Ana was cleaning the refrigerator when, suddenly, her husband appeared in the kitchen doorway.

Ana hesitated for a heartbeat. In her imagination, her mother-in-law had always worn a stern expression and a critical gaze. Instead, Carmen stood there in a flour-dusted apron, carrying the comforting scent of freshly baked bread.

The house felt warm and bright. Light curtains framed the windows, and the furniture was simple but carefully kept. A few magazines and an open book rested on a nearby table, as if someone had just set it down.

“Sit down, I’ll make some tea,” Carmen said as she headed toward the kitchen. “I baked a cake too. Carlos always loved it.”

Ana instinctively rose. “I can help, if you’d like.”

“You’re my guests today,” Carmen replied kindly. “Tomorrow, if you feel like it, we can cook together. For now, just relax.”

That small phrase—if you feel like it—caught Ana off guard. There was no pressure, no expectation hidden beneath it.