Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mirabel watched as her family talked among themselves and with the others. They looked happy, they looked like a family without her being in the picture.

She glanced at Antonio, she was happy for him. He got a gift and wouldn’t be treated like her. Being able to communicate with animals suited him. She knew how much he adored animals and how curious he was about species at his age.

She’d admit it, she was a little envious of Antonio. It was something that she didn’t like, but couldn’t control her feelings either. It wasn’t Antonio’s fault that he got a gift and she didn’t. It’s not as if either of them asked for what they got and didn’t get.

She was officially the only giftless Madrigal in the second generation. She knew that her mother and aunt weren't planning to have any more children. Mirabel wondered if she was going to be the only giftless Madrigal during the years. That would actually suck and show that she was somehow the problem.

Well, her family— they already thought that she was the problem. It wasn’t anything new or surprising now. She was officially the only giftless Madrigal. Something had to be wrong with her. Right?

When her door dispersed in front of everyone when she was only five years old. That’s when they started treating her differently. As if she wasn’t the same girl. As if she’s been replaced the moment the door faded.

It wasn’t an immediate change, but it was noticeable. They all started to slowly pull away from her. Her abuela didn’t have the same warmth in her eyes when she looked at her. They didn’t allow her to go out and help town as much anymore. Which was understandable, since she was only five years old at the time. Which wasn’t understandable anymore ten years later. They even went as far to tell her to stop helping and leave it to those who have gifts.

When she tried to help or do something nice, she was pushed to the side. Sometimes she was even ignored. It made her believe that she was a burden to them with a terrible mindset.

But she can convince herself that she’s fine. It worked with the others. She only needed to do it for her family. Only until the night was over.

She knew that it would ruin her family’s mood if she tried to join the others. But it was fine, she was used to it. She was used to being treated differently from her family for not having a gift. It made her wonder just what she did to not receive a gift? 

Casita clearly showed some favoritism towards her. So, she knew that she did nothing wrong. Casita had also reassured her that she didn’t do anything wrong. Just why didn’t she get a gift?

She wasn’t going to question it anymore when she knew she wasn’t going to get any answers or would it make her feel any better.

“Mirabel,” Mirabel snapped her head towards the call of her name. She looked over to see Dolores staring at her. She was looking at her with a knowing glance. Mirabel didn’t like it. Dolores knew a lot, but surprisingly didn’t know much. She did keep a lot of things to herself. 

Mirabel blinked in surprise, taking a step back. “Dolores?” Mirabel didn’t like the look in Dolores’ eyes, it was as if she could see right through her. It made her feel a little uncomfortable. She did her best to hide it, but she was sure Dolores already knew, especially with how fast her heart was beating and Dolores kept glancing down. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be celebrating his birthday with the others? They will notice that you’re gone soon.” But she didn’t expect Dolores to be here with her. She didn’t think that the others noticed that she was gone. She didn’t even know that Dolores would be paying attention to her.

Dolores let out a low hum, which was silent compared to the music and the loud chattering. “I should be there, shouldn’t I? Yeah, they won’t notice that I’m gone for a while. I needed to go somewhere quiet. The noises are overwhelming.” It was a lie, but Mirabel didn’t know that yet.  

“…And that’s out here?” Mirabel questioned, arching a brow. She was a little suspicious of that. If Dolores was overwhelmed, she wouldn’t stay out. She would’ve gone inside her room, which is way quieter. “And not your room, which is much more quiet than here.” She pointed out the obvious, making Dolores squeak as a result. “Why are you here then?”

Dolores’ cheek slightly reddened at catching her lie. She didn’t expect anything less. Mirabel is smart and observant. “Uhm,” Dolores cleared her throat, staring at Mirabel. “I’m wondering why you aren’t with the rest of the family. That's why I went to go look for you.”

Mirabel couldn’t help but look at her oldest cousin with a surprised expression. Her and Dolores weren't close at all. “You’ve noticed?” It was surprising that Dolores noticed and was talking to her. She wouldn’t say the latter though. She wasn’t trying to make things worse.

Dolores went quiet at Mirabel’s question, staring at her with widened eyes. She hadn’t expected that question.

Mirabel sighed, chuckling nervously. It seemed as if she already made things worse, even more awkward. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to say it like that.” 

“I’ve noticed.” Dolores decided that she’ll just skip past that. It was better if she chose to ignore it for the sake of not making things even more awkward than it is. “It’s fine, but, what’s the reason that you aren’t with everyone else?”

“It doesn’t matter.” Mirabel glanced at Dolores with an unreadable expression, before shaking her head. She doesn’t know why Dolores is asking her this and doesn’t want to answer truthfully. She doesn’t understand. What makes today different from any other day of her being excluded? Nothing would be different from telling her either. It wouldn’t change how they treat her. They wouldn’t go back and redo the family photo because they'd noticed she wasn’t included. Actually, they haven’t noticed. Even if they did, they wouldn’t redo it. It would be a waste. Just like all the other photos. “You should go back.”

Dolores was taken back by what Mirabel said. Especially her bluntness. She could hear the slightest hint of anger from her voice. “They’ll look for you.” The look that Mirabel sent her told her that she doesn’t believe it. “Antonio will notice.” Was she a little hopeful? Maybe. 

Mirabel faltered for a second, just for a second. “He’s busy with his gift. He’ll spend less time hanging around with me. I wouldn’t want to waste his time or have him worry. He’s having way too much fun to notice.” She narrowed her eyes. “Just what are you trying to do, Dolores?”

“I’m…” Dolores doesn’t know what to say. She doesn’t know what she’s trying to do. Why is she doing this? She doesn’t know the answer. She’s as clueless as Mirabel. “I’m not trying to do anything.” Which probably wasn’t believable. “I’ll just leave you alone.” With a sigh, she began walking away, leaving Mirabel alone once again.

Mirabel watched as Dolores left. She wasn’t feeling annoyed. She was only a little confused on what Dolores could’ve wanted. She clearly didn’t get the answer that she wanted. It’s not like Mirabel could’ve said ‘I left the party because I know that I’ll ruin things and people don’t like me anyway.’ It was harsh, but the truth. She couldn’t say that. Maybe sugarcoat it, but not that.

Mirabel jumped when she felt a hand tap her shoulder. She turned around to find her friend, Mária, behind her. She was looking amused by Mirabel’s reaction. “Mária, what are you doing here?” She shot her a playful annoyed glance. “You scared me.”

Mária placed a hand on her hip, her lip curled up into a smirk. “Since everyone is invited, I thought that would include me. I guess you don’t want your dearest friend to be here for you.” Mária replied teasingly, dramatically placing her other hand over her heart. “I’m hurt, Mira.” Mirabel narrowed her eyes, raising an eyebrow. It was clear that Mirabel wasn’t having it. Mária let out a chuckle, smiling sheepishly. “Fine, I was listening in. I got curious about what Dolores wanted to say to you. I waited until she left.” Mária wasn’t going to lie and say that she liked the Madrigals. She didn’t really like them, especially the way they treated Mirabel. “Though we were looking for you after you walked Antonio to his door. Luckily, I was the one to find you.”

She was there for Mirabel’s fifth birthday and knew how everyone seemed to have it out for her for not having a gift. Overall, it was going to be a bad day for Mirabel. She can’t stay positive every day. That’s why she was searching for her best friend. 

“Ah…looking for me?” Mirabel shouldn’t have been surprised, but she was. She shouldn’t expect anything less from her.

Mária nodded. “Why wouldn’t I? But I do have another idea in mind, since you’re obviously not going to be around other people.” At Mirabel’s curious gaze, Mária lowered her voice, leaning closer. “Do you want to stay here and do you want to ditch this party and go to my family’s house?” She had a mischievous smile on her face. “I swear that it’ll be so much better than here.”

“You think so?” Mirabel couldn’t help but roll her eyes playfully. “How immature.” A grin slowly formed at the idea. It did sound much better than staying here. “Let’s do it.” Mirabel didn’t have to worry about them trying to look for her. They wouldn’t notice that she was gone. Maybe Dolores just because she randomly seemed to be listening in on her.

Mária wrapped her arm around Mirabel. “That’s what I’m talking about.” She looked to her best friend. “You need to stop disappearing so fast. One second you’re in one spot, the next you’re across the Encanto.”

Mirabel let out a dramatic sigh. “Well, when you’re a Madrigal, you tend to run around a lot. Doing a lot of work.” Mirabel smirked, exaggerating her words. She glanced at Mária with a knowing look. “Meaning that we have to be healthy and decently fit.”

Mária scoffed, glancing at Mirabel’s blouse. An idea popped up in her mind. “Makes sense. Does that mean you have some muscles underneath that?” Mária wiggled her eyebrows.

Mirabel let out a groan. “Compared to Luisa? Definitely not.”

Mária observed her carefully, looking impressed. “I don’t think anyone can compare to her either way. That doesn’t answer my question either, Mirabel.”

“Like I said, every Madrigal has to be fit in some way. My abuela doesn’t like anyone slacking off. With all the stuff we do and the constant work. It’s bound to happen.” 

Mária nudged her side, smirking. “Oh Mira, you have to show me someday.” She purred, pulling Mirabel closer.

“Oh my God, don’t say that to me.” Mirabel glared at her jokingly. She was unable to stop the heat from spreading to her face.

“Sure, sure, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I have a feeling that you’re being sarcastic.”

“Really?”

“Stop that.”

“Of course.”

“…Hm.”

“I’m just joking.” Mária told her, as they got further away from the party. She glanced behind them. “I must say…if I was a kidnapper, they wouldn’t have noticed that I took you.” Which wasn’t responsible for the Madrigals. It would be easy, wouldn’t it? She wondered how nobody else but her family noticed this neglect. What is she thinking about? Everyone in this town is blind and chooses to ignore the most obvious things.

Mirabel couldn't help but agree with that statement. It did hurt. Only a little. “Luckily, you’re not a kidnapper or else I would’ve been taken and nobody would have a clue where I am.” She decided to play along. 

“You never know.”

“Are you?”

Mária shrugged. “If I was kidnapping you, I wouldn’t tell.” She huffed, folding her arms.

“Well, I wouldn’t mind if you kidnapped me. It’ll be a good excuse and escape.”

“Definitely. What if we all just, like, run away and get our own magical candle? That’ll be cool, won't it?”

“I don’t know if I’ll get a gift from that though.”

“You don’t need a gift to be so amazingly amazing.”

Mirabel chuckled. “Are you perhaps trying to butter me up?”

Mária whistles innocently as they approach her house. “Butter you up? What? No, of course not. Why would I do that?” She bit back her smile. “Can’t I compliment this magnificent person?”

Mirabel pushed her away. “Nope, actually, you can’t.”

“I was never the one to listen when being told.” Mária smirked, as she opened the door for Mirabel, who was narrowing her eyes. “What? I’m just being kind. Take it or leave it.”

“What if I choose to take it?”

Mária gestured inside of the house. “Then walk inside, my dearest friend.”

“Hm, I guess I’ll have to take it.” Mirabel glanced back at Mária as she walked inside. “Since I obviously have no choice. Oh yeah, and ladies first.”

“Are you implying what I think you’re implying?”

Mirabel tilted her head, humming. “Just come inside, Mária.”

“That’s what she sa—“

“—No inappropriate jokes in this holy house!” Came a shout from Mateo, Mária’s twin brother. He came walking up with a grin.

“Holy house?” Mirabel and Mária repeated with a blank stare.

“Holy house?” Adora held back a laugh, staring at her son with an amused expression. “Did you get our home confused for church?”

Lorenzo looked back, his hands occupied. “Well, hello to everyone who just walked in.” His gaze lingered on Mirabel. “I was waiting on you.”

“Oh—oh, I’m sorry, you didn’t have to.”

Lorenzo smiled warmly. “Don’t apologize. I knew Mária would come back with you. I just had a question. Have you eaten anything yet?” Lorenzo asked, as he set the pots down. Mirabel’s cheeks flushed, it was true that she hadn’t eaten anything yet. She was far too focused on Antonio and other things to actually sit down and have a meal. “No?” He frowned.

Mateo let out a dramatic gasp, looking at his father with an exaggerated shocked expression. “Oh no, we can’t have a starving girl here. Isn’t that right, dad?” His dad nodded along.

Mirabel groaned, putting her hands over her face “I just didn’t have the time to eat anything.” She looked over at Mária for help. 

Mária joined her brother’s antics, betraying her that very second. “Mateo is right for once! This is no good! She needs to have something to eat before the night ends!” She grinned.

“Nonsense,” Adora couldn’t hide her smirk as she laughed. “Why don’t you stay the night, Mirabel? A freshly cooked meal and a night with us sounds nice, doesn’t it?”

And who was Mirabel to say no to such an offer like that?

Lorenzo shook his head fondly, putting on his arpon. “I’ll start cooking.” He told them all.

“I’ll help—“

Lorenzo cut her off. “—by doing children's activities. I’m an adult and I have plenty of help in the kitchen.” He glanced at his wife softly, before turning back to Mirabel. “You always offer to help and tonight you seemed tired. How about you relax for a while? Nothing will go wrong from you not helping.” He patted her head. “Next time you can help. Anything you want to try to make, mija.”

Chapter Text

Dolores felt mildly disappointed in herself. Also embarrassed. It went bad, but it could’ve been worse. That was a positive thought, right? She didn’t know how to comfort Mirabel. She didn’t know how to ask Mirabel if she was okay. It seemed like they weren’t close enough to do that without it being awkward. She’s not good at this.

Dolores couldn’t say what she heard, she couldn’t comfort her. She knows what Mirabel goes through. Dolores had a feeling that she isn’t the only one within the family that’s aware of the problem. 

Maybe that’s why she risks it and spills the truth every time. To distract herself from the problems, the cracks that were beginning to separate them for each other. To not acknowledge the problem, that very much needs to be talked about. To ignore the growing pain.

Everyone was.

They liked to pretend that everything was alright when it wasn’t. They liked to pretend as if they weren’t drifting away from each other. They liked to pretend as if they were family, not strangers living in the same house. It was way better than that needed conversation, right? Even where there’s everything to lose. They don’t want to burden anyone else with their problems. They don’t want to tell people what they’re going though. They don’t want to think about it. They don’t want to make abuela disappointed.

Dolores looked over to see Isabela and Mariano dancing together. They looked so perfect together. She hears him, she sees him but she can never touch him, for every time she tries to get close, they are even faster than she can move. They are even closer than the amount of distance that she is from them.

During that moment, all of the colors were dull, verging on monochrome. Mariano was the only one she could focus on, standing out, way more than anyone else. To her. His charming face. His loud, but delicate voice. The way that he looked at Isabela was the way that she wished he would look at her.

And God, it hurts.

Dolores tried to be happy for Isabela, she really does. She fails every time. She cannot be happy for her cousin, the man of her dreams because—because she wants him. She has to watch Mariano—who doesn’t know she loves him, who doesn’t know what she’s feeling—marry her cousin. She can’t be happy for them, no matter how many times she tries, no matter how hard she tries. She’s always been in Isabela’s shadow ever since she was five years old. It stung, knowing that Isabela got everything she wanted.

Dolores couldn’t get a gift that didn’t hurt her. She couldn’t be around her mamá because the thunder and any type of loud noise hurts her ears. She can’t be with Mariano because Isabela and him are a perfect match. 

She can’t do this because Isabela—

She can’t do that because Isabela—

She can’t.

But Isabela can.

That’s why they prefer her. That’s why Mariano prefers her.

If Dolores was as truly as brave as she thought. She would’ve let him go. But she loved him, and she wasn’t that brave. It was a limit to how much a person could let go. It just happened that everything worth having hurts. Love hurts.

It hurts knowing she can’t be with him. Knowing that one day, his and Isabela’s children will be in Casita, that she’ll be forced to be in the same house as the man she loves, her cousin’s fiancé— husband.

There’s a lot of things that hurt her, but she’ll never speak about them. It wouldn’t matter. It’s not like anyone, her abuela will break off the engagement for her. It’s selfish. She couldn’t do that. She couldn’t do that to Isabela, her former best friend. 

Of course not.

She could only love him from a distance, like always. It’ll hurt, but it’s better than being a homewrecker. If she’s lucky, her abuela will arrange a marriage for her. Maybe her feelings will fade, not fully, but to the extent that it hurts less. Maybe she’ll learn to love her future suitor. Yes, that’s the most realistic outcome.

“Where were you?”

The world around her wasn’t dull anymore, she was aware of all the noises and her little brother. She turned to look at him, squeaking.“Excuse me?” The surprise in her voice was clear. She was so lost in thought that she hadn’t noticed Camilo approaching.

Camilo mimicked Dolores, making her frown. “You think that I wouldn’t notice if you just randomly left somewhere?” He looked like her with a somewhat cocky grin. Dolores didn’t like that look on her face. 

Dolores wasn’t going to mention that Camilo noticed that she left out, but not Mirabel. It was strange. “I didn’t think it was your job to keep tabs on me.” Dolores narrowed her eyes, glancing around. “I wasn’t gone for too long. It was only for a few minutes. Nobody noticed but you. It doesn’t matter.” She told him. “Is something wrong?”

Camilo just gave her a shrug, shifting back into himself. “Nah, they were just hogging Antonio all to themselves, so I stepped out for a minute. What about you? You were just spacing out which is unlike you.” He followed where her gaze used to be. Isabela and Mariano. “Ah,”

Dolores couldn’t stop the way that her cheeks heated up. Her face felt warm. She hoped that Camilo wasn’t that smart to notice that she was secretly crushing on Mariano. That would not be a good look for her. “What?”

“They’re cheesy, aren’t they?” Camilo chuckled, he shifted into Mariano then Isabela, making kissy noises. “Every time I see or hear them, they’re flirting or Mariano is reading Isabela a poem. I get that they’re in love, but they need to tone it down. I already have to deal with mamá and papá. Oh my, that must be terrible for you to hear. Imagine how they’re going to be when married.”

Right, married.

“It’s cute.” Was all that Dolores managed to say. It was cute. She wasn’t going to lie and Camilo was right. It’s a terrible thing for her to hear. But she couldn’t control it. “They’re about to be married, they’re bound to be cheesy. Why wouldn’t they? They’re finally about to be married after so many years of being together.”

“Eh,” Camilo looked bored. “He’s all muscles for brains. I don’t see what Isabela sees in him.” He glanced at her.

I don’t see what you see in him.

Dolores gulped, her hands felt sweaty. It was just her imagination. He doesn’t know. “Me either. But, it must be something, right? He’s a romantic. Every woman's dream man.” He’s the man of my dreams. “He may not be bright in the head, but he’s handsome. He’s respectful. He reads poems and takes care of hi—“ Dolores stopped herself, she was going too far. Too in detail. “Why wouldn’t Isabela love him?” She smiled sadly.

“All of that sap is just disgusting.” Camilo feigned throwing up.

“You’ll understand when you have a girlfriend.” Dolores hears things that she shouldn’t. She was the exact same as Camilo when she was younger. The only thing that was different was that she was forced to grow up too fast. Forced to know things that a five year old shouldn’t know. She didn’t want the same for Antonio. But it was inevitable, wasn’t it? After all, the same thing happened to all of them. They were forced to grow up too fast for their own good. “You’ll probably be the exact same. Excluding the poem part. Who knows.”

“Definitely not going to read my future girlfriend poems outside of her window.” Camilo cringed. 

Dolores hummed. “Has anyone caught your attention yet, hermanito?” Camilo was much more confident than her. If he made his feelings known about the girl, he wouldn’t have to watch her get married to another.

Camilo looked sheepish, his heart speeding up. “No, not yet.”

He was lying, but Dolores didn’t need to point it out.

“Hm, okay.”

“What about you? Any man catches my dear sister’s attention?”

Dolores blushed, which definitely didn’t go unnoticed by Camilo.

“Ahah! Who is it? Who do I need to threaten?” Camilo grinned.

Dolores shook her head. “Oh…Camilo, I can’t have him. There’s no reason to threaten him.”

“Why?” Camilo frowned in confusion. “You can’t have him? Is he way older than you or—“

“Definitely not.” Dolores interrupted. 

“Then why? Anyone will be lucky to get with you. He has a girlfriend?” Camilo never saw his sister eyeing someone or any indication that she had a crush. She usually kept to herself, and her face betrayed none of her feelings when she interacted with the men in town. If he wasn’t older. Camilo hoped that Dolores wasn’t talking about someone younger, too young for her. But he knew she wasn’t like that. The only possible explanation was that the man has a girlfriend or wife. Perhaps the man was a woman?

“It doesn’t m-matt—“ Dolores began stammering as her ears were ringing loudly. She grimaced, it was the sound of what could be glass shattering.

Camilo’s face twisted into concern once he saw her pained expression. “Hermana?” Camilo frowned, he was quick to help her. The confusion he felt a second ago was quick to vanish. “What’s wrong? What did you hear?”

Dolores bites her lips, because if she doesn’t, she knows that she’ll spill, she’ll spill until the entire Encanto is flooded, until Camilo has to stop her because she spilled too much. Because she revealed things that were meant to be a secret. A secret that everyone knew about, but didn’t talk about.

“Dolores?”

“It’s just…glass fell. It caught me off guard mixed with the other noises.” Usually, Dolores focused on one thing to drown out the other noises. Most times it worked. But, that glass, it was loud as if it was next to her. “It’s nothing, don’t worry about it. We need to head back.” She was quick to divert the conversation. At least he wouldn’t be asking questions about her crush. “I’m fine.” She laughed it off. She wasn’t. But who was she to be upset with what was meant to happen.

“Mhm,” Camilo was good at reading people. He was a lot smarter than he let on. How else do people think he perfectly copies the people he shifts into? “You’re right.”

“Of course I am.” 

Both of them made their way back to the center of the party. Dolores mentally prepared herself for the much louder noise. 

As they made their way deeper inside, trying to pretend that they hadn't left for a moment,  they heard a familiar voice.

“And where have you two been?”

Of course.

When Dolores looks at Alma, it feels as if she can see past the mask that she puts on, just like the rest of them.

There’s just some wounds that cut so deep that it makes them stop. It stopped her from letting go, growing up, from seeing the truth.

“I apologize, abuela. I stepped out just for a moment because I was getting a little overwhelmed. Camilo came because he was concerned. We were just heading back.” Dolores explained, and it wasn’t technically a lie. It just slipped out so easily.

“Well, hurry up. It wouldn’t look good for both of you to suddenly be out of sight when it’s your little brother’s birthday. Antonio and the others will notice if you two are gone for any longer.” Alma said, letting out a sigh. Was she disappointed? Annoyed with them? “I get that your gift makes things…difficult. But it’ll be alright, you weren’t blessed with that gift for nothing. Just tolerate it for now. Only for a few more hours than you can head inside of your room. You just need to be seen for a while.” Dolores nodded. “Camilo, it’s fine that you were concerned for your sister, but she can handle herself. Either go entertain the children or Antonio, maybe both.” He also nodded. 

Dolores blinked.

Alma also didn’t notice that Mirabel was gone. 

Dolores didn’t think that anybody noticed but her.

Why was it so easy for them to just forget? 

Now that Dolores thought about it. It seemed like Mirabel had been slipping through their fingers all her life.

But it’s okay.

Dolores will forget about what happened, her interaction with Mirabel, she’ll forget the words that were said. The moment of weakness. Just like she always does. Those problems will be buried underneath the problems that began forming the next day.

All it takes is the smallest crack, the smallest weakness, the smallest insecurity, the pressure of everything to overwhelm things, to break things down.

People go away, and sometimes they don’t come back.

Chapter Text

It was the next day.

Nobody noticed that Mirabel was missing from the family photo, they didn’t even notice that she hadn’t returned, or even left Casita.

