Chapter 49: Too soon

Chapter 49: Too soon
AUTHOR’S POV

“Good morning. What’s wrong?” Ava asked, walking in with Noa to catch Katherine, who was scowling and lost in thought.

“Nothing, honey,” Kathrine quickly replied, but Ava didn’t buy it.

“Come on, talk to me. What’s wrong?” She pressed, setting Noa on his feet before walking over to hug her mother.

“The doctor isn’t going to release me today,” Kathrine finally found her words. "He's decided to run more tests following yesterday's attack."

“That’s good, isn’t it?”

“You know how I feel about hospitals.”

“I know, Mom, but you don’t want to die, do you? Do you want to leave me all by myself?” Ava asked, playfully pouting, and Kathrine replied with a sad smile.

“No, I don’t.”

They pulled each other into a hug again.

“So, how’s his mother?” Kathrine asked once they pulled back, now looking at Noa.

“She’s awake.”

“Good. That’s great news.”

“Yeah,” Ava said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Her mother noticed and took her hand. 

“Did you two talk?” Kathrine asked gently, hoping to draw her daughter out, and Ava said no. 

“I… I didn’t go in.”

“Why not?”

“She was sleeping, and I didn’t want to disturb her. I’ll check again later when I think she’s awake,” Ava replied, avoiding eye contact, and Kathrine could tell she wasn’t being entirely upfront.

She admired Ava; she was a better woman than Katherine could ever be, standing by someone who betrayed her like that. And from the way Camilo acted, it was clear he truly cared about Mera.

If only telling Ava the truth would set her free, she thought to herself. If only it wouldn’t be like trying to heal her broken heart by ripping it out altogether, Kathrine would have told her; she would do anything to end Ava’s pain and get her away from Camilo.

Rubbing circles on the back of Ava’s hand, she drew Ava’s attention back to her. 

“I’m so proud of you, baby. Your heart is bleeding, and yet you’ve put it out there to help others heal. You have a beautiful soul, Ava. Never forget that. Never let anyone convince you otherwise. And I wake up grateful every day that you chose me as your mother. You are everything to me. You’re the reason my heart keeps beating. And I love you so much.”

Kathrine gently caressed Ava’s cheek as she said the last part. And Ava leaned in, hugging her tightly with tears in her eyes.

“I love you too, Mom. So much.”

Ava’s phone rang, interrupting their embrace, prompting her to pull away and answer it, while Kathrine caught another glimpse of the sadness in her eyes.

It wasn’t hard for her to guess who was on the other side of the line… Camilo. Just then, Ava hung up, picked up Noa, and told Katherine she’d be back soon.

Kathrine nodded, waving at Noa as he waved back while they headed to the door. Then, she lay back down on the bed, her heart sinking once more as the sorrow of her devastating secret washed over her.

••••

AVA

I spotted Camilo immediately as I stepped off the elevator, and he smiled at me. Despite my best efforts to return it, the image of him and Mera in each other's arms remained etched in my mind. I knew I was probably being selfish, but I couldn’t help it. My mother was right. It was too soon.

“Hey, sorry. I accidentally left my phone on silent,” he explained why he didn’t get back to me after I called him, and I quickly told him it was okay. 

“I didn’t want you to go to the house and miss me, but you didn’t, so it’s no big deal. Is Mera awake?”

“Yes, you can go in. I have a couple of calls to make.” I didn’t waste his time and headed inside. I knocked before pushing the door open, and Mera smiled as she sat up in the bed. But I didn’t miss the way tears instantly pooled in her eyes.

“Hey,” I said softly, walking toward her, and Noa lifted his arms, clearly excited to see his mother.

“Hi,” she replied as Noa jumped from my arms just as I bent down to hand him over. And we both gasped before chuckling, relieved that he didn't hurt her wound.

I gave them a moment and took a seat next to the bed while Mera hugged Noa for a long time, whispering how much she missed him and how much she loved him. My heart ached as I watched them. It was painful to think about how badly this could have ended. If Camilo hadn’t made it in time, she could have died, and Noa could have lost his mother.

I couldn’t believe that just last month we were all so happy, and now everything was falling apart. “Ava?” I heard her voice and realized I had zoned out.

“Sorry,” I said softly. “I zoned out for a moment.”

“You look tired. How’s your mom?” she asked, genuine concern in her eyes, and I told her how Mom was doing. 

“They’re letting her out tomorrow.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m glad.” Silence settled between us for a moment, and just as I opened my mouth to speak, she did too.

