La Inca is the cousin of Beli's father, Abelard. So technically speaking, they would be considered second cousins. But of course, their true relationship is much more like mother and daughter. On page 259 Diaz writes that Beli found in La Inca "the mother she never had." La Inca rescued Beli when she was 9 years old from a horrible family that was supposed to be caring for her after all of Beli's family died (thanks to Trujillo). They are only ever referred to as mother and daughter, "'hija' and 'madre,'" as it says on page 78. La Inca calls Beli "hija," which means daughter.

When Lola goes to the DR, La Inca says to her, "I'm your abuela, but you can call me La Inca" (Diaz 74).

La Inca and Beli are related, Beli is La Inca's adopted daughter.