Tess returned home unexpectedly to find a shocking scene involving her husband, Javier. Dressed in a peculiar costume, Javier was involved in a bewildering ritual over their infant son. Tess was left speechless, uncertain of what she was witnessing.

I wasn’t meant to be home yet.

That thought lingered as I stood in the doorway. I had arrived ahead of schedule from my sister’s place, who was soon to deliver her baby.

“Go home, Tess,” Kayla encouraged. She seemed confident in handling things, assuring me I’d be informed of my niece’s arrival promptly.

Thus, I ended up home early, planning a quiet evening with Javier and Dante, our boy.

But now, I stood immobilized by the scene before me.

Javier, garbed in a bizarre devil attire, was preparing some sort of jump. Our boy lay unaware on the floor, oblivious to the commotion enfolding.

Without warning, Javier leapt over our baby.

A strangled sound escaped my throat.

What was happening?

The whole episode felt surreal, my mind struggling to catch up with reality.

“Are you out of your mind, Javier? What are you doing?” I yelled, my voice quivering.

Javier stumbled under my gaze, nearly tripping over that ridiculous cape.

His mother was nearby, capturing the moment on her phone.

“Wait! It’s not what it seems,” Javier assured, discarding the mask.

Confusion gave way to anger as I demanded, “What could explain this madness?”

“It’s a tradition,” he explained. “El Colacho. It prevents evil spirits and bad luck.”

“You should have told me,” I insisted. “I need to be included in decisions about our son.”

Javier looked remorseful as the weight of my words sank in. “I thought you’d react differently,” he admitted weakly.

His words reverberated as Lucia prepared to leave. “This was beneficial, Tess. It’ll safeguard your son.”

I held Dante tight, grappling with mixed emotions of wrath and guilt.

“No surprises moving forward,” I said as we gathered for dinner, Javier agreeing wholeheartedly. And that was a commitment I intended to hold him to.