CamillaAlex left me five years ago. It's been five long years since he divorced me, leaving me to raise Ava by myself. I thought I had forgotten how I felt about him. I thought the pain was gone and that I had moved on.But my chest gets tight every time I see him. My carefully built walls are shaking. His presence makes me feel things I don't want to feel, feelings I've worked hard to keep from coming out.However, he was back, trying to say sorry for betraying me in a way I will never forget. He threw me away like trash for another woman. He now comes back with a rehearsed apology and wants me to forgive him?No. It won’t work with me.After picking Ava up from school, I forced a smile as she climbed into the car, her small backpack swinging behind her. I couldn’t let her see the heaviness in my chest — the weight of my earlier encounter with Alex in my office. His words still echoed in my mind, but I pushed them away.“How was school, sweetheart?” I asked, my voice steady, my grip
AlexWhen I came home, I was tired. After a long day, I fell on the couch, needing to rest. Later that evening, I went into the kitchen, only to find that nothing was left. Not that I cared before, because Alessia always liked eating out. But, this evening, I had no choice. I needed to buy some groceries. I took my tablet and made a list of what I needed. Perhaps staying busy will help me drive these thoughts away. But as I walked to the grocery, the pressure in my chest continued, a continual reminder of what I'd lost — and so wanted to reclaim.I couldn't shake the weight on my chest. It wasn't only about the provisions. The silence at home made it tough to avoid my thoughts. I had once wanted peace, a life free of pain and unnecessary drama. But today, sitting alone in my house, I noticed that silence without love seemed empty. The thoughts of what I had lost refused to leave me. Camilla was evident in every area of the house. Her laughter, the way she used to hum while cooki
Camilla I stood at the checkout desk examining the things in my cart. My thoughts wandered as I waited for Ava. I could hear her laughing from a distance. It was a soft and free sound that always made my heart melt.When I saw them coming, my chest clenched. When our eyes met, Ava's bright smile faded, and her laughing trailed off into quiet. Her steps slowed, and she clutched more tightly to Alex's hand.She must have remembered the restaurant incident from a few days ago, the brawl that left her confused and terrified. I hated that she was caught in the middle of everything.And then there was Alex, his look steady but guarded. He was studying me attentively, unsure how I would respond. There was tension between us, and the weight of our unresolved past hung heavily in the air.I took a deep breath and reminded myself of the choice I had taken. I would not take Ava's happiness away. If spending time with Alex made her happy, I wouldn't stand in her way — but that didn't mean I was
Camilla I walked into the house, Ava's small hand in mine, and gently closed the door behind us. The weight of everything pressed down on me, but I forced myself to walk slowly and steadily toward the stairway. Ava's chuckles, still lingering from the supermarket experience, echoed softly in the corridor. "Mommy, I like this teddy bear," Ava exclaimed cheerfully, holding up her new teddy bear. Her exuberance was contagious, but I couldn't bring myself to join in. My chest felt tight with emotions that I couldn't shake. Marta emerged from the living room, her soft eyes brightening at the sight of us. She rubbed her hands on her apron and approached, bending to Ava's level. “Hello, sweetheart. Did you bring anything for me?" Marta inquired, softly grabbing Ava's free hand. Ava nodded happily and hugged her teddy bear. "Yes, I got this from my big uncle! "Isn't that cute?" Marta's gaze shifted to me, and her expression changed to one of concern as she spotted my stiff shoulders and
Alex This was one of the happiest days of my life. For years, I had lived in darkness, haunted by past errors that cast long shadows over my existence. Regret and pain had become my daily companions. I bore the burden of all I had lost: my life with Camilla, the love we had shared, and now the awareness that I had a daughter. A daughter I never knew about. Camilla's maid's information felt like a breath of fresh air, like opening a window after years of suffocation. David was not her husband. He was only a friend. Relief poured over me as I processed those words. There was no man in their lives who filled the position of a father to Ava. It all led to one irrefutable truth: Ava was mine. But it wasn't only the maid's words that convinced me. It was Ava herself. I could not get her out of my mind. The more I thought about her, the more everything fell into place. Her eyes. Deep grey, the same color as mine. I remembered how they shone with curiosity at the supermar
Camilla"Ava... she's my daughter, too," Alex said, his voice calm but shaking with passion.The words struck me like a blow to the chest, forcing the air from my lungs. My hand tightened around the phone, fingers twitching as I battled to maintain my grip. The world slanted for a brief instant. The walls of the room appeared to close in, making it difficult to breathe.Ava his daughter?The prospect of treachery made me feel ill. My heartbeat pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else.I wanted to say no and shout that he was wrong. But the reality was already breaking through the barriers I'd painstakingly created over the years. My heart pounded like a drum in my chest, each beat filled with anxiety.I wrapped my arms around myself, attempting to control the swirl of feelings. Confusion. Disbelief. Panic. They swirled together, making it difficult to think properly.No. He couldn't have known. How could he? Was Alex guessing? Was he attempting to manipulate me? Or did someone