Things were going normal at breakfast, until someone noticed that one of their family members wasn't present.

“Where is Mirabel?” Antonio had asked. Now that Antonio thought about it, he wasn’t so sure if he had seen Mirabel after she walked him to his door. That couldn’t be true, right? She was probably somewhere entertaining others. Although Antonio really wished that he hung out with her more. He forgot about her the moment he got his gift. He felt bad. He doesn’t want his favorite roommate, cousin, and family member to think that he abandoned her. 

That’s when the Madrigals finally noticed that Mirabel wasn’t sitting at the table with them. That a fifteen year old was gone. They wouldn’t have known if it weren’t for Antonio pointing her disappearance out.

“Maybe she’s still sleeping? I imagine that yesterday must’ve been…rough.” Agustín suggested, a small frown on his face. He tried to tell Mirabel that they were in the same boat, to relate to her, but it never worked. She just pushed him away. Being born in a family and expected to have a gift is different.

“That is still no excuse to sleep in. We all woke up on time, and so will she.” Alma said firmly. Ever since Mirabel didn’t get a gift, she thought that it was alright to slack off. Gift or no gift. She will behave and act like a Madrigal.

“I can wake her up?”

That’s when Dolores decided to say something. “Oh,” Dolores tilted her head, listening out for her little cousin. “Mirabel…she stayed at a friend’s place.” She squeaked, making everyone quiet down. Everyone looked at Dolores in surprise. As if Mirabel didn’t have any friends.

“What?”

“A friend’s place?”

“When?”

“Agustín, did she tell you that she’ll be staying over?”

“No, I didn’t even know she left.”

“Nobody was aware that she left?”

Dolores was slightly aware, but she didn’t speak up. She’d probably get in trouble. It’s better that someone else got in trouble instead of her, right? Mirabel did make an easy scapegoat.

“I guess not, abuela.”

“Is she still asleep there?”

“Uhm, no, actually, Mirabel is on her way back to Casita now.” Dolores informed them, speaking softly. She listened to the quiet muttering of Mirabel talking to herself.

“Ay, that girl…”

“She’s so grounded.”

“Tell me when she arrives.”

So, they waited until Mirabel came back home.

They waited about five minutes, until Mirabel finally arrived.

When Mirabel opened the front door of Casita, she was met with the faces of her family. Mirabel looked at them in confusion. Alma looked upset, and it seemed directed towards her. Which was never a good sign. Mirabel wondered what she did to upset Alma. She hadn’t interacted with Alma at all yesterday. She stayed out the way also. 

“Uhm, what’s wrong?” Mirabel finally decided to ask out of curiosity. It was definitely the wrong thing to say as her family was baffled that she dared ask that question.

“What’s wrong?” Julieta spoke up, having a mixed expression of disbelief and worry. She walked closer to Mirabel. “You weren’t here, Mirabel. That’s what’s wrong. I didn’t even know you were gone until now. You can’t just disappear without a word or telling others that you’re going somewhere.” She scolded gently. “Please, tell us where you’re going next time.”

“Exactly.” Alma agreed, narrowing her gaze. It made Mirabel shift uncomfortably. “Something could’ve happened to you and we would’ve had no clue.”

Mirabel did her best to hide her annoyance. So, they noticed that she was gone in the morning, but not for the majority of Antonio’s ceremony. And acting as if they were concerned for her? It must be the first day of April. “…I’m sorry,” She didn’t mean it, but they wouldn’t drop it if she didn’t apologize.

“Sorry doesn’t fix it, Mirabel.” Alma continued.

“Mamá…” Julieta warned, although her words would do nothing to stop Alma. 

Mirabel didn’t know what Alma, what any of them wanted. She apologized. That was what she wanted, right? When Camilo snuck out, he didn’t get in trouble like this. He apologized and that was it. Nothing even happened to her. That didn’t make a big deal when Camilo did it. She knew she was the least favorite, but she just hated this treatment.

“You’re a Madrigal.” Alma said, Mirabel sure as hell didn’t feel like one. She felt like an outsider. “Act like one.” What was she supposed to act like? Nobody what or who she pretends to be, it’s never good enough. It was clear to Mirabel that you can only act like a Madrigal when you have a gift. “Madrigals don’t sneak out.”

Then what about Camilo? 

“I didn’t sneak out.” Mirabel defended herself. Although it was half the truth and half a lie. They wouldn’t even have noticed if it weren’t for Antonio. Why were they acting as if they actually care? It was just another way to get her in trouble. “I wouldn’t dare do that, abuela.”

Alma simply shook her head, sighing. “Who even are these people?” Alma looked slightly disgusted, but mostly disappointed. She was sure that everyone was at Antonio’s ceremony. Who knows if they could be bad influences. Who do they think they are?

“Mamá knows them! The Lucians! She even agreed that I can come over to their house anytime I want!” Mirabel took a deep breath, calming down. She didn’t like the way that Alma reacted to their name. “I didn’t sneak out. I swear.” She repeated firmly.

“Lucians? As in that baker family?” Isabela guessed, stifling a laugh.

“Bakers?” Alma repeated, looking at Isabela. “Do you know them?”

“I don’t know them, I just occasionally see their business failing.” Isabela responded, with a sly expression. 

“It’s not failing, Isabela. People do go to their bakery.” Mirabel said, trying to defend them. She didn’t understand what was the point of talking about someone, when they weren’t here to protect themselves. She knows Isabela and how she’ll go about the situation.

Pepa hummed thoughtfully. “I never heard of them.”

“That’s saying something.” Félix chuckled. It was harmless, right?

Alma looked at Mirabel with a stern expression.

Mirabel deflated slightly, averting her gaze. “Just because they’re not as popular as mamá doesn’t mean that it’s failing.”

Isabela had a malicious look on her eyes. “Yet they haven’t heard of them. What do you think of that?”

“It doesn’t mean—“

“Why have a bakery when Julieta is here?” 

“Wait—“

“She does have a point. I don’t see why they have a bakery when tía Julieta exists.” Camilo added on.

“Everyone doesn’t go to mamá to just eat! People enjoy sweets to—“

“It is a pretty useless job.”

“Guys, please—“

“I don’t see the point.”

“They just enj—“

Just like her appearance and everything else about her, once again, she was overlooked by her family. Her family never failed to make her feel small. To outright ignore her when she’s right there. 

She felt angry at them for openly talking about them and bashing them for what they do. They were more of a family than any of them. They didn’t care what she said. They didn’t understand why she would put this much effort into defending them. These were the Madrigals that everyone loved and praised so much? The Madrigals that loved and treated everyone equally? It was wrong. It was an image that they put on outside.  

What was wrong with them and why couldn’t they consider her feelings?

“They’re my friends, abuela!” Mirabel practically yelled, catching everyone’s attention and causing them to be quiet just for a second. She held her breath.

“Don’t raise your voice at me, Mirabel.”

“I’m not—I’m just…just…” Mirabel didn’t even finish her sentence, it was fruitless. Once again, she was at fault. Her words fall on deaf ears. It didn’t matter what she said, they would never truly listen to her. Whether she’s speaking calmly or yelling. They don’t listen. Mirabel looked defeated. “I’ll just go to my room.” It was the nursery, but did that really matter? If she couldn’t get a room ten years ago, why would they give her a room now?

There was no point in continuing a one-sided conversation.

At first, Mirabel wanted to help her family, to make them proud. She already gave up on doing that. Everything she does, she says, it backfires. They made it clear that she’s different because she doesn’t have a gift. A burden. She has their last name, but she’s just not the same in any other way.

How far can Alma go—how far can Alma push her before it’s enough? Why couldn’t her parents, just once, defend her? Why wasn’t she good enough for Pepa and Fèlix—to the point that they don’t even interact with her? How can Isabela treat her as if she isn’t her little sister, but as dirt underneath her? Why does Dolores choose to ignore the most important things, but not hesitate to throw her under the bus? Luisa was busy as it is. Why does Camilo choose to act as if he doesn’t know her when he’s out in public? 

Why?

She had a bunch of those questions that would never be answered because it was obvious. 

Gifts were everything.

Gifts were something that she didn’t have.

Mirabel made her way to the nursery as her family continued to talk. It was almost mocking. 

It was never ‘ You are family’. No, they didn’t call each other that.

They always associated each other with their last name, Madrigal. Not by family. The Madrigal title was much more important than family.

Casita opened the nursery’s door for her, closing it behind. Casita seemed to be sulking, just like her. It was funny. Out of everyone here, she was the closest to a house, not even a person, but her house. After that, it was a five year old. 

It was pathetic.

Really pathetic and pitiful.

Mirabel rubbed her hands over her face as she sat down on her bed. Why?

She did nothing wrong.

Her mother was okay with it.

Apparently not.

She was angry that they talked about them like that.

Mirabel was beginning to despise the Madrigals’ status and the last name even more.

Chapter Text

Julieta followed Mirabel soon after she went to the nursery with a saddened expression. She felt guilty after seeing Mirabel’s expression when she went up to the nursery.

She knocked on the door.

No answer.

She opened the door to see Mirabel sewing something.

“Ay, mija…”

Mirabel didn’t answer.

“Are you upset because of…them?”

…

“Of course, I’m upset. Do you think I’m not?” Mirabel scoffed, as Julieta sighed. “You had said that I could go over to their house anytime. It didn’t matter.”

Julieta frowned, trying to remember when she said that. Now that she thought about it, she had. “That…I’ll admit that it was my fault on my part. I forgot. I’m sorry.”

“I wouldn’t be grounded if so. I did nothing wrong.”

“I just don’t think that you should’ve…did that on Antonio’s night.”

“As if that would’ve made a difference. I wasn’t even there for the majority of his ceremony. Nobody noticed. I don’t see the problem.” Mirabel scowled, as Julieta let out a low gasp.

“What do you mean? You were there, weren’t you?” Julieta isn’t even sure if she saw after she walked him to his door. Mirabel was included in the family photo, right? She would’ve noticed if Mirabel was gone, wouldn’t she?

Mirabel snorted. “Exactly what I mean.”

“…What can I do to make you feel better?”  Julieta asked, worriedly. She walked closer to comfort her daughter, Mirabel only pushed her away.

“Me not being grounded would make me feel better and an apology from them.” Mirabel hardened her gaze. “Besides that, nothing.”

Julieta began stammering. She wasn’t so sure if she could do that. Julieta wasn’t sure that she ever heard her mother apologize. Alma’s decision was final. She also didn’t want Mirabel upset. Well, even more than she already is.

“See what I mean?” Mirabel laughed, it was filled with everything but joy. “They degraded them. Laughed at them as if something was wrong with their occupation. You all may haven’t heard of them because you’re all stuck up in the head, but others have. They’re more popular than they think. And no…mamá, it wasn’t funny nor fair. You all just—just don’t listen.” Mirabel glared through tears. 

“They didn’t mean it like that, mi vida.”

Mirabel snapped.

“Then what did they mean it as? They sure as hell didn’t mean it as a compliment!” Mirabel exclaimed, furious. Julieta was stunned by Mirabel raising her voice. “You all don’t care about how I feel! They’re my friends, mamá! You all just insulted them in front of me! You don’t see me insulting Camilo’s poor choice of friends! When I went to defend them, suddenly everyone could hear me! I’m the one getting in trouble for defending my friends!”

“S-sure, they were harsh, b-but…” Julieta wasn’t sure how she could defend their words. They did blantly insult Mirabel’s friends and their family. “They were just…worried about who you hung out with.”

“Worried?” Mirabel laughed, staring at her mother in disbelief. “You call that being worried!? They wouldn’t even have noticed that I was gone if it weren’t for Antonio! You wouldn’t have! This is not my first time not showing up to breakfast and nobody even notices! They’re not worried! They’ll just find a way to bring me down and enjoy it! You didn’t see how Isabela looked when she brought them up! She knew what she was doing and others followed along! Yes, I’m sure they’re worried! They didn’t do that to anyone, but me! Not Isabela! Not Dolores! Not Luisa! Definitely not Camilo!”

Julieta went silent. She wasn’t aware that Mirabel felt this way.

“Isabela’s friends always talk about people behind their backs, including our family! Dolores’ friends only use her for gossip! Luisa is more friends with the donkeys than a human being! Camilo’s friends bully one person to the next nonstop!” Mirabel stared at her mother as if she was insane. “But, my friends are the ones that you all want to worry about!? My friends who did nothing wrong and wouldn’t harm anyone like you all are! Who wouldn’t gossip or talk about people behind their backs! Who doesn’t bully people for the sake of it! But, oh, my friends are the ones that everyone needs to worry about!? They clearly need to get their priorities right before they think that the people I hang out with are bad influences!”

Julieta was startled by Mirabel’s rant. She knew that being Madrigals and making friends was hard. Some wanted to get close to them because of their last name and gifts. Some wanted to marry in the family in hope for a gift. It was hard to make friends who didn’t have that intent. It was inevitable for them to make friends as Madrigals. They all went through it, being used. “I—I can talk to them about this if you want. Your abuela. All of them i-if you want.”

“Talk to them? Abuela? Sure.” Mirabel rolled her eyes. She knew how that went. Her mother would say that she’ll talk to them, but never does. “Like that will change anything. If by some miracle you manage to convince abuela and she agrees. It still won’t erase what was done or what was said.”

“I-it won’t.” Julieta agreed, hesitantly. 

“I’m not apologizing to anyone for speaking out of line. Especially not abuela.”

“Oh,” Julieta grimaced.

Alma would expect an apology from Mirabel.

It would be unfair to ask Mirabel to apologize to Alma when she didn’t do anything wrong. Julieta had given her permission, although forgotten, to go over the Luciana’ house whenever.

The situation escalated quickly.

It was a situation that didn’t have to go the way it did.

…But, Alma wouldn’t expect anything otherwise.

“…Wouldn’t it be better if you both apologize?”

Mirabel’s eyebrows raised, it was clear that she was baffled by her mother’s words. “Apologize?”

“That way you b-both feel better and have no hard feelings.”

Mirabel barely held back her scoff. “Do you think I was in the wrong?”

“Well…”

“Of course.” Mirabel turned back around, not paying any mind to her mother’s words afterward. Of course her mother would say that. She didn’t expect anything less. There was no point in trying with her. It always ends the same or similar.

“Wait!”

“It’s always me! I’m the one that always does wrong! I’m the person that sticks out! The blame automatically falls on me! I’m the scapegoat in this family! And I’m so tired of it! But, I have no choice because I’m the giftless Madrigal! The black sheep! I have to apologize even if I’m not in the wrong!”

“I don’t—I don’t want you to lose your way like Bruno, mija. Please, we only do what’s best for you.” Julieta silently pleaded.

“You all know nothing about what’s best for me! So what if I lose my way like him!? That’s all that people seem to compare me to. I genuinely don’t care about all that nonsense or losing my way. It seems to be a better choice than being stuck here!”

Julieta gasped. “You…you don’t mean that. You’re just saying that at the heat of the moment. You’re riled up. I’ll—I’ll wait until you calm down to talk to you again.”

“Here we go again. When I’m expressing my feelings that aren’t positive, it’s not taken seriously. Everyone expects me to be smiling and optimistic all the time.” Mirabel grumbled. “If you’re going to leave now…just leave. I’m going to say the same things even when you come back. I’m grounded anyways. There’s no point in you coming back to the nursery to convince me something. I’m not apologizing to anyone either.”

“M-Mirabel, Is it really worth this if we fight?”

“It’s worth it if you actually listen to my words for once and care about my feelings.”

Even if Julieta wanted to stay longer, Casita forced her out.

Neither of them noticed the cracks that began to appear above their heads.

Chapter Text

Dinner came by quickly.

Everyone could sense the tension and chose to ignore it.

Mirabel was ignoring them, minding her own business. There was no point in trying to have a conversation with any of them. It was going to end in a similar way as Julieta.

Mirabel wanted to do nothing more but get away from them. She wanted to hang out with the Lucians. Just away from the Madrigals.

“Uh…Miraboo, I’ve noticed that you haven’t touched your food.”

Would she be dramatic if she said that the whole situation ruined her entire appetite?

Probably not.

“I’m just not hungry.” Mirabel said, pushing her plate away.

Julieta frowned, but said nothing.

As usual.

How can you call yourself a mother if you can't stop being a daughter?

“Missing—“

“—Missing one meal is nothing. I’m not going to starve.” Mirabel sighed, before getting up from her seat. “I’m done.” All eyes were on her as she walked away.

A few minutes later, Mirabel heard a knock.

“Who is it?”

Silence.

Mirabel got up to open her door, on the other side of the door was Antonio.

“Antonio?”

“Are you mad at me, Mira?” Antonio asked, his lips quivering. 

Mirabel’s expression immediately softened. “Of course not. What gave you that idea?” She may be mad at the other Madrigals, but not Antonio. He did nothing wrong.

“It’s just…just because I thought that you might be mad because y-you got in trouble because of me.” Antonio’s eyes watered up. “I-if I didn’t say anything t-then maybe you wouldn’t be g-grounded.”

“Oh, Antonio…” If Antonio hadn’t said anything the Madrigals wouldn’t have noticed. She probably still would have gotten in trouble for something else. “I’m not mad at you. It just shows you care about me enough to notice that I wasn’t sitting at the table. It’s fine. There’s no need to cry, Toñito. I don’t blame you nor am I upset with you.”

“W-what about the others?”

Mirabel suddenly glared at Antonio, startling him.

“…W-wrong thing to a-as—“

Mirabel cut him off. “Who sent you to do this?”

Antonio’s eyes widened. “W-what?”

“It was believable at first, but I know you better than you think, Camilo.” Mirabel sneered, a shocked Antonio shifting back to his normal form. “This is actually annoying. Just go.” She was even madder at Camilo. He called the Lucians’ bakery useless because her mother existed. It was stupid.

“You—you’re still mad about earlier?” Camilo stammered.

“What does it look like?” Mirabel asked sarcastically. “What you all said about them was harsh and not the truth. Abuela or my mother must’ve sent you here as Antonio.”

Camilo looked slightly guilty.

When Camilo didn’t answer, Mirabel shook her head with a sigh.

“Just don’t even bother to try, Camilo.”

“What am I supposed to tell them?”

“Them?”

“Uh…”

“Tell them that I am still upset. That much should be obvious.”

“Everyone can tell.”

“I wonder who caused me to be in a bad mood.”

“It’s affecting everyone.”

“Not my fault.”

“Mirabel, plea—“

“Don’t you have dinner to finish? It’s a waste of time and we both know it.”

Camilo reluctantly walked off.

Mirabel’s eyebrows furrowed. They really sent Camilo as Antonio to get her to talk? They couldn’t do it themselves. How amazing.

“Mirabel,”

Mirabel turned her attention towards abuela, who happened to be calling her name. “Yes?” She did her best to hide her annoyance.

Alma cleared her throat. “I realized that I may have been a bit…harsh with your punishment. You have to understand that you can’t just sneak out. There are consequences to your actions.”

Mirabel honestly couldn’t tell if her mother had talked to her or not. “Mhm?” She didn’t sneak out. She didn’t even try. If she really wanted to sneak out, she wouldn’t get caught.

“I will retract your grounding.”

Mirabel knew there had to be a catch and more to that sentence.

“If you apologize and promise not to hang out with these people again.”

There it was.

Mirabel hardened her gaze. Who was she to tell her who she can and not hang out with? “I’m not apologizing, abuela.” Mirabel said, ignoring the shocked expression of her grandmother. “I did nothing wrong, so I’m not apologizing. If anything, you should be apologizing.”

Alma’s eyebrows furrowed. “Excuse me?”

Mirabel tilted her head, crossing her arms. “I don’t think I stuttered, abuela.” She frowned. “I'd rather be grounded than not hang out with them. It’s not much of a punishment either and there’s not much you can do. If you really want to talk about bad influences, go talk to your other grandchildren about their friends. I know that they need to hear a few things about real friends.”

Alma was stunned as if she expected Mirabel to just agree. “What?”

Mirabel simply raised an eyebrow. “Their friends suck and are bad influences. Anyone with eyes can see. Apparently not you.”

“Mirabel!”

“What? It’s the truth. I’m already grounded. Like I said, there’s nothing you can really do. You can go ahead and extend the time. People are going to notice that I’m confined in Casita. You can’t use the excuse that I’m sick either. I have friends that will actually notice that I’m gone and something is wrong.”

“This is exactly what I’m talking about. They’re bad influences and put these thoughts into your head.”

“Bad influences? That’s funny. I thought that I was the bad influence originally. They care about me. Me standing up for myself is not them being a bad influence. I’m my own person. They didn’t put any thoughts in my head that aren't already there.” Mirabel scoffed. “You’re so sure that you’re right. You don’t want me hanging out with the other Madrigals and want me staying out the way. The moment I’m having fun with my friends and their family—I’m being underfoot? I’m the one acting out of character? You don’t want me doing anything. I wasn’t bothering anyone. You just want to find a way to get me in trouble.”

Alma narrowed her eyes. “Mirabel, I won’t tolerate such disrespect in my house. This attitude of yours isn’t acceptable at all.”

Mirabel smirked. “You won’t tolerate this disrespect in your house?” She repeated. “Are you implying that you want me out?”

Alma stared at Mirabel in disbelief, before hardening her gaze. “You’re unbelievable. What’s wrong with you?”

Mirabel raised an eyebrow. “You were the one that implied it, abuela. I’m just going with what you said. If you’re not tolerating my disrespect in your house then I don’t know how you’ll feel with me now. What are you going to do since you don’t tolerate it?”

Alma pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. “Mirabel, you’ve been acting out a lot lately. I let it slide before because Antonio’s ceremony was near and I knew that you would be moody. But, this is enough. This is clearly more than about the ceremony.”

“You think so?” Mirabel said sarcastically. She couldn’t be that entitled, right? Mirabel doesn’t know why she stuck up for them so much. It took her nowhere. If they’re going to continue with treating her like trash, she’s not going to treat them kindly either. There’s nothing to lose from standing up for herself. “Every time I’m upset doesn't automatically mean it’s about the gifts. I’m happy for Antonio. There is more to this than the gifts and if you can’t see what then I can’t help you.”

“You’ve been acting so reckless and selfish lately, Mirabel. You’ve just been causing problems for all of us!”

“You told me to stay out of the way and I am!” Mirabel yelled back. “What do you want from me? If I hang out with people that aren’t you all I’m staying out of the way! I’m grounded and have nothing to do here! I could leave right now and I would somehow still be in the way!”

Both of them glared at each other.

Casita separated the two Madrigals, sensing their tension.

Mirabel was the one to break. “I’m only fifteen years old and you act as if you have something against me. You have always been like that since I didn’t get a gift. I’ve had enough.”

Alma’s eyebrows raised. “I have nothing against you, Mirabel…it’s just that…”

“You can’t even come up with an excuse either.”

Alma frowned. 

“Is that all?” Mirabel asked.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going over to the Lucians’ house.”

“Wait—“

“To their failing and useless business.” Mirabel said mockingly, while rolling her eyes.

Alma stared at Mirabel in anger. “You’re grounded! I forbi—“

Mirabel continued walking to the front door. “Yeah, yeah.”

“Casita!” Alma called out to stop Mirabel.

Casita didn’t do anything, not even moving a tile to aid her. 

Mirabel was already at the front door.

“Mirabel, I swear, if you walk out of this door, you’ll—“

“I’ll what?” Mirabel glared, as Casita opened the door for her. 

Alma went quiet.

Mirabel scoffed.

“This family is an absolute joke and pitiful.”

Chapter Text

“Mirabel?”

The Lucians seemed surprised by Mirabel’s appearance. They immediately knew that something was wrong when they saw her.

