Chapter 63

The arms rise in protection and then attempt to hit me while dodging unsuccessfully. I’ve practiced boxing for a long time, and I’m very good at it. Impatient, I land another clean punch to the nose, I hear the bone crack, and the man falls to the ground. He starts grunting in pain as he tries to escape from my quick movements. I land three, four, even five punches to his thief-like face. My right fist hurts from the impacts, and Liana, cold as ever, does nothing, just watches. When I pull back, his face is purple, and his mouth is bleeding. I assess the expression of both of them, and it’s clear they wanted to screw me over. I don’t know if I would fall for it again, but the love I feel for Clayre made Liana so blind with hatred that she single-handedly destroyed whatever plans they had. I move my fists through the air, regaining my strength, and Harry shrinks back.

“If you try to fuck me over again, I’ll make you lose the little you’ve rebuilt, and don’t fool yourself into thinking I’ll wait for you to mess up.”

“Start over, far away. If I catch you near the bar, my apartment, or anywhere around people I know, I’ll pay you a visit to remind you to stay away, and I won’t go alone.”

I head to the elevator and press the button, but before leaving, I lock my gaze on both of them.

Liana stares at me until the doors close. Maybe it’s wrong, but I blame myself for getting her pregnant. I didn’t want children, not now, not with her. I don’t remember being careless enough not to use protection, but a few times I drank at parties, and it could have happened then. Consciously, I was only reckless with Clayre by letting desire take over.

I leave the building with adrenaline high. I wish I had hit him more, but I can’t get into trouble now, though I know Harry won’t do anything more. He’s the kind of man who only acts behind people’s backs, and with today’s discovery, his involvement in any future issues would be clear. The main thing about tonight was seeing them together. Liana had been deceiving me all this time, and the only thing that made it worth it was her daughter.

And I would go through it all again, I would cross hell itself if necessary, just to meet her a second time.

***

POV Clayre

Hugging Jack after the disappointment of waiting at the hospital made an unknown force pulse inside me. The one that doesn’t let me give up, that makes everything less chaotic and heavy to carry. Maybe that’s the real cure in the end, because when I feel loved, when love is present, there’s no room for fear, I just want to fight.

My mother lied when she said the two of them are together, and it hurts to realize she did that to hurt me, but without a doubt, there’s no greater heartbreak than her not showing up at the hospital today. Leaving me in the chair, waiting for hours. My phone vibrates, and when I check the screen, it’s my dad.

“One day I’ll have to talk to him, because he won’t give up until I answer.”

“Hi, Dad, good evening! Sorry I didn’t answer earlier, I needed to relax and take a bath.” I crawl under the covers as I listen to him clear his throat to start his sermon.

“Daughter, for God’s sake, how can you leave me without news for hours? What happened? How was it?”

“Sorry, I needed to digest everything! Dad, I didn’t want to say this over the phone, but Liana didn’t go, unfortunately. I don’t understand why she changed her mind. We saw each other earlier this week, and everything was fine for today, but she backed out. I think the hurt spoke louder, and it’s okay, I don’t want to judge her, but it broke me.” I confess, moved, almost feeling all the anguish bubbling up again.

“Well, daughter, I just wanted to let you know I’m coming to see you tomorrow. It’ll be a quick visit, but we can’t talk over the phone.”

My heart races, and I instantly feel anxious to know the reason he would come here.

“You’re scaring me.”

“It’s okay, daughter, sometimes we need to do things we’re not proud of for a greater good, but it doesn’t always work out, even when the choice seems noble.”

“It got worse a bit, now I’m curious and tense.” He smiles.

“Calm down, my dramatic Cancer. Just think, bad things happen all the time to good people, for no apparent reason, but good things happen to them too! As for the donation, daughter, we’ll find a way. We’ll start a big campaign to encourage people to donate more. I believe we’ll find a compatible donor.”

“I don’t believe in that anymore.” I confess disillusioned.

“It’s normal to have doubts, but daughter, we won’t stop fighting until the last minute.”

“I love you so much for this. For being the best dad in the world.”

“I love you too. Rest, and I’ll be there tomorrow night.”

“Okay! See you tomorrow.” I hang up with my heart comforted.

I’m not exactly sure what he’s going to say to me, I’m apprehensive, but one thing is certain, my dad is a cautious man, and I trust him with my life. I pull the blankets up to my neck, shivering from the cold air, but I’m interrupted by a message. I open it, and it’s from Rebeca.

“Just by disappearing, I already know that the one who doesn’t deserve the title of mother messed up.”

“Yes, our snack will have to wait until we find a donor.”

“Shit, I knew she wasn’t going to help. Go there and grab that hot ex-stepdad, enjoy life. What’s holding you back?”

“The baby.”

“Stupid. You’ll be the most protective sister in the world and the best stepmother any child could have.”

“That word scares me: ‘stepmother.’”

“I only foresee the confused child… should I call you mommy or sister?”

“You’re terrible, Beca. Goodnight, love you, I’m tired. I’ll tell you everything tomorrow!”

“Love you, sinner!”

A smile forms on my lips, and I turn off the screen, finally ready to surrender to the sleep I need. I rub my feet to warm them and close my eyes. I sigh deeply, and when the darkness becomes friendly, the intercom rings.

“What? It can’t be!”

I get up cursing and walk to the device, pressing the button to listen.

“Clayre speaking…”

“Sorry for the time, it’s Jana from reception. They left a package, and I’m bringing it up to you.”

I furrow my brows, confused, but agree.

“Okay, I’ll be waiting at the door.”

A few minutes later, the receptionist steps out of the elevator smiling, holding an animal transport box.

“They asked me to deliver this, there’s a note attached to the box.”

My eyes widen as I look through the protective bars and see Dior.

“Dior, what are you doing here?” She responds with a long meow.

Ecstatic, I turn the box and see the note.

“Hi, beautiful future sister-in-law, my dumb brother told me about your mom’s bitchiness. Dior missed you, and since I have a fashion show next week, she wants to stay with her second mom. We’ll share custody! She won’t leave you alone. I approved it, and before I forget: everything will be fine.”