My mind raced as I tried to process the information. I knew how much Camila cared for her mother, and the thought of her losing a loved one weighed heavily on my conscience.
Without wasting a moment, I prepared myself and rushed to the hospital. My footsteps crushed the corridor floor filled with nurses, doctors, and patients as I made my way to Camila's room. I needed to be there for her, to support her in this difficult time.
Standing outside her room, my hand hovered over the door handle. I hesitated, unsure of how to deliver such devastating news. How could I tell her that her mother was gone?
I took a deep breath, trying to summon the courage to face her grief. But as I struggled to turn the handle, doubt, and fear crept in. How would she react? Would she blame me for being the bearer of such painful news?
In the end, I made a difficult decision. I couldn't bring myself to break her heart with this news, not yet. It wasn't the right time. The wound she had was still fresh. I couldn't bring myself to pierce another part of her bleeding heart further.
Quietly, I stepped away from the door, my heart heavy with guilt and uncertainty. I left the hospital, feeling torn between my desire to protect her and my duty to reveal the truth.
*****************
Marcus' POV
My body felt numb this morning. I thought the only place she had in my life was in my dream but today, she made it clear she wanted more than that. She wanted to destroy my reality too.
Her evil laugh intensified further the moment I saw her inside Camilla's hospital room. I couldn't concentrate, and I hated how much dominance she had over me.
The ghost in disguise.
I went to my bed and lay on it. Suddenly, the air in the room seemed to shift, and the atmosphere became charged with tension. Looking beside me, she was right there, again.
"Hello there, dear son-in-law!" A faint whispering sound began to echo, "Poor Marcus... you're just like your father. Weak, inadequate."
"What are you doing here?!" I gritted my teeth. The woman who caused the death of my parents was now here, reminding me of the wounds that had never been healed to begin with.
"Well... what am I doing here?" She bit her thin red lips, her skin as white as snow, "Well. I'm here to tell you to take care of my daughter. Oh my God! You didn't invite your mother-in-law to the wedding!"
She mimicked a gasp.
"And that's only a beginning. I will torture your daughter for the sake of everything that you made my family go through!"
"Oh, so this marriage was for revenge," She nodded, pretending to understand what I went through.
"You... destroyed... my family."
The mistress laughed a chilling, hollow sound that echoed in the room.
"Your family was weak, just like you. It was inevitable."
My fists trembled with rage, and I struggled to sit up in the bed. The room darkened further as if absorbing the anger.
" I'll... make you pay."
"No, darling. It is you who will pay. My daughter will continue the legacy. Your father loved me and now you are in love with her,"
"I will never fall for a disgusting woman like her!" My jaw clenched. Loving Camilla? The hatred I felt every time I saw her was beyond imagination.
"But Darling, You already are!" Her chilling smile faded in vain. The room was filled with the sunlight again.
What the hell?
Camilla's POV
"Camilla Del Monte. You are discharged now. Don't forget to drink your medicine and eat on time," the nurse said as she was looking at my file, her expression soft and comforting.
"Thank you. I will do that."
She nodded and left the room. Just a minute or two, the door knocked, exposing Carmen as soon as it was opened.
"Good morning, Carmen, "
"Good morning, Ma'am. I am so sorry I am late. Allow me to help you prepare for your discharge, " Her face screamed concern. It was a miracle how she was the one I got along with.
"No, Carmen. I can take care of it. Besides, the wounds aren't huge," I assured her, plastering a smile on my face.
"No, Ma'am,"
"Carmen," I sighed
"This is what I am paid to do. Just let me do my job," This woman. My heart sank every time she tried to do something for me and make it in the name of her job. I looked at her before I managed to answer,
"Okay then,"
It was only a matter of time before we reached home. As usual, the welcome was grand. I was the first lady of the house.
Maids and guards lined up alongside the road my car would pass on. Reaching the front door of the mansion, the chauffeur opened the door for Carmen and me.
"Welcome home once again, Ma'am. We have prepared a little welcome for you. We hope it will be of your liking," Her straight posture went well with her formal accent.
"Thank you. I hope you did not bother yourselves too much," I smiled as I flipped back my hair,"
Getting inside, with the workers following me behind, Carmen gasped at the sight of a human being in front of us.
"Mr. Montenegro!" The guy looked at us with an apple clung to his teeth. Beside him is a table filled with every kind of food.
"First of all, when did you get here and how dare you eat what we've worked so hard to prepare for Madam Camilla?"
Carmen hissed angrily. Before she could start yelling at him, the guy pulled his arm up to grab the apple from his mouth.
When he did, it fell onto the ground and disappeared under the table. He looked at both of us again and stood still,
"I'm so.. sorry, Madam Carmen," He looked down and pressed his hands together, "I didn't know Madam Camilla was coming today. I thought it was a little celebration for the workers of this house,"
As soon as he talked, the maids behind started hissing. Looking behind me, it was obvious how this guy affected their hormones.
I wouldn't blame them though. It was almost unbelievable that a guy of his qualities worked as a gardener. He was hot. The piercing dark brown eyes made him hotter.
"You should watch yourself, young man, this isn't your house. You need to know which borders not to cross," She warned him.
"Yes, Ma'am,"
Carmen and I then walked towards the dining space where she started making orders again.
"Please, let's eat together," I asked the maids who were standing in a row. I wasn't a princess. I didn't need this treatment.
"If that's the case, can I officially join this meal? It looks pretty delicious, " Juan appeared once again, Carmen glared at him but his gaze focused on mine.
"Yes, it is," I answered blankly, my heart pounding inside my chest slightly and it hadn't even been a minute since he reappeared, "And you can join,"
"Thank you, Madam," he exclaimed with excitement, his eyes lighting up as they landed on the delicious food before him.
The maids joined the table. Looking at them, the struggle they made to sit beside him was obvious. In silence, I laughed in disbelief, deep down finding myself wanting to clench my fist.
why was I feeling this way all of a sudden?
He got up from his seat and went to the kitchen, behind him, followed the eyes of the women who seemed to mentally be in another position, looking like they saw a fairy prince. I sighed as I continued to serve myself some food,
That's when I remembered. I didn't wash my hands and I came from the hospital.
"Excuse me. I need to wash my hands," I excused myself, and quickly I started heading towards the kitchen. I was looking at the floor when I hit something whose hardness resembled that of a hard rock.
Losing my balance and my footing, my body was getting closer to the ground. My eyes widened. Before I could fall, strong hands wrapped around my waist and supported my weight.
"Madame, are you okay?"
My eyes widened more as they locked onto his. His face was only inches away from mine. His voice was low and husky, filled with concern, and sent shivers through my whole body. My breathing turned shallow.
My heart flattered even more at this feeling: Why did I feel like these hands had held me before?