Chapter 8
1240 Words
"How did this happen?" Alex barked, his voice cutting through the air like a whip.
Camila flinched and stepped back. She had never seen this side of Alex, not in the fifteen years she'd known him.
"Alex, I... I don't know either," Camila stammered, her eyes wide, tears spilling freely down her cheeks. The shock of everything still clung to her like cold air.
Lucas, trembling but defiant, began punching Alex's leg.
"Don't shout at Mom! Don't shout at a lady! You're a bad dad!" he yelled, his little fists thudding against Alex's trousers.
Alex caught his hand mid-air and crouched slightly. "Sorry, little man," he said softly, voice trembling as the anger drained into exhaustion.
On the floor, Sophia still hadn't opened her eyes.
Her face was pale, her small hands limp.
Alex hesitated, he didn't rush her to the hospital.
Lucas had blurted earlier, "Mom said hospitals can't help Sophia."
Those words froze Alex in place.
This wasn't even the first time Sophia had fainted, the last time, she'd only woken after several long hours.
"She's always been weak," Lucas whispered, his voice small but sure, as if stating a sad truth he'd learned too early.
Alex clenched his jaw and carried Sophia gently in his arms. With his free hand, he took Lucas by the shoulder.
"Let's go," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Camila stood frozen, still wiping her tears.
She didn't understand why Alex's rage was directed at her, she was just as shocked as he was.
But when Alex walked out without another word, she scrambled to her feet and followed.
Normally, she would have sat beside him in the front seat, maybe even reached out to calm him down.
But now, she couldn't. Her pride and hurt kept her distant.
Alex opened the passenger door for her, waiting silently.
Camila ignored it and went straight to the backseat, sitting beside the children without even looking at him.
Alex stood still for a moment, jaw tight, then slammed the door shut.
He walked around the car, got into the driver's seat, and started the engine, the tension thick enough to choke on.
No one spoke.
The only sound was the low hum of the engine and Sophia's uneven breathing.
Alex's grip on the steering wheel tightened.
He didn't know who to be angry at anymore, Camila, fate, or himself.
He just drove, his thoughts spiraling, heading straight for home.
As Alex arrived home, the butler, already informed of the situation, hurried out to meet him. He gently carried Sophia inside, with Lucas and Camila following close behind.
Alex stayed in the car, his hand gripping the steering wheel, his thoughts tangled in chaos.
What's going to happen to Sophia? he wondered, his chest tightening.
Should I take her to the hospital?
But then he remembered, her mother was still there.
And he had already told the children that their mother had left them.
Alex dragged a hand through his hair, frustration boiling over. His thoughts wouldn't stop spinning.
He finally got out of the car, his steps heavy with anger.
What did Helena do to Isabella? he thought, fury rising like fire in his veins.
He strode toward the maids' quarters and slammed the door open.
The loud BANG sent everyone inside scattering like startled birds.
It was the first time Alex had ever stepped into that part of the mansion in his entire life.
"Where's Helena?" he demanded, his voice echoing off the walls.
The veins in his neck stood out; his eyes burned red with fury.
A maid stammered and rushed off to fetch her.
Helena, lounging in her room, frowned at the interruption. She adjusted her dress, fixed her hair, and stepped out with an irritated look, until she saw Alex standing there.
"Sir? What's wrong? Why are you here?" she asked, forcing a smile as she moved closer, pretending concern.
When she tried to touch his arm, Alex shoved her back with disgust.
Helena stumbled and fell hard onto the floor.
"Ouch!" she cried, clutching her wrist. "Sir, what did I do?" she whined, her voice trembling with fake innocence.
"What did you do to Isabella?" Alex's voice roared through the room, sharp enough to slice through silence.
"N.....n..nothing!" Helena stuttered, eyes darting. Inside, her thoughts raced.
He came here… for that useless woman?
Alex's glare darkened. "You'd better pray it's nothing," he thundered, jabbing a finger at her. "Or else......"
He didn't finish the sentence. The threat in his tone was more than enough.
Every maid had already backed into corners, avoiding his eyes.
Even the guards standing at the doorway were trembling.
"Drag her to the punishment room," Alex ordered coldly.
"Sir..... please! I didn't do anything!" Helena cried, scrambling on the floor as two guards seized her by the arms.
Alex leaned forward, his tone low but lethal.
"You should've taken care of her when she was in your charge."
He turned sharply and walked out, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.
"Sir! Sir, please!" Helena screamed, her voice breaking as the guards dragged her toward the punishment chamber.
Her cries faded behind him.
But Alex didn't look back once.
Alex entered the main building and froze.
Camila was crouched in the corner, her body trembling, quiet sobs escaping her lips.
His chest tightened instantly.
"Camila?" he called softly, rushing to her side.
He knelt beside her and gently lifted her face.
Her eyes were swollen, her cheeks streaked with tears.
Alex's heart ached, he rarely saw Camila like this.
He helped her to the sofa and sat beside her, brushing the hair from her face.
"What's wrong, dear?" he asked, wiping her tears with his thumb.
Camila turned away, her lips quivering.
Alex frowned, confusion swirling in his mind.
"Why are you crying? Did something happen?" he asked again, his voice softer this time as he tilted her chin toward him.
Her words came out in broken breaths.
"I don't know what I did wrong," she began, voice shaking. "But Sophia doesn't want me anymore. Lucas has been avoiding me too. I know I can never replace their mom... but I tried, Alex. I really tried."
Tears spilled down her cheeks again.
"And then you screamed at me like I wanted all this to happen. Maybe I should just leave... so I don't ruin your happy family."
She stood up, wiping her face roughly with her sleeve, ready to walk away.
But Alex grabbed her hand and pulled her back.
She stumbled, falling onto his lap, her breath catching from the sudden motion.
"Camila, stop," he said, voice firm but low. "You're not a burden."
Camila looked up, eyes glistening.
"Then what am I, Alex?" she whispered. "Because right now, I feel like I'm just in the way."
Alex didn't hesitate. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight.
"I want you," he said, his voice deep, steady, and certain. "I'll never let you go."
Camila trembled against him, clutching his shirt as she cried softly into his chest.
The door creaked open.
Alex turned, his assistant stood there, supporting someone by the arm.
Isabella.
She looked frail, pale, still weak from the hospital, yet the pain in her eyes burned brighter than ever.
Alex froze, still holding Camila.
Camila's grip tightened around his waist.
The air between them thickened instantly.
In that charged silence, all three hearts shattered in different ways.
- Writer
