The financial review showed approximately $3,800 in marital money had been spent connected to the affair, mostly hotels, meals, and a weekend conference Sofia extended one night. She offered to reimburse the joint account from her business distributions. Miguel initially called the gesture ridiculous because all their money was ultimately family money. Ben suggested the repayment was symbolic accountability rather than financial restoration. Miguel accepted that explanation reluctantly.
Sofia transferred the amount anyway. The act did not repair trust. It did remove one item from the list of things she had tried to minimize. By February, Miguel was due to return offshore.
The date sat on the kitchen calendar like a threat. His supervisor had not yet found a shore role, and the family needed his income. Miguel considered taking unpaid leave, but Rachel Nguyen warned him against making major financial changes without a clear plan, especially if divorce remained possible. Sofia did not ask him to stay. That restraint mattered.
The night before he left, Lucia packed three drawings into his duffel and asked, "Is Daniel coming when you're gone?" Miguel's chest tightened. Sofia answered before he could. "No. Daniel will never come here again."
Lucia looked at her father. "Promise?"