispered. "We're supposed to take care of you."
"I know," he murmured, squeezing back. "But I want to take care of you, too."
Behind them, Roberto cleared his throat, setting the folder down. "Well. I guess you really did it."
Rudy threw his arms up. "¡Claro que sí! Our boy's a genius!"
"Don't let it go to your head," Rocio said, wiping her eyes. "But... we're proud of you, Jaime."
Jaime smiled wide, warmth blooming in his chest.
"Does this mean I can get my own room?" a small voice piped up.
Everyone turned to see Milagro poking her head out of the hallway.
Jaime snorted. "Nice try, enana."
"Worth a shot," she shrugged, then walked in and plopped on the couch like she owned the place.
"You want your own room, earn your own thousands of dollars," Rudy said with a wink.
"Maybe I will. I got ideas."
"Don't encourage her," Rocio muttered, but she was smiling.
Jaime walked over and flopped down beside Milagro. She side-eyed him.
"So... you're, like, secretly a tech bro now?"
"I'm a humble tech entrepreneur," Jaime said, holding his chin up dramatically. "Changing the world, one rage-inducing bird at a time."
Milagro giggled. "Dork."
"You're just jealous."
"Maybe. I'm definitely making you buy me chips next time we're at the store."
"Bribery? Shame on you."
"Call it a royalty. I didn't narc you out."
Jaime laughed and ruffled her hair. "You're the worst."
Milagro smirked and leaned against him. "You haven't seen anything yet."
Later that night, the Reyes family gathered around the dinner table—not exhausted, not worried, not weighed down by bills or work shifts. For once, they were just together. Nana brought out her best rice, and Uncle Rudy somehow convinced Rocio to let him grill.
There was music. Laughter. Lightness that had been missing for too long.
And as Jaime sat there, surrounded by warmth and chaos and love, he couldn't help but think:
Yeah. This? This was worth everything.