Chapter 010

Camilla jerked out of her sleep clutching to her chest in as if she'd just been startled awake from a nightmare. Groggily she reach out to her phone and noticed several messages flashing on the screen

Who else would it be. No one order that her clinging brother. She leaned back no ready to scroll through the tins of messages. She didn't have the mental strength to deal with it.

She lay in bed for a moment, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. As she sat up, her mind began to clear, and memories of the previous night's events came flooding back. Her little escapade at the bar, the stranger's harsh words.

Speaking of the stranger, Ethan still hadn't gotten his name. He was so rude last night, trying to lecture her on drinking. How dare he? Did he have any idea what she was burying inside, what she wanted to let out? His words had struck a nerve, echoing the very same lectures she'd received from those who didn't understand her. Cole being number one.

But what did they know about the pain she'd endured, the life she'd lost? For the two years she'd lived in Australia, she'd only visited that bar twice, both times on the same date - the anniversary of her supposed death. The day she was stripped of her identity, her life, everything.

. Camila rubbed her temples, feeling a headache brewing. Just the thought of the past was already making her sick. She tossed off the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed.

But as she got up her phone buzzed on the bedside table. She didn't need to look to know who it was.

Immediately she swiped the screen ending the call.

As she attempted to grab breakfast. She stopped in front of the mirror hanging in the hallway, her gaze meeting its reflection. Her eyes looked tired, the dark circles underneath a testament to the sleepless nights she'd been having. She rubbed the fatigue from her eyes, her gaze drifting to the piercing in her earlobe. The familiar symbol seemed to mock her, reminding her of the life she'd left behind.

Maybe she should gotten rid of it. Remove the earring and let it close naturally. So Camila identity die completely.

The accident had left her feelings sore, and the memories still lingered. her mind wander back to the countless hours she'd spent in the hospital, undergoing surgery after surgery, a series of painful and grueling procedures designed to put her face back together again. But even now, with the physical scars faded, the emotional ones refuse to go away. The anxiety, the fear, and the sense of vulnerability that had become her constant companions.

She sigh heavily helplessly. The headache intensifying.

Maybe she overthinking over obsessed with past that it weighing her down.

She claimed to have moved on. 'This doesn't seem like moving'. Her inner critics will say.

She groaned shaking off the thoughts. Not today. No anymore.

Her phone buzzed again and Camilla's eyes snapped towards the screen, her heart sinking. She knew she couldn't avoid her brother's calls forever. He wouldn't stop calling anyway. she sautered over to the phone and picked it up, her finger hovering over the answer button. For a moment, she hesitated, wondering if she was ready to face whatever lecture or criticism Cole had in store for her.

But something about the persistence of the buzzing, the insistence of the calls, made her feel like she had no choice.

She took a deep breath, steeled herself, and answered the call. "Hello?" she said, trying to sound calmer than she felt. But the voice she had expected wasn't what she heard.

"Camila! Thank God! I've been trying to reach-"

"Who the hell are you."

The voice on the other end of the line paused, taken aback by Camilla's harsh tone.

"Uh, it's me Rachel Cole assistant -"

Camila snapped. "What do you want." ....

. Rachel hesitated, by Camilla's brusque tone. "I, uh, it's about Cole he's -"

"bye-bye-"

"WILL YOU JUST LISTEN TO ME!" Rachel spat. "Cole is at the hospital!"

Camila eyes went wide in shock the grip on the Phone tightening. "What do you mean by Cole in in the hospital we spoke like twelve hours ago."

"He had a severe cough this morning like he was choking."

Camila heart skipped a beat. Peanuts.

"What did you do, Rachel? Did you give him peanuts?" Camila said, her voice almost a scream, panic and accusation etched in every word. "You know he's allergic! How could you be so careless?"

Rachel's voice was frantic on the other end of the line. "No, Camilla, I didn't give him peanuts! I know about his allergy. But we think it might be something else. The doctors are running tests, but we need you to get here ASAP."

Camilla's mind was racing. What could be wrong with Cole? She felt a wave of guilt wash over her for being so short with Rachel earlier. And also for ignoring the call from the start. She was just too caught up in her problems that she was pushing Cole away.

"I-I'm on my way. What hospital is he at?" she stuttered, meanwhile Rachel's voice was relieved. "Médica Sur. We'll be in the ICU. Please hurry, Camilla."

Camilla nodded, even though Rachel couldn't see her. "I'll be right there."