“Ay…. nena, what’s wrong? Who do I need to talk to?” Lorenzo asked worriedly. “Before you respond, remember what I said. Don’t downplay your own feelings for the sake of others. You’re allowed to be upset. Nobody here wants you to be constantly happy when you’re upset. We just want you to be you. You’re human too. None of us is going to be upset at you when you’re upset. We just want to know who we’ll have to deal with for you.”

The Lucians knew that Mirabel had a habit of downplaying her emotions for the sake of others—specifically the Madrigals. 

Mirabel hesitated as the Lucians waited patiently.

A second later, Mirabel told them everything.

The Lucians were surprised, but not too surprised because it was the Madrigals they were talking about. They were angry at the Madrigals for what they did and said to Mirabel.

“I did suspect something was going on when I didn’t see you in town.” Mária murmured, looking upset on Mirabel’s behalf. All of them were. “I just…didn’t think it would be this.”

“I couldn’t just stand there and let them talk bad about you all.” Mirabel frowned. “Of course I got in trouble for standing my ground.”

“We don’t care what the Madrigals say about us because we know that it isn’t true. We do care about what they say to you—even if it isn’t true, it upsets you and we don’t tolerate disrespect to you.” Adora assured her. “You’re a child and they shouldn’t be treating you like that. Alma is five times your age. She needs to act like an adult and her age.” She scoffed. “Then both of them want you to apologize? I’m glad you left. You had every right to stand up for yourself and leave that toxic environment.”

“The more that I’m hearing about them the more that I dislike them.” Mateo whispered to his sister, who nodded. “They’re so lucky that Mirabel is their family member. Yet they don’t even know how to appreciate her. You know what they say? You never know what you have until you lose it, and once you lose it, you can never get it back.”

“It makes no sense for them being so against you hanging around us.” Lorenzo’s eyebrows furrowed as he crossed his arms. “I’m glad it’s a mutual dislike at least.”

Adora sighed. “They’re weird for having your cousin shift into Antonio for some reason. He didn’t even apologize, he just tried to guilt trip you. He miserably failed too. They just expect you to be positive all the time.” She could hardly hide her annoyance. “They have to realize just because they’re Madrigal doesn’t mean they can get away with anything. They have to understand that their actions have consequences.”

“My family…you know how most of the Encanto look up to them? They let it go to their head and believe they could do no wrong. Especially not to the giftless Madrigal.” Mirabel said mockingly. “I’ve always been underfoot to them and told to stay out of the way. They don’t know what to do now that I snapped at them. They simply think I’m throwing a tantrum over nothing.”

Mária scoffed. “It’s funny because if it weren’t for Antonio they wouldn’t have noticed you were gone.”

“They still didn't notice I wasn’t included in the family photo yesterday.” Mirabel added. “So much for family.”

Lorenzo’s eyes twitched. “The Madrigals manage to impress me even more every single day.”

“Hm?”

“You know that you’re welcome to our house anytime the Madrigals become too much for you. Our door is always open for you. I’m thrilled that our house was the first place you thought to go to afterwards.” Adora said softly. “You don’t have to deal with the Madrigals if you don’t want to. We’re here for you. Always. Even if we’re far away, we’ll always be there for you when you need us. If you feel unsafe going back to Casita, you can stay here. You don’t need to go back. We won’t let them take you even if they come to our door demanding for you.”

Lorenzo nodded in agreement. “She’s right. There’s a special place for you here, Mirabel. You can stay here as long as you want. None of us has any complaints, do we?”

“Of course not!”

“Do you know how many sleepovers we’ll have then?” Mária grinned. 

“See? We’ll be delighted with you here, Mirabel. There’s no doubt. If the Madrigals even dare to try something, we’ll have your back. It just happens that we have some stuff against them.”

Mirabel’s cheeks warmed up, she felt herself tearing up from their words. “I’m… happy that you all care about me. I—I don’t know how to thank you all.”

“You don’t have to thank us at all. You’re a lovely person, Mirabel. It’s only natural to care about someone close to you. I’ve known you since you were just a little kid. You’re like a daughter to me. I love and care about you. You’re so special to us and you changed our lives.” Adora smiled, bringing Mirabel into an embrace. “I’m so proud of you for being you. I hope you know how much we appreciate you being in our lives, Mirabel.”

Mirabel wiped her eyes. “It’s like you guys are trying to make me cry!”

“Aw, Mira, anyways, I’m so proud of you for standing up to your abuela!” Mária beamed as she joined in on the hug. That old hag really had it coming. She just wished that she was there to see it. “I can’t believe that both of them would want you to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.”

Mateo raised an eyebrow.

“Actually, I can believe that because they’re the Madrigals.”

Mateo smirked. “Better.”

Mirabel sniffled. “You all are the best.”

“You’re the best.”

“I love you all so much.”

“We love you too, Mira. Never forget that.”

Mirabel would rather be a Lucian than a Madrigal. They loved her like they were her family. They cared about her more than her own family. They didn’t care that she didn’t have a gift. 

And honestly?

If she could, Mirabel would live with them. No hesitance. She would abandon her last name in a heartbeat. 

Adora treated her like her daughter more than her actual mother did. Lorenzo was more of a father than Agustín ever was. They showed that no matter what, they’ll stand by her side and protect her from harm's way. Something her parents weren't capable of doing.

They would stand up to Alma. They would have never let Alma treat her like that.

Her abuela despises her existence. Her parents are cowards. Her aunt and uncle don't interact with her. Her eldest sister practically hates her. Her older sister doesn’t have time for her. Her oldest cousin would only throw her under the bus. Her older cousin is embarrassed to be seen by her.

Antonio was the only Madrigal that Mirabel was okay with.

And the Madrigals wonder why she prefers the Lucians over them.

“We’ll be back.” Lorenzo told Mirabel, subtly glancing at his children, who nodded. Adora was following right behind her husband.

Mirabel blinked in confusion. “Where are you two going?”

“We’re just going to grab some food. Don’t worry, the twins will be here with you.”

“O…okay?”

The pair smiled before they left their home.

Mirabel glanced at the twins. “They’re going to deal with my family, aren’t they?”

“Yeah.” They said simultaneously.

Chapter Text

“Feliz Cumpleaños, Mirab—“ 

The Lucians stopped mid-sentence when they saw Mirabel crying.

“Mirabel…”

Mirabel laughed bitterly as tears ran down her cheeks. “…I don’t know w-what I was expecting. I—I thought that…maybe…f-for once, they’ll care.” She wiped the tears away. “I was stupid to think that they would even remember.” It was a mistake. They had practically forgotten about her after her failed ceremony. 

Of course.

It’s always something with the Madrigals. They don’t know how to do anything right. They can’t even bother to remember Mirabel’s quinceñera. They are a fucked up family. A fucked up family who doesn’t even deserve to be called Mirabel’s family.

The Madrigals seemed insistent on not treating Mirabel like she’s family. All because of that stupid candle. None of the adults there have a backbone. Is it too much to stand up for your own daughter or niece? Apparently so.

“Don’t call yourself stupid. You’re anything but that.”

“I’m just—just so tired of being a Madrigal. I’m so tired of trying with them. I keep expecting something to change. For them to care, b-but…they won’t. They make me feel as if I don't belong and it’s suffocating.” Mirabel confessed. Why did she deal with them for so long?

“And they shouldn’t. It’s not right of them. As we said, you’re too kind for your own good. You shouldn’t have to prove yourself to them. It’s not right. Gift or no gift, they should accept you. It’s neglect. Your family and they should treat you like family. Don’t believe any negative things said about you. It’s not true. You always make us so proud. Every single day. They don’t deserve you. They can’t even appreciate what’s in front of them. You shouldn’t waste your precious tears on them. They wouldn’t do the same, would they?”

Mirabel said nothing in response.

“I hate them even more.” Mária whispered to Mateo, who nodded. 

“…What am I going to do now?” Mirabel hesitantly asked.

“What do you mean?”

“My quinc—my birthday is ruined. I don’t want to go back to Casita either…” 

“Not fully ruined! You have us!”

“Huh?”

“We…” Lorenzo hesitated, a small smile forming. “We did expect that the Madrigals wouldn’t do anything for your quinceñera. That’s why we prepared just in case they do. It seems we were right. If you just give us an hour, Mirabel. An hour is all we need to actually set things up. If you let us.”

Mirabel’s eyes widened in surprise. “You…you guys have no idea how much you mean to me.” She didn’t know how far they'd go for her. “T-Thank you…and, yes, I’d like that.”

“We also made you a dress if you don’t have one.”

Mirabel was stunned by how prepared they were. “I—I do have a dress prepared.”

They smiled warmly. 

“I’ll start on your makeup while they set things up.” 

It didn’t take that long considering that the Lucians were already halfway set up. They placed the cake down, lighting the fifteenth candle.

“Ay…you’re so beautiful, Mirabelita.” Adora’s voice cracked, staring at Mirabel in adoration. She placed the tiara on her head. “There. Such a special girl.”

“I know—know that it isn’t the traditional quinceñera with the big parties, but—“

“It’s enough.” Mirabel cut off any negative thoughts that made them think she wouldn’t appreciate this and be grateful. “It’s better than anything else. I love it. I love you guys so much.” They were more family than her actual family. They cared. 

“It seems like only yesterday you were Antonio’s age. I remember when you were just a baby. You were fragile like a doll. Fifteen years have passed, fifteen beautiful springtimes. You are now becoming a beautiful young lady.” Lorenzo crouched down, holding out heels. “And I know that I’m not biologically your father, but…”

Mirabel was teary-eyed. “I’m trying n-not to ruin my makeup. You’re making it hard for me not to cry. It doesn’t matter that you aren’t my biological father. You are more of a father than my actual father. You’re my father in everything, but blood.”

Lorenzo smiled, it was obvious that he was just as emotional as the rest. “Then may I?”

Mirabel nodded.

They cheered when Lorenzo switched Mirabel’s flats to heels.

Mária wolfishly whistled as Mateo gave her a round of applause.

“You’re officially entering adulthood, Mira!”

“You’re all grown up!”

Mirabel rolled her eyes fondly.

“We’re so proud of you.”

“You guys say that a lot.”

“And we’ll say it many more times.” Adora chuckled. “You came this far in life, in our lives. It’s been amazing watching you grow into a wonderful person. You succeeded, Mirabelita. You have such a beautiful life ahead of you and this is only the beginning. Don’t cry on such a day of blessings. Don’t let the Madrigals bring you down.”

“I-I’ll try not to.”

Mária chuckled. “It’s better than nothing.”

“Your beauty comes from within you, Mirabel. It’s not the gifts, the dress, or jewelry that makes you beautiful. The beauty of a gentle and kind spirit. I know this beauty will never disappear. It’s worth everything to us.”

“Guys…I’m actually going to cry.” Mirabel looked up to prevent the tears from falling. “I’m trying really hard not to. Sweet talking to me like this is going to work.”

They laughed.

“Mirabel?”

The Lucians turned to Lorenzo, who smiled sheepishly.

Mirabel blinked in confusion. “Yes?”

“May I have this dance?”

Chapter Text

“The fuck is their problem?” Adora hissed, the townspeople clearing a path for her as they didn’t want to deal with her wrath.

Lorenzo chuckled, he was equally as angry as his wife. He sure as hell wasn’t going to tell her to calm down. It’d be hypocritical of him. “Mind your language, there are children around. You wouldn’t want to be the one that causes them to curse at a young age.”

“You’re right.” Adora took a deep breath. “It wouldn’t be fair to the children and I wouldn’t want to be that type of person.”

“Right?”

“I’m not holding back on the Madrigals.”

“Never said that you had to, love. I don’t expect you to either. Just don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

“Aw, you think I’m going to regret this?”

Lorenzo chuckled. “Of course not. If anything, I know you’ve been waiting to say something to the Madrigals.”

“You’re right. I held myself back because there were children, but—how can a mother be so useless!?” Adora snapped. Just thinking about them got her angry. “What’s the point of having children if you can’t even protect her? She didn’t even raise Mirabel, we did! We comforted Mirabel when she was apparently too focused on the miracle instead of her daughter who was publicly humiliated after her door faded! Then she had the audacity to make excuses for that old woman and try to convince Mirabel to apologize! Just say you’re a pathetic excuse of a mother without actually saying it!”

“I certainly do agree with you. If they can’t love their own family member unconditionally then they don’t deserve to call themselves her family.”

“It’s neglect and abuse! That’s what it is! Mirabel would have to take care of herself if it wasn’t for herself! Not to mention they left a baby in her care when she was only ten years old! They exclude her, Lorenzo! You saw how they treat her! How they affect her!”

“And that’s why we’re here to talk to them.”

Lorenzo was definitely the calmer one out of the two.

He, Mirabel, and her children were the only reason she didn’t snap at the Madrigals sooner.

She knocked on the door of Casita.

She really should’ve done this sooner.

Mirabel is surrounded by nine people and only one of them actually cares for her. That person is only five years old.

The door opened revealing Dolores. “Hello?”

The person who’s too afraid to speak up for once. Not even to protect their little cousin.

“I want to speak to Alma Madrigal.”

Dolores hesitated.

Adora looked unimpressed. “It’s about Mirabel. I’m sure you’re aware of what’s about to happen.” 

“What about Mirabel?”

Just the person they wanted to see.

Alma Madrigal.

“Mirabel walked out, didn’t she?” Lorenzo asked, with a smile on his face much to the Madrigals’ shock.

“How do you know that?” Alma asked warily.

“We’re the family from that useless bakery in the Encanto. You know, the one whose business is failing?” He continued.

Isabela and Camilo’s face flushed in embarrassment at their words.

Alma grimaced. “Nobody sai—“

“I hope you’re not about to say nobody said that.” Adora cut her off, much to Alma’s surprise from her blatant disrespect. “If you were, you were going to call Mirabel a liar. Mirabel’s anything but a liar.” She chuckled. “Are you?”

Alma suddenly hardened her gaze. “And I’m guessing that Mirabel told you, hm?”

“Everything.” Adora confirmed. “Beginning to the end. It’s funny. Your heads are so far up your asses that—“

“—Hey—“

“—You fail to realize that not every single thing revolves around you Madrigals. Genuinely, we don’t give a shit about what you think about us. It doesn’t affect us. Not at all. We do draw a line with you mistreating Mirabel.” Adora finished off curtly.

“You do not get to come to our home and talk to us like this.” Alma said firmly. “Nobody mistreats firmly. She’s just being dramatic. She’ll return home once she’s done throwing her tantrum.”

“Tantrum?” Adora laughed aloud, before turning to her husband. “Did she say Mirabel was throwing a tantrum?”

Lorenzo nodded. “You know what’s even funnier?” He chuckled. “Not only did you forget her quinceñera, but you didn’t even notice that she wasn’t included in the family photo at Antonio’s ceremony and plenty more photos! You fail to notice when she’s gone!” He exclaimed much to their shock. “Who was there for her!? Surely not you, Julieta! Not Alma! Not any of you Madrigals! We were!” He narrowed his eyes. “Mirabel throwing tantrums? Have you mistaken her for one of your other grandchildren? You said that Mirabel wasn’t allowed to disrespect you in your house. So, she walked out. She simply listened to you.”

“W-wait, Mirabel wasn’t included?”

“N-no…I’m sure she was there.”

“…We missed her quinceñera?”

The Lucians weren't impressed.

“You wouldn’t even notice if he didn't say anything.”

Isabela frowned. “I-if Mirabel wanted to be in the picture, she would’ve joined.” She weakly said. “She would’ve said something.”

“Right.”

“Mirabel did, but she shouldn’t have to.” Adora glared. “You’re her family. You should remember her. She shouldn’t have to say anything to get someone to remember. Her quinceñera wasn’t the first birthday of hers that you missed. And guessed who was there for her? Us.”

They couldn’t have missed that much about Mirabel, right? They were simply over exaggerating the problem, right?

“Julieta,”

Julieta was startled by her name getting called. “Y-yes?”

“You’re supposed to be her mother. You can’t even protect her. Not from your mother. Mirabel is somehow always in the wrong of the situation and having to apologize. You’re not there for her as much as you think. You didn’t notice she was gone for most of Antonio’s ceremony. You certainly didn’t notice her being excluded from the family photo. You sure as hell don’t remember her birthdays either. You’re a worthless parent.”

“H-hey!”

“Don’t talk to my mother like that!”

“I wouldn’t talk to her like this if it wasn’t true. Unfortunately, it is. You know, I wish you all would stand up for Mirabel like this. I guess it only matters if you have a gift.” 

“Oh, I almost forgot! It’s fucked up that you sent Camilo as Antonio to get her to talk. Then he had the audacity to be confused on why Mirabel was still upset.” Lorenzo said.

Antonio’s quiet voice was suddenly heard. “You did what?” He turned to Camilo, shocked. “Why would you do that to Mira?” He frowned, turning to Lorenzo. “Mira knows that wasn’t me, right? I don’t want to hurt her.”

“Mirabel figured out that it wasn’t you quickly, Toñito.”

That didn’t seem to soothe Antonio at all.

Antonio glared at Camilo. “Don’t talk to me! None of you! Not until you apologize for upsetting Mira and using me!” 

He ran off.

Pepa thundered. “Why would you say that to him?”

Lorenzo’s brows furrowed. “Why the hell would any of you think it was okay to send Camilo as Antonio to deceive her? I didn’t say anything to him. He just happened to overhear. He would’ve found out what happened anyways. It doesn’t make the situation any better.”

Pepa was speechless.

She knew that he was right.

It wasn’t the right thing to do.

“None of you understand the concept of apologizing either, do you?”

“Seems like it.”

“It’s insane that you believe that Mirabel needs to apologize to you. As if she did something wrong.”

“She—“

“You won’t realize how much you love Mirabel until she’s gone. It’ll be too late by then. She’s just like freedom and air around you all. You all don’t notice it and won’t appreciate her until she’s taken from you. You are too stubborn for your own good. You can’t even apologize. You hurt the ones closest to you and that will tear you both apart. It already happened.” Adora told them. “No, you knew what you had. You just never thought that you would lose her. Just like Bruno Madrigal. You took both of their kindness for granted and that’s how you lost them.”

Alma didn’t like the way that Adora was speaking to any of them. She was fearless and bold. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. Just how much do they know and how much has Mirabel told them? How dare she badmouth them to some strangers? What if they decided to spread these rumors? They would believe it too because Mirabel’s a Madrigal. It doesn’t paint them in a good light either since Bruno left. “Just what have Mirabel told you?”

“How much do you think I know?” Adora smirked. “I've known and took care of Mirabel since she was a child. Mirabel always manages to spark my interest even more. She’s so talented. I’m closer to Mirabel than any of you. She opens up to me. Just what hasn’t she told me?” She rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t matter what she told me and what she didn’t say. Just know that I know enough. We all know that she feels inferior to the other Madrigals because of you. None of you treat her right.”

“And you believe that you do?”

“Oh I know that I treat her right. You don’t see her coming to any of you Madrigals for comfort, does she? She prefers my family over yours. I actually care about her.”

That seemed to strike a nerve.

“I refuse to believe that some like you actually care about Mirabel.”

Adora’s lips twitched upward. “Someone like me?”

“You’re using her.”

“You’re deflecting the situation by saying this? I would never harm Mirabel.” Adora scowled. “Not like you. Never in my life I’d give the world to her. I wouldn’t force her to be perfect. Not like you, Alma. If I could, I would get rid of all of her worries in a snap of a finger. I’d let her dump all of her responsibilities on me. I’d protect her from anyone trying to harm her.” She glared at the Madrigals. “That includes all of you.”

“And what exactly are you implying?”

Adora’s lips quirked up into a grin. “All Mirabel has to do is say one word and I’ll have your reputation ruined. You’d be surprised with how much I know.” Her eyes twinkled with an undefined glint. “I won’t hesitate to ruin all of your family members.”

“You’re bluffing.”

“Oh am I?”

“Yes.”

“I would never bluff in a situation like this. How about we start off with the most obvious problem? Child neglect.”

The Madrigals were stunned. “W-what—no—“

“Yes. Child neglect. Not just with Mirabel, but with Bruno. You didn’t protect him when needed. I bet you lost count of how many times Bruno came home with bruises. And how many times you told him to suck it up. Back to Mirabel, oh the horror. She was left alone after her ceremony. She was only five years old and was left alone. I found her and who knows what would’ve happened if I weren’t a good person. You missed a lot of her birthdays. Her quinceñera. She isn’t included in a lot of things. I know that I’m not the only one to notice. It’s the fact that you all noticed and didn’t do anything about the abuse. Not to mention leaving a baby in her care when she was only ten years old. Oh my, the list goes on and on! It would be a shame if the news spread that the Madrigals aren’t so perfect! The scandal! How would this affect the Madrigals’ reputation and what would happen to them?”

Chapter Text

The Madrigals were stunned.

Never had they been humiliated—no, exposed like this. Nobody had ever spoken up against them. Even when they did, the Madrigals were always in control of the conversation and it went in their favor.

This was something new and unexpected.

Especially since the main argument was about Mirabel. Defending Mirabel.

“Child neglect?” Alma sneered, absolutely annoyed. Who does this woman think she is? They didn’t neglect Mirabel. She was only being dramatic. Mirabel had a roof over her head. A bed to sleep in. Water. Food. A sense of security. Everything! This is the thanks that she gives them? Yes, she can admit that she acted a little irrationally earlier. But, this doesn’t give Mirabel the right to send these people here to make up these accusations! Never in her life had she been more embarrassed. 

It was always with Mirabel that something had gone wrong. Her ceremony. Everything she does. Mirabel embarrassed her like no other person.

Then that woman had the audacity to bring up her son as if she knew him personally! They don’t talk about him for a reason. He’s a forbidden topic. She knew that. How dare she? 

Was her only purpose was to push her buttons? To get on her nerves? If that was the case then she succeeded.

It made Alma furious that she barged into their home and started yelling accusations. Calling them a terrible family and all sorts of demeaning things.

She is Alma Madrigal, the matriarch.

Nobody will ever treat her with disrespect like that and get away with it.

“They knew Mirabel since she was a child?” Julieta wasn’t aware that Mirabel knew these people at all. She hadn’t heard of them until a few days ago. Why hadn’t she heard of them or seen Mirabel hang out with them? Certainly, she paid more attention to Mirabel, right? She wasn’t a worthless parent. “We don’t neglect Mirabel.” They were there for her. They just…drifted apart. That was normal. That type of thing happened in big families.

She felt hurt that Adora had called her a worthless parent. That wasn’t true. She was there for Mirabel. She was there for all of her children. They just did their own things nowadays. Her mother practically took Isabela under her wing to train her to be future candleholder and matriarch when she passed. Luisa didn’t need them as much as she did when she was kid. She was more focused on helping the community with her gift and pride. All teenagers felt as if they didn’t need their parents’ adoring attention anymore and could be independent. They all went through it. A phase. Yes, that's what it was.

She wasn’t a terrible mother.

Mirabel would go to her if anything was wrong. What happened that day was only said because she wasn’t thinking correctly. She was only talking out of anger. She didn’t mean it.

She was fine.

Mirabel isn’t going to end up like him.

Mirabel is fine.

Everything will be okay.

Like always.

“Y-Yeah,” Agustín agreed. They didn’t neglect Mirabel. Nobody did. Yes, Mirabel had a rough childhood due to her not receiving a gift and Bruno leaving. But, they were there for her! He was there for her. He understood her. He also didn’t have a gift. As Mirabel got older, she just didn’t need him as much anymore. She got old enough to the point that she felt like relying on him was childish and wanted to be independent. They didn’t understand. They weren’t Madrigals. They didn’t know the situation that happened inside of Casita. Everything was fine. They just didn’t understand their family dynamic. Mirabel didn’t feel this way. Mirabel wasn’t the one who said this, so it was fine. “We didn’t neglect Mirabel.”

