THE FIRST MAJOR FAMILY CONFRONTATION
Juliana's hands shook as she held the phone.
"Amy… the dean called," she said quietly, trying to keep her voice steady. "They're reviewing your scholarship. They said your conduct and attendance are a problem."
Amy laughed nervously, tossing her hair. "It's fine, Mom. I can talk my way out of it. I always do."
Juliana's eyes flashed. "Amy! This isn't a joke! You're smart—you have so much potential. Do you want to throw it all away just to chase… this reckless life?"
Amy rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. "You just don't get me."
Ana, who had been quietly reading in the living room, looked up. Her heart ached for her mother and for her sister. She stepped forward.
"Amy… you're better than this," Ana said softly. "I know it feels fun now, but life will catch up with you if you keep making these choices."
Amy spun around. "Oh, look! Miss Perfect is lecturing me now!"
Ana's face remained calm. "I'm not lecturing. I'm warning you. I don't want to see you hurt or lose everything you've worked for."
Amy laughed bitterly. "Warn me? You think I care about rules and grades? You don't know what it's like to feel trapped in a world where everyone expects you to be perfect."
Juliana's tears fell freely now. "Amy, please. We're trying to help you, not control you. I know life has been… complicated for you, but your father and I—Carlos and I—love you. We want better for you."
Amy stormed out of the room, slamming the door.
Ana put down her book and ran to the hallway. "Amy! Stop running from us! We're your family. We're not against you!"
But Amy was already gone, her footsteps fading down the street.
Juliana collapsed into the sofa, her hands covering her face. "What am I going to do?"
Ana knelt beside her. "Mom… she's testing boundaries, yes. But she's still your daughter. She'll come back. And when she does, we'll be ready to help her make the right choices."
Juliana shook her head. "I worry, Ana. I see the life I almost lost in her, the mistakes, the dangers…"
Ana's voice was firm but gentle. "Mom, we can't live in the past. We can guide her now. And we can pray. God hasn't abandoned her—or us."
For the first time that evening, Juliana felt a flicker of hope.
Somewhere out there, Amy was free, reckless, and defiant—but this confrontation was only the beginning. Life had plans to challenge her, and the choices she made next could either break her—or transform her.
And Ana knew, deep down, she would have to be the anchor her sister needed—even if Amy didn't realize it yet.