Chapter 3: Stunned

Camila.

I watched the color drain from his face. His gaze snapped to me, jaw slightly slack—clearly not the response he’d anticipated. Sia stiffened, disbelief freezing her features.

“Mila, you’d really do that?” She stared, unblinking.

I smiled and nodded. ‘Her refusal left me no choice.’ I thought.

I understood her rejection wasn’t just guilt—it was denial. Accepting meant admitting I could die. But my reasoning stood firm: she was the only family I trusted. Since she refused, Leo was the obvious alternative.

I turned to Leo, who hadn’t recovered from the shock of my question, and waved a hand before his face. He startled slightly but quickly composed himself, sitting upright.

“Ba-babe, you don’t have to do this—”

“Yes, I want to,” I cut in sharply. “It makes no difference. I’m still here with you both. This is just a change of ownership—nothing more. Did you expect me to leave it to strangers?” I pressed, staring at them as they sank into silent contemplation.

Leo opened his mouth, but no words came. After a weighted pause, he shook his head. “Mila, I—”

Sia’s eyes flickered between us. “Will you deny her only request?” She interjected, stunning us both.

The air crackled as Leo’s eyes locked on mine—raw and searching. I held his hands and flashed him a reassuring smile.

He nodded, reciprocating my smile. "If this is what you want, I’ll honor your wish," he agreed, pulling me into a swift hug.

After a moment, I withdrew and breathed out in relief, prompting soft chuckles from the others. I couldn’t deny my excitement, knowing everything was in safe hands. No doubt lingered in my heart.

I stood and began clearing the dishes; Sia quickly rose to join me. I felt utterly weak and tired—all I needed was to rest my back on my bed. It had been a chaotic day, yet splendid and fulfilling in the end. Without doubt, this felt like my best birthday ever.

The plate clicked as we carried them to the kitchen, leaving Leo at the dining table staring at his half-finished meal.

I started washing dishes and turned to Sia, who was storing untouched food in the refrigerator. “I’ll need to find a lawyer to draft the will…”

“I have a friend who can do it free—he owes me a favor,” she replied. “I’ll contact him tonight so we can all go together tomorrow.”

Pressing my lips into a hard line, I nodded. “Okay, call him,” I agreed, stretching my arms wide. I’m exhausted.

She smiled softly, noticing how tired I was—our coffee shop had been hectic today, with lots of customers keeping me on my feet all day long.

“Go to bed. Let me finish the dishes—and don’t forget your medication,” she reminded me, mimicking Miss Abigail’s voice.

“Yes, Mom,” I whined. We burst into laughter as I left the kitchen to my room, shedding my worries before sinking into deep, sound sleep on my bed.

*****

(NEXT MORNING)

“Wake up! Wake up!”

A slight tap brushed my shoulder. My eyes fluttered open, but I lay frozen, unable to stir. Stiffness locked my limbs; I couldn’t move my legs or raise a finger. Damn! I felt paralyzed. Then, in the blink of an eye, a sharp pain struck my chest. In that split second, my stiffened body released. My hand flew to my chest, clutching it as if my heart might tear itself loose.

The pain wrenched through me, vicious and deep, as if my bones were being crushed. I couldn't scream, couldn't even gasp out how life-threatening it felt, yet tears streamed uncontrollably down my face.

“Mila!” Sia burst into my room, her eyes widening in horror. She flung her arms around me. “What’s happening?” Her voice cracked as she held me tightly, as though I might vanish from her grasp.

I couldn't utter a word, but her gaze darted over me, catching how desperately I clutched my chest. Instantly, she released me and lowered me onto the bed, while I writhed and moaned in agony.

She ran to my bedside drawer and pulled out the miniature black bag where I kept all my medication. She hastily began searching through it, then dumped everything onto the floor in frustration. Her fingers raced through the scattered pills, desperate to find the one I needed.

“Camila, where are the damn pills?!” Her voice trembled, tears welling in her eyes as she kept searching. Dozens of medications littered the floor—white, brown, purple, green—a kaleidoscope of chemicals keeping me alive.

“Got it!” she cried, holding the bottle up to my tear-blurred vision. But her relief shattered when she saw only two pills left. “At least this might help…”

She scooped me upright, pressed the pills into my mouth, and made me swallow them with water from the cup on my nightstand.

Gradually, the pain eased. Within a minute, my chest heaved in rapid, shallow gasps—like I’d just run a marathon.

