POV: Camila
I hold the pregnancy test in my hands, trying to ignore the way my fingers are trembling.
My gaze stays fixed on the positive lines in front of my eyes. A whirlwind takes hold of me, everything spins around.
I sit down on the toilet seat so I don't collapse.
No… no… no… how is this possible? How did I end up here?
Pregnant with my father's best friend's child… the man who watched me grow up, who raised me, who took care of me…
A sob escapes me. I cover my mouth with my hands to muffle the sound.
— Camila, are you okay?
Nick's voice rises from behind the door.
My eyes don't move from the test.
We said it was the last time. That it was over.
But what do I do now… now that I carry his baby in my womb?
---
ONE YEAR EARLIER
I'm heading to Alejandro's office — my father's best friend, the man who's raised me since I was twelve, when my parents died in a plane crash.
It's been ten years now.
The box holding his favorite birthday cake in my hands, a smile on my face, I hurry toward the Cortez building — the most prestigious tech company in the world.
Yes, my dad is a billionaire.
I enter the building and head straight for the elevator.
I type in the code for the thirty-second floor. The doors close behind me.
Impatience consumes me at the thought of surprising him. Today, he turns thirty-four.
When the doors open again, I step out and walk toward his office.
Passing by his secretary's desk, I call out cheerfully,
— Good morning, Maria!
She looks up at me and freezes.
I keep walking without paying much attention.
—Miss Reyes!
I stop, turn around.
— What is it?
— I'll let Mr. Cortez know you're here.
— That's not necessary, it's a surprise! I say, turning my back to her.
— But, Miss!
I don't listen any further. When I reach his door, I find it slightly ajar. I reach out to push it open… but the sounds coming from inside stop me cold.
Moans.
I frown and peek through the crack — and the image I see drives a nail through my chest.
Alejandro… having sex with a woman.
She's naked, lying on his desk, and he, pants down, is thrusting into her.
The moans fill the room. The box in my hands nearly slips.
My fingers tremble. My heart tightens.
I know I should leave, that I shouldn't be watching the man who raised me make love to someone else.
Worse — I shouldn't feel jealousy or anger toward that woman.
But I can't help it.
My eyes blur with tears.
A low groan escapes him, hammering the nail deeper into my chest.
Then he lifts his head… and meets my gaze.
I freeze. Fear grips me. I take a step back, then run to the elevator.
My fingers frantically press the button. The doors finally close.
A sigh of relief escapes me. My heart pounds violently.
I leave the company, still clutching the box, and climb into the car. The driver starts the engine immediately.
When did I start acting like this?
When did my feelings change?
I've always loved him — but not like this.
Before, he was a friend, an ally… and then, one day, everything shifted.
My feelings turned into something else.
Something I shouldn't feel for him.
Love? No… it's more than that.
At first, I thought it was just a teenage crush, that it would pass. But it didn't.
I'm twenty-two now, and it hasn't changed.
It's only gotten stronger — so strong I can't stay away from him anymore.
The tears flow on their own.
I know I shouldn't. He's supposed to be like a father to me, but I can't control it. My heart and my reason are at war, and I'm losing.
The car stops in front of the mansion. I get out and tell the driver:
— You can share these cakes with your kids.
Then I walk into the mansion.
Silence reigns, broken only by the footsteps of the guards outside and the distant sounds of the staff.
I climb the stairs, throw myself onto my bed, and let out a muffled scream.
Why… why can't I be like normal women my age?
To love a man who would love and respect me?
But no. I had to fall for the one man I can never have.
Maybe if I leave, my feelings will fade too. Yes, that's it. I need to pack my things, leave this place.
Today, when he gets home, I'll talk to him. I need to get away, to think, to stop fooling myself.
He'll never love me. He'll never be mine.
My love for him is doomed to fail.
And I have to accept that sometimes the pain of loving comes from loving the wrong person.