They could say it as many times as they wanted because they were so sure that it was the truth. But, It sounded strange coming out of their mouths.

Why did it sound as if they were trying to convince themselves?

They didn’t neglect Mirabel.

They were close to her.

They still are!

This was just a little tiff.

She was reacting out of anger and the Lucians took advantage of that. They wanted to cause a scene and they did.

Mirabel will be back.

None of the things the Lucians said was true.

Well…Mirabel’s quinceñera and her being gone for most of Antonio’s ceremony was the truth, but…they had an excuse for that!

Isabela let out a scoff, the anger clear in her eyes. “I did say that they were bad influences.” Who do they think they are talking to? Threatening them? They knew nothing. Of course Mirabel would go tattle and exaggerate what happened to her to some strangers.

Camilo frowned, he looked conflicted as he took in the Lucians’ words. He was annoyed they had snitched on him to Antonio, unintentionally or not. Now Antonio was upset with him and the rest of the Madrigals, excluding Mirabel. Mirabel knows that her attitude is affecting their entire family’s dynamic and she doesn’t care! Not at all! 

Why doesn’t she? Wasn’t she singing them praises a while ago? Now she supposedly hates them? They weren’t good enough? She was neglected and abused? What did she know? She was far too young to know about neglect and abuse. They were too young to know about neglect and abuse. It was clear that Mirabel was being dramatic about the entire incident.

It wasn’t that serious. It was just teasing. He hadn’t expected Mirabel to be so angry. To take their words to heart. He didn’t think that she would be so sensitive and emotional about the situation. Maybe it was because those were her first friends or something? Perhaps she felt the need to defend them against them because they made her feel loved? When in reality, it should’ve been them. It was always them. Mirabel was the one that was always defending them. Mirabel was the one that loves them. She cares about them more than the Lucians. That’s how it should be! Not the other way around!

They weren’t a bad family.

It was clearly the bitter feeling of being left out after Antonio’s ceremony. That’s why Mirabel is acting like this. She is officially the only giftless Madrigal. If he was in Mirabel’s situation, he would feel the same. Probably worse.

Alma let out a frustrated sigh, turning to her oldest. “I told you that you should’ve disciplined her more. This would have never happened. Look at her, she’s rebelling against us!”

“You’re suggesting that I had a hand in this? I don’t know why she’s doing this…she’s usually not like this. She’s just hanging out with the wrong crowd.” Julieta frowned. 

Julieta knew that Mirabel wouldn’t willingly hang out with those types of people. She’s naive. That’s it. Those people tried to convince Mirabel of something that’s not true. That’s if they hadn’t already succeeded. They probably took advantage of her during Antonio’s ceremony. They knew that Mirabel would be feeling vulnerable. Whatever they wanted with Mirabel, she wouldn’t let them go through with it. She’ll protect her youngest. Mirabel would tell them that they’re a great family then everything will go back to normal. Yes, that sounds like a nice plan.

“For a while now, it seems…”

“We aren’t a bad family.”

They weren’t.

They’re a good family.

How many people can say they have a family full of magical people? None! Does she know how many people wish they were related to a Madrigal or a Madrigal? Giftless or not! Everyone appreciated them.

“If Mirabel really wanted to be included in the family photo, she would’ve joined. It’s nobody’s fault but her own for that. Nobody told her to leave or not join in.”

Yes, that was her fault, not theirs.

“If Mirabel wanted a party or something, she would’ve said something. It’s not our fault.”

Yes, all of the other grandchildren had their parties. But, if it was really that important to her, she would’ve said something. It was clear that it wasn’t. So, that also wasn’t their fault.

It also didn’t help that Mirabel’s birthday brought back many bad memories. Nothing good happened that day. First, she didn’t get a gift then Bruno left.

It was better that Mirabel didn’t have a party.

It would only cause chaos and bring back unwanted memories.

“We won’t realize how much we love Mirabel until she’s gone? Nobody is losing her.” Alma scoffed. What does she know about losing people? They were being dramatic. “Does she think that she can easily threaten me? Us?” That’s when she felt something wet fall on her. “Oh, for Heaven's sake, Pepa, get rid of that cloud!” Alma spat out furiously.

“I can’t—I can’t calm down now after all of this, mamá!” Pepa exclaimed. “I can’t easily get rid of this!”

“Pepa is right.” Félix agreed. “If you had her gift right now, you’d be thundering, Alma.” He knew she would be. Especially with how she’s lashing out right now. How does she expect Pepa to keep her emotions in check when she can’t right now?

“That is enough.” Alma said firmly. “One of you is going to get Mirabel. I do not have the time nor patience to deal with this foolishness. I refuse to play along with these childish games.”

She could see the others glancing at each other. Probably thinking about who would go get Mirabel.

Alma just walked away, she knew they would figure it out.

Mirabel has been acting out lately. She suspected that it was the Lucians when they were first brought up, now she knows. They were influencing Mirabel terribly.

Adora’s words…

It was unnerving.

Alma didn’t like not knowing things.

She wouldn’t say it aloud or even admit it, but Adora’s words of ruining their reputation made her wary. She wouldn’t know anything if she was just a person in the Encanto.  

Mirabel had to tell her stuff.

She wondered just what Mirabel said to them and how much was said. She didn’t need strangers in their family’s business.

What is she supposed to do?

Alma knew that if Pedro was here, he would know what to do. If he was here to help, they wouldn’t be having this trouble. They all would be together and happy. Nobody would be acting out of line.

They’d be perfect.

If only.

Alma held onto her locket tightly staring at the photo of her deceased husband. “Oh, Pedro, please help me.” She pressed a light kiss on it. “How can I fix this mess? How do I stop this little rebel of our granddaughter?”

Silence.

Pure silence.

As always, Alma received silence.

Alma let out a low sigh, shaking her head. She wasn’t disappointed. She knew that Pedro was always by her side, watching her. He’d be proud of how far she had come. He’d be proud of her for doing the right thing. She is doing the right thing.

She wouldn’t lose it all over again. She couldn’t lose what they worked so hard for. Not again.

They are capable.

They are strong.

They never falter.

They are the Madrigals.

And the Madrigals stick together.

Bruno didn’t appreciate what he had or what his father had sacrificed himself for. She refused to let Mirabel go down the same path as Bruno. Even if she didn’t, she refused to let Mirabel hang out with some ruffians. Bad influences, all of them. That’s what caused Mirabel to act out. 

Mirabel was polite and respectful. Not this. 

They’ll be getting Mirabel back.

She doesn’t care what the Lucians have to say. They’re bluffing and being dramatic. 

This time, she’ll make sure that Mirabel is properly disciplined and won’t go back to them.

Chapter Text

“…So, who’s going to get her?”

The silence was broken.

“Well, I’m not going to fetch her. I’ve got important things to do.” Isabela said, who would rather be doing anything else but deal with her annoying little sister. She just didn’t really care. Not much. This was all a little hoax. A scream for attention. She’s not going to give into her antics. She had much better things to do. She knew Mirabel was going to be in trouble by their abuela when she got home anyways. When Alma told one of them to get Mirabel, she knew she wasn’t referring to her. She was too perfect to do that dirty work.

“And that is?”

Isabela let out a small huff. “Does it matter? It’s important. Abuela wouldn’t want me going to get Mirabel anyways. It’s up to the rest of you.” It was obvious that she was Alma’s favorite. She wouldn’t want to get her hands dirty. It did annoy her though. Mirabel was hanging out with a bunch of nobodies when she had them. They were better in every single aspect. She is better in every single way.

Pepa tried to wave her cloud away, before addressing her older sister. “Shouldn’t you go? I mean, she is your daughter.”

Julieta hesitated. “I…I can’t. We got into a disagreement the other day, I doubt she would listen to me. I also have to make sure that the townspeople aren’t injured.”

Luisa’s eyebrows raised at her mother’s words. It almost sounded as if she was putting the townspeople above Mirabel. That couldn’t be right.

“Luisa?”

The older Madrigal heard a squeak, which she assumed was Dolores. “Me?” Luisa wasn’t so sure if she’d be able to successfully get Mirabel. 

She hadn’t had a proper conversation with Mirabel at all.

“If she struggles or says no, you can easily grab her.”

Luisa began stammering, her eyes widening in shock. “W-what?” She didn’t really like the idea of forcing Mirabel to do something or come home. “I can’t do that.” She definitely didn’t like the idea of using her gift against anyone, especially Mirabel. That’s not what her gift is for. It isn’t supposed to cause harm. She wasn’t going to intimidate Mirabel so that she could come back to Casita. That just wasn’t her.

“That would cause a scene anyway.” 

Are they implying that they would do it if there wasn’t anyone around?

Luisa gave them an incredulous look. They really didn’t hear how wrong it sounded. How wrong it was to be talking about this. Was her family always like this? Was she always like this? When did all of them become so…arrogant? Many years ago, none of them would do this or even talk like that. They wouldn’t use their gift like that either. 

Why were they even talking about Mirabel’s friends so negatively? Did they really have that much of an ego to the point they can’t stand Mirabel hanging out with someone that’s not them?

How can they be so delusional too? They forgot Mirabel’s quinceñera, they forgot multiple things that involved Mirabel. Yet Mirabel was somehow in the wrong? They were right? The Lucians was wrong for calling them out? This…it doesn’t make any actual sense.

It was mainly Alma, Isabela, and Camilo saying terrible things about the Lucians in front of Mirabel’s face. The others just added on.

She didn’t say anything bad about the Lucians or say anything at all. She knew that’s where she went wrong. 

She didn’t say anything.

That was the problem.

Mirabel stood her ground against them for talking about the Lucians. She did it because those were her friends.

It reminded her of every time Mirabel got in trouble by their abuela or a stern talking to. Nobody defended her, Mirabel didn’t defend herself at the time either. It’s because Mirabel stopped expecting anyone to defend her. She wasn’t lenient when it came to defending the Lucians. Just like how she defended them from anyone that talked about them badly years ago. Even while knowing that they wouldn’t do the same

She also stopped talking to Mirabel. She also put her duties and gift above Mirabel. She can’t be mad at the others when she’s just like them too.

She had forgotten about Mirabel.

She hadn’t even noticed that Mirabel was missing.

She wouldn’t notice if Antonio didn’t say anything.

She really wasn’t any better than them.

Not when her relationship with Mirabel is practically nonexistent.

Their relationship was hanging on by a thread.

She was pretty sure that the others’ relationship with Mirabel was the same too.

Just…less terrible.

…That counts as something, right?

Probably not.

It wasn’t a good thing to think about.

They all had bad relationships with Mirabel, besides Antonio.

“Who’s going to go then?”

Disgust briefly flashed across Luisa’s face. This really opened hers.

They supposedly cared about Mirabel, but they didn’t care enough about Mirabel to the point they’ll want to get her? What was wrong with them? What type of logic was that? Where was their logic anyways?

This wasn’t going to end well for anyone.

If this is what it meant to be a Madrigal, she wasn’t so sure if she liked being called one.

If it meant abandoning and ruining her relationship with Mirabel even more, she wasn’t so sure if she’d like that.

She’s not the best sister, she’s not even a good sister. She can admit that.

She wants to change, but she doesn’t know how.

How can she put in the effort when she feels as if it’s already too late? Even if she does, would Mirabel even want to do anything with her?

She is the strong one.

She’s supposed to be strong. Both physically and mentally. Yet…right now, she was feeling weak. She wasn’t sure if it was her mind playing tricks on her or not, but it felt as if she was drained. As if she was to go pick something heavy up, she’d buckle under pressure.

No, no, that’s not it.

It can’t be.

She can’t falter.

If she does, she fails.

She fails the Encanto.

Everyone.

Her abuela.

But…hadn’t she already failed someone much more important than the Encanto? Someone way more important than the random townspeople that used them for their gift? Someone who is… better than her grandmother?

She couldn’t fail as the strong one.

But, she already failed as Luisa Madrigal, Mirabel’s older sister. She neglected their relationship. She strayed away from Mirabel and put more effort in being a workhorse than being a sister. She faltered when it came to defending Mirabel, to being a good sister.

That was far worse than failing the Encanto. 

Yet she couldn’t accept the consequences of failing either one.

The aftermath was horrible.

It was already horrible.

Luisa could see it now.

Mirabel practically wanted to do nothing with them. She had enough of their mistreatment. To make the situation worse, the other Madrigals are angry as if they aren’t at fault. They’re digging their own grave. 

Luisa isn’t so sure if they can get themselves out this time.

In the end, Isabela went to get Mirabel. Julieta couldn’t go because she had a line of people to heal. Agustín must’ve thought that chopping wood was far more important than his own youngest daughter. Pepa couldn’t go because she would’ve been too emotional. Félix was being her emotional support. Dolores couldn’t go because apparently it would’ve been too loud. She didn’t go because she wasn’t about to force Mirabel. Camilo was only a teenager. Isabela reluctantly agreed because she really had nothing important to do despite her words earlier. No date, nothing. She just didn’t want to get Mirabel. Her own baby sister.

What was wrong with this family?

Luisa did not trust Isabela to do things rationally and calmly when it came to Mirabel, so she went with her. She wouldn’t say it aloud, but it was obvious that their own abuela favored Isabela over her other grandchildren. She let Isabela get away with practically anything. She coddled her a bit too much. She wouldn’t be wrong if she called Isabela a spoiled brat.

She wasn’t close to Isabela at all, but she saw how señorita perfecta went out of her way to mess with Mirabel. The snide comments from Isabela when none of the adults or townspeople were around. At the very least, she would whisper it.

She was sure that Dolores was aware of Mirabel’s mistreatment from Isabela.

Yet she didn’t do anything.

She didn’t do anything either.

That was the problem with her.

She didn’t have a backbone.

Despite her strength, she couldn’t stick up for Mirabel. She couldn’t protect Mirabel.

What was the point of her gift if she couldn’t even protect her little sister? If she was weak when it came to Mirabel. She was strong to everyone else but Mirabel.

She doesn’t have anyone to blame but herself and the other Madrigals. Besides Antonio, he is the only Madrigal that Mirabel is on good terms with.

Not even their parents would protect Mirabel like parents should. 

They’re an sorry excuse of what’s supposed to be called family.

Isabela groaned. “I’m so tired of her. Always doing something for attention, leaving us gifted ones to go clean up her mess.” Her annoyance was clear on her face. She was sure that anything that involved Mirabel caused Isabela to be annoyed.

Luisa narrowed her eyes, she did not like how Isabela referred to themselves as the gifted ones. It was to really point out Mirabel not receiving a gift, which was a rough topic for anyone, especially Mirabel. Isabela was so…condescending. She doesn’t even think Isabela realizes how snobby she is.

She misses the time when things weren’t so bad.

Luisa let out a small huff. “It’s not Mirabel’s mess since she didn’t cause it.” She frowned. She didn’t understand how Isabela seriously thought it was Mirabel’s fault when it was all of theirs. “I don’t know how you count us being our sister back home as a call for attention. She didn’t do anything to you either. Not once did she interact with you besides the day you all decided to talk about her friends.”

Isabela raised one of her singular perfect eyebrows. “What? You’re agreeing with her? Did you hear the way they talked about us? Our mother? Abuela?”

Luisa sighed. “That wasn’t Mirabel that said those words, was it though? No. What you and the others said about Mirabel’s friends was wrong. That’s the truth. There are no sides in this situation.” That was a lie. A bold lie. There were obviously sides. It just happens that mostly every Madrigal wasn’t on Mirabel’s side. Madrigals against Lucians.

“Wrong in what way?”

She couldn’t be serious, right?

She knew that Isabela wasn’t one of those pretty women but dumb. Isabela is smart, she just made a lot of…bad choices. A lot of them did.

Luisa shook her head. “And that is why Mirabel left.”

“She left on her own accord and was being dramatic. That’s why she left, Luisa.” Isabela grumbled. “First, you didn’t want to go. But now you’re going because I had to go. What’s up with that? You could’ve easily gotten her yourself. You’re too soft to get. You let her get away with anything. It’s clear who your favorite sister is.”

I’m not s oft to her, it’s just you and the others that are too mean to her. Mirabel gets in trouble for anything. Every single thing she does. Even the small things. She wouldn’t be walking on eggshells in her own house in fear of messing up. Family doesn’t act the way we do.

Luisa wanted to say that, but she kept her mouth shut, as always. It’s unfair. She can’t even comprehend how Mirabel must be feeling because of this. Her guilt is stronger than her anger.

She never wanted any of this to happen.

She’s sure that the others might feel the same too.

This is the consequences of their actions and behavior.

Yet, all of them would easily bend to Alma’s rules. They’d listen to her because it’s what she wants. To make Alma happy. They’d back down at her voice. They wouldn’t dare go against her or argue with her like Mirabel did. They wouldn’t defend Mirabel either because they would also get in trouble. They’d do all that to make sure they don’t disappoint Alma and let Mirabel be the scapegoat. It’s easier to blame someone who had less expectations and no gift, right? They would rather it be her then them. It’s selfish, really. 

How could they be called adults when they all couldn’t even protect a fifteen year old? When they would let their grandmother get away with anything because they’re weak. They would rather chase away another Madrigal than let Alma be disappointed in them.

Truly, they were a bad family.

It took courage to admit that.

Mirabel should be with a family that will treat her nice and equally. Mirabel should be with a family that wouldn’t mistreat her. A family who is good for Mirabel’s health.

A family who is not them.

But they wouldn’t admit that, no, despite their treatment towards Mirabel, they wouldn’t want her to just go. 

The worst part is that they genuinely believe they’re a good family and Mirabel should be grateful. Such a deep level of denial and delusion. It’s insane.

Mirabel has every right to want to leave and not come back.

Alma had controlled all of them and had them under an iron thumb, but Mirabel had broken free. She was the one person who refused to be controlled by Alma, the one person who resisted her influence. Mirabel stayed strong and refused to back down.

Something they couldn’t do. 

Mirabel was the second youngest Madrigal yet she was braver than all of them when it came to standing up against Alma.

“…isa, are you even listening to me?”

Luisa looked at Isabela. She wasn’t listening to whatever nonsense Isabela had to say. “What?”

“So, you aren’t.”

“I was lost in my thoughts.”

“Clearly.”

Luisa couldn’t hold back her words. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Isabela looked baffled. “Excuse me?”

“Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”

“No, no, you can’t just say that then brush it off to the side.” Isabela said. “What the hell is wrong with you? You’re the one that’s been acting all moody.”

“I’m not moody, Isabela. Of course I’m upset that my little sister is gone.”

“My? It’s our little sister.” 

You sure don’t act like it.

“She’s not gone either. I’m about to get her now anyways. Just because Mirabel is having a hissy fit, doesn’t mean that you should have one.” Isabela chuckled to herself.

Luisa glared at her.  “Enough, Isabela.”

“No, you know I’m right.”

“You’re not. You just like provoking Mirabel because you know you won’t get in trouble. Just like what you’re doing now.”

“No, I do not.”

“Then what other reason do you have to bother Mirabel? She does nothing to you. You’re six years older than her, you need to act your age.”

“Ah, now I see Mirabel in you. Both of you are so stupidly sensitive.” Isabela sneered. “You two take everything so seriously and are dramatic. Just like now. Next thing you know, you’re doing the same nonsense that Mirabel is doing today. It’ll only fail miserably.”

Luisa’s eyes slightly widened, she couldn’t believe that Isabela just said that to her. She wasn’t the type of person to lose her temper so easily. “You snobby b—“

“—Luisa, the donkeys got out again!”

“What was that?” Isabela looked smug, almost causing Luisa to roll her eyes. “Go on now, you wouldn’t want to leave that house leaning, would you?”

Luisa scoffed. “Can you be any more childish?”

“Oh come on,” Isabela chuckled. “That’s your job anyways. It’s the point of your gift. It’s what you’re good for.”

Luisa turned away from her older sister. “I’ve had enough of you.”

“What?” Isabela smirked. “I’ve done nothing but tell the truth, sis.” She said in a mocking tone. “Because, Luisa, what would you do if you weren’t the strong one? You’d be useless.”

Luisa scowled at Isabela’s implications. “Shut up.”

With that, she brushed Isabela away, maybe with a little more force intended, causing Isabela to stumble backwards, almost falling.

She was really disdainful and a pretentious person when their abuela wasn’t around.

How annoying.

Isabela didn't care what Luisa thought of her after their petty conversation. She was right. 

It wasn’t her fault that both of her sisters were sensitive. If they couldn’t handle the truth then it wasn’t her problem or responsibility to sugarcoat things.

The Lucians.

She couldn’t wait to get this over with.

She had been walking around all day.

Not to mention that she has a date with Mariano tomorrow.

Mirabel cannot ruin this like she ruins everything.

She spent her entire life, she dedicated her life to being perfect.

She’s not going to play along with Mirabel’s little rebellion and let her get away with this.

She sure as hell wasn’t going to lose Mirabel to some lowlifes either.

Mirabel actually went to those types of people when she had them?

What a downgrade.

Isabela knocked on their door.

A bakery.

It really was a downgrade.

Some sweets weren’t better than their mother’s food that could heal.

The door opened.

Isabela glanced down to see a girl who seemed around Mirabel’s age. From her hazel eyes to her black sandals.

Mária smirked. “I don’t think you’re supposed to be here. Actually, I know you aren’t supposed to be here. You aren’t welcomed here at all, señorita perfecta.”

Isabela scowled at the name coming from the younger girl, before she plastered a fake smile on her face. “I only came here to retrieve my sister.”

“She’s not here.” Mária said dryly.

Isabela narrowed her eyes. “I see her in the house. I know she’s in there. Do you take me for a fool?”

Mária shrugged. “Eh, you must be hallucinating.” She chuckled. “Your words, not mine.”

Isabela shook her head, looking frustrated, failing miserably to school her expression. “I just want my sister back.”

“Your sister?”

Isabela raised her eyebrow at the new voice. “Ah, it all makes sense now. You must be the…twins.” Her voice was strained. This was the duo that Mirabel hung out with. They were already intolerable. “…Interesting.”

“I’m so glad that we’re well known enough to the point that you heard of us.” Mateo said in a sarcastic tone.

Isabela resisted the urge to scowl and put them in their place. “It’s not exactly a big town. Everyone knows each other.”

“Really?”

“Now that’s interesting.”

“You know what I heard?”

“What was it, melliza?”

“You or any of your family members didn’t even know who we were. Not our names. Only our so-called failing bakery.” Mária scowled. “None of you knew or even expected Mirabel to have friends.”

“I don’t care what either of you have to say. I don’t care about your family either. Let me talk to Mirabel.” Isabela said rather angrily. “No, she shouldn’t even be here. She’s causing a disaster back at home because of her fuss.”

“Woah, señorita perfecta, can’t control your temper? I expected better.” Mária snickered.

“Right?” Mateo grinned. “You may want to talk to Mirabel, but Mirabel sure as hell doesn’t want to speak to you. We know how you treat her.”

Isabela laughed. It was so obnoxious and fake. “And just what has she said to you two?”

Mateo had a smirk on his face. “I bet you’d love to know that information. Unfortunately, we aren’t spilling anything said to us to you. You should know your own terrible behavior and what you did wrong. You’re a grown woman. We aren’t going to explain o you how you and the Madrigals fucked up your relationship with Mirabel and how much of a bad family you are.”

“Right?”

Isabela scoffed. “Oh, you can’t be serious. Nothing is screwed. Mirabel has a tendency of exaggerating things and being dramatic. We are a good family.” She forced a smile. “Even despite Mirabel’s…lack of gift.”

