Chapter 6

Camilla Varela's Point of View

It was already late at night when Cassandra arrived at the condo. I stayed quiet, but inside, I was really scared — not just for myself but also for my baby. At the same time, I couldn’t stop myself from feeling frustrated with my friend. Because of what she did, my life was now in danger.

If she hadn’t revealed my ex-husband’s affair, he wouldn’t be threatening me now.

"Do you realize that because of what you did, Lucas won’t leave me alone?" I asked, looking straight into her eyes. My voice sounded upset, and I knew she could hear it. "I know you’re worried about me, but I never expected you to do something like that, Cass."

Cassandra lowered her head and shook it slowly. "I’m sorry, Camilla. I didn’t really think it through. I just wanted to stand up for you against your ex-husband," she said softly.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "He called me earlier. He thinks I’m the one who spread those rumors. He warned me, Cass — he said he’s going to ruin my life."

"You should’ve thought about me first… and my baby," I said, my voice breaking a little.

"I’ve wanted to take revenge for you for a long time, Camilla," she admitted. "I planned this even before we found out you were pregnant. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to worry. I know you still have feelings for him, and I thought you wouldn’t agree."

"I see…" I nodded slowly, finally understanding her reasons. "You only did this because you wanted to protect me in your own way — even if it was through revenge."

"Camilla…"

"I’m leaving tomorrow," I told her. "I don’t want to be a burden to you anymore. I need to get far away from here… from Lucas. I hope you understand, Cassandra." My heart felt heavy saying this, but I knew I didn’t have a choice. I needed to go somewhere safe where I wouldn’t have to live in fear. My child deserved peace and safety.

"I’m really thankful for everything you’ve done for me, Cass. You’ve been a big help, but I can’t stay here. I don’t want to depend on you forever."

Cassandra nodded slowly. "If that’s what you want," she said quietly, and I could hear the sadness in her voice.

She stood up without saying anything more and walked toward her room. I stayed in the living room, feeling guilty. I knew Cassandra was only worried about me and wanted to help, but I couldn’t keep relying on her. I needed to take care of myself and my baby on my own.

After my phone call with Lucas earlier, my whole body was shaking with fear. I didn’t want him to find out that I was pregnant. And since he already knew I was staying with Cassandra, I was sure he would show up here soon, demanding answers about the rumors online. He was convinced I was the one behind them — and he was angry.

That’s when I made my decision. I had to leave — not just to get away from Lucas but also from everyone else who had been hurting me. Starting over wouldn’t be easy, but I had to do it. My baby deserved a peaceful, safe environment, and I was determined to provide that.

The next morning, I left Cassandra’s condo. I didn’t wait for her to wake up. I knew saying goodbye face-to-face would only make things harder, so instead, I left her a message. I was leaving for good — for my baby’s sake. I wanted a fresh start in Los Angeles, where I could raise my child in peace.

"Have we met before?"

I looked up, surprised to see a man standing in front of me. His face was unfamiliar, and the way he was staring at me felt strange — like he knew me from somewhere.

"No… I don’t think so. You don’t look familiar to me," I answered honestly. I was sure we had never met before.

He smiled a little. "Oh, sorry. I must’ve been mistaken. You just look familiar, and I can’t figure out why."

 

After he said that, he quickly walked away. I sat there, holding my ticket tightly, waiting for my flight to be called.

To be honest, this is the hardest decision I’ve ever made — going to a place where I don’t know anyone and only bringing a small amount of money with me. But I’m sure I can survive on my own.

Maybe I’ll just find a job there before my tourist visa expires.

"Flight to Los Angeles is now boarding."

I stood up right away and started walking toward the plane, pulling my luggage behind me. Every step I took felt heavy, just like the weight I was feeling inside.

 

I settled into my seat, feeling a mix of exhaustion and nervousness. Staring out the airplane window, I tried to calm my racing thoughts. The reality of my decision was sinking in — I was leaving everything behind, stepping into an uncertain future. But as much as fear tugged at me, I knew this was the right thing to do. For myself. For my child.

My quiet reflection was suddenly interrupted when someone sat down in the seat next to me. Curious, I turned my head — and my eyes widened in surprise. It was him. The man I’d spoken to earlier at the airport.

"Oh! It’s you!" he said with a warm, friendly smile. "Looks like we’re on the same flight… and sitting right next to each other, too. What a coincidence..."

I felt a small, awkward smile creep onto my face. "Yeah… what a coincidence," I replied softly.

He seemed easygoing and cheerful — the kind of person who didn’t hesitate to start a conversation. "Are you traveling alone?" he asked, his voice light and curious.

I hesitated, my eyes drifting back to the window as I tried to decide how much I wanted to share. "Kind of," I answered vaguely, not sure if I was ready to open up.

"Kind of?" he repeated, clearly intrigued. "So… does that mean you have someone with you?"

I shook my head slowly, avoiding his gaze. It was easier to stay quiet than to explain everything.

"I see…" he said thoughtfully, his tone soft and understanding. After a brief pause, he smiled again and extended his hand. "By the way, I’m Clint Miller. And you are…?"

For a second, I wasn’t sure if I should tell him my real name. He seemed kind, and I didn’t get any bad vibes from him — but after everything I’d been through, trusting people wasn’t easy. Still, something about his genuine demeanor made me feel a little safer.

"Camilla… Camilla Varela," I finally said, still keeping my eyes on the window.

"Camilla…" he repeated, as if testing how my name sounded. Then he grinned. "That’s a beautiful name. Just like you."

His unexpected compliment caught me off guard, and I fell silent. I wasn’t used to kind words like that — not anymore. Part of me wanted to brush it off, but I could feel the warmth creeping into my cheeks. I decided not to respond, hoping the conversation would move on.

"Are you heading to Los Angeles for a vacation?" he asked after a moment, clearly trying to keep things light and casual.

I shook my head. "No. I’m leaving for good," I said quietly. The words felt heavy — final — and saying them out loud made everything feel even more real. "But I don’t know anyone where I’m going."

He raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised. "Wow… that’s brave. But why Los Angeles? Of all places?"

I let out a soft, almost nervous laugh. "I guess you could say I’m running away from someone. And LA seems like a safe enough place for us."

His eyes softened with curiosity and concern. "Us?" he asked gently. "So… you’re not really alone, then?"

My hand moved instinctively to my belly — a protective gesture I’d been doing more often without even realizing it. The baby bump was still small, not obvious yet, but it was there. "It’s me… and my child," I said in a quiet voice. "We’re running away from his… cheating father."

Clint’s expression shifted, his easy smile replaced by something more serious. "I’m so sorry you’re going through that," he said softly. "That sounds… really tough. Do you have a place to stay when you get there?"

I shook my head, trying to push away the anxiety creeping in. "Not yet. I’m planning to start over from scratch. I have some savings, but it won’t last forever. I’ll need to find a job soon."

For a few moments, there was silence between us. Then Clint spoke again, his voice gentle but sure. "You know… if you need a place to stay, you could stay at my house in Los Angeles. And if you’re looking for a job, you could work with me."

I blinked, stunned by his offer. "What?" I asked, unsure if I’d heard him right.

"I mean it," he said, his voice sincere. "I just want to help. And I promise — I’m harmless."

I stared at him, unsure of how to respond. After everything I’d been through, kindness felt unfamiliar. But maybe… this was a sign that things were about to change.