Chapter 25

Emily

My head had become a pit of confusion. Last week, I hated Marcos, and now here I was, receiving his care.

Even unsure of what to think about him being here with me, I let him take me to his house, cook lunch, and eat together.

“So, how’s your brother doing? We haven’t talked in forever. I heard from your mom he got married,” Marcos said, trying to catch up on my life in São Paulo.

I wasn’t sure if I should take Pastor Lucas’ advice and open the door to him or if we should just be old acquaintances.

“He’s doing great. Helen and he just found out they’re having a baby. That’s why I’m here instead of him—obviously, my dad would prefer it was him,” I murmured, trying not to sound self-deprecating but failing miserably.

Marcos took a deep breath and looked at me with compassion.

“He doesn’t hate you. He’s just confused by the whole situation,” he said, but it seemed like he had more to say, much more.

“And what else, Marcos? You don’t need to tiptoe around. Just say it,” I encouraged. He needed to get out whatever was stuck in his throat—everyone else already had.

“Just…” He sighed before finally speaking. “We’re all confused by this situation, you know. You went years without talking to my sister or Bete, and even after you reconnected, you never mentioned what happened between us. Now you’re back, still keeping everything a secret, but you seem ready to stay and make things normal again.”

I hadn’t told anyone except Pastor Lucas and my dad that I was staying in São Fernando for good, but it was like Marcos had seen all the signs.

“You didn’t tell anyone what happened either, even though you knew why I ran,” I murmured, knowing I wasn’t the only one keeping this secret for years.

“If I’d told them, they’d have run to you and told you the real reason for everything. I couldn’t bear the thought of ruining your life,” he said. Those words from Marcos threw my thoughts off track.

All I wanted was to forget what happened, or I’d start blaming myself for my hot-headed decisions. After all, I couldn’t blame him anymore, and he had his new family. I needed to move on.

As if by divine intervention, Bianca and Joshua burst into the house, full of energy, him tickling her waist while she threatened to kill him.

“I’m gonna… I’ll end you… Emily? Marcos? What happened?” Bianca froze at the door, her eyes landing on us eating at the table like old friends.

“Nothing happened. We’re just having lunch. Want some?” Marcos said, trying to sound as normal as possible, but there was nothing normal about us eating alone together.

“Come on, what’s going on?” she pressed, already investigating and coming closer to examine me. “What the hell is that on your arm?” Bi snapped when she saw the not-so-subtle bandage.

“Nothing happened. I fell and cut myself. Marcos was nearby and helped. No big deal,” I said curtly, my eyes begging not to face a barrage of questions.

“Fine,” she muttered, unsatisfied but giving up for now. “I’m grabbing a bikini, and we’re heading to the lake. Why don’t you come with us?” My headshake was cut off by her big, pleading eyes. “Joshua wants one more taste of São Fernando before heading back to the regiment.”

I looked at the two shameless faces. Joshua’s expression showed he had no clue what she was talking about.

I stared at Bi, feeling I couldn’t deny her anything—not now, not in a million years. She’d been the most patient and understanding in this whole mess. The least I could do was make up for it however I could, even though going to the lake was the worst idea.

“Alright, you little pest. Just don’t let’s stay long, okay?” I agreed, not imagining Marcos would decide to join us.

If regret could kill, I’d be dead and buried, seven feet under.

In the truck, Bianca strategically jumped in the back with Joshua and opened the front door before I could get near, leaving me no choice but to sit up front with Marcos.

To make things better, Bianca’s denim shorts, which looked amazing on her petite frame, were too tight and short on me, practically showing my ass. Everything was just perfect!

The drive was filled with Bianca and Joshua’s chatter, but as we hit the dirt road to the lake, my stomach churned, and my heart pounded so hard I feared someone else might hear it.

Every memory of the cabin with Marcos flooded back before I could process the jumble of emotions. It was so unfair that I couldn’t just erase everything we’d lived through.

He slowed the truck, and I was already lost in time, remembering the laughter, graduation, our kisses, and nights in the cabin, our summer afternoons at the lake.

But the handbrake snapped me back.

I turned to unbuckle my seatbelt as Bianca and Joshua jumped out, then felt his hands cover mine, startling me with his touch just as I was drowning in emotions.

“If you want to leave, just tell me,” Marcos said, leaning closer. What the hell was wrong with me, freezing and staring into his blue eyes like they held all the universe’s answers? “I know how painful this place can be,” he continued, not letting me escape his gaze, which seemed as wrapped in the past as mine. Did he feel the same? “All the memories, the nights, the kisses.”

Involuntarily, my eyes drifted to his lips, my lungs failing at the thought of his kisses.