“That’s rich coming from you, seeing as you’re one of the main culprits making fun of Mirabel for her lack of gift. You call bullying her is being a good sister?” Mária asked. “Your standard of being a good sister is awfully low. You’re honestly lucky that Mirabel dealt with you and your family for so long. Your family is also so lucky that Mirabel isn’t just three years older.”

“Three years older,” Isabela’s eyebrows furrowed at her words. “You’re implying that Mirabel would leave.”

“I thought I made it obvious. Don’t you realize that Mirabel is already leaving? She won’t take crap from your depressing family.” Mária could tell that Isabela was listening, but she really wasn’t listening. She wasn’t taking her seriously. She honestly didn’t care if Isabela was listening or not. In the end, it’d be her fault and loss. 

“Depressing? Why would we be depressed?” Isabela said, her patience snapping. “You know nothing about my family and it shows. We are the Madrigals.”

Mária and Mateo could see the Alma in Isabela.

Mateo really couldn’t help his laughter. “You know what I think? I think you’re a selfish, entitled princess. Someone who doesn’t have a personality besides that. Someone who has nothing better to do than pick on fifteen years old. Someone who isn’t in control of her own life. Who lets a seventy-five year old woman control her every action as if she isn’t an adult and the same goes with everyone else in that family.”

Mária also joined in on his laughter. “It’s actually hilarious. And you’re supposed to be the Encanto’s angel? The most beautiful person here? I don’t believe it for a second. You’re very ugly on the inside, Isabela Madrigal. A shame the looks don’t match the personality.”

One of Isabela’s eyes twitched. She was really getting tired with fifteen year olds, or however old these two were. Of course Mirabel’s friends were just as bad as her, if not worse. She needed to calm down. They weren’t Mirabel. She couldn’t lash out at them. Especially not in public. She had a reputation to maintain. By the looks of the twins’ face, she knew that they knew that she couldn’t do anything rash.

“How rude, just like your parents.” Isabela smiled. “No wonder you two act like that. Bad parents cause bad children. Children do tend to copy the behavior of their parents. Even their terrible behavior. I knew I shouldn’t have expected you two to be any more rational than your parents. You two are just like them.”

“Mhm, and I’m going to assume that’s not a compliment?”

Isabela rolled her eyes, holding back her tongue. She wasn’t going to play along with their games. “I just want to talk to Mirabel.”

“No.”

“No?”

And, really, Isabela isn’t going to go back to Casita without getting Mirabel.

No matter what.

Chapter Text

Isabela was angry. She’s not sure who she’s angry at though. Is she angry at her family for leaving her to get Mirabel? Is she angry at Luisa for saying the things she said earlier? Is she angry at the Lucians for talking bad about her family? Is she angry at the twins for provoking her? Is she angry at Mirabel for causing all of this?

She can’t believe it.

Isabela is infuriated because even though she wants to deny what the twins are saying, she knows that there is some underlying truth behind it. Most of their words were the truth. The fact that she feels like their words have some merit makes her even more angry. The reality of the situation is painful and uncomfortable, and she can’t change it. She is furious because they’re right. 

Mária grinned. “Aw, the princess hasn’t been told no before?” It was fun messing with Isabela. It was nice taking Isabela down a peg or two. It was the least she could do for Mirabel. And maybe a little for her sake. She had always wanted to and it was even more satisfying to do it in person.

Isabela isn't thinking rationally at all and she can tell that she's not in the right headspace right now. She can feel the anger radiating off her and building up higher and higher, stronger and stronger with each breath she takes. She can feel it simmering like an inferno inside her, and it's making her more and more aggressive and agitated.

She doesn’t like feeling like this.

“I don’t think so. That must be why she believes that she can get everything she wants. We wouldn’t be in this position if she had.” Mateo laughed aloud. Did Isabela really think that she could easily get Mirabel back after what had been done and said by her? “Seriously, Mirabel doesn’t want to see or talk to any of you Madrigals. Especially you.”

How could they say that to her?

What do they know?

They aren’t Mirabel’s family.

She is.

She is.

“Of course she doesn’t.” Isabela scowled. “It’s because your wretched family convinced her of all sorts of things that aren’t true.” 

Why are they trying so hard?

Why couldn’t they leave them be? 

They were messing things up.

They were confusing her.

Mirabel was confusing her.

The twins’ eyebrows raised. “Not true?”

“Do you seriously believe that you’re a good sister?”

No.

Yes.

How could they say that to her, Isabela Madrigal?  She doesn’t need their opinion or their thoughts.

Fine, she can admit that they weren’t the most perfect family, but that’s fine. They don’t need to be.  She doesn’t need to be a good sister. That’s okay.

It’s okay.

They’re over-complicating things.

They’re trying to get her to lash out.

She’s Isabela Madrigal.

Why are they making her feel like this?

“I’m…” Isabela’s jaw clenched. It was becoming humiliating. “I’m not going to answer that because it is none of your business. I do not care what you two believe or not. I didn’t come here to entertain you two.”

Isabela felt like her gift was beginning to spin out of control, yet nothing seemed to be happening. It was as though there was an internal buildup going on, and the energy just never manifested. It felt like a feeling of impending doom was around her and it was only a matter of time before she lost control altogether.

Isabela was anxious and uneasy about it. She isn't sure what is causing the feeling, and it could just be her mind playing tricks on her. She could feel the pressure building up inside herself, feeling like it was getting ready to explode. Maybe it was a feeling, or maybe it was reality knocking on the door.

“You came to our home though, didn’t you?”

Isabela isn’t paying attention to who said that.

“You’d think that they would send one of her parents and not you. It doesn’t matter, the result would be the same no matter who they sent. You can’t claim to be a good family when in reality you’re not.”

She’s exhausted.

“Especially you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

She feels drained for some reason.

“It’s baffling that out of all people, you think that you can say that you’re a good sister. You’re one of the Madrigals who hurts Mirabel the most. Luisa is a better sister than you. Dolores would’ve been a better sister to Mirabel than you.”

They’re egging her on.

“I don’t know what your problem with Mirabel is. She did nothing wrong to you. All she ever wanted was to make her family proud, to be close with you all. All you Madrigals ever did was push Mirabel away. Now that she's the one pushing you all away, you want her back? That’s selfish.”

And it’s working very, very well.

“And—“

She blocked their voices out.

For some strange reason, all Isabela could think about was what the Lucians had said to them earlier.

Her abuela’s voice had always been louder than the others in her head.

Disappointment.

Failure.

She couldn’t…

“What are you guys do…ing?”

“Mirabel!”

That’s when she saw Mirabel, her baby sister. Her weak, yet strong sister. Someone with a rather captivating personality. Someone that nobody could truly hate. Someone that Isabela secretly admired and had an awful way of expressing her love to her.

…Mirabel has always stood out when she’s with them, right? Not in a negative way.

Isabela feels as if she’s been possessed.

As if she’s not in control of her body.

Her gift.

Mirabel looked confused by the sight of her. “Isab—“

Isabela’s emotions were getting out of hand, and she was losing touch with reality as everything built up more and more, her anger reaching a boiling point.

Ah, they really made a fool out of her in the end, didn’t they? 

Mirabel’s eyes widened in surprise, startled from the vine that was sent her way.

It was fast.

Too fast for her eyes.

Isabela's gift was reacting out of her intense emotions, acting as a physical manifestation of them. It was bursting and overflowing with the raw and volatile anger inside her. It felt like a beast inside her, a beast that wanted to lash out and destroy anything that got in its way.

Mirabel dropped.

No, no, no—

She didn’t mean to—

She wouldn’t ever—

She hated that her gift reacted out of her emotions. She was angry, yes, but she didn’t want to hurt Mirabel! She didn’t want to hurt anyone.

Isabela quickly retracted the vine as quickly as it struck at her sister.

Everyone was quiet.

They were in shock.  

Mirabel's cheek was dripping with blood, just barely avoiding the vine that could've spelled death for her if it directly hit her. She felt her breath quickened as the adrenaline started to pump through her veins.  The realization of the proximity of death put a lump in her throat and fear in her gut.

…Did Isabela really…?

The cold sisters made eye contact.

Isabela and Mirabel were, at one point, close—as close as sisters could be. They hung out all the time together and did all sorts of things, and they were really like sisters. But, that was in the beginning, many years ago.

Isabela loves Mirabel very much and only wanted the best for her. She hated seeing her baby sister hurt or suffering. She always wanted Mirabel to be happy and healthy. She would do anything to protect Mirabel from harm.

Yes, Isabela helped Mirabel take her first steps as a baby just learning to walk. Mirabel would follow behind her and try to copy her steps as a way to learn and practice. And she, Isabela, would lead her along with one hand holding her hand gently, and her other hand made flowers. Mirabel was always willing to learn and explore with Isabela. Mirabel was fixated on Isabela's flowers, following them with her gaze and following her every movement. She was fascinated by the flowers and wanted to see more of them. She was enchanted and mesmerized by the sheer beauty they brought into her eyes.

It seemed impossible, but there was a time where no relationships were strained. Where all of them were close and happy. 

Their gifts were still prioritized over everything else, but they were happy. They didn’t expect anything to go wrong.

Mirabel not getting a gift and Bruno leaving.

It’s not like Isabela instantly stopped hanging out with Mirabel and became the person she is today! She was only eleven at the time and didn’t know any better. She was only worried about her little sister. As much as she wanted to comfort little Mirabel, she was dragged into another direction, the opposite of Mirabel’s.

Wasn’t it always like that?

She was the golden child and Mirabel was the black sheep.

She was better than Mirabel in every aspect, wasn’t she?

And…this is something she shouldn’t be thinking. She should only be thinking positive things about Mirabel, not this. She shouldn’t be comparing herself to Mirabel.

Mirabel only got in the way.

She didn’t mean that. She wished that she wasn’t so caught up in being the golden child. She wished she could turn back time and redo everything.

She loves Mirabel.

Only a fool wouldn’t.

Mirabel didn’t bring anything to the table besides disappointment.

Mirabel was creative in so many ways. She brought so much to the table. She had so much to show. It’s a shame that they had crushed her confidence. They should pay more attention to Mirabel, to treasure her.

Don’t lose her.

“No…”

It’s already too late though, isn’t it?

They’re too late.

They went too far.

“I’m sorry…I…”

She said she would always protect Mirabel, to protect her from harm. That was her duty as Mirabel’s oldest sister, wasn’t it? To protect her younger siblings. It shouldn’t be hard, right? They are the Madrigals. Mirabel is the second-youngest. She’s one of the most vulnerable Madrigals. The Encanto is full of decent people.

Isabela would make sure that no stupid boy wouldn’t take advantage of Mirabel. She would make sure that Mirabel wouldn’t get seriously hurt because she’s awfully clumsy.

It should’ve been an easy task. It was clear that it was easier said than done. She was struggling. She was struggling so badly to protect Mirabel. No, she’s not even sure if she could call the present her protecting Mirabel at all. 

What was going through her head?

What’s wrong with her?

Why was she like this?

Was she crying?

“What…what have you done?”

It’s pitiful.

She’s the most pitiful Madrigal and she doesn’t even know it yet. She can’t acknowledge it. She can’t disappoint her abuela. Just like the rest of the Madrigals.

She’s twenty-one.

You’d think she would have more control over her own life.

You’d think that she’d be independent and have a real personality.

Isabela Madrigal.

The most beautiful woman in the Encanto.

The most perfect woman in the Encanto.

She is all of that.

Señorita perfecta on the surface.

They didn’t know her true personality.

And, really, the twins were right about her.

Her looks didn’t match her personality.

Especially towards Mirabel.

“I wasn’t…I wasn’t—“

Isabela never really meant to lose her true self. She has always adored Mirabel. She never really meant to stop being an older sister in the process. She never really meant anything.

But she only has herself to blame, doesn’t she? She can’t blame her abuela for everything. Her grandmother didn’t tell her to treat Mirabel badly. Yes, she wanted her to avoid Mirabel, but not bully her. Hopefully. She never told her to go out of her way and make snide comments about Mirabel. She never told her to attack her, even though it was an accident.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?”

Isabela just didn’t think that she would ever have to protect Mirabel from herself.

And, honestly?

Isabela feels that she had been replaced—the sister that she used to be was gone the moment she started listening to their grandmother and drifted away from Mirabel. She was no longer the same person that she used to be, she can now see that. She is a completely different person.

She knew that her past self would be disappointed in the woman that she had become. 

“I didn’t mean to…”

Isabela began to open her mouth to make up some excuse before she closed it. There is no excuse. She can’t fully comprehend what she has done, but she’s horrified. She crossed a line and she isn’t sure that she can turn back, and the relationship with her youngest sister is ruined forever. She has gone too far. The damage has already been done. She can feel all of their eyes on her.

Isabela does what she does best. Something that she was always taught to do by her abuela. Something that she has been doing for most of her life when faced with a complicated situation. A survival mechanism that she had relied heavily on throughout her life. She retreats back into the safety of the shell of her former self and waits for her grandmother to tell her what to do next.

She can’t get Mirabel’s expression out of her mind. The situation replayed in her head every single second. If Mirabel didn’t dodge her vine, she—she…Isabela didn’t want to think of that outcome. She didn’t think that her gift would react out of her intense emotions. She didn’t want to hurt Mirabel. Never. Not physically or emotionally. She just had a terrible habit of screwing things up just to please her abuela.

As much as their gifts are a blessing, their gifts are just as dangerous. 

She can see that.

In the end, she didn’t bring Mirabel back to Casita.

Isabela knew that it wouldn’t take long for the news to spread to her family.

She could only wait for what’ll happen next.

It wasn't anything good either.

She bitterly chuckled to herself.

She really fucked up this time, didn’t she?

Chapter Text

Mirabel stood shock-still, clutching her face. She didn’t think Isabela would outright attack her at the sight of her but she also didn’t think that Isabela did that on purpose.

Mirabel slowly withdrew her hand from her face, her eyes fixated on the crimson liquid now staining her skin. Shock and disbelief washed over her as the realization sunk in. The severity of the situation became all too apparent as she stared at the blood coating her palm, the sight causing her breath to hitch.

Mária and Mateo stood motionless, their faces etched with horror as they witnessed the unfolding scene. Their gazes locked onto Mirabel, taking in the sight of the blood and the obvious pain etched across her face. It seemed that they, too, were stunned into momentary stillness, their minds attempting to process the unexpected turn of events.

“Y-you know, I…am not a huge fan of b-blood.” With a shaky breath, Mirabel slowly eased herself down, sinking onto the floor. Or maybe her legs gave out. She wasn’t sure. It was becoming evident that the sight of blood was taking a greater toll on her than the physical pain itself. Her face paled, and her stomach churned, as the dizzying effect intensified. She felt as if the room was swaying softly, the world around her becoming somewhat hazy.

Mateo's voice pierced the air, his yell cutting through the tension. “Mamá!” The desperate cry from Mateo echoed through the air.

That’s when the adults that witnessed the incident began to act, rushing to help the injured Madrigal. Their faces were a mixture of concern and urgency as they tended to her.

“We need water and clean cloths.” One of the adults ordered, their voice steady and firm. Another adult quickly responded, hurrying off to fetch the necessary supplies, while the rest of the adults tried to gently coax Mirabel into a more comfortable position.

Meanwhile, a few of the other adults turned their attention to the twins, who were visibly distraught by the situation.

“Cálmate, tranquilos. Todo va a estar bien.”

Despite her weakened and disoriented state, Mirabel seemed to involuntarily attempt to stand up, her movements sluggish and uncoordinated. Her actions had betrayed her confusion. She was evidently not fully cognizant of what she was doing, as if acting on instinct rather than clear thought. The adults surrounding her exchanged knowing looks, realizing that her actions were likely a result of her semi-conscious condition.

“…Mirabel?”

Señora Vázquez quickly approached her. “Vamos, cariño, siéntate. Let’s get you situated.” She gently pulled Mirabel up, guiding her onto a nearby sofa, ensuring that she was comfortable.

She retrieved a soft blanket from a nearby chair and gently draped it over Mirabel's legs, tucking it snugly around her. As she worked, the other adults in the room kept a watchful eye on Mirabel, their expressions a mix of worry and concern.

The door to the room opened once more, and Señora Alarcón entered. She approached the sofa where Mirabel lay, her eyes drifting over the young brunette's face. “How is she?” She asked quietly.

Mirabel’s eyes flickered open for a brief moment, but they remained unfocused, and her gaze darted around aimlessly.

“…She’s pretty delirious and disoriented. No doubt in pain.”

“That’s not good at all.”

“You think?”

“This is going to hurt a bit.” Señora Alarcón gently applied a clean cloth to Mirabel's laceration. She applied a steady pressure, her expression taut with concern. The tender touch drew a wince of pain from her. “Lo siento, lo sé, sé que duele. Te sentirás mejor pronto.” Soft murmurs escaped the older woman's lips. “Ay, Dios mío…It’s hard to believe her own sister would cause harm like this…but to see it…pobre chica.”

Mirabel, her voice strained and her eyes tightly shut, managed to utter a brief response as the sharp pain coursed through her. “I-It…was an accident. I-Isabela didn't mean to…hurt me like this.”

Señora Alarcón listened to Mirabel's feeble defense of Isabela, a hint of skepticism lacing her expression. She continued to carefully attend to Mirabel's injury, gently cleaning the area around the wound before responding. She honestly couldn’t believe that Mirabel was defending her.

Instead of Señora Alarcón replying, Señor Muñoz spoke. “Accident or not, it doesn't change the fact that she inflicted terrible harm upon you. It's understandable that you're protecting her, but it doesn't erase the pain she caused you. It won’t erase the scar that she’s leaving you with.”

Señora Alarcón sighed, her eyes lingering on Mirabel's dazed expression, observing the effects of her state. “You know, she's partially out of it. I have a feeling she's only comprehending half of what you're saying. Maybe even less. But you're right.”

As Mirabel attempted to force a smile, her face betraying her increasing discomfort, she let out another soft grunt. “I...I don't feel well.” She admitted, her voice faltering. “I think...I might, uhm, faint.” Mirabel’s words slurring was becoming more evident.

“Go ahead and close your eyes, mariposa. Rest now. Everything will be alright.” Señora Alarcón said reassuringly, trying to keep Mirabel steady. Despite Mirabel being sat down, her body was still swaying.

Señora Vázquez joined her efforts, supporting Mirabel's head with a steady yet tender touch. She ensured that the young woman's head was properly cushioned, providing as much comfort as possible during this vulnerable moment. “Just take it easy, Mirabel.”

Mirabel attempted to utter something, but her words were unintelligible. The sounds that escaped her lips were a jumble of garbled syllables, lacking any clear coherence.

“Huh?”

“N-no, wait-“ Mária began to stammer as Señor Perlaza held her hand.

“Sleep, mija.”

Mirabel nodded.

In reality, her head only shifted slightly from one side to the other. The movement was subtle and barely perceptible.

Señor Perlaza spoke reassuringly to Mária, attempting to offer a slight smile to ease her worries. “It's alright,” He assured her soothingly. “It might be for the best if she loses consciousness right now. The injury itself isn't life-threatening, but we want to avoid her enduring unnecessary pain.” He paused for a moment, his expression solemn yet calm. “She will need stitches, regardless of Julieta's miraculous healing. Unfortunately, it will undoubtedly leave a scar.”

“W-what?!” The thought of Mirabel being scarred sent Mária reeling. Mirabel would be left with a permanent mark of what happened.

Señor Perlaza just nodded.

Mirabel’s eyelids began to flutter, slowly surrendering to the weight of exhaustion. Within a few moments, her breathing grew shallower and her body visibly relaxed.

“Perhaps someone should take the twins to their parents,” Señor Quiroz proposed, his tone serious and matter-of-fact. “It's not wise to leave them here in this situation. They definitely need their parents right now.”

One of the adults in the room spoke up. “You're right. We shouldn't leave the twins here alone with us.” The others nodded in agreement, aware that the children’s safety and emotional well-being were paramount.

Taking the lead, Señor Jaimes approached the twins, his voice kind and gentle. “Come on, niños. Let's take you to your mamá and papá. I’m sure they’re worried about you.”

“W-wait…” Mateo spoke up, his voice filled with worry. “What about Mirabel?”

“Yeah, is she going to be o-okay?” Mária asked, her expression mirroring her brother's concern.

“Mirabel will be alright. She will likely have to be stitched up, but she will recover. Mirabel is a strong girl, both in spirit and resilience. She’s in good hands.”

The twins nodded silently, their movements heavy with resignation. They cast one last glance back at the adults and Mirabel they were leaving behind before dutifully following Señor Jaimes' lead, their steps slow and hesitant.

“Such a shame,” Someone murmured to themselves, their voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and resignation. “Mirabel has such a beautiful face. It's a shame that it could be marred by a scar.”

“A scar won't change her beauty. Appearance isn't everything. It wasn't Mirabel's fault that this happened to her. She doesn't deserve this.”

“I understand that scars aren’t the end of the world. But it's so unfair that she has to live with one now. She doesn't deserve this. It's so unfair, especially because…” Their sentence trailed off, their words hanging in the air.

A third voice entered the conversation, Señora Velez tone tinged with irritation. “Do you have nothing better to do than discuss the appearance of a fifteen-year-old girl?” She challenged, her words laced with a hint of disbelief. “There are others in the Encanto with scars and missing limbs. What about them?”

Señora Duran paused before adding with a hint of sarcasm, “Oh, right. The elderly.”

“What?”

Señor Trujillo's voice rang out firmly, his irritation clearly evident as he pointed his finger toward the door. “Out! All three of you!”

The three individuals involved in the disagreement were caught off guard by his outburst, their earlier argument cut short by his authoritative tone.

“Take your arguing away from here!” He reiterated, emphasizing the need for peace in the room.

With sheepish expressions, they begrudgingly heeded his command and moved toward the door.

“Gracias a Dios…”

Señor Trujillo’s patience was running thin, his hands flinging up into the air. “I don’t know why they thought it would be a good idea to comment about this young girl’s appearance when she’s right here and it’s none of their business!”

“Maybe…you should also go? You know, to cool yourself off.”

“Yeah…”

“Great idea.” Was all that Señor Trujillo said as he walked out.

“…I wish we had some sort of ointment to numb it for now or at least stop the bleeding.” Señora Alarcón said softly, now using a gauze bandage to clean up the wound better. “I guess we’ll just have to leave it to the doctor. Fortunately it isn’t anything that’ll take her life.”

“I just wish it didn’t have to come to this.”

“Don’t we all?”

“You’d think that her mother would be here faster.” Señora Mendez mumbled to herself. “Who knows what goes in that house where there’s no eyes around.”

The people around her looked at her in shock.

“What?”

Señora Mendez shrugged. “Her sister just hurt her to the point she needs stitches right now and she just left. Is that not alarming? Not to mention what happened earlier today. She’s practically living with the Lucians now. Aren’t you curious? It would be rather…easy to hide something like that with their gifts and status.”

“Woah, woah, woah-“

“Maybe that’s a little bit of a stretch-“

“She does have a point. Aren’t the Madrigals a bit…suspicious?”

“In what way?”

“Despite what’s happening, none of them has anything to say about the situation. Sure, it’s a family issue. Everyone could tell that Mirabel isn’t close to any of the Madrigals but Antonio. She is defenseless against them. It’s like throwing a sheep into a lion's den!”

Señor Perlaza let out a huff. He wants to laugh at her exaggeration. Fortunately he doesn’t. It wouldn’t be an appropriate response. “Now that’s absurd although I am worried about her.” He also wants to add that he’s worried for her, but kept it to himself.

“Yeah?”

Señor Perlaza’s eyebrows lifted higher. “Why wouldn’t I?” He doesn’t know Mirabel personally and he’s pretty sure that everyone else in the room apart from the twins knew Mirabel personally. They knew of Mirabel and had interacted with her. But they didn’t know her. You don’t have to know a person to be worried about them. That’s his situation with Mirabel and he knows it’s the same for the others.

