Borrowed time

My head spun as I gripped the bathroom sink. Valentina's face stared back at me in the mirror, but her eyes held my desperation.

"Get out of my body." Her voice came from my mouth. My fingers trembled against the cold porcelain.

"Your body is dead," I whispered. "I'm trying to protect your family."

"They're not yours to protect." The words came harsh, bitter.

The mirror cracked. Blood dripped from my knuckles. I hadn't even felt myself punch it.

"Isabella." Nicolas's voice carried through the door. "Everything okay in there?"

My heart hammered. I pressed my bleeding hand against my chest. "Fine. Just dropped something."

"Open the door."

I yanked paper towels from the dispenser, wrapping