CHAPTER 3 COMING BACK

Lily Pov

BACK TO PRESENT

Mateo said softly, "Lily," as he leaned in toward me in the chair next to me. “I've been talking with the hospital. They have accepted both of us means I’ll be working there as well. They also assured me to search for a compatible donor for Ayla.”

I held my head in a slight curve, as a wave of thankfulness washed over me. “Thank you, Mateo. I don’t know what my life would look like without you.”

He said gently , however, I could tell that concern was there in his eyes. Even though his confidence should have calmed me, the dread I felt deep within wouldn’t subside.  The chances of finding a match for Ayla were so slim.The harder it became to ignore the reality of what was coming each day. Isaac. His family. The things I had buried for such a long time. 

The closer we got to Los Angeles, the closer I came to the edge of the truth being revealed.

“But there is one thing,” Mateo said slowly, as if measuring his words and trying not to say something incorrectly. “I have been looking for possibilities, and there is only one centre that has the sophisticated equipment to try and find a cure for Ayla. It is the same lab that invited you a few months ago – Mr. Walker’s research laboratory—The Equinex Laboratory.”

I stood still, the name being said made me shiver and feel a cold sensation all over my body. That lab. The place I had intentionally avoided even though I knew it was among the best in the country. But that lab is in Los Angeles. Ever since I had wanted to stay as far away from anything that could lead back to Isaac as possible, but now… What if we encounter him again. 

“Well if that is what you want, you can contact them,"  Mateo said, however, his eyes were still on me. It might be Ayla’s best shot. You refused them before, but it is something that you should definitely try.”

I breathed in deeply and my mind was spinning.  Issac.  The one thing I had been trying to avoid so much. If I went there, I would be right back in his domain again. And if he found out about Ayla…

Mateo stared at me with the same kind eyes, yet I could make out that he was curious about something. “Lily… what are you so afraid of?”

How could I explain? I had to explain to him how the man who may well save my daughter was the same man I had run away from years ago. That Ayla’s life was in the hands of a secret I had kept to my self for all those years?

“I just don’t want them involved,” I said quietly, not wanting to tell the truth. I have been avoiding it for a reason. It’s better this way.”

Mateo just gave a slow nod, still respecting my decision and not attempting to coax me into saying more. “Okay. I won’t ask questions. Only to understand that I am here anyway.”

“Thank you,” I mumbled, holding his hand closely. “I mean it, Mateo. Rubbing it lightly, You have been a better friend to me than anyone else.”

“We’re in this together, Lily,” he said, and he didn’t look angry at all “Ayla is going to get through this and so are you,” he said.

I wanted to believe him, but the idea of what was to come made me feel scared and anxious in my stomach. Isaac had no idea she existed and I had every plan of keeping it that way. But with every step I took to get a cure, I could feel the truth coming closer and closer to revealing me and everything that I had hidden.

At least for now, I would need to concentrate on what truly was important—Ayla. There was nothing that I wouldn’t do to protect her. Even if it meant stepping right back into the past and coming face to face with the one thing that I was trying to escape.

“Okay,” I agreed getting up and ruffling my hair with my fingers. “Okay Los Angeles here we come.”

Mateo was by my side, and he looked very much decided. “We’ve got this. I understand how you feel, you are not the only one going through this fight, Lily.”

While we were planning our next move, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe Mateo was right. Maybe I wasn’t alone.  But at the core of my being, I knew that no matter how many people stood by me, I would be alone in this fight.

And here, I had to decide what to do. Could I afford to go back into Isaac’s world and lose everything? The research lab could be Ayla’s only hope, but it meant coming face to face with Isaac and the world I had tried to run away from.

I looked at Mateo and he was still staring at me. He trusted me, this idea. Did he really know what was going on?

I nodded and said, “I’ll do it,” despite the fact that I didn’t really want to and I didn’t really feel like I was going to. “I will get in touch with the Equinex Lab.”

Mateo relaxed his gaze and looked at her with relief. “That’s what you should do.”

I agreed with him while internally struggling to believe that he was telling the truth. Whatever would happen, I would face it, no matter whether it would be the past and the man whom I had to escape from. For Ayla I would do anything.

Even if it meant walking back into the lion’s den.