“Hold on…what you’re saying is that you think Mirabel is getting abused by the Madrigals?” Señora Vázquez ends up asking, realizing the meaning of Señora Mendez’s words. “That’s a serious accusation.”

Señora Mendez's response was a nonchalant shrug. “It is and the evidence backs up my words.”

“What evidence?

There was a silent pause, a tension settling in the room as they exchanged uncertain glances.

Señora Alarcón's voice broke the silence. “I do agree that there is something somewhat distant and peculiar about Mirabel's relationship with the Madrigals.” She stated, her words filled with quiet contemplation. “Her interactions with them often seem strange and detached, don’t you think?”

“Right,”

“Their dynamics have always seemed…off.”

“Not to mention that Isabela and Luisa were together before Isabela took over and did…this. It’s clear that Isabela was trying to get Mirabel back and I doubt she did it on her own accord. Either her parents or Doña Alma likely influenced her, pushing her to bring Mirabel back.”

“It’s not like either Mirabel or the Madrigals would admit to the truth or not. We don’t even know what the truth is. What can we even do against the Madrigals if it turns out they are abusive? Their gifts are a huge problem. We already saw what happened to Mirabel and she’s the second youngest. If they did that to their own family, what would they do to strangers?”

“I…am really hoping that you’re not suggesting that we simply ignore what’s right in front of our faces. It seems to me the Madrigals value us, the community, higher than Mirabel. There are occurrences where the Madrigals accidentally cause harm with their gifts…but they wouldn’t. We can’t ignore this. It’s a serious matter.”

“I’m not saying that we should, but what could we even do-“

“We can protect her from harm instead of taking her back to the place where she gets hurt!”

“We’re strangers!”

“If you were in her position, you would hope that someone would help you out too! You don’t need to know a person to help them. It’s something that anyone with decorum would do!”

“I-“

“Can you all please calm down and lower your voices?”

“The Madrigals aren’t perfect. Perfection is only an illusion. For all we know, they could be putting on a damn good mask to fool us from their misdeeds.”

Señor Muñoz's scoff echoed through the room, his voice filled with mild irritation and disbelief. “You all must realize that you sound like gossiping teenagers.” His words were laced with a touch of sarcasm. “Mirabel may be unconscious, but right now isn’t the time to say this. Have some decency.”

“…Let’s just take Mirabel to health care. It is clear that her mother isn’t arriving anytime soon.”

“Ay…this is just a disaster in the making.”

Isabela wasn’t sure what consequences she would face for harming Mirabel like that. The guilt and fear clawed at her insides, filling her with unease. Every passing second felt like a ticking countdown.

And the fact that she did it in public was even more terrifying. She wasn’t a monster. She didn’t mean to hurt Mirabel. But how could she leave her? Without even asking if she was alright. She was a horrible sister.

How could she do that?

“What did you do?” Dolores hissed out causing Isabela to flinch. She seemed more alarmed than angry.

Isabela knew that Dolores would be one of the first Madrigals aware of what she did. It didn’t make her feel any better. In fact, it made her feel terrified. “I-it was an accident, I swear. I would never-“

“But you did.” Dolores heard everything. From Luisa and Isabela’s bickering to Isabela arguing with the twins then silence. She couldn’t focus on what was happening at the moment, but she did pick up on their spiked heart rate. She didn’t know what happened at first until the whispering started. Isabela had hurt Mirabel with her gift and fled while murmuring an apology.

“Oh god…I could’ve killed her.” Isabela muttered to herself, her eyes still widened in shock. “I could’ve killed my own little sister. What’s wrong with me?”

That’s what Dolores would like to know too. She was all too aware of Isabela’s personality and how she snaps at Mirabel and the others that aren't the Madrigals’ adults. It just never registered to her that their gifts could be so dangerous. Nearly all of their gifts could kill. Especially against someone so defenseless.

“Why did you leave her?” Her gaze was fixed on her older cousin.

Isabela's shoulders sagged as she contemplated the question. Her expression filled with guilt and sorrow. “Because…I couldn't look at her.” Isabela admitted in a low voice. “I couldn't bear to see her hurt and in pain because of me. I know it sounds cowardly and selfish, but I just couldn't do it. I felt so ashamed of myself for losing control and hurting her.”

Dolores’ expression hardened, her jaw set in a firm line. “You left her.” She repeated firmly, her words heavy with disapproval. "You left her there, hurt and bleeding, all because you couldn't look at what you had done. That is cowardice.”

Isabela, her lips trembling with mounting anger, snapped back at Dolores with a venomous tone. “I am not the only coward in this family.” Isabela retorted, her eyes narrowing at Dolores. “You know what has happened to Mirabel, yet you chose to ignore it. You are a hypocrite, Dolores!”

Dolores' eyes flashed with anger as Isabela retorted, her accusations stung like a whip. “Don't you dare try to deflect the blame onto me. Yes, I've heard what happened, but you're the one who let this happen! You caused this, Isabela. Don't you dare shift the blame onto me!”

“You stand there, pretending to be all innocent and perfect, but you're just as guilty as I am.”

“This situation is not about me!”

“What good is your hearing if you don’t do anything about it?”

Dolores stepped closer to Isabela. “Silence implies compliance, Isabela. By staying quiet, I implicitly allowed the mistreatment to continue. But at least I didn't physically harm Mirabel like you did.”

Isabela's face flushed with anger, her chest heaving with every breath. Her hands clenched into fists as she glowered at Dolores. She knew Dolores’ words were true. She didn’t like losing. “Which is worse, physical pain or emotional torment?”

Dolores laughed in disbelief. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. You can’t even take accountability for your actions.” She hissed.

“That’s something that runs in our family, isn’t it? Nobody knows how to take accountability.”

“And you think you’re a saint? You don’t get to judge me when you have done both. Both are bad and it’s unbelievable that you’re saying this to me. You are a horrible person. Always standing proud and righteous. You can never admit you’re wrong, Señorita Perfecta.”

Isabela scoffed. “Spare me the moral high ground speech.”

“You think you're so perfect, so virtuous, don't you? You're high and mighty too, always acting like you know better, like you're above everyone else. Well, newsflash, you're just as flawed as I am. You refuse to listen and that’s how you got into that situation.”

Isabela's eyes widened momentarily at Dolores' jab. “I do not…”

“You do. But hey, at least I've never physically scarred my sister. Can you say the same, Isabela?”

“Fuck you, Dolores.”

“Yeah, I’m sure the feeling is mutual.”

Isabela's fingers fidgeted, her body tense as she struggled to hold back the surge of emotions welling up inside her. Her focus was on containing the anger and guilt that threatened to consume her, knowing that any slip could have dire consequences.

Mercifully, Dolores stayed silent instead of escalating the situation.

That’s when the front door of Casita opened.

“Just what am I hearing?” The question was directed towards Isabela, who froze. “Are their words true, mi flor?”

The moment Alma walked through the front door, Isabela's blood ran cold. Her face paled as she heard the stern question directed at her. “I, uhm…” Isabela stuttered, her words failing her momentarily under Alma's gaze. The room seemed to shrink under the weight of the matriarch's presence. With a deep breath, she managed to speak, her voice quivering. “Yes, they're true, abuela.”

Chapter Text

“I-it was an accident, I swear, abuela. I just…lost control of my gift. I was just so, so angry. I never meant to hurt Mirabel.” There’s tears streaming down Isabela’s face, gasping. “I wouldn’t—I didn’t mean to hurt her. I’m sorry! Please, believe me.”

Alma’s eyes narrowed slightly, sighing. “…How bad was Mirabel’s injury?”

“Abuela,” Isabela managed to say, her own hands trembling with regret. “I don’t know. I…don’t know. I didn’t l-look, I just…just walked away. I’m sorry! I-if she didn’t move in time, s-she would’ve died!”

Alma went silent for a moment, frowning. She wasn’t fully aware of the extent of Mirabel's injury. All she knows is that Mirabel is unconscious and she was hit in the face with Isabela’s vines. Her heart clenched at the possibility of Mirabel dying. She never wants that to happen. Yes, they don’t see eye to eye…but her youngest granddaughter dying? She doesn’t want that to happen.

She never believed in her family using their gifts for harm for whatever reason. She is aware of how dangerous her family’s gifts could be if they didn’t have control over them. When someone is harmed by their gifts, it has always been an accident. Her family isn’t cruel. They use their gifts for good, to help the community.

Nobody has ever been seriously injured by her family.

She believes Isabela’s words. She doesn’t believe that Isabela would ever try to hurt Mirabel with her gift on purpose. Mirabel is half Isabela’s size, she’s defenseless, and giftless.

“Isabela, you’re a Madrigal. You should have never lost control of your emotions and your gift like that. When I said that one of you is going to get Mirabel, I didn’t expect you to go, nor was I referring to you. You should’ve known better.” Alma's gaze pierced through Isabela, her disappointment evident in every word and gesture. It was the first time her displeasure was directed explicitly towards her. “I can’t believe this. Not only are the Lucians affecting Mirabel, but they’re also affecting the entire family.”

Isabela's head hung low, her voice laced with remorse. “I’m sorry…”

Alma’s attention shifted to her second oldest granddaughter, Dolores. “Dolores, how is Mirabel? Where is she?”

Dolores hesitated for a moment before relaying the information, her voice tinged with discomfort. “A-ah, well...Mirabel is still currently unconscious. They said that she's going to need stitches for her face. She's also in healthcare.” Dolores winced as she continued, struggling to deliver the next part of her report. “There are people now…speculating that we abuse Mirabel. Physically and mentally.”

“What?” Alma had heard many rumors about her family in the past, but few had truly alarmed her. But this allegation was different. Even when rumors floated around about her son, no one had ever suggested something so serious. “Who?”

“A lot of…people now. The rumors are spreading like wildfire, and I don’t know who started them. Some…” Dolores paused, her eyes shifting as she chose her words carefully. “Some might be afraid if they speak about the false truth then we’ll use our gifts against them. A decent amount of people don’t believe that we would do such things though.”

“This is truly unbelievable,” Alma began, shaking her head in disbelief. “After everything we've been through as a family, after everything we’ve done for them, it's hard to believe that rumors could still persist and cause such issues.” She paused for a moment, collecting herself, then continued, her voice firm and authoritative. “We cannot allow these rumors to continue any longer. It's not just about us as a family anymore, the entire community will be affected.”

Dolores picked up the sound of Casita's cracking, the familiar, grating sound of a pencil repeatedly snapping or the sound of chalk against a board. “How?”

“First,” Alma's expression was stern as she looked at Isabela, her gaze unwavering. “You will apologize to Mirabel, privately or publicly, I don't care which. We are Madrigals, and we do not use our gifts for harm, especially against someone as vulnerable as she is.” Alma's eyes lingered on the portrait of Pedro before she continued. “And soon, preferably later this week, you will need to make a public statement. People will be wary of you, and it is crucial that we address this issue immediately. Do you understand?”

Isabela's shoulders sagged, and she sheepishly nodded in agreement. She knew she had messed up, and the shame in her eyes was evident.

“Yes, abuela,”

“Good,” Alma nodded, satisfied with Isabela's response, but the tone in her voice remained firm.

“…Am I in trouble?”

“We will figure things out. We are family, and we will work through this together.”

Dolores squeaked.

Alma’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “What is it?”

“The others are making their way home now.”

“They’ve heard?”

“It would be impossible for them not to have heard.”

“Everyone?”

“Yes,”

“Very well. It is expected.”

Isabela was nervous.

She knew that her actions had crossed a line, and the reactions of her abuela and Dolores had only confirmed her fears.

This time, her usually flawless reputation as the golden child of the family couldn't shield her from the consequences of her actions. The weight of her mistakes hung heavily on her conscience.

That’s Agustín stormed into Casita, his face flushed with anger and frustration. “It's ridiculous! Absolutely insane! They wouldn't even let us in to see my own daughter! I am her father, for crying out loud! We have every right to be by her side and know how badly she's hurt. It's a family matter, and I won't stand for being kept at bay like this!”

Agustín stopped short as he noticed the trio staring at him in surprise.

Félix stood behind his brother-in-law. He was no stranger to Agustín's temper, having witnessed it many times before.

Agustín's anger softened as he laid eyes on Isabela, replaced by a wave of disappointment. Félix mirrored his expression, his disappointment evident.

Isabela's heart sank even further at the disappointment in their gazes. It was far worse than anger.

“Are their words true?”

Isabela resignedly nodded. “Yes, papá…”

Agustín let out a weary sigh as Félix winced.

“Why?”

Disbelief was etched on Isabela’s face. “W-why?”

“Why would you hurt your little sister?”

Isabela's eyes widened, and her words rushed out in a defensive tone. “It was an accident!” She protested, her voice barely above a whisper. “I wasn't trying to hurt her or even use my gift. I was angry, but I wasn't trying to harm her. I just wanted her back home.”

“And you left her after you hurt her. That’s not something you do after an accident, Isabela. Your mother and I didn’t raise you like this.”

“I…”

Alma's sharp hiss pierced through the room, her eyes narrowed in disapproval. “Agustín!”

Dolores swiftly took her cue and hurriedly slipped out of the room.

Agustín took a deep breath before addressing Isabela. “Your mother and I need to have a serious chat with you. And...there will be consequences.” He paused, his expression grave. “We'll talk more about this later. For now, go to your room and reflect on your actions.”

Isabela nodded weakly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Okay…” She managed to utter, her eyes downcast. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the room.

“There was no reason to send her to her room. I had already discussed this with her. It won’t happen again.” There was clear disapproval in her voice.

Agustin’s anger flared.

“I think it's important for Isabela to have some time alone to think about what she's done. And how are you so sure it won't happen again? Besides, this isn’t the first time a gift has, unfortunately, caused harm to someone. Specifically a family member.”

Agustin's jaw tensed as Félix spoke, but he held his tongue, knowing an argument was imminent.

“I understand your concerns, Félix,” Alma replied, her eyes flickering between the two men. “But I spoke to Isabela, and I have faith that this incident was merely a mistake. Rest assured, she has been given a firm talk, and I don't believe she will repeat this behavior again. There is no need for a punishment.”

That caused Agustín to snap. “Suegra, I will not stand for this. You may have opinions, but this is not your decision to make. Julieta and I are her parents, and it is up to us to determine the appropriate discipline for our daughter. That is final!”

“I'm the matriarch of this family! My guidance and wisdom have shaped the Encanto and protected this family for generations! You cannot disregard my input”

Agustin stood his ground, his expression unflinching. “This is about disciplining our daughter, not the governance of the Encanto. As her parents, Julieta and I get to decide what is best for Isabela. That’s all.”

Agitated, Agustín did not wait for Alma to respond further before he turned and stormed out of the room. Félix quickly followed him after him.

As Augustin left the room, the sound of his footsteps echoed, and Félix's hushed voice could be heard trying to calm him down.

Alma's eyes widened as she noticed the cracks appearing and disappearing throughout Casita, her confusion growing.

“Why now?” Alma muttered under her breath, her thoughts racing. “Why is my Pedro’s gift weakening at this particular moment? How does Isabela's actions fit into all of this?”

Pepa and Camilo entered the house, Pepa flailing her arms in an attempt to disperse the cloud forming above her.

“It’s a total fiasco out there!”

Camilo followed closely behind her, whispering something to her, to which she replied, “Ay, lo sé, lo sé, mijo…”

Both Pepa and Camilo were completely drenched from the rain pouring down from the cloud above Pepa. The droplets cascaded over them, leaving them soaked from head to toe.

Occasional thunder rumbled faintly, adding to the damp atmosphere.

“Mamí, it’ll be okay,” Camilo was trying to shake some water off of his ruana.

Alma's frown deepened as she observed Pepa and Camilo's drenched appearance, particularly focusing on Pepa's uncontrollable gift. Everyone knew that Pepa struggled to control her gift, and it often caused disruptions.

Alma's lips parted, ready to reprimand Pepa, but the words were halted by the sight of them hurrying off.

The scolding would have to wait.

That left three Madrigals outside, excluding Mirabel.

Soon after, Luisa entered Casita with Antonio resting on her strong bicep. She used her arm to shield him from the rain, keeping him dry under her protection. Antonio clung to her arm, grateful for the cover she provided, while Luisa stoically ignored the rain pelting her bare legs.

“We definitely need to dry off,” Luisa murmured, her mind seemingly preoccupied with concerns beyond the rain. She looked more focused on a different issue—or perhaps to be more accurate, a particular individual.

Luisa's thoughts lingered on the fact that as soon as she left Mirabel and Isabela alone, Isabela ended up harming her younger sister. It was evident that it had been a mistake to leave them unaccompanied.

She wondered if what had happened could’ve been prevented if she had stayed.

She shook her head and walked off, not noticing Alma.

Julieta arrived moments later.

Her usually calm demeanor was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a look of both anger and concern.

She scanned the surroundings with a stern expression, her eyes finally fixing on Alma.

“Where is Isabela?”

“You’re the last one to arrive,” Alma began, avoiding the question about Isabela’s whereabouts. “There’s no need to worry. I had already spoken to her, Agustín did as well. She accidentally lost control of her gift. These things happen sometimes, you know. Everything will work out in the future. There's no need to escalate this matter further.”

“She lost control—“ Julieta said, almost incredulously, her eyes wide. “Does it even matter, mamá? Mirabel is the one hurt in the end! We fucked up, and we fucked up badly. And it shouldn’t be Mirabel paying the price for it!”

Alma was taken aback by Julieta’s choice of words, gasping in shock “Julieta, mind your language!”

“Isabela lost control of her gift,” Julieta said with a hiss. “She was unable to control her emotions, and let them get to the best of her. She shouldn't have gone in the first place. This situation has gone too far. I love both of my daughters, but Isabela’s actions are inexcusable.” Her tone turned fierce as she continued, “And don't even get me started on your habit of coddling Isabela. She won't go unpunished for this incident, I can assure you of that.”

“Julieta—“

“When Pepa accidentally struck someone with her lightning, she was reprimanded. When a disgruntled villager reacted poorly to one of Bruno's visions, he faced consequences, too!” Julieta’s tone sharpened as her frustration with the situation grew. “Isabela should be no different! She cannot continue harming others with no consequences, especially Mirabel, who she seems to think can get away with it due to your leniency, mamá!”

“Do you truly believe that Isabela would do something so despicable on purpose?”

“It doesn't matter what either of us thinks. Before this, I never expected Isabela to use her gift on Mirabel, whether intentionally or accidentally. This whole situation was completely avoidable.”

“Yes, however, Isabela didn’t mean to harm Mirabel.”

“It doesn't matter what Isabela's intentions were. Whatever she had in mind, it was nothing good. I also know my daughters well enough, and I won't pretend not to see the tension between them. I'm not blind.”

“If you had known they didn’t get along, then someone else should’ve been chosen to go!”

“We shouldn’t have sent anyone at all! I admit, we were—we are wrong! You should realize that too! We forgot her quinceñera and didn't notice Mirabel was missing from Antonio's ceremony, not even including her in the photo! It was our fault for not noticing she was gone, not hers! No one should have been talking about Mirabel’s friends and their family in such a way,” Julieta declared, angrily glaring at her mother. “I’m done, mamá. This isn't some childish game or Mirabel throwing a tantrum. Mirabel’s feelings are valid, and we’ve failed her as a family. I’m the first to admit that we are a horrible family. Our treatment towards Mirabel is unacceptable.”

Alma bristled as Julieta's words echoed the accusations of the Lucians, the outsiders who had no idea about the true nature of the Madrigals.

“Enough, Julieta. You sound like those Lucians,” Alma retorted, her voice filled with anger and disbelief. “As if we neglect Mirabel! We've provided her with everything she needs. She has a roof over her head, food on the table, and a loving family. We are not a horrible family, I won't allow you to spew such absurdities!”

“Because they are right! Providing everything doesn’t equate to love. We may give her shelter, food, and material goods, but where is the love? The support? And a loving family? Is that how you would describe us?” Julieta asked, “Because neglecting one of our youngest family members and treating her like she doesn't exist sounds far from it. We've all ignored the fact that she feels isolated and is hurting. So don't give me that crap that we've done everything we can for Mirabel! We've failed her, mamá!”

As the argument grew more intense, cracks began to appear on Casita’s walls, spreading and zigzagging.

It was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the signs of the magic faltering.

Alma knew that it was the Lucians' fault.

Mirabel’s vision was blurry, her mind still hazy and sluggish. She looked down at herself, realizing that she was wearing a thin white gown, and wondered what they had done with her original clothes. But that was a question for later, she thought to herself through the fog in her mind.

She shifted her weight a little and winced slightly as a sharp pain shot through her body. Her hand moved to her abdomen instinctively, trying to soothe the discomfort.

Mirabel had been only half-awake when the doctors had meticulously sewn the wound on her face closed. They had prevented her from seeing the extent of the damage, to spare her from the sight. But they had gently informed her that it would leave a scar once the healing process was complete.

She reached up a hand to gingerly touch the bandages covering her face, her touch light and hesitant. The area around the injury was still tender and sore.

They had done their best to minimize the pain and discomfort. However, if she spoke for an extended period, a sharper pain would begin to flare up in her cheek.

Mirabel suspected that the vine she had dodged from Isabela must have struck near her mouth, reaching her cheek due to the way she had quickly ducked the blow.

“Mirabel, you’re a-awake?”

Mirabel could vaguely see two figures standing in the doorway, before they slowly walked up. She’s seen the twins without her glasses enough to recognize them.

“Yeah,” Mirabel blinked, trying to focus her eyesight. “Ah…can one of you grab my glasses, please?”

The twins nodded and quickly retrieved her glasses from a nearby table, bringing them over to Mirabel.

Mirabel slowly put them on, her vision finally focusing, she could see that both Mateo and Maria's eyes were red and puffy from crying.

“Hi,” Mirabel instantly regretted speaking as soon as the word left her mouth. She could see the tears well up in their eyes once more, and she quickly fumbled for words, “S-sorry! I…sorry, I’m—“

Mateo interrupted her, his voice strained. “You…you made us so damn w-worried. And one of the first things you say is, hi?”

Mirabel opened her mouth to respond, but the words were stuck in her throat.

Mária tried to wipe away the tears streaming down her cheeks, her voice broken through her sobs. “O-oh my god, Mirabel…” Mirabel was taken aback by the pain in Mária's voice, and what she said next hit her even harder. “Bad luck really does revolve a-around you. Must you be so forgiving and reckless?”

“I wasn’t—I wasn’t being r-reckless. I didn’t do anything.” Mirabel's voice cracked as the words came out as she struggled to hold back tears. “All I did was walk in. It was Isabela, not me. Why am I to b-blame?” Her own tears began to fall, and her shoulders shook with each labored breath. “I’m sorry…I didn’t want to get hurt. I’m s-sorry,”

Their eyes widened.

“No, no, Mira,” Mária gently lifted Mirabel's glasses to wipe away her tears, her touch gentle and caring. “God, no, I’m not blaming you for this. Never. I’m…I’m just frustrated with myself and Isabela. You didn’t deserve this.”

Mateo sat down on the edge of the bed. “Don’t ever think that what happened was your fault. We just hate seeing you hurt…” He paused, his voice cracking slightly. “And knowing that we can't do anything to help you. We’re just children.”

It was a thought that had crossed Mirabel's mind many times before. She was only fifteen, yet her family either treated her like an infant or completely ignored her. She is the Madrigal without a gift, the one that is deemed unworthy of their attention.

She was just a child.

