A Marriage of Convenience: A Bruno Madrigal Encanto Fanfic

Chapter 18

As they walked down the steps to the courtyard, Claudia began to get nervous. She hated having the Rojas here. It was her safe place, and it felt like they were invading and making it scarier. She didn't want them here. She didn't like them here. It made her stomach tense up and made her foot begin to tap. As she began to freak out, Bruno squeezed her hand and she gave him a small smile. At least they couldn't make him scarier. They couldn't ruin him at all. After what had just happened, she knew she could trust him with anything. It made her feel better that he was on her side. 

The two elder Rojas were standing looking at them. It seemed they left Sofia at a neighbor's again. They had grins plastered on their faces, but Bruno knew better. He knew what they had done, and he despised them for hurting his little mouse. It took all his willpower not to glare at them. After what he had learned he wanted to confront them so badly. He wanted to ask them how they could do this to such a wonderful girl. He had to stay pleasant for her though. He could do anything for her. So he put a smile on his face.

"Ah the Rojas! It's wonderful to have you over." Alma greeted the couple in the courtyard, "it's so nice to have family visit. And here comes your daughter."

The Rojas looked over at Claudia. Bruno couldn't believe how he had never noticed the disdain in their eyes as they looked at her, or how she shrunk back a bit. His grip on her hand tightened. They would do nothing to her tonight. It would be a struggle to get her past the abuse they had already dished out on her. He wouldn't let them add more to that.

"It's so nice to see you," Claudia felt the opposite, but she knew how to hide those feelings by now. After all, she had years of practice, years of being alone. She wasn't alone anymore though, and the fact made her even more determined to keep face tonight and then cut ties tomorrow.

Valentina and Andres smiled. 

"There you are. We were so worried about you. So glad to see you're doing better dear." Valentina was up to her meirda again.

Alma smiled, of course she believed the lies. Claudia just hoped she would listen to what they had to say tomorrow. 

"How wonderful, now I'm sure Julieta is almost done cooking so let's move this conversation to the table." Alma said and they followed her to the table. Claudia made sure to sit on the opposite side of the Rojas. She didn't want to be any closer to them than necessary.

"When do you think you'll be able to return home Claudia? Sofia misses her big sister so much. She asks about you every day " Valentina smiled.

That was a lie. Claudia had spent little time with the girl, but enough to know that the Rojas treated her like a china doll instead of a child. The poor little girl would grow up a puppet rather than a person. They wouldn't dare let their perfect daughter near Claudia. Before she could answer the question, Alma spoke up.

"Oh she should be well enough by tomorrow. Have I ever mentioned how glad I am to see you treat her as your own daughter? I know some people don't treat their adopted kids well, but you treat her wonderfully. You've raised such a sweet girl," the Rojas smiled over Alma's praise.

"Well of course, we have to take good care of our precious daughter." Andres smiled as he talked. Claudia thought he looked like a shark. She felt like he could bite her head clean off and it made her gulp. She could tell they were preening over the praise and it sickened her. They didn't deserve it. She was starting to think they had never deserved her either.

Then she noticed the cloud over Pepa. It was dark and growing bigger every second. After Andres spoke there was a boom.  Pepa had heard enough from the Rojas. She would not let them be praised like this. She would not let them lie about how they treated her sister in law. All through the conversation she had felt her anger growing. Now it was time to explode.