“You go first,” I told her, and she did.

“Thank you, Ava. Thank you for taking care of my son. I’ll never forget what you did for me… when I didn’t even deserve it.” I nodded and reminded her that Noa was just a child. He didn’t deserve to be dragged into our mess.

“Still, you could’ve refused to come, but you didn’t,” she said, reaching for my hand. “Ava, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry for hurting you. Nothing can justify what I did to you, the pain I caused. I wish I could take it back. I’d do anything to earn your forgiveness… but if you can never forgive me, I understand. Please don’t leave Camilo. He loves you.”

A tear slid down my cheek, and I realized I couldn’t do this. Not right now. Pulling my hand away from hers, I grabbed my bag and stood.

“I’m glad you’re okay, Mera,” I said, placing a kiss on Noa’s head before turning toward the door, not waiting for her to respond.

I was running by the time the elevator came into view; all the pain from what she and Camilo did suddenly returned with a suffocating intensity. I wasn’t ready to speak to her.

Pressing the button, my hand was shaking, and it felt like forever before the elevator doors slid open. But someone caught my arm just as I stepped inside, stopping me. Startled, I turned and found Camilo standing there with a worried frown. 

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I called out to you. I-” I didn’t let him finish. 

“Do you have feelings for her?” 

“What? Where-”

“Just answer me, please.” My voice was trembling. “Do you have feelings for her or not, Camilo?”

••••

CAMILO

Ava asked me if I had feelings for Mera, and I stuttered, completely thrown by the question. I knew the answer, and I didn’t want to lie to her; she didn’t deserve that. But I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud. How was I supposed to look the woman I loved in the eye and admit I had feelings for someone else?

“Baby, I love you. Can we not do this here, please?”

“Can we not do what?” She snapped. “I asked you a simple question. Just answer me, Camilo. Do you have feelings for her or not?”

“It’s complicated, Ava,” I said, not knowing what else to say. And a tear slid down her cheek before she quickly wiped it away.

“I see,” she muttered, nodding, and the pain in her eyes made my chest tighten. 

“Bab-” I started, but she turned and began to walk away. “Baby, please don’t,” I pleaded, grabbing her arm, feeling as if I let her go now, it would truly be over. She stopped, looked down at my hand on her arm, then met my gaze.

“Please… take your hand off me.”

“Ava, please. Let’s talk about this. I love you.” I blurted it out, not even knowing what I was saying. It was true that I loved Ava. But I didn’t love her in the way she needed me to anymore. I never intended for my feelings to change, but they did. I was in love with Mera now. But I felt like a monster for hurting Ava like this. 

“You love me?” she snapped. “Is that supposed to make me feel better? Is it supposed to be enough?” She asked, voice trembling. “What do you want from me, Camilo? How do you think this makes me feel? You just admitted to having feelings for someone else. Do you think I have the strength to look at you right now?”

She yanked her arm free. “You broke my heart, Camilo… again.” Her voice cracked before stepping into the elevator and leaving me standing there, calling after her.

“Fuck,” I muttered, running my hands over my face. I messed up, and I didn’t know how to fix it.

My phone buzzed with a reminder about a meeting I was supposed to attend in the evening. And I sighed, taking a deep breath, feeling completely drained, physically and emotionally.

I headed to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face before walking back to Mera’s room. She looked up when I entered, her expression bleak, and I noticed the tear stains on her cheeks.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as I sat in the chair beside her bed, and she crumbled. 

“I hurt her, Camilo… and now I’m afraid I’ve lost her forever." I realized that things hadn’t gone well between her and Ava. I hadn’t expected them to, but she wanted to try to talk to her.

Reaching for her hand, I took it in mine. “We hurt her. This isn’t just on you. And… give her time. She’ll come around.” It was more a prayer than a promise, and Mera nodded, wiping her tears with her free hand.

We wanted the impossible. Our actions deeply hurt Ava, and perhaps we needed to accept that we lost her. 

“Listen, I have to step out for a bit, but I’ll be back later. Zara’s on her way to help you with Noa. I have a meeting I need to attend later, but I’ll come check on you before then. Should you need any help in the meantime, please inform Dr. Martinez or shoot me a text.

“I will. Thank you, Camilo. For everything.”

“Don’t mention it. I’ll see you later, okay? Be good to your mom; don’t jump on her,” I added, directing the last part to Noa as I ruffled his hair. He gave me a big smile, and I grabbed my car keys and walked out.