Chapter 148 Cracks in the armor

Chapter 148 Cracks in the armor
Carlino's POV

"I told you not to tell her I was here," I hissed through gritted teeth, trying to keep my voice down. "I told you not to involve me. Why the fuck did you tell her, old man?" I was more anxious than pissed, honestly. The thought of seeing her lying in that hospital bed made my stomach turn. She would be looking weak, fragile. That wasn't the woman I knew. I was used to her being defiant, fighting me at every turn.

Her father just stared at me. His expression was warm, quiet, and it irritated me because I knew exactly what was going on in his head.

"I didn't… we didn't tell her anything," he said, finally stepping aside to give me room to go in. "She knew you were around because—you know what, just go inside."

The words caught in my throat. I wanted to argue, but my mind was a mess, the thoughts scattered. My legs moved on its own, each step toward the door feeling heavier than the last.

By the time I reached the handle, my eyes were already burning. I quickly wiped at the tears before they could fall, cursing myself. I couldn't even pinpoint what the fuck I was feeling. It was just heavy and suffocating.

I pushed the door open quietly. Her mother was sitting right beside the bed, turning her head the second the heavy door creaked.

"I'll go now," she whispered, standing up and smoothing down her clothes. She leaned over the bed. "Just tap the button the moment something feels wrong, okay?"

Even though she whispered it, the words cut right through the quiet room. I looked away, staring at a random corner of the wall. This wasn't like me. This wasn't the man I used to be. But for some reason, the strange vulnerability didn't feel as wrong as it usually did.

"Mmm," Lina grunted, nodding slightly beneath her oxygen mask.

Alyssa gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder, but as she walked past me to leave, she threw a glance my way. There was no mistaking it. “Don't you dare hurt my daughter.”

Despite the knots in my stomach, a faint smile tugged at my lips. The door clicked shut behind her.

I finally turned to look at Lina. My hands stayed shoved deep in my pockets because, frankly, I didn't know what else to do with them. She was covered in bandages—her head, her neck, her hands, even her knees.

We stayed like that in total silence for God knows how long. I was paralyzed, completely wordless. And her? She just kept staring at me. Tracking every small movement I made, completely silent.
Desperate to break the tension, I walked over to the window and stared out at the parking lot.

"The… the weather looks good, doesn't it?" Idiot. I mentally slapped myself. I nervously turned around to look at her. She looked at me like I’d completely lost my mind.

"No… that's not what I meant," I stammered, rubbing the back of my neck. "I'll uhm… I'll be right back."

I turned to leave, but the door burst open before I could reach it. Two tiny devils sprinted right past my legs, heading straight for Lina's bed.

"Mama, what happened to you?" Rotha cried, rushing to the bedside.

"Shut up, Rotha. Can't you see?" Erla scolded, shoving her sister aside with a glare.

Rotha frowned, crossing her arms. "Don't tell me to shut up."

"Then stop asking silly questions."

"It's not silly!"

"It is."

I couldn't help the smile that crept onto my face. The twins were staring each other down, Erla already trying to play the bossy boss. Lina pulled the oxygen mask down a fraction, letting out a exhausted sigh. "Girls."

Instantly, the bickering stopped, and they both snapped their heads toward her.

"Does it hurt?" Rotha asked, her voice dropping to a tiny whisper.

"A little," Lina replied, a soft smile gracing her pale lips.

Rotha’s lower lip began to tremble. Before the waterworks could start, Erla dug deep into her pocket and pulled out a squished, half-melted candy.

"You can have this," Erla offered. "When I fall down, candy makes me feel better."

Lina let out a weak chuckle.

Rotha gasped, her eyes flying wide. "Erla! That's MY candy!"

"No, it's OUR candy," Erla shot back, flashing a toothy smile while keeping her hand extended toward her mother.

"You stole it from my pocket!"

"I was keeping it safe for us."

Just like that, they were back at it. But as I watched them argue, I noticed Lina laughing. Truly laughing silently for the first time since she’d been brought here.

I shook my head, stepping in to salvage my cold demeanor. "Okay, that's enough," I interrupted, crossing my arms. "You came here to see your mama, not to start a riot."

They both froze, turning to look at me with expressions that clearly said, “Who invited you?”
I didn't care.

"Go back outside and stay with your grandparents so your mother can get some rest."

Erla looked like she was about to protest, but I gave her a look that left absolutely no room for negotiation. Grumbling, she grabbed Rotha's hand and dragged her out of the room.

Once the door closed, Lina's eyes landed back on me. "You…" Her voice broke.

"Don't talk," I said quickly, rushing to her side. I shook my head, the tough exterior completely vanishing.

"I thought you might stay mute the whole day," she teased, her eyes crinkling. "Thank you for handling them."

I don't know what it was—maybe the crack in her voice, maybe the sheer relief—but the tears rushed back, and this time I couldn't stop them. I sank onto the chair beside the mattress. "I'm sorry."

"Hey, why are you—?"

"I never got to apologize," I cut her off, the words pouring out of me in a desperate rush. "For everything you went through because of me. For the pain. I…" I took a sharp, shuddering breath. "I thought I lost you, Tesoro. I swear to God, I can still feel the ache inside my chest. I haven't cried since my Madre died. But you? Ever since you stepped into my life, everything changed. You changed me. I was so terrified, Lina… God."

I broke down completely, burying my face in the space between the mattress and her leg, my shoulders shaking. I didn't even know I was capable of feeling this human.

Then, I felt it. Her hand, weak but steady, resting on my head. She gently ran her fingers through my hair, trying to comfort me.

I raised my head, staring at the blankets, unable to look her in the eye. "What if I hadn't made it there? What if I wasn't there on time? How would our girls have survived?"

"Carlino…" she called softly. When I didn't move, she reached up, her fingers catching my chin and gently forcing my gaze toward hers. "Look at me. You didn't lose me. I'm right here. I'm alive."

"Lina, I can't do this anymore," I choked out, gripping her hand like a lifeline. "I can't stay away from you. Please, I want you back. I want us to work. I promise you… I won't let anything happen to you or our girls ever again. I'll protect your parents, your siblings, everyone. Tesoro… please.”