"Mom! Dad! You won't believe it!" Maria burst through the front door, her heels clicking against the worn wooden floorboards as she waved an envelope in the air. "I got it! I got the scholarship!"
Her voice was filled with excitement, almost breathless. She tossed her bag onto the couch and rushed toward the kitchen, where her parents were seated at the dinner table. Her father, Miguel, sat hunched over a newspaper, glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, while her mother, Rosa, carefully folded laundry beside him.
Maria slammed the envelope down on the table dramatically, grinning from ear to ear. "The Sinclair Women's Initiative chose me! I'm going to study fashion design, fully funded!"
Miguel lowered his newspaper slowly, his dark brows furrowing. Rosa stopped folding clothes and looked at her daughter with wary eyes.
"The Sinclair's?" Miguel's tone was sharp, his voice deep with concern. "You mean that Sinclair family?"
"Yes! Isn't it amazing?" Maria squealed, throwing her arms in the air. Maria sat at the dinner table, her face glowing with excitement as she clutched the scholarship letter in her hand. "You won't believe it, Mama, Papa," she began breathlessly. "I actually met Clara Sinclair in person today...crazy right?"
Her parents exchanged curious glances, but Maria barely paused to breathe as she continued. "The moment she walked into the venue, it was like everything stopped. She was so elegant, so confident… like she owned the whole world. I thought she wouldn't even notice me, but she did! She actually came over and spoke to me."
Maria's voice trembled with joy as she recalled every detail. "I told her I admired her and watched all her speeches on TV. She smiled at me like I was someone important. She even let me take a picture with her! And when I told her I wanted to be a fashion model, she listened. Really listened. Then she invited me to apply for the scholarship program—out of all the people there, I was among the chosen one's!"
She beamed, her hands clutching the letter tighter. "For once, I felt like I wasn't just Maria from this little house. I felt like I belonged somewhere bigger. Clara Sinclair saw something in me, do you know how competitive this was? Thousands of applicants, Dad. Thousands! And I got chosen!"
Rosa exchanged a glance with Miguel. "Mija…" she began softly, "are you sure this is what you want?"
Maria blinked, her excitement faltering slightly. "What do you mean, am I sure? Of course I'm sure! This is my dream, Mom!"
Miguel folded his newspaper neatly and set it aside. "Maria, the Sinclair's… they're not the kind of people you should be tied to. They have power, yes, but power like that comes with… obligations."
Maria's face twisted in confusion and annoyance. "Obligations? What are you even talking about? This is a scholarship, not some… shady deal!"
Rosa reached across the table, placing her hand gently over Maria's. "Sweetheart, we've heard stories about that family. They're too rich, too powerful. People like us? We don't mix with people like them."
Maria pulled her hand back, hurt flickering across her face. "You've heard rumors, Mom. That's all they are. Gossip from people who are jealous because the Sinclair's actually do things for others."
Miguel's jaw tightened. "They don't do anything for free. You think they gave you this money out of the kindness of their hearts? No, mija. They see something they can use."
Maria threw her hands up. "Use me? For what? I'm just some girl from a tiny neighborhood who loves fashion design! Why would they even bother using me? that's hilarious"
"Because that's what people with power do," Miguel said firmly. "They collect favors, debts, loyalty. And once you're in their circle, you're never really free."
Maria's voice rose with frustration. "You don't know them! You've never met them!"
"I don't need to meet them," Miguel shot back, his voice sharp. "Families like that don't get rich and powerful by being saints, Maria." Rosa tried to calm him down, placing a hand on his arm. "Miguel…"
But Maria was already on edge. "This is exactly why I never tell you guys anything! Every time I get something good, you find a way to ruin it!"
"Maria, we just want what's best for you," Rosa said softly.
"No, you don't!" Maria's eyes brimmed with tears. "You want me stuck here forever, living paycheck to paycheck, never doing anything with my life because you're too scared of the world!"
Miguel stood abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "Watch your tone, young lady."
Maria's chest heaved as her anger boiled over. "I worked so hard for this! I've been sketching designs since I was thirteen, I've been applying to every program I could find, and finally—finally, someone noticed me! And instead of being proud of me, you're acting like I've done something wrong!"
"Because we know families like the Sinclair's," Miguel said, his voice low but intense. "They're not saviors. They're predators. And you're too young for this."
"Too young? Dad am fucking 21, am old enough to take care of myself and make certain decisions in my life. for God sake papa. They're giving me a chance!" Maria's voice cracked, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Watch your language Maria" She paused for a second and continued "Are you even listening to me? You're supposed to be happy for me! that's what parents are met for. Support"
"We are happy for you and we support you," Rosa said softly, standing now and moving toward her daughter. She reached for Maria's hand, but Maria jerked away.
"No, you're not! You don't want me to leave, you don't want me to succeed, you just want me to stay here and live a boring life like you two!"
Rosa flinched at the words, hurt flashing in her eyes. "That's enough!" Miguel barked. Maria's tears fell faster, her chest tightening with frustration. "You don't understand me. You never have."
She grabbed her envelope off the table and stormed toward the hallway, her heels pounding against the floor.
"Maria!" Rosa called, her voice breaking. Maria stopped briefly at the bottom of the staircase, turning back with tears streaking her face. "I'm not giving this up. I'm taking the scholarship whether you like it or not."
"Maria, please—" Rosa tried to speak, but Maria cut her off.
"You never want anything good for me!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the small stare case upstairs to her room.
Then she stomped, slamming her bedroom door so hard the walls rattled. The house fell into a heavy silence. Rosa sank into her chair, covering her face with her hands. Miguel stood frozen, his fists clenched at his sides.
"She doesn't understand," he muttered finally, pacing the kitchen. "She's just excited," Rosa whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks. "She's young, Miguel. She doesn't know anything yet nor the dangers.."
Miguel exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "I don't want her tied to them. Not that family."
"She's chasing her dreams," Rosa said softly, her voice shaking. "We wanted her to dream, didn't we?"
Miguel didn't answer. He just stood there, staring at the stairs, his jaw tight. Upstairs, Maria threw herself on her bed, sobbing into her pillow. She clutched the scholarship letter to her chest, her tears soaking the paper. She had never felt more alone—or more determined. She whispered to herself between sobs, "I won't let them take this from me. I won't."
Outside her window, the neighborhood was alive with the sounds of laughter and cars passing by, but Maria didn't hear any of it. All she could think about was the opportunity that had finally come her way—and her parents who couldn't see what it meant to her Maria hugged her pillow tightly, her tears finally slowing. She knew they loved her—but love wasn't enough to keep her here. Not when her dreams were finally within reach.