“Over the years, you have taken on the burden of caring for me. I know you’ve done it from a place of love and a desire to protect me. I have always been grateful for that. But I have long resented the hypocrisy of the rules bestowed upon me by The Society. I am a daughter of the upper echelon, and I understand that I represent the De La Rosa name with every decision I make. Regardless of those facts, you cannot tell me that I have done anything the men in IVI don’t do themselves every day. I had a relationship before marriage, and perhaps it didn’t work out the way you would have liked, but I don’t regret the experience. Given the chance, I would do it all over again, even if it means being shamed in The Society’s eyes.”

Santi folds his hands across his desk, the vein in his neck pulsing. It’s hard to get a read on him right now, but I don’t know how long he’ll let me talk, so I keep going.

“It’s an unfair double standard, and we both know it. I’m not a little girl anymore, and I’m capable of making my own decisions. I understand you might see some of those decisions as mistakes, but this—” My hand settles over my belly. “I will never see as a mistake. I’m going to be a mother, and my children will only ever know love. I’ll do what I must to take care of them, regardless of what you say here today. But I am asking you, as my brother, my protector, and the head of our household, to give me that opportunity without a fight. I’m not going to live here, Santi. I won’t remain a prisoner any longer, allowing others to move me around like a chess piece. I have a life outside. Friends. A home. I’m capable of standing on my own, and if you release me, you will see it firsthand. I want you to be a part of my children’s life, just as I want to remain a part of Elena’s, but I am done playing by everyone else’s rules. If you don’t give me the opportunity to go freely, I will leave on my own at the first chance, and as painful as it will be, I won’t come see you again.”