Mirabel let out a bitter laugh, “Yep, sad, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Mária nodded in agreement, her gaze moving up to the bandaged wound on Mirabel's face. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m just tired. Nothing new. The shock of Isabela doing that to me hurt me more than the vine.” Mirabel tried to inject a bit of levity into the situation, glancing up at the twins and adding, “I heard you crying,” A rueful smile tugged at her lips. “I’m surprised.”

Mária's face flushed pink as she responded, a small scowl forming on her face. “O-of course! Why wouldn’t I?”

“I wasn’t dying,” Mirabel's voice was light as she teased Mária, her laughter filling the room. But as the laughter died down, a strange feeling washed over her. She wasn't in pain, and it wasn't about the Madrigals. Instead, it was about the Lucians. Their care and attention were almost overwhelming, yet she didn't mind it. She found herself craving it. “Or was it fatal.”

Mirabel saw the change in their expressions, and her lighthearted attempt to ease the mood backfired.

She berated herself for her incessant babbling, thinking to herself that she should stop talking because whatever came out of her mouth was always stupid and unhelpful.

“Sorry...I have a terrible habit of being optimistic despite the situation.”

“No,” Mateo clenched his fists, frustration and anger etched on his face. “Y-you…no, you shouldn’t be the one apologizing. You don’t need to apologize, Mira. I-it’s just—just so damn unfair how they treat you,” He continued, his voice trembling. “She almost killed you, and none of them are here!” He turned to Mirabel, his eyes filled with fear. “I-I was frightened…what if—what if you didn’t dodge? What if…”

“Stop it!” Mária slammed her palm against the back of Mateo's head, her voice filled with anger. “Just s-shut up and stop saying things like that!” She was also scared, but she couldn't bear hearing more about what-ifs. Mirabel was right in front of them, alive, breathing. “So stop saying crap like that, you damn idiot!”

“I’m alive,” Just like anyone else, Mirabel feared death. However, what was truly noteworthy was that she never thought she’d have to worry about being harmed or even killed by her own family members. That notion had never even crossed her mind. “Why worry about something that won’t happen for decades?”

“…Sorry,” Mateo muttered through clenched teeth as he rubbed the back of his head. “You didn't have to hit me that hard.” He shot a quick, disapproving glare at Mária, who didn’t show any remorse for her actions. “And I'm not an idiot.”

“Mhm,” Mária responded, her tone unapologetic. ”Maybe you just need to be stronger, and it wouldn’t be such a hard hit. Plus, Mirabel hits harder.”

“How would you know that?”

Mária responded with a scoff, a sly smile playing on her lips. “Have you seen those muscles under her blouse?”

Mirabel's face flushed a deep shade of red as Mária's comment hung in the air. “H-hey! You just can’t say that…”

Mateo blinked, “Wait, how do you know that?”

“Well—“

“I think I want to go back to sleep right now.”

Mária chuckled sheepishly, apologetically. “Sorry, Mira, didn’t mean to embarrass you. Like you said, your abuela doesn’t like anyone slacking off. It’s bound for you to be fit. You’re stronger than the both of us.”

“Yeah, right,”

“That sounds like sarcasm.”

“Really? Why would I be sarcastic? I wouldn’t do that to my dear friends.”

As the conversation continued, a knock on the door interrupted them, and Adora and Lorenzo entered the room.

“How are you all feeling?”

Lorenzo, standing beside her, shared her worry, his expression mirroring her concern. It baffled them both that after their confrontation, the Madrigals had actually sent Isabela after Mirabel.

Mirabel responded with a tired voice, “I'm just tired, honestly. I'm going to take a nap sooner or later.”

Mária chimed in, her tone less cheerful than usual, “Not my best.”

Mateo shrugged, his expression weary. “Could be better.”

Adora sighed, her frown deepening as she observed Mirabel, who looked physically and mentally exhausted. She didn't want Mirabel to return to Casita in the aftermath. “I'm sorry we weren't there when this happened. We just hadn't expected...this.”

Mirabel, surprised by Adora's apology, let out a nervous laugh. “There's no need to apologize. It's not like you hurt me.”

“I know, it's just…” Adora paused, searching for the right words. “I wish I could have been there to protect you.”

“You've protected me enough already. You all have done more for me than I ever could have asked for.” They had done so much for her, far more than the Madrigals ever had.

“And believe me, if you had asked us to do more, we would have. We would have given you anything you wanted.”

“I’ve…” Mirabel paused, her gaze lowered. “I’ve…always wanted a family that’ll be proud of me.”

“You should never have to prove yourself.” Adora spoke tenderly, holding Mirabel's hand as she continued, her voice soft. “You're already enough. You've always made us feel proud just being who you are. God, Mirabel, I was so worried about you. I just…don’t know what else to do.”

Mirabel tightened her grip on Adora’s hand. “Please, don't leave me,” Mirabel pleaded. “That's all I ask for.”

She wanted to feel safe, loved, and cared for.

They made her feel that way.

She didn’t want those feelings to ever disappear.

Lorenzo spoke up, his eyes welling up with unshed tears. “Oh, Mirabel, mija, mi mariposa…we promise you, we’ll never leave you. Never, unless you truly want us to.“

Mirabel’s eyes squeezed shut, holding back tears. “I’ll never want you to leave. You guys…you all mean too much to me.”

“And so do you!”

Adora leaned down and gently caressed Mirabel's cheek. “Didn't I teach you better than to hold back your emotions, mija? You don't need to hold back the tears. It's okay to cry.”

Mirabel's voice trembled slightly as she replied, a few tears rolling down her cheeks. “I-I’m sorry,” She managed between quiet, choked sobs. “I’m j-just so used to hiding my emotions and being…positive. I know…I know, I’ve been trying to do my best n-not to fall back into that bad habit, but…it’s hard.”

“There’s no need to apologize, Mirabel.”

“You’ve been doing so well. It’s okay to let it out.”

“We’re here for you, mija. You don’t have to hold it in anymore.”

“I…I just wanted a good family.” Mirabel's smile trembled slightly as she attempted to wipe away her tears. “I...I just wanted a good family," she whispered, her words trailing off briefly before continuing: "There were days when I longed, hoped, for a new family...And, most...every day, I come to the realization that my wish has been granted. From the moment I was sent to you all, you've been my new family. You are everything I ever wished for.”

“Mirabel…”

“You've always deserved a good family. One that loves and cherishes you.” Lorenzo placed a gentle hand on Mirabel's shoulder, his voice soft. “You are a part of our family, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“You all came, and you all made me so, so happy. I can't say how much I appreciate it. I... I don't know what I would have done without you all. I don't think I would be here if I didn't…”

Adora, Lorenzo and Mateo shared a quick, alarmed look at Mirabel's words. The implication of what she was saying was not lost on them.

It pained them to hear Mirabel express her deep longing for a loving family, a longing that the Madrigals could not seem to provide.

“Mirabel, you are important to us. More than you realize. We’ll always be there for you. We never want you to feel alone.”

“And if you ever feel like…feel like that you’re—“

“No…I-I don’t think I would be dead! I’m not suicidal, you know. I...I just don't know how I would have coped if you all hadn't come. I don't think I would have been able to handle things by myself. I would have tried to leave...somehow…”

“We would never let that happen.”

“You are not alone. You have us.”

Mirabel’s smile was faint, “I know, and I love you all so much. Thank you all for being there for me.” She sighed as Adora continued to wipe her tears away with a napkin. “And…uh, I-I know it’s weird to a-ask, but…but what do you think will happen to I-Isabela?”

The room fell silent.

“Oh,” Mirabel let out a shaky laugh. “I suppose asking that is kind of silly, isn’t it?”

“It's not a weird or a silly question, mi cielito,” Adora said softly. “But...as for Isabela...we aren’t sure. I’m certain the Madrigals are aware of the situation already, since they’ve returned to Casita, and considering the weather.”

“I hope she reflects on her actions and learns from it.” Lorenzo said.

Mateo muttered something unintelligible to Mária, who nodded in agreement.

Mirabel's brows furrowed in concern as she digested the news about the Madrigals' return. “Okay,” Her usual spark was diminished. “Do you think I should hate them? Can I, someone who had been hurt by them multiple times, hate them? A-any reasonable person in shoes would be upset, would they not?”

“What you're feeling is natural, Mirabel…” Adora paused, choosing her words delicately. “It's normal to be hurt and angry after what you've been through. But whether you hate them or not is for you to decide. No one can tell you how to feel.”

Chapter Text

“…I would hate them.”

A beat.

“I wouldn’t want to do anything with them afterwards if I was Mirabel.” Mateo says after a moment of silence. “I wouldn’t even want to see them.” He can hear his own voice cracking afterwards. “A-and I don’t understand how Mirabel couldn’t. How can she be so kind? T-that…that doesn’t make me a b-bad person, right? For wishing that Mirabel would just give up on them?”

It truly is surprising how much crap Mirabel has to deal with from the Madrigals. It’s more so surprising that she’s so optimistic, well, a natural at putting on a mask.

“That’s nothing wrong with that, Mateo.” Lorenzo places a comforting hand on his shoulder. He would also not want to do anything with the Madrigals if he was Mirabel. “Mirabel is your best friend. It is only natural that you would feel angry and upset if someone hurts her. You’re not a bad person for thinking that. Not now and not ever.”

Adora nods along with his words. “There are times when I wish that Mirabel would just stop going back to the people that hurt her terribly.” A resigned sigh escapes her lips. “But that won’t happen. You know why? Because despite everything they’ve done, the Madrigals still are Mirabel’s real family. And…that isn’t who Mirabel is.”

Mateo exhales sharply. “I know…”

“…I’m tired,” Mária sighs, her eyes still fixed on the ground. “I’ll be back when Mira’s awake.”

Mária exits the room, her shoulders slumped and expression weary. Mateo follows closely behind her, matching her pace, walking alongside her in silence as they leave the room together.

…

Lorenzo’s lips purse. “Ay…I wish they hadn't seen what Isabela did to Mirabel.”

“Not here,” Adora takes a moment to observe Mirabel's unconscious form on her bed. With a knowing look, she gently pulls Lorenzo out of the room. “But same, I wish they hadn't. Of course the Madrigals would pull some crap like this.”

“It’s truly unfortunate…” Lorenzo lets out a deep sigh. “They’re always messing things up when it comes to our family.”

“And they have gone way too far.” Adora’s lip curls into a scowl. “They have another thing coming if they even think they can just sweep this under the rug like everything else.”

“They really can’t, mi vida.” Lorenzo says quietly. “They were witnesses. They can’t escape what’s been seen by multiple people or try to cover it up. It’s already too late.”

“How could they treat her like—like shit?” Adora throws her hands up in frustration. “It makes no sense! Those damn Madrigals have no idea how good they have it and they can’t even appreciate Mirabel! You’d think such a big family and with Alma’s husband’s sacrifice, they’d be all about love and shit like that!”

Lorenzo nods in agreement. “They don’t know what they have until they lose it. They only realize its value when they see it in the hands of someone else.” He’s seen it far too many times. “That’s when they crave for Mirabel, when she’s not giving them the attention they desire.”

“And it’s so unfair to Mirabel!” Tears stream down Adora’s cheeks, taking Lorenzo by surprise, before rushing to comfort his wife. “She loves them…she really does.” She chokes through her tears. “But this is how they repay her. They forget her. They neglect her. They forget her quinceñera. It’s…it’s not fair to her and my heart breaks for her. No fifteen year old girl should be treated like this.”

“I know,” Lorenzo states simply. “I know.” It's something he can relate to, having grown up in a similar way. But that kind of neglect and mistreatment is just wrong, and he has to hold in his anger and not make a scene.

Adora sniffs softly, her eyes watery with tears. “Do you…do you think that was the first time that Mirabel has been hurt by the Madrigals?” She hesitates. “Physically?”

Lorenzo’s eyes went wide, before he quickly composed himself. “…She would have told us, wouldn’t she? Even if she didn’t…If she were getting physically abused, we would have noticed.”

“Would we?”

“We would.” Lorenzo says firmly. “We’ve known Mirabel since she was five. As far as we can tell, it’s only neglect and domestic abuse.” With Julieta’s gift, it would be very hard to tell if anything physical is going on within Casita’s walls. “Mirabel has come to us talking about the way the Madrigals treated her before. They didn’t lay a hand on her besides Isabela using her flowers to hit Mirabel in the face. Mirabel says that it’s more annoying than anything else. Nothing physical.”

“It’s still horrible, though.” Adora’s face twists into a grimace. “I’m putting up a strong front for the children, but I’m so damn worried about her.”

“We all are. Trust me,” Lorenzo utters, using his thumb to wipe a tear that rolls down his wife’s cheek. “The community is doubting the Madrigals. They won’t even let them visit Mirabel. I bet you that they’re going to be under investigation sometime this week. They’re going to have to determine if Mirabel is safe at Casita or not. And if the Madrigals are capable of taking care of her.”

“Does The Encanto even have a system like that? Would it work?”

“Anyone with eyes could see the facade that the Madrigals are putting up now. They can see that the Madrigals aren’t so perfect. They have flaws like the rest of us.”

It was about time for the Madrigals to get what was coming to them.

***

Bruno’s fingers nervously fidgets with the edge of his ragged poncho, a pit growing in his stomach. This is not how he expected things to go. He expected better from his family! He didn’t think they would be this bad!

Just what the hell are they doing to Mirabel?

At this rate, Casita is just going to fall in less than two weeks and Mirabel didn’t even have to do anything! They’re digging themselves deeper into their own holes.

For every step Mirabel takes forward, they take four steps back.

Damn it.

And Isabela?

Bruno furrows his brows and groans.

Where did everything go wrong? When did they think it was alright to treat Mirabel like that? How can they do that to her?

Why did his mother have to coddle Isabela so much? Why did his mother treat them like that?

This entire family is a mess.

“Tío!”

Bruno turns his head to look at Dolores. He also managed to overhear their conversation. He won’t lie, he’s disappointed in her. Very disappointed.

“Yeah?”

Dolores blinks. Slowly. She could no doubt pick up the tone of his voice. “Uh, I…” Her lips pressed into thin lines.

“Want to talk about the chaos that’s happening outside?” Bruno finishes, unimpressed. “The state of your younger cousin?” A pause. “How is she?”

“Physically…she’ll be fine…”

“But?”

Dolores sucks in a shaky breath. “We’re—we’re not a…a very good family.”

“Mhm.”

“She loves us…too much. F-far too much.” Dolores’ voice cracks. “And we’ve been horrible to her and—and she’s hurt. She’s hurt and I don’t…I don’t want to lose her, tío.”

Is she sure that they haven’t already lost Mirabel after everything they’ve done?

Dolores stares at him with her usual wide eyes. “I…I didn’t expect…things to go like this.” She really didn’t. A part of her wishes that she could go back in time and stop most things from happening. But even then, she is not a confrontational woman.

Bruno feels a strong urge to pull out his hair. “Me neither! I-I mean, my visions showed me multiple things. Mirabel getting hurt was one of them, but I didn’t know if it was from an accident or on purpose—“ He lets out a hiss. “Yet again, the future has changed.”

Dolores anxiously chews the inside of her cheek, before reluctantly asking, “I-In a bad way?” She knows the answer to her own question and she isn’t looking forward to actually hearing it.

Bruno sends Dolores a pointed look, making her squeak. “Yes. Yes, it’s in a bad way.” Maybe for the majority of the Madrigals, but not for Mirabel in the foreseeable future. “Look…Dolores, I know that I didn’t tell you about my v-vision about Mirabel. I still won’t, but you know it’s centered around her.” He frowns. “I know that Mirabel isn’t so close to the others much to my disappointment. But I can probably understand some of them and their actions a little bit, but you? Dolores, I expected better from you.” Yes, Bruno is a rather anxious and laid back person, but he still is an adult. He will put his foot down when needed. “What’s your excuse for neglecting Mirabel like the others?”

“I-I didn’t mean to!” Dolores cries out. She looks on the verge of tears and she knows that she has no one to blame but herself. “It’s—it’s not like I try to. Mirabel and I…everything just went downhill after she didn’t get a g-gift and you left.”

“So it’s my fault?”

“No, of course not! I-I—“

“Mirabel not getting a gift should’ve meant nothing to you. To everyone. You all should've loved her unconditionally. You’re family. That shouldn’t have been an issue to begin with. Even if your abuela is distant from Mirabel, it doesn't mean you have to follow suit. Even if you’re busy, you still have time to hang out with your youngest cousin. You can only maintain a healthy relationship if both parties put time and effort into it.” Bruno says firmly. “Mirabel tries…but you, however, you don’t. You may not think so, but you are part of the issue like the others. Choosing to not take action and not speak up is just as bad, too.”

Dolores knows what Bruno is saying is true.

As a family, Mirabel not getting a gift shouldn’t have been a problem. It really shouldn’t have been. Mirabel not getting a gift shouldn't have changed their opinions on her. Mirabel not getting a gift should not have made them love her any less.

Alma is in the wrong for how she treats Mirabel, as if she’s less of a family member than them because of her lack of gift. She’s aware that her abuela does blame Mirabel for Bruno leaving, although she wouldn’t say it out loud. Alma is an adult, they’re adults, they should know better. Mirabel is still just a child. She certainly didn’t feel any better than them by having her door disappear in front of the entire town. If they felt bad, imagine how Mirabel must have felt.

It wasn’t like any of them was explicitly told to not hang out with Mirabel or to not bond with her. No, it was never that. They chose not to hang out with Mirabel on their own accord. They chose to ignore Mirabel’s efforts and use the excuse of being busy. The fault didn’t lie on Mirabel, who did her best to hang out with them. The fault lies on them, who ignored her entirely.

They are just facing the consequences of their actions.

Dolores’ lips trembles and there’s hot tears welling in her eyes. “…I’m sorry,” She says, sniffing, voice quivering. “I-I know that I didn’t…that I’m just as bad. I am…I’m sorry.”

“Mirabel would be more grateful hearing that from you than me.” Bruno gives a slight shake of his head, sighing. “It’s not too late,” He watches as Dolores wipes her tears from her face, sympathy in his eyes. “Mirabel has always been the one making the first move. For all of you. This time, she won’t. Don’t wait or else it’ll be too late. And it will be if you do.”

There is no point in hiding him anymore. If he let them go on any longer, it would not end well for anyone. He didn’t need a vision to see Mirabel cutting off her connections with the Madrigals in the near future if they continued acting that way. That’s if she didn’t decide to do so already after Isabela’s little stunt.

He didn’t look forward to talking to his mother and family, or anyone, but he knew it was going to happen either way.

Once again, it’s for Mirabel.

Chapter Text

Julieta's eyes widen, stunned at the sight of the man before her. He looks just like her long-lost brother Bruno, but he's thinner, exhausted, hollowed out cheeks, more worn down. Like he’s been through hell and back. “Camilo,” She breathes, her voice shaky in disbelief. “What did we say—“ She cuts herself off, voice getting too sharp for her liking. She’s upset at her mother, but she won’t take it out on her nephew. “You can’t…you know you’re not supposed to shift into your tío. Your mamí and abuela will be upset.”

But it’s not him. Camilo would never dare shift into Bruno Madrigal again after shifting into him years ago, trying to cheer his family up. It didn’t end well. Not for him or the other Madrigals.

“We still don’t talk about Bruno as if he’s—I’m a boogeyman?” Bruno says, and he’s heard—he’s heard everything said about him. From the townsfolk and his family. “And I doubt Camilo would be able to come down that quick, considering he’s trying to dry off.”

Julieta’s eyes widens ever more. “Bruno…” She says slowly, stunned. She could feel her throat close up. Camilo would never go this far with his pranks. He would never do a prank that’ll cause harm to a person. Pranks are supposed to be funny. “A-Are you…” Real? She’s not hallucinating him, is she? “What are you…how did you get here? You…you left.”

And Bruno will let her believe that until later on. He didn’t come out of the walls to talk about himself. Not really. “Mhmm, I did.” Julieta could only stare at him wordlessly. “But I’m back because I have some words for you, mamá, and the others. Mainly mamá.” His older sister, his triplet, stiffens further at that. It’s still a shock to him. Finally being out of the walls because he’s going to be seen by everyone, still, he reminds himself that this is for Mirabel. They will not change anything if they cannot understand how much they’re hurting her and each other. “About Mirabel.”

Julieta flinches as if Bruno struck her. Mirabel. Yes, everything has been revolving around Mirabel lately, hasn’t it? It’s a bad thing, too. Did he see something? Is that why he came back? Did something horrible happen to Mirabel? She isn’t seriously injured—well, she doesn’t have any life-threatening injuries. “I…” Honestly, she’s too shocked to form a coherent sentence. First, Mirabel got hurt because of Isabela. Then she had an argument with her mother. And now Bruno’s back. It’s too much.

“But…you’re not the right person to talk about this with. Not right now.” Bruno murmurs. He needs to talk to Alma more than the other Madrigals. Julieta isn’t his primary target.

Julieta wants to ask Bruno what did he mean and where did you come from and is Mirabel going to be okay?

But she doesn’t.

What does she say to him?

I miss you.

She does.

But he looks just as angry as she was when she was arguing with Alma.

Oh.

She understands it now.

He is also aware of her mistreatment towards Mirabel.

She doesn’t blame him.

“…Bruno,” Both Julieta and Bruno swivel their heads over to see Alma, staring at him as if he’s a ghost. His appearance does not help, either. “Brunito, you’re—you’re here—you’re actually here! How did you—“

And Julieta takes that as her cue to leave.

Thankfully.

She’s not sure if she can handle another argument with her mother.

She should warn their family to get out of Casita.

It’s not stable.

They’re not stable.

“Mamá,” Bruno says firmly, prompting Alma to stop dead in her tracks at his tone. Honestly, he’s surprised she didn’t start outright blaming him for everything that just happened. “I don’t understand how you can go on as normal as if you said I wasn’t dead to you. My name was practically blasphemous because of you. I was never good enough for you, but…but enough about me. How could you treat Mirabel like that?”

As if a switch was flipped inside of Alma, she frowns. “You just come back and…that’s what you say? You’ve been gone for so, so long. Ten years.”

Bruno nods. “For Mirabel,” He says. “It has always been for Mirabel, but…” A short pause. “It seems that it was all for nothing considering the state you all and Casita are in.”

Alma’s eyebrows furrows. Is he criticizing her? No, that couldn’t be right. He’s been gone for ten years and just now came back. “You left for Mirabel?” She remembers the day like it was yesterday. Telling Bruno to have a vision about what it meant for Mirabel—for them because Mirabel’s door has faded. She didn’t have a Gift. She never did get the chance to figure out what it meant or what the vision was because Bruno left. “Why?”

“I’d do it for any of my nieces and nephews—Mirabel is no exception. Just because she doesn’t have a Gift doesn’t mean that she’s lesser than them.” This time, Alma cannot ignore the barely-restrained anger etched in Bruno’s voice. “I wanted to protect her.”

“Excuse me?” Is Bruno implying that she thinks otherwise? There’s absolutely no way. “Protect her from what?” There’s no danger in the Encanto. There are…accidents, but no actual danger.

Bruno stares at her in disbelief for a moment before letting out a chuckle. “From this.” He gestures around. A broken home. A broken family. The undeserved anger and blame. The hurt. “And I…I failed. It’s even worse than my vision. This outcome. I left to prevent this, but it still ended up happening. Mirabel will be gone because of this—this abuse.”

“What abuse? This is not—you sound just like Julieta.” Alma isn’t quick to anger. She’s a patient woman. But when she’s already in a foul mood and her missing son—Bruno comes to talk about this nonsense, it gives her a headache. “There is no abuse! This whole conversation is just silly, Bruno. There has never been abuse going on inside Casita, and Mirabel has certainly not been abused. You’re believing those rumors over me, your mother?”

