Chapter 48: Love

Chapter 48: Love
CAMILO

The doctor had told me Mera would be out for a while, so I took advantage of the opportunity to return home. I needed to get Noa's belongings and deliver them to Ava's. She eventually took him home and offered to look after him for the night.

I honestly didn’t know what I would’ve done without her, and it helped a great deal that Noa loved her. She had successfully kept him calm.

I was furious at Camila and still couldn't believe what she'd done. I loved my sister, but I had no idea who she was anymore. She’d almost killed Mera, and I didn’t know how I would’ve lived with myself if she had succeeded because it would have been my fault.

I had spent so much time protecting Camila's feelings that it almost cost Mera her life. I knew she would not believe the truth about Alejandro, but I still withheld the footage, hoping to persuade her otherwise.... as if I had not been trying for years. I should have shown her the video so she could see that he truly attempted to force himself on Mera.

But I was afraid that seeing that would shatter her completely because she would also hear what he said about her... about their child. I didn't want her to fall back into that dark place again. So I believed I was protecting her. But she'd given me no choice after what she'd done. So I'd show her.

Pedro greeted me at the door and led me to Camila's room. I handed him the flash drive as we entered.

Camila sat on her bed, staring out the window as if the world outside had stopped moving. I told Pedro to plug in the footage and leave when he was finished, and he followed instructions as I approached her with the remote in hand.

“There’s something I need you to see,” I said, standing in front of her, and she didn’t respond. “Did you hear me?” I asked again, but I still received no response. "Fine. You’ll hear it, then,” I muttered, pressing play.

She stood up and attempted to walk away, but I paused the video and followed. I grabbed her arm, but she yanked it away. “Let me go! I don't-" she started yelling, but something inside me snapped.

I gripped her shoulders, my voice coming out louder than I intended. “Shut the fuck up! Shut it! I don’t care if you don’t want to see it, Camila. You will look. You’re going to end this shit. I’m sick of your bullshit! Do you have any idea what you've done? You almost killed an innocent person. You nearly left a child without a mother because of your stupidity."

She flinched, her eyes wide and brimming with tears, and I closed my eyes, breathing hard to calm myself. "Now sit the fuck down," I said softly before letting her go.

She strolled back to the couch, tears silently rolling down her cheeks, and I pressed play again, allowing her to see for herself who her beloved fiancé, whom she nearly killed for, truly was.

•••

HOURS LATER

I was back in the hospital, and the elevator felt way too slow as I checked the time on my wristwatch. It was 2:35 a.m. and Dr. Martinez had called to tell me Mera was awake. I should have been next to her when she woke up; I wanted to be, but I needed to wait for Pops before leaving the house after showing Camila the footage.

Camila had not cried or reacted while watching the video. She sat there, numb, until she fell limp on the couch. The doctor described it as a vasovagal response caused by emotional overload. She still didn’t say a word when she came to. Instead, she looked broken, and that was what I had been afraid of.

I despised that bastard even in death, and if I could bring him back just to kill him again, I would. I needed Pops' help with Camila, so I called him. He was already aware of everything, and I informed him about the footage I had shown her.

I didn’t want to leave my sister, but Mera needed me too. At least Camila had options, whereas Mera didn't.

On my way to the hospital, I stopped at the penthouse to retrieve Noa's belongings, but I couldn't wake Ava. So I would deliver them to her in the morning.

The elevator finally came to a stop, and I yawned as I exited and made my way to Mera's room. She sat up, wincing, as I walked in. "How are you feeling?" I asked, sitting on the bed beside her and taking her hand. Her lips trembled, and then the tears fell as she struggled to speak.

“I’m so sorry, Mera. This is all my fault,” I whispered, pulling her into a hug, and she sobbed in my arms. I'd promised to protect her twice. But both times, she was hurt. Both times I failed. After a while, she settled down and asked about Noa.

"He's with Ava," I told her, before apologizing again and admitting that I should have done more to protect her. I could tell she was surprised that Ava was taking care of Noa, so I quickly assured her that everything was fine and that Ava had volunteered to do so. She paused before speaking.

“I… don’t blame you… Camilo," she said softly, looking at me.

“You should,” I whispered. “I should’ve seen it coming. I should have shown Camila the video right away instead of trying to persuade her to believe me." Mera said she trusted me, resting her head on my chest again, and I held her, wishing I believed in myself as much as she believed in me. I wanted nothing more than to keep her safe. But it seemed like I had no idea how to do that.

•••

THE FOLLOWING MORNING

AVA

I stepped into the elevator and paused for a moment before pressing the button, unsure whether I should go directly to my mother's room or check on Mera first.

Camilo was supposed to bring Noa's belongings to the house last night, but I awoke to a text from him saying he would bring them in the morning. He explained why he couldn't make it, and I understood. He had his hands full.

I sent him a text offering to come get the items myself so he did not have to make the trip. However, he did not answer when I called and has yet to return my call. So I had no choice but to sit tight so that we would not miss each other.

The elevator came to a stop, and Noa and I stepped out. I decided to go see his mother first. He missed her, and I was sure she missed him, too. I knocked on the door, then pushed it open, but paused at the sight that greeted me. 

Camilo, whom I was waiting to hear from, was on the bed with Mera, her head resting on his chest and his arms tightly wrapped around her. Both of them were fast asleep, and my throat went dry before tears welled up in my eyes, the sight in front of me bringing the full scope of their betrayal crashing down all over again.

I was relieved that Noa was looking the other way, because I couldn't let him see me like this. I turned around and fled the room as quickly as I could, a traitorous tear slipping down my cheek as my heart shattered all over again.

I knew that maybe Camilo was only trying to comfort her, but seeing her in his arms felt overwhelming.

I’d ended our engagement, and I hadn’t forgotten that. I was not sure what the future held for us, but I still loved him. And the thought of not having him in my life was terrifying. It hurt more than I wanted to admit.

I walked down to my mother's room, silently praying that I could conceal my pain when I saw her. She didn't need any more stress.

Noa looked up at me as we walked into the room, his little hand reaching for my earrings while his green eyes sparkled mischievously. He knew I didn’t like it when he tugged on them, and he smiled, knowing how naughty he was being. I discovered this morning that he was learning to walk, and he was so cute clinging to my dresser. There was something about his eyes and the way he smiled that reminded me of Camilo.

Noa was no longer wearing the bloodied clothes because he had left an extra set at my house during his last visit. 

I squeezed him tighter as he wrapped his small arms around my neck and rested his head on my shoulder, my thoughts shifting to Camila.

I should check in on her later. If I could set aside my pain for Camilo and Mera, I could do the same for her.