“Thank you,” I whispered to Sia, who watched me intently.

Abruptly, she swatted my arm, her lips puckered in a pout. “Why would you let your meds run out?!” She glared, then sighed. “Thank goodness these two were still here.” She snapped her gaze up, sharp and fierce. “Don’t you dare die on me,” she warned, jabbing a finger toward my chest.

I managed a weak smile. “I’m sorry for the scare. I’ll refill the prescription after signing the will.”

She scoffed, eyes wide with disbelief. “You’re still thinking about the will in this state?”

Of course I am. What else is there? My health? After all these years of fighting, what good has it done?

“I’m fine,” I assured her. “Where’s Leo?” I asked.

He’d slipped out before I woke, and I had no idea where he’d gone.

“He stepped out, but he’ll be back soon,” Sia replied. She rose from the bed and stood before me, her expression resolute. “Since you insist, I’ve booked a car. It’ll be here shortly. Get cleaned up and dressed—we’re leaving for the lawyer’s office.” With that, she turned and left.

I got off the bed, a dull ache still lingering, but pushed through it. After a quick shower, I stepped out, toweled off, and slipped into a short black gown that ended just above my knees. I pulled my hair into a loose bun, forewent makeup, and left my room.

Sia emerged from her room at the same moment, also dressed and ready. We walked together toward the living room—just as Leo was setting out breakfast on the dining table.

“Babe,” I called. He turned, flashing a smile before walking over. He leaned down and kissed my cheek.

“Good morning,” he said, pulling out my chair and guiding me into it.

“Where did you go this morning?” I asked, popping a bite of boiled egg into my mouth.

He smiled. “I booked a reservation for us tonight—I want to take you somewhere special.”

I lowered my head, blushing at his thoughtfulness. Though I wondered why he hadn’t just booked online, I shrugged the question away and focused on my meal.

Afterward, we finished breakfast and took a cab to the lawyer Sia had recommended.

An hour later, we arrived at the office and stepped out of the car. Sia paid the driver, who drove off.

We walked side by side into the lawyer’s office. He sat reading files but looked up the moment we entered.

“Sir Jose!” Sia called, smiling. He returned the gesture and stood, offering us seats.

“Sia, how are you?” Jose asked directly. She nodded in response. “What brings you here?”

Sia cleared her throat, sitting straighter. “My sister wants to will all her property and savings to her boyfriend,” she explained calmly.

Sir Jose fixed me with an intense stare, as if processing her words. “Boyfriend?” he exclaimed, jaw slack, brow furrowed.

I nodded, offering a faint smile.

“Young lady, are you certain? Whatever your reasons, this decision is irrevocable once the papers are signed,” he pressed. I sensed he was either cautioning me or ensuring I understood the gravity of my choice.

But my mind was made up. This was my only path forward. With no cure in sight, there was no turning back.

“Yes, sir. I’m sure,” I answered. Leo slipped his hand into mine, his touch steady.

“Do you have the property deed?” Jose asked, yielding.

I opened my bag, pulled out the documents, and slid them across the desk. He reviewed them, made notes, then asked Leo and me to sign. Moments later, the papers were stamped—final and irrevocable.

We thanked the lawyer and left. Sia and Leo took a cab to check on our coffee shop employees, while I headed to the pharmacy.

But when I arrived, I realized I hadn’t brought the empty pill bottle to match the prescription exactly.

I hailed a cab home immediately. Halfway there, the car broke down. We lost nearly two hours. Though tempted to call another ride, I relented when the driver begged for time to fix it.

When we finally reached my house, I sprinted inside and threw open my bedroom door—freezing at the sight.

Leo was thrusting rhythmically into the figure beneath him, moving in time with the pulsing music.

“Yes, Daddy, just like that,” the woman gasped beneath him as he found her spot.

Wait!

That voice.

I’d know it anywhere—even scorched to ashes.

Sia. Traitor. Liar.

My gaze locked on my lover and my best friend—skin slick with sweat, bodies entangled.

My chest seized. Ice flooded my veins. Tremors raced through my hands; my legs threatened to buckle. Breath turned shallow, thoughts blanked—only the hammering of my heart remained.

Tears fell. The universe despised me.

Sia noticed me first. “Look who crawled home,” she sneered, arching into his deep thrusts, eyes drilling into mine. “The half-dead has arrived.”