Lost Melody - Brittana

Chapter 19

Santana's heart raced as she led Brittany nervously into her house. She could feel Brittany's tension radiating beside her. Just as they reached the stairs, Maribel's voice echoed through the house, calling Santana's name.

Santana groaned softly and called back, "Yeah?"

Maribel's tone was firm as she summoned Santana to the front room, along with Hector. Santana sighed but gently took Brittany's arm and guided her into the room where her parents sat stiffly.

As they entered, Maribel and Hector's initial smiles faltered upon seeing Brittany. Hector wasted no time in questioning, "Santana, who's that?"

Santana hesitated, her eyes flickering to Brittany before she responded, "She's my... friend."

Maribel's eyebrow raised in curiosity, "Why is she here?"

Santana's gaze hardened as she replied, "She was kicked out and had nowhere to stay."

Hector pressed further, "Why was she kicked out?"

Santana's frustration simmered as she hissed, "Papí..."

Hector shrugged, unapologetic, "What? She must've been kicked out for a reason."

Brittany spoke up, her voice uncertain, "Uh, my dad found out that I was going on dates with someone, and he didn't like it."

Maribel's expression softened slightly, "Why didn't he like it?"

Brittany hesitated, chewing her cheek nervously, "They weren't, you know, white or a um, guy."

Hector's gaze snapped to Santana, who avoided his eyes. He then questioned pointedly, "And does her name happen to be Santana?"

Brittany bit her cheek harder, glancing at Santana for guidance. Santana shook her head subtly and whispered for Brittany to go to her room. Brittany nodded quickly and exited the room, leaving Santana to face her parents alone.

Maribel questioned, "Why did she leave?"

Santana replied, "So we can talk."

Maribel nodded solemnly, her gaze shifting between Santana and Hector. She motioned for Santana to take a seat, and Santana complied, her heart pounding with anticipation.

Without preamble, Hector spoke up, his voice heavy with emotion, "Me and your mother are getting a divorce."

Santana's eyes widened in shock, "What?"

Maribel's glare bore into Hector as she explained, "Our beliefs didn't line up, and we just fell out of love as well as..."

Before Maribel could finish, Hector interjected sharply, "You don't need to tell her everything."

Santana frowned, feeling the tension in the air, "Tell me what?"

Hector brushed it off, "Nothing, don't worry."

But Maribel refused to be silenced, her voice trembling with emotion as she revealed, "He cheated on me."

Hector's face paled, and he muttered defensively, "It was a one-time thing, mija."

Santana's expression hardened as she ignored him and abruptly left the room, unable to bear the weight of the revelation.

Hector glared at Maribel, his anger simmering, "You didn't have to tell her I cheated."

Maribel rolled her eyes, tears brimming in her eyes as she retorted, "She needed to know."

Standing up, Hector's voice grew sharp, "In what universe does our daughter need to know that I cheated on you?"