CHAPTER 3

Camilla's POV.

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked into his eyes, seeing pain and regrets reflecting there.

Despite everything that had happened between us, a part of me couldn't help but long for the life we could have had together.

But I couldn't ignore the reality of our situation, I was now engaged. How could I still be thinking of being together with him again?

The rumors, the gossip... if Lawrence found out about our children, there was no telling what he would do. But on second thought, I sighed in relief as I thought about it, he mentioned our child instead of children which showed he might just be saying.

Moreover, I cannot tell him about them, I can not risk putting them in harm's way, not for anything in the world.

"I'm sorry Lawrence but I don't know what you're talking about," I said softly, holding in the tears that were already burning my cheeks as I turned and fled from the room, leaving him standing there alone.

I made my way through the crowded hallway to my car with the weight of my decision heavy on my heart but deep down, I knew it was the right choice, for me, for my children, and for all of us.

Why had Lawrence come back after six years? More importantly, how did he find out that we might likely have a child?

Those six years had been rough, to say the least. Worked in the hospital and had to do things myself to meet up since Raymond, my fiance, was never around.

And now, out of nowhere, Lawrence was back, asking about his child as he thinks I gave birth to one child. It was a relief he thinks that way because I will never let him know they are two.

How could he be shamelessly back after what he did with Jane?

Maintaining the normal drive speed, I tried to push the thoughts aside but they kept creeping back into my mind. I couldn't shake the feeling of how the kids would feel when they found out about their father.

"I can't let them know, I can't let Lawrence find them?" I resolved to myself with determination, that I was going to leave the city.

I made my way back home and without wasting a second, I started packing my belongings with trembling hands.

George and Mira tried playing with me but I didn't respond. They were kids so they couldn't decipher my emotions.

Kiara, my kids' babysitter tried to find out what went wrong but I gave her no answer. I simply instructed her to pack the kid's luggage and tried to buy a direct flight ticket that would help me leave the city, telling myself I would tell Raymond all about it later.

I checked my phone for any updates after waiting to secure any available ticket but all I found was more bad news. It was almost midnight and the airport had no available flights, the bus station was closed for the day too, and I was trapped in this nightmare with no way out.

I sank onto the bed and the tears started streaming down my cheeks as I struggled with the immense despair welling up inside me. I couldn't stand the thought of facing Lawrence and the unavoidable argument that was bound to happen if I wasted any more time, he would find out about the kids.

But where could I go, there was no way out. I slumped on my bed, closing my eyes and wishing for a solution to come quickly, I didn't know when I slept off.

The light from the window caused me to open my eyes the next morning, I gasped when I realized I had fallen asleep and never realized until morning. I groggily reached for my phone on the bedside table trying to continue my luck at securing some flight tickets when I saw the missed calls and messages from Andrew.

I wondered why he called, maybe because I left the party unannounced or it was something that had to do with Lawrence and the thought of that made my heart skip a beat.

I wanted to return his calls but I pushed it aside and was about to focus on the flight ticket purchase when my phone buzzed again and I checked to see if it was Andrew calling again, I had to pick up.

"Hello?" I said when I answered the phone.

"Camilla, there’s been an emergency at the hospital. We need you to come in right away."

I hesitated for a moment, the thought of running into Lawrence at the hospital filled me with a sense of dread.

"I... I can't," I stammered. "I'm quitting?"

"Quitting? Why? Did anyone ask you to do so?" he asked gently.

I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. "No," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I have been planning to move abroad and last night, I finally got a better job offer," I lied.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Andrew spoke again in a pleading tone.

"Please, Camilla," he said softly. "At least come in for one last shift. We really need you here.”

I closed my eyes, my resolve weakening as I thought of the patients who depended on me, those lives hung in the balance.

"Okay," I whispered. "I'll come in today so I can submit my resignation letter too.”

And with that, I hung up the phone, rose from the bed, and found something to wear.

Because of the urgency, I couldn't see the kids. Before stepping out of the house, I received a message from the airport informing me that I had been able to successfully book some flight tickets and the flight was scheduled for 6 pm that evening which meant I could make it back from the hospital before the time of flight filling me with relief.

In no time, I was able to make it to the hospital. I met Andrew waiting for me with a face pale of worry and he immediately ushered me towards the emergency room.

"There was an accident," he explained hurriedly as we made our way through the hallway.

"The patient is in critical condition. We need you, Camilla. We need your expertise."

I nodded grimly, my heart sinking as I prepared myself for the worst. I followed him into the emergency room and headed straight to the patient’s bed but when I saw who the patient turned out to be, I immediately stopped in shock.

Lawrence lay on the emergency bed, his face pale and drawn as he struggled to breathe.

His eyes met mine for a fleeting moment before fluttering shut once more.

I felt a surge of emotion well up inside me as I pushed myself to rush to his side. From what I heard from Dr Andrew earlier while he explained what happened to the patient, he was drunk while driving and I knew exactly why he must have done that which broke my heart at the thought of it.