Bruno lets out a bitter scoff. How could she say that? For nearly all of his life, his mother had believed those terrible rumors about him. So did everyone else. She didn’t do anything to stop it. She told him to be better. So why the hell did he think she would not do the same to Mirabel, someone who doesn’t even have a Gift? She’s just a child. “I am not believing any rumors—not when I witnessed the abuse before my eyes. Do you seriously believe that abuse is just physical? Because it’s not. Abuse isn’t just a physical thing. There are many forms of abuse. And what you and the others did is a form of domestic abuse. Lets not forget the neglect.”

Alma can’t believe she’s actually hearing this from him. What does he know? “You—“

“I know…I know I’m not much better when it comes to the neglect part because I wasn’t here…not paying attention to her…and ignoring some things, but that’s not an excuse. I also failed her in a way. I’ll take accountability for that and I will apologize for my actions when I see her.” Bruno’s gaze sharpens. He didn’t always watch over his family to see what they were doing. When Mirabel was missing at dinner at times, he thought they knew. He didn’t know the full extent of the neglect going on inside of his home. “And my mother? Mamá, you made up a rule to not talk about me as if I was a taboo topic. You hurt me. You weren’t there for me when I needed you. You wanna know why I truly left? It’s because I wanted to protect Mirabel from you.”

“No,” Alma murmurs, so soft and so faint that Bruno nearly misses it.

That single, broken whisper of refusal.

He sees the way his mother's hands shake, how her breath hitches between words that refuse to form properly. He knows that tone—has heard it before in shattered moments when she was too stubborn to admit defeat but too wrecked to keep lying about it.

The house groans around them, wood splintering as cracks spiderweb up the walls like fate itself unraveling. But Bruno isn't looking at the destruction anymore—he’s looking at her.

She’s looking right back at him.

“Yes. I feared for Mirabel. If I showed you the vision, I was scared of what you were going to do to her. I thought you were going to kick her out of Casita. Send her to live with some other family. Send her out of the Encanto. Something horrible.” Bruno says, voice shaky. “You’ve always reacted terribly to my visions and acted like I could control—as if I could fix them. I-I can’t, and frankly enough, I’m tired. I tried my damn hardest and it still wasn’t enough. Mirabel is hurt and—and this family? We’re on the verge of being broken apart. So is this home.”

Alma’s jaw clenches, and she takes a shuddering breath. For a moment, the cracks in Casita seem to mirror the ones splintering through her carefully constructed composure. Her hands tremble—just slightly—before she curls them into fists at her sides. “You think…that little of me?” Her voice is dangerously quiet, thick with something raw. “You truly believe I would have cast out my own granddaughter?”

Bruno doesn't flinch this time. “…I didn’t know what else to think.”

And for the first time in years, Alma has no answer ready. The words die on her tongue, and her throat feels awfully tight.

“You treated me horrible, mamá. I was casted out. Not just from the townsfolk, but from you too. I believe that you would—and you already did. Mirabel is already casted out. That’s why Mirabel is with the Lucians and not any of you. You all belittled her. Ignored her. Neglected her. I think that little of you because you did the same to me.”

Bruno's words hang in the air, harsh and bitter. He's shaking again, the anger and pain and hurt from years of being outcast and ignored all spilling over.

Alma's face goes a little pale. She looks stricken, almost sick at the blunt truth of what he just said—what she already knows to be true. She almost looks like his words might’ve reached her, but then she squares her shoulders again. “I-I did not!” She sputters. “I treated you well. I treated Mirabel well! All of this drama is not needed! Look at what’s happening to our home, and don’t you dare place the blame on me because it isn’t me—“

Bruno sighs. Exasperated. “You’re right. It’s not just you, it’s all of us. But you…you’re the main problem!” A scowl forms. “You did not treat us well! The moment Mirabel did not receive a Gift like the others, you acted as if she wasn’t your granddaughter! You may have cared, but you sure acted like you didn’t! And this drama isn’t just a simple drama, it’s a confrontation! One that you need to face and accept! When will you realize that you’re also hurting this family? Not just Mirabel, but everyone here! You’ve only ever cared about our reputation, mamá! Not us, not me, not her! No matter how we felt, we had to look good for the community! Even now you’re more worried about how to smooth things over with the town than actually checking on your granddaughter!”

Alma pinches the bridge of her nose as if he’s an annoyance. As if he’s in the wrong. It reminds him of all of their interactions. She never liked anything he did. “Mirabel will be fine,” It’s not any serious injury. “And I’ve only done what’s best for this family!”

“No, the only thing you’ve done is what you think is best for them! You don’t know what’s best for them! And if you truly think that is what’s best for them then look at us now!” A hot mess. Things are not okay. Nobody is okay. “The only thing you’ve done is tear this family apart! I wanted to prevent Mirabel from getting hurt—from leaving, but I can’t even pretend to be surprised if she does!”

“…Mirabel is going to leave?”

Alma would be a fool not to notice Mirabel drifting away from them. Getting closer to the Lucians. Relying on them.

But leaving?

Mirabel wouldn’t leave them.

And this couldn’t be her fault.

Right?

Chapter Text

It wasn’t a surprise to Bruno. Not really. He expected this outcome. For years now. Even before Mirabel was born. The cracks. They were getting worse and worse every single day. So it’s not a surprise to him when Casita comes crumbling down. It was bound to happen. He cares about Casita—yes, he knows that it’s a house. His home, but Casita has been there for him more than his family—and as much as he’s angry at his family, he doesn’t want them to die. He still cares about them, still loves them. He wouldn’t be able to handle the guilt if they died. He’s sure that Mirabel would find a reason to blame herself if Casita ended up collapsing with their family inside. Then again, that’s if Mirabel doesn’t blame herself once she finds out that Casita and the Miracle are no more once she’s conscious. He isn’t even sure how she’s doing right now.

So when he sees their home falling apart around them, he ignores his mother, who is now blaming him which was also not a surprise to him. He was always Bad Luck Bruno to her. Not Bruno Madrigal. Not her son. He knocks on everyone’s door, Julieta already being a few steps ahead of him, considering she heard everything, to warn the others to get out of Casita, it’s not safe. The ones who see him look at him as if he’s a hallucination or Camilo, however they couldn’t ask him whatever questions they had because of the dire situation they’re in.

Also Alma, oh his mother, she looks absolutely petrified. Everything is falling down before her eyes. Casita. Her family. The Miracle. Pedro’s sacrifice. He can’t get her scream out of his head when the portrait of his father falls and breaks. It sounded so full of pain it almost sounds animalistic. He feels bad for her. He really does. Though that’s not an excuse for her behavior. It’s not an excuse to hurtabusebelittleneglect any of them. It’s not.

And he thinks that maybe, just maybe, Alma is starting to realize it too. That maybe she isn’t the best figure to them. That maybe she is in the wrong. That maybe she is the reason that the Miracle and their family is like this. That she never saw them without expectations and the weight of her past holding her back.

Pedro didn’t give his life for magic. He gave it for her, for their children—for the promise of a family that would live on, love on, beyond him.

And what has she done with that gift?

Built walls where there should have been open arms. Demanded perfection instead of embracing flaws. Guarded the Miracle more fiercely than she ever guarded them.

She failed.

Not as a keeper of the Miracle, but as a mother. As an abuela. As the woman Pedro had loved enough to die for.

Alma collapses to the floor, dust clinging to her dress, but she doesn't brush it away. Doesn't even register it. All she feels is the breaking inside her chest, sharp and jagged, like Casita’s cracks splitting through her very soul.

Tears burn hot down her cheeks. When was the last time she let herself cry like this? When did she forget that love isn’t about control or perfection? That being strong doesn’t mean never breaking?

She sees them now.

Julieta's silent tears when cooking dinner by herself, Bruno's hunched shoulders as he tries to disappear, Pepa’s forced smiles under crackling storms.

Her family is hurt because of her.

All because she taught them that love meant sacrifice—meant swallowing every pain alone.

But Pedro didn't die so they could suffer in silence. He died so they could live.

And in this moment, kneeling in the ruins of everything she built wrong, Alma finally understands what it means to truly grieve.

Just like that, the woman who never showed weakness cracks completely.

Julieta's hands tremble as she stares down at them. Hands that were supposed to heal, yet somehow only ever managed to hurt.

There was a time when she truly believed—foolishly, arrogantly—that she could be enough for everyone. That if she just smiled warmly enough, cooked generously enough, gave and gave until there was nothing left of her then maybe Bruno wouldn’t have vanished. Maybe Pepa wouldn’t have drowned in her own storms.

But the truth is bitter on her tongue.

She failed them, hadn’t she?

The perfect sister? The unbreakable one? That had always been a lie. One she told herself as desperately as the town told it about her.

Inside, Julieta had always been just as fragile, just as terrified of not being enough. And now all those years of pretending come crashing down around her with Casita’s walls.

Her eyes burn at the thought of what she should have done—what she failed to do. How differently things might have been if she had only been braver, more aware. She would have fought harder.

If she had been the kind of sister her siblings needed her to be.

She would have stood between Bruno and their mother’s harsh words, would have pulled Pepa close instead of letting her swallow every tear behind a forced smile.

If she had been the kind of mother her daughters needed her to be.

She wouldn’t have let Isabela believe perfection was the only way to survive in this family. Would never have allowed Luisa to think love had to be earned through tireless labor. She would have held Mirabel tighter—wouldn't have let anyone make her feel small for not being special enough.

She would have given anything to go back, to change it all. Apologize for every careless word, every unfeeling gesture, every selfish dream that put the Miracle before her own flesh and blood.

But time doesn’t bend, no matter how desperately she wishes it did.

All Julieta has is now the rubble at her feet and the fractured family around her, looking just as lost as she feels inside.

Pepa's heart aches.

She loves them.

All of them.

Bruno and his terrible jokes, Mirabel and her endless compassion. She even loves Alma—for all her faults, all her cruelty.

Because love is more than just words. It’s knowing that no matter what, no matter how much pain they put each other through, at the very core of them all exists something unbreakable.

Family.

Ah.

She stares up at the mercilessly clear sky. No clouds, no storms, no trace of the emotions that used to paint her world in thunder and lightning.

It feels like a joke.

Her entire life, her worth had been tied to that Gift—her pain dismissed because it's just weather. Her joy weaponized against her when it rained at the wrong time. And now? Now there’s nothing.

Just this empty blue staring back at her, indifferent as ever.

Could they fix things?

Could love really smooth over all of this?

Can they mend what’s broken?

She doesn’t know anymore.

Even if it isn’t, the least they could do is try.

Isabela knows.

She knows she isn’t the ideal sister, the perfect golden child they thought. She is a pretender. A puppet dancing to the town's ideals of perfection, while her own wants and needs were shoved away to play a role.

Every smile is a mask, every gesture calculated.

But that’s no excuse for how she treated Mirabel, is it?

For how she treated the others.

She hates how easily her temper flared, how it twisted inside her until she had no choice but to unleash it.

Usually on Mirabel.

Because Mirabel was supposed to be free.

Free from the crushing weight of expectations, free from the suffocating demands of perfection that Isabela had been drowning under for years. And yet…Mirabel kept smiling anyway. Kept trying. And Isabela couldn't stand it.

So she lashed out, unleashing every ounce of frustration and resentment onto someone who didn’t deserve even an ounce of it.

All because somewhere deep down she envied her.

And now?

The guilt sits heavy in her gut like a stone.

A flash of a smile and flower cannot erase her actions.

She doesn’t think she can make it better.

Not this time.

She went too far.

Dolores heard everything.

Every muffled sob, every whispered plea for validation, every time Mirabel curled into herself just a little tighter after another dismissive remark from Alma.

And yet? She stayed silent.

Maybe it was cowardice like Isabela said. Maybe it was the fear of stepping out of line in a family already held together by fraying threads.

The truth is much simpler than that.

She could have done something.

She could’ve done so much more than what she did. Well, didn’t do.

She could have reassured Mirabel, consoled her after each scathing comment from Isabela. She could have spoken to Julieta, confessed the truth and sought her help. Or even approached their abuela, suggesting maybe she was being too hard on them all.

But she didn't.

She did nothing.

Because it was easier that way.

Easier to pretend everything was fine, while Mirabel suffered in silence and their whole family crumbled from within.

Now it all is coming down on her like a sickening rush.

Luisa likes to pretend everything is alright.

And maybe—no, not maybe, it is what broke their family apart. She tried to be there for Mirabel. She really did. She cares about Mirabel. Loves Mirabel as any sister should.

But it wasn’t enough.

When she wanted to hang out with Mirabel or when Mirabel wanted to hang out with her, she was awfully busy. She was told to do task after task. No breaks.

There was no time.

They didn’t give her enough time.

She regrets it so badly.

If she was as strong as her appearance, she would’ve done what’s best and actually be there for her little sister. She wouldn’t have let Mirabel suffer alone.

She wanted to help her.

She did.

She tried her best to comfort Mirabel when she looked down. She did her best to get Isabela to stop messing with their baby sister because it isn’t right and she’s just being cruel.

It didn’t work.

She was supposed to be the strongest.

She'd built this image for herself as the reliable one, always there to help and carry the weight of their problems.

Yet she failed Mirabel.

Just like the others.

Horribly.

Mirabel wasn’t supposed to be hurt like this.

Their family wasn’t supposed to be so broken.

Things weren’t supposed to be like this.

Can they even fix things?

Can they even pretend that things are still fine anymore?

Looking around, Luisa knows that she already got her answer.

Camilo and Mirabel used to giggle for hours, calling each other twins, inseparable as two peas in a pod. They were practically glued at the hip—sharing secrets, playing pranks, and getting into trouble together like, well, twins.

But now?

Now they're more like strangers. The easy, carefree affection they once shared had been replaced by an awkward distance that Camilo didn't even know how to bridge.

He knows it’s his fault.

He drifted away from her.

Not the other way around.

He wanted to hang out with the cooler kids. The people who cared more about his last name than Camilo.

He ditched her.

Belittled her.

Made fun of her for something she had no control of.

Made fun of her friends.

And now she’s gone.

Because of him.

He took things too far.

They took advantage of Mirabel Madrigal.

They’re silent. Impossibly quiet. There’s no words being said. Only exchanged hurt looks because—because they know. They know that everything they did, they said, led up to this moment. That this is because of how they treated each other and Mirabel. Their actions have consequences and they’re just now realizing it. There are so many things to say. Apologies, explanations, pleas—a million words that need to be spoken and heard. Yet nobody seems to know where to even start. The person they want to apologize to, their main victim isn’t here. It’s too much and not enough all at the same time.

Regret, anger, grief—they claw at the edges of every glance, every tense silence. But what can they even say now?

I’m sorry.

I should have done better.

I was scared.

I shouldn’t have treated you like that.

My Gift means nothing compared to you.

I don’t know what I was thinking.

I want to help.

None of it changes what happened. None of it fixes anything.

And that truth—that helplessness—hurts more than any wound ever could.

Chapter Text

“They’re trying too hard,” Mirabel says, a rueful smirk playing at the corners of her mouth—a small, sharp edge of bitterness. Because trying too hard is precisely what they had always done. “I’m starting to feel bad.” The laceration on her cheek had healed into a silvery scar. “Almost.” There are times, most times, when she has to remind herself that they deserve this. That they hurt her. She doesn’t owe them anything. Certainly not her forgiveness.

Mateo lets out an amused laugh. After so many years of seeing the Madrigals hurt Mirabel, the Madrigals are finally receiving the consequences of their actions. And this time, Mirabel won’t just ignore what they did to her with a smile on her face. He waited so long for this to happen. It’s so worth it. “I’d have to agree with you on that, Mira.” It’s kinda pathetic watching them try that hard. They’re trying to start a conversation with someone they used to ignore effortlessly. Someone who they didn’t give a minute of their time. “It’s a little bit hilarious.”

“More like uncomfortable,” Mária points out. It’s odd watching the Madrigals try to butter up Mirabel. It’s not like they talk to her as if nothing happened. Quite the opposite. In almost every sentence, they’re apologizing to Mirabel—which is what she deserves—and trying to repair their relationship with her. It’s even more uncomfortable having to watch Mirabel politely decline their efforts. “I still don’t like them.”

Mirabel just shrugs. “That’s understandable,” She would never say that she hates any of them. Even her abuela. She just couldn’t find it within herself to pretend to be happy around them. Well, besides Antonio. It’s not like he did nothing wrong. “They’re doing better, though. I guess.” She murmurs. After years of neglect, after everything…suddenly they want to fix things? Suddenly they care. Mária is right. It’s very uncomfortable for her.

“But it took your house falling. Not even your tears, your face for them to realize that they mistreat you.” Mária says. She’d never forgive them if she was in Mirabel’s position. Unfortunately, she is not. Fortunately it seems like Mirabel doesn’t have any plans of forgiving them soon. “I wouldn’t even say better. It’s more like they’re treating you as they should in the first place. The bare minimum.”

“Well, aren't you pessimistic?” Mirabel scoffs softly under her breath. Her fingers absently trace the scar on her cheek—a pale white across tanned skin. It’s more so a joke. She supposes if she were in their position, she wouldn’t be so keen on forgiving those who hurt her dear friend. “On the bright side, I don’t really have to deal with them.”

Mirabel is still a Madrigal in name. She didn’t change her last name nor was she adopted by the Lucians. The only difference is that she didn’t live with them. She couldn’t really do so either. The state of Casita was reduced to rubble. The church had offered them temporary refuge, until a home for them was built, but considering the rumors about abusive Madrigals and about the abuse they put one of their own through, their stay was more out of obligation than true hospitality.

“You don’t, but they’ll make it your problem.”

As always.

If something went wrong, it would always somehow be Mirabel’s fault. Her problem. Again, she was the Madrigals’ scapegoat. Luckily nobody ended up blaming Mirabel for the loss of their Gifts. And if they did? They were smart enough to not say it out loud. There would have really been a problem if that was the case.

It actually is her problem though. Sorta. She is still a Madrigal at the end of the day. Casita, her home, collapsing affects her. The Madrigal possibly being hurt because of Casita falling also affects her.

“Maybe,” Mirabel mutters. “Not like I can fully avoid them in an isolated town. Not really my thing.” She has been told many times that she’s a forgiving person. A kind person. Too kind for her own good and people will take advantage of that. “Even if they do make it my problem, I can deal with it. I know it may not seem like it, but I can stand my ground. I can handle my family as I did for years.”

“We’re not implying that. We know you could. You’re a strong person. Mira. Just saying that you shouldn’t after all they’ve put you through.”

Mirabel stares at them flatly. What is that? Pity or are they genuinely looking after her? Or both? She’s not too sure. On a logical level, she knows they're just looking out for her, their concern born from love. But that nagging doubt, the self-doubt that has always been her constant companion, whispers that maybe they think she's weak. She's not sure which thought hurts more—that they pity her, or that she's giving them every reason to.

She has always had a strong dislike for being pitied or treated as if she can’t handle things on her own. It's like throwing a lit fuse into her temper, making it flare up in an instant. It’s one of the surest ways to put her in a sour mood.

“Come on, don’t look at us like that.”

Mirabel narrows her eyes. “I’m not doing anything.”

“What are you going to do now? With the Madrigals, I mean.”

What is she going to do?

What a funny question.

The answer is the same.

She’s not going to do anything.

Her mother didn’t defend her like she thought she would. Never sticks up for her when Alma is in the wrong. Just like when she wanted her to apologize to Alma when she was the one that disrespected her friends and her. Unbelievable.

In Adora’s words, Julieta is a coward when it comes to Alma.

She doesn’t disagree.

Mirabel wasn’t close to Pepa.

She just happened to be the target of her temper at times. She was at fault because Bruno left. She was too much like Bruno. Anytime she was around Pepa, a cloud appeared.

She didn’t like that.

It made her feel bad every single time.

She shouldn’t feel guilty for something that wasn’t her fault.

Especially at the age of five.

Mirabel didn’t know much about Bruno. He disappeared when she was five years old. She even thought that he had disappeared because of her. She’s mostly neutral about him, she supposes. He’s more of a stranger than an uncle to her. He explained his situation to her—how he was treated, what he saw that night, why he left, why he came back, and overall how much he’s sorry for not being there for her.

She carries on negative feelings, negative thoughts she won’t dare say aloud, that make it difficult to forgive and forget. Yet despite it all, she’s willing to try.

She could sense he was genuinely trying to make things right, and that at least counted for something.

Mirabel isn’t afraid of her sister—not really. But there’s an instinctive wariness there, like the muscles in her body remember before she does. She tenses without meaning to when Isabela is near, even if she knows deep down that Isabela never truly meant to hurt her.

Still, trust doesn’t rebuild so quickly.

And for now?

Distance is what they both need.

Isabela's behavior came with repercussions. Therapy to manage her temper, and most importantly, a breakup with Mariano. The end of the relationship was a relief to Isabela, more than anything. After all, her relationship with him was never about genuine affection. It was all for appearances and for her abuela.

But no one needed to know that little detail.

So she did her best to redeem herself. Working on her anger and proving to everyone, to Mirabel, that she is trying to change, to be better.

The reason that Mirabel didn’t really like Dolores isn’t from something like Isabela. There’s no screaming matches between them, no direct cruelty. It’s the silence that stings the most.

Dolores heard everything. The whispers, the harsh words flung at Mirabel when no one else was looking, the way her family slowly dismissed her over time. And yet she never spoke up. Never defended her. Never even acknowledged it out loud until much later.

To Mirabel, that silence felt like a betrayal. One quieter but just as sharp as any insult hurled in anger.

She really couldn’t depend on anyone from the Madrigals, could she?

Mirabel can see the change in Dolores, the way she tries to make amends, apologizing for past mistakes and promising to be better.

She’ll give her that, she supposes.

There was never real bitterness between Mirabel and Luisa.

Just the quiet, aching distance of two people who should have been closer but somehow weren't.

Luisa had always been buried under her own burdens. Her Gift, her responsibilities, the weight of expectation crushing down on her shoulders until she barely had room to breathe.

She simply didn’t have the energy left to be what Mirabel needed. It wasn't hatred or neglect—just exhaustion.

A tragedy of missed moments where Luisa could have stepped in but didn’t because she was too tired, too overwhelmed with her own struggles.

And Mirabel understood that.

Even if it still hurts.

Camilo? He'd always taken every opportunity to tease and mock her, joining in with his friends to make her life that much harder when she didn’t receive a Gift.

It was only recently that he realized how much he hurt her. He was also punished for his actions.

Mirabel briefly wonders when he will realize that maybe some people just wanted Camilo. Not the mask he wears.

It’s up to him to discover that.

She will not be the light in their life anymore.

As for Antonio?

Mirabel never had a problem with him. In fact, she adores him with all her heart. He was the one person in the entire family who never made her feel like a failure.

A brightness that could cut through any dark.

Mirabel knows herself too well. She isn’t the type to cling to grudges forever. She could be mad, hurt, and even resentful, but holding onto it forever? That isn’t her style.

Yes, they had hurt her. Badly. In a way that’s going to leave scars.

Even if she needs space to heal right now, she knows that, eventually, she'd be able to look past the hurt and see the family she still loves underneath.

Only if they change.

Because deep down, she knows that true change is rare, and difficult.

To see them trying—genuinely trying—makes Mirabel want to believe, even if just a little.

One more chance, she thinks to herself. She’ll give them one last chance.

She hopes—prays that they won’t mess up this time. She doesn’t say it out loud, but the plea is there in the way she hesitates just a second longer before turning away, in how she swallows down her pride and lets them close again despite every instinct telling her not to.

Because if they really mean it, if they truly want to fix things, then this has to be it.

No more half-hearted apologies, no more empty promises.

This is their last opportunity.

It’s up to them to not let her down again.

And if they do?

She’ll just stick with her new family.