It had trapped Elena for years, not in a dungeon, but in the belief that she had failed as a daughter, and later, as a mother.

“Yes. Your grandmother. Elena paused the movie to take care of her. Then… life happened. She grew up. She forgot to press play. But a story left unfinished leaves a crack in the world. And those cracks can grow.”

She picked up her phone and texted her dad: “Can we watch Barbie: The Princess and the Popstar tonight?”

“Mamá?” Sofía’s voice cracked.

“You came,” Barbie said softly. “I was wondering when you would.”