Private

"Mila!" I called out in panic as I looked down at my baby girl and her eyes slowly fluttered open. I placed the back of my hand on Mila's forehead and found that she was burning up.

When did she get sick? I didn't even notice that she was coming down with something. I should've known. I should've seen the signs.

Mila's body suddenly stiffened in my arms, her tiny fists clenching tight. My heart stopped.

"Uncle Charlie! Get the car!" I yelled before I picked Mila up into my arms. I carried her outside and jumped into the passenger seat of the car.

"What's going on?" Uncle Charlie asked me in panic.

"I think she's having a seizure," I choked out, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

Uncle Charlie didn’t waste a second, slamming his foot on the gas.

"We're going to the hospital, right?"

"Yes," I whispered, clutching Mila closer.

I looked down at her, tears spilling over as I rubbed her small, rigid hands. "Mila, look at mommy. Stay with me, baby. Please stay with me." My voice cracked, and my tears fell faster.

Her body suddenly went limp, her fists unclenching as her head lolled against my chest. Relief washed over me, but the fear didn’t leave.

"The seizure's over," I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. "Good girl, Mila. Thank you, my love. Thank you." I kissed her damp forehead, but my heart still raced as we neared the hospital.

After driving for a few more minutes, Uncle Charlie stopped in front of the entrance to the hospital. He honked three times, and nurses and paramedics rushed out, their urgency pulling me out of my daze.

"She had a seizure," I told them, my voice trembling as I handed her over to the paramedic. He gently placed her on a gurney, and I followed close behind them as they wheeled her into the emergency room.

"Are you her mom?" a nurse asked, her tone kind but firm. I nodded.

"Her name?"

"Mila... Mila Delacruz," I managed, watching as they worked to stabilize her.

"How long did the seizure last?"

"Two... maybe three minutes," I answered, my voice breaking.

The nurse relayed my words to the doctor, but I barely heard her. My eyes stayed locked on Mila. My baby. My whole world.

I sank into a chair, head in my hands, sobbing quietly. If we’d stayed in Hollowfalls, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. Maybe she wouldn’t be here. I sighed heavily before I wiped my cheeks dry with my hands.

A warm hand touched my back, the gesture steadying me. I sniffled, assuming it was Uncle Charlie, but the weight of that hand… was familiar. Too familiar.

I looked up, and my breath hitched.

Mateo...

He crouched in front of me, his deep ocean-blue eyes meeting mine. "Hera," he said, his voice even, betraying nothing.

"Mateo," I whispered, my heart pounding in my chest.

He tilted my chin up with two fingers, forcing me to meet his gaze. "How did you find me? What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to take my daughter home, Hera." He told me and a nauseating feeling settled into the pit of my stomach.

"You're not gonna take her from me, Mateo," I told him and he clenched his jaw at my words.

"Nothing stopped you from taking her from me, Hera. So now nothing will stop me from taking her from you." Mateo told me and I looked over at Mila.

"She's sick, Matteo. You can't take her from me. She doesn't even know you." I told him and he flared his nostrils in anger.

"And whose fault is that?" He angrily asked me.

"Mateo, please," I begged, my voice barely above a whisper.

He straightened, towering over me as he turned toward the doctor. "I'm Mila's father. How's my daughter doing?"

"She’s stable now," the doctor said, glancing between us. "Her fever caused the seizure, which is common in children her age. She has the flu, so rest and hydration are key. Keep an eye on her blood sugar as well; her diabetes makes her more vulnerable."

I sighed in relief but didn’t miss the way Mateo’s eyes darkened.

"She’ll be fine?" I asked, and the doctor nodded.

"She can go home after her IV finishes in about two hours," he said kindly before leaving.

Without warning, Mateo pulled me into his chest. I stiffened, his scent overwhelming me a mix of cedarwood and something uniquely him.

"I’ve got you," he whispered, his voice soft for the first time, and I broke. I cried into his shirt, his arms tightening around me like they used to.

But just as quickly as comfort came, reality crashed down.

"Doctor!" Mateo called, and I pulled back, frowning as he spoke. "I want my daughter to see a specialist. Prepare her for a transfer."

"What transfer?" I demanded, my voice rising. "You’re not taking her anywhere!"

His jaw clenched, but his tone remained calm. "She deserves the best medical care, Hera. I have the best doctors. You can come with us, or you can stay here. Your choice."

Anger boiled under my skin because this was clearly not about medical care. "The days where I obeyed you are long gone, Mateo. I don’t need you or your doctors."

His gaze narrowed, but he said nothing. Instead, he gestured for me to follow him. Against my better judgment, I did.

In the elevator, his cologne filled the small space, wrapping around me like a memory I couldn’t shake. I risked a glance at him. He was perfect, as always—sharp jawline, piercing eyes, and that maddening confidence.

And yet, as much as I wanted to hate him, my body betrayed me. My heart still raced for him, my breath still caught at the sight of him.

He caught me staring and smirked, his lips curling just enough to make my cheeks burn.

When the elevator doors opened, I stepped out first, desperate to put distance between us. But as he led me into the empty office, I knew this wasn’t over.

"Where are we?" I asked him.

"Somewhere private." He muttered under his breath and I felt nervous butterflies in my chest as he closed the door behind us.

I crossed my arms, glaring at him. "What do you want from me, Mateo?"

He turned, his eyes dark with a mix of anger and something I couldn’t name. "What I’ve always wanted, Hera. My family."