Chapter 43: Fix Things

Chapter 43: Fix Things
CAMILA

"I love you more," I told Lorenzo and hung up the phone. This was our first night apart since we got back together, and I already missed him. He asked me to marry him again last night, and I accepted.

Lorenzo was ecstatic because we were going to have dinner at Tata's house the next day to celebrate our engagement. My grandfather never let anyone into his house except Camilo and me. It had been this way since we were children.

It used to frustrate us back then; we always wanted to bring friends over instead of visiting them. But once we were old enough, our grandparents explained why, and we understood.

Things became complicated again when I began dating, however. I could never bring anyone home, which was one of the reasons Camilo and I ended up moving out.

Nevertheless, Lorenzo adored my grandfather, and dining with him in our family home remained one of his greatest desires. After years of pleading with my grandfather to bend the rules, just for one night, for his only granddaughter, he finally agreed.

I looked up at the sound of shoes tapping on the tile floor, and Camilo appeared. He looked away the moment he saw me, but when I called out to him just as he was about to walk past me, he came to a halt but did not turn around.

"I’m sorry about what I did," I started. "I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. I never intended to hurt you or Ava."

Camilo believed Mera over me, which hurt, but I was not surprised. He despised Lorenzo and was quick to believe anything negative about him. We had fought about it more times than I could count. That was why Lorenzo and I finally decided to relocate to another country.

But despite everything, I loved my brother, and I knew he loved me. I didn't want our last few days together to be filled with arguments. Lorenzo and I both wanted him to come to the dinner.

Camilo said nothing; he walked away, and I followed him.

"I can't do this with you right now, Camila," he said as I entered his bedroom. He was sitting on the bed with his face in his hands, and I approached him despite his warning to leave. I sat beside him.

"I-" I began, but my eyes were drawn to a glint on his bedside table, and my heart sank when I saw Ava's engagement ring. What had I done?

"I’m so sorry, Cami-" I started, placing my hand gently on his back. But he stood up abruptly, grabbed his car keys, and walked out. I called out to him and apologized again, feeling a damp sensation run down my cheek.

But he walked away without a word, and I soon heard the front door slam shut. “I have to fix this.” My brother made a mistake; he loved Ava.

\----

MERA

I put the letters I had written to Camila, Camilo, and Ava on the table and went to check on Noa before taking the bags downstairs. I had given him something to help him sleep so I could pack and get to the airport on time for my flight. He had been difficult.

After crying myself to sleep last night, I finally mustered the courage to make my decision. This place had been my safe haven when I needed it most. It saved my life and gave me a new beginning. However, it had become unbearable. I couldn't stay anymore.

I had written the letters to express my gratitude for everything they had done for me, as well as to apologize for the pain I had caused. I hoped they would be able to work through everything and return to the happy family they were when I first met them, once I was gone. I hoped that my absence would make it easier for them to reconcile.

They would always hold a special place in my heart.

After unlocking the door, I placed the bags next to it and headed upstairs to grab the last of my luggage. Returning with it quickly, I set it next to the rest and then took out my phone to request a ride.

While waiting, I decided to go get Noa, but the rattling sound made by the key dangling on the key lock stopped me, and my heart ceased the moment I turned around.

Lorenzo.

"Ho-wh-wha—" I attempted to ask what he wanted, but stammered as I stumbled backward.

“Come on. Don't look at me like that,” he said, advancing toward me and instinctively raising my hands, warning him not to come any closer.

He stopped.

"Why have you come here? What do you want?”

“I miss you. I miss my best friend.”

“Your best friend?” I choked with an incredulous look. "How dare you say that after everything you did to me?"

“Mera, I’m sorry if I was a little rough, but you don’t have to pretend. It’s just me and you here.”

"Pre-pretend? Pretend what? You’re sick! Get out, Lorenzo!"

"Mera, calm down," he said, moving closer and reaching out to touch me. And my hand shot out and connected with his cheek in a brutal slap as the fear vanished, leaving behind a storm of rage.

How dare he act like this after everything he did? I trusted him. I opened up to him, and he turned on me. He ruined me. He didn't just break my heart; he broke my soul. He broke me.

My hand rose again, reaching for his face, but he caught it, his eyes instantly darkening. “I don’t want to hurt you. Please don't do that again.” His tone made me shiver and ripped my hand out of his, taking a step back.

However, he grabbed my arm just as I did, his repulsive touch igniting another storm inside me. Before I registered, my hand connected with his cheek once more, a scream tearing through my throat as I told him not to touch me. But the words died in my throat as he slapped me back so hard I flew back and crashed on the ground.