CAMILLADavid sat opposite from me, his gaze fixed on mine. His look was strong and penetrating, which made my chest clench. His normally placid manner appeared strained, as if he had been held on by a thread. His hands rested on the table, fingers tapping lightly against the couch in a cadence that revealed his uneasiness.The silence stretched between us, becoming heavier with each passing second. I wanted to talk, say something to relieve the strain, but the words wouldn't come. What should I say to make things better?He was the first to break the silence. "I am sorry about yesterday, Camilla. I understand how children behave when they see someone they're really fond of."His voice was soothing, but I noticed that his jaw tightened slightly. He was attempting to appear calm, but his body language spoke another story. He was hurt badly. And I was the reason.I nodded and gave a slight smile. "It's okay."But it wasn't. Not really. I admired David's warmth, patience, and continuous
ALEXThe drive to work felt longer than usual, though traffic was not an issue, but silence. It was the kind of silence that grabs you by the throat and won't let go. My mind was racing with ideas, all of which circled back to the same instant. Camilla's voice rang in my head, trembling like it had when I told her the truth."Ava is my daughter too." * The line I had crossed. I couldn't keep the truth buried any longer. But rather than bringing down her walls, it appeared to strengthen them. There was a long pause after I said that, a hush so thin it felt like it would snap. I could still picture it. Her fingers was presumably clasped tightly around the phone, her thoughts racing. Then her voice broke through, piercing and icy. * "I'm done with this." * I called her after she hung up, desperate to repair the damage. But each time, it went directly to voicemail. I called again. And again. Nothing. The silence at the other end was deafening. Her phone was off, which was unusual f
Alex The previous two days had been a maelstrom of emotions. Sitting in my study, I let out a long sigh and rubbed my temples. The weight of tiredness pulled on my shoulders, yet sleep had proven difficult. My mind refused to relax. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ava—her small, delicate body lying on that hospital bed, bandages around her head, her pale face devoid of its typical brightness. I clinched my fist. The kidnapping, The drive to catch the kidnappers, The accident, The moment I saw her unconscious and drenched in blood. Every second of it replayed in my mind like a nightmare I couldn't shake. I had never experienced fear like this before. The thought of losing her had almost crushed me. The worst part? I had no claim to her. There is no right to make decisions. I was simply a man who had stepped in when she needed assistance. But why did it seem like more than that? Why did saving her make me feel like I was saving a part of myself? I leaned back in my
Camilla The steady beep, beep, beep of the heart monitor was the first thing I heard when I entered the hospital room. The sterile aroma of antiseptic permeated the air, mixed with a slight touch of something metallic—blood, perhaps, or the aftermath of trauma. My heart beat in time with the beeping machine, each sound a heartbreaking reminder of how close I had gotten to losing Ava. I gulped hard and forced myself to walk forward. Then I spotted her. Ava reclined on the hospital bed, her small frame almost swallowed by the white covers. Her head was wrapped in heavy bandages, and an IV line was attached to her small hand. The sight of her like this—so frail and still—took my breath away. My knees weakened, so I clutched the doorframe for support. It was my fault. If I had been more diligent and protected her properly... Perhaps she wouldn't be lying here, hooked up to machines and battling to recuperate. I let out a faint whimper before I could stop it. "Ava…" Her
CAMILLA A slight buzz of voices trickled through the hospital's closed doors. My eyes felt heavy, and my body was tight from resting in one position for too long. I squinted at the dimly lit room, with early morning light filtering in through the blinds. I must have fallen asleep just before daybreak. A throbbing ache throbbed at the base of my skull, reminding me of the sleepless night I'd spent tossing and turning, haunted by Ava's face. Pale. Frightened. Helpless. The memories hit me all over again, jolting me completely awake. Ava. I turned my head, expecting to see Alex sitting in the chair by the window, like he had last night. But the chair was empty. Panic clutched at my chest. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, forcing myself up despite the tiredness that weighed me down. My bare feet contacted the icy floor, causing a shiver up my spine. I reached for the lightweight cardigan I'd droped over the chair and slipped it on as I exited the room. The hallway
