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The Marks of the Past

The morning sun bathed the beautiful day in its golden rays as Alice prepared herself for another busy day at the company. She had found her balance between motherhood and her passion for management. Life was falling into place little by little, but the shadows of the past still loomed over her.

That afternoon, Alice received a call from her mother, Ana. Her voice sounded worried on the other end of the line.

"Daughter, you need to come home immediately," Ana said. "Something happened to Uncle José."

Alice's heart squeezed with anticipation. Uncle José was like a father to Alice and after the birth of the twins she became closer to him, a pillar of strength and unconditional love. Without questioning, Alice closed her notebook and hurriedly left for her parents' house.

When she arrived, she found the family gathered together, worried expressions on their faces. Her father, Diego, held her mother's trembling hand, while Uncle Jose lay on the bed, pale and frail. A