CHAPTER 11
1237 Words
My whole body shook as it slowly sank into my dumbfounded mind.
Sofia is pregnant...
I can feel my heart slowly breaking into pieces. Each piece is now violently throbbing inside my chest, causing a thousand sharp, needle-like pains spreading through every fibre of my being.
Why am I still so shocked? It's not like I was blinded by their affair. Ares never fails to slap reality into my face. He would always choose Sofia. Yes, I was the one he married, but he was a hundred percent committed to her.
A stubborn tear slipped down my cheek as I remembered all those cold nights when Ares didn't come home. I always wondered where he was spending those nights. I have that nagging suspicion in my gut, but I tried my best to push it aside.
I thought it was just my insecurity talking. I thought he loved Mira enough to respect what we have.
Sometimes, I tell myself that it doesn't matter. As it is, we are only married in papers. As long as he plays his role as Mira's father well, I am willing to look past all his shortcomings as a husband.
But this...
I harshly wiped my face with the back of my hand. Why the hell am I crying?
I should be happy, right? Or perhaps relieved at the very least.
Sofia is pregnant. They are having their own child. The thought caused bitter bile inside my mouth, but I tried my best to ignore it. I have to look at the bright side. They'll be having a child. Perhaps, he would let me take Mira with me now!
Right! I can finally leave this forsaken place! But whatever happiness I felt was short-lived, like a matchstick fire blown by the wind as soon as it was lit.
Oh God!
I gasped as if a bucket of cold water had been thrown over me. I hurt her! I winced as images of how I dragged her by the hair flashed inside my head.
Shit! What if something happened to her? Or the baby?!
Ares would never forgive me! He'd surely kill me! Damn it, we need to leave! Now! But how?
Fuck!
I paced back and forth. I'm sure Ares will take Sofia to the hospital. I need to find a way to escape before they come back.
"Camilla!" I almost jumped when somebody whisper-yelled my name. I turned to see who it was, and it was almost as if I saw the gates to heaven open in the midst of hell. I wanted to cry in utter relief!
"Nana Luisa!" I rushed over to her, blood pumping inside my veins. "What happened?" I asked in a low voice after pulling her into a hidden corner in the villa.
"I was able to contact the lawyer's office," she started, but the look on her face made me worried.
"And?" I prodded.
"Unfortunately..." she hesitated for a bit before continuing. "I learned Attorney Sanders died a few years ago."
The budding hope inside my chest was quickly nipped by those few words. What nice luck, huh?!
"But I was able to get a hold of his son, David. Do you remember him? He used to come to the hacienda with his father," Nana Luisa added.
David...
I frowned, trying to rack my brain for memories.
"Yes," I nodded after a while. "I think I remember him."
He must be the boy I used to play with when I was a child.
"I told him about everything. He's willing to help you, Camilla," she said in a low voice.
My lips parted. Tears stung my eyes. I wanted to cry in relief, but there's no time for that now. I need to control my emotions. I can't let them get in the way. I need to be smart about this if I really want to get away from this place.
"H-how?" My voice cracked when I tried to speak.
She looked around skeptically before slipping something into my hand when she confirmed no one was around. My heartbeat skipped a beat when I felt what it was. A phone!
"Use this," she whispered. "His number is saved there. He will help you plan how to escape."
I immediately pocketed it while breathing heavily. My heart is thumping wildly inside my ribcage. The rush of blood pumping against my ears makes it difficult for me to hear.
"Thank you, Nana," I gushed. "Thank you," I repeated, squeezing her hands.
She pulled me into a quick, tight embrace. I badly wanted to cry on her shoulders. To let out all the heaviness I've been carrying for the past few years. But I can't...
"I have to leave before anyone notices me," she said after pulling away. "Take care, Reinita. Take care of Mira."
I almost sniffled upon hearing the endearment she used when I was young. It meant little queen. She often calls me Reinita when I was being stubborn as f**k, but now its warmth made me want to go back to the past.
I gulped the lump in my throat to thank her again. I can never thank her enough for this. We hugged again as if it would be the last time we would see each other before she left.
I was left dumbfounded after. It took a couple of minutes before I was able to snap myself out of it. I hurriedly went to Mira's room, gently locking the door behind me so as not to wake her up.
With careful steps, I made my way to her ensuite bathroom to check the phone. I blew out the air I didn't even notice I was holding in while scrolling through the phone. Only one number was saved. It was unnamed.
I bit my lip, dragged in a deep breath, and finally pressed the call button.
"Hello?" The deep baritone voice that echoed at the other end of the line almost made me jump.
"H-hello?" I echoed hesitantly.
"Camilla?" he muttered.
"Yes, it's me," I nodded even though he obviously couldn't see me. "I need help," my voice cracked.
I can't afford to beat around the bush. Every second counts.
"I know," he answered. "Nana Luisa already explained your situation."
I squeezed my eyes shut. I'm not used to airing my dirty laundry, but I have no other choice.
"Can you help?" I whispered after swallowing the last bit of pride left within me. "I need to escape as soon as possible. Preferably tonight, if I can help it."
"What do you need?" he asked after a short pause.
I took a deep breath, trying to think straight despite the overwhelming emotions crashing onto me, all at the same time.
"I need to leave, but..." I gulped. "I have no means to do so. I'm powerless, here. Penniless. He had every employee turn against me. The whole hacienda is guarded at all times. I don't know what to do."
I heard him sigh. I bit my lip. I knew it was hard. It was a long shot, but one I would be willing to take at whatever cost.
"I know it's too much to ask, but I need all the help you can offer."
I am already willing myself to beg. For Mira, I can do everything.
"Camilla," he sounded hesitant to my ears.
"Can you... Can you get us out of here?"
- Writer