AlexThe air was thick with anxiety as our car sped down the deserted road, tires buzzing against the asphalt. The black SUV ahead of us faded into the distance, its taillights blazing red and flickering like a heartbeat. We were getting near, but not fast enough.We'd been after them for over half an hour. The police used a GPS tracker concealed on their car. We knew they were going south on Route 19, but every second felt like we were losing them. My stomach twisted from anger and anxiety. I should have acted faster. I should've been more prepared. If I had, Ava might not be in danger now. But now all I could do was track them down. As the SUV's red taillights flashed in front of us, I grasped the armrest tightly. My heart was rushing and thumping inside my chest. Every second seemed like an eternity. I couldn't let them leave with her. We needed to get her back. "Keep on them!" The officer next to me ordered, his voice tense with urgency.The officers in the car with me were doin
Camilla The front door was slightly opened. As I pushed, the wood creaked, ringing through the silence like a warning. A moist chill crept across my skin. Inside, the air was thick with the smell of mold, dust, and something more. Something metallic. The room was consumed by darkness, but a dim light flickered in the distance. It hummed weakly, throwing long, fragmented shadows on the walls. My breath came out in short, uneven gasps. Every instinct screamed at me to turn back, run, and seek help. But I couldn't, I kept moving. Because somewhere in the darkness, Ava was waiting for me.Then, from the darkness, came a voice. "Hands up." I froze. The voice was calm. Too calm. Possessing such control implied power.Footsteps were the next sound, which was slow and measured. Heavy. Deliberate. A rough, hard hand clamped around my wrist. Not cruel, but uncompromising. A silent warning. "Move." The grasp tightened slightly, guiding me forwards. My legs felt weak, but I
CamillaThe jet's hum filled the silence around me, but inside my head, all I could hear was noise—loud, excruciating noise. Ava. Her name rang repeatedly, pressing my heart even more. I gazed at my phone screen, my fingers quivering as I dialed Marta's number again. Still turned off.I tried again. Still nothing.Tears blurred my vision. My daughter was out there, in the hands of a dangerous person. Was she crying? Was she afraid? Did they injure her? My gut wrenched in misery at the thought. Across from me, Alex stood with his phone to his ear. His voice was steady and controlled, in stark contrast to the conflict inside me. "Alexander Brookes, CEO of Millach LTD," he said while listening to the other end of the line. His expression was unreadable, but I could sense the strain in his jaw. "There was an emergency that we needed to attend to. We already left. Tell Ms. Montgomery for a reschedule of this meeting if feasible." There was a delay before he said, "Alright, sorr
CamillaMy heart raced as I entered the room, my trembling fingers on the door just as it closed behind me. The silence around me was intense, broken only by my choppy breaths. I leaned my back against the door, feeling its coolness, but it didn't help quiet the turmoil inside me. Alex. The memory of his touch and the feel of his lips stayed with me like a haunting presence I couldn't escape. My resolve and the walls I carefully built around myself fell apart whenever he got near. I tried really hard to keep him away to protect myself and my daughter, but when he looked at me with those pleading eyes, I lost my strength. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to manage my feelings. It wasn't just about him; it was how he made me feel and how he could always remove the walls I felt I needed. The best thing I could do was put some space between us, lock the door, and guarantee that the mistakes of the previous night were never repeated. Sliding down to the floor, I sat with my knees t
AlexShe pulled the room door open without speaking, allowing it to swing close behind her. I caught it before it closed fully and followed her inside. Camilla walked straight to the couch and dropped herself upon its edge with a stiff motion. She crossed her arms again, her fingers grabbing her sleeves as if bracing for a blow. Her eyes was concentrated on a faraway location, her expression opaque yet heavy with thought. I paused near the door and watched her. She didn't recognize my presence as she moved her head slightly away. I took a breath and stepped closer, each movement slow and deliberate. The cool floor muffled my footfall, but I could feel the space between us. When I got close enough to talk, I stopped and kept my voice low. "Camilla, please listen to me." Her body tensed slightly, but she did not glance at me. The silence extended, dense with tension, and her only reaction was a tiny twitch of her fingers against her arm. "There's nothing to talk about," she st
ALEX The warm rays of sunlight crept through the blinds and woke me up. I stirred, slipping into the mattress, the warmth strange but weirdly soothing. As I opened my eyes, images of the previous night flooded back to me. I was on Camilla's bed. I sat up gently, putting my elbows on my knees and running a hand through my hair. A faint smile pulled on the corner of my lips. For the first time in years, the nothingness inside of me didn't feel so overwhelming. Being with her filled a gap I had no idea was so profound. As I shifted, the covers slipped down, showing my bare chest and the empty space next me. My heart dropped slightly when I realized Camilla was not there. I looked around the room, my eyes scanning every angle. Her scent lingered slightly in the air, but she was nowhere to be found. I pushed the blankets away from my legs and found my clothes lying on the floor. I picked them up one by one, the room's silence disturbed only by the subtle rustle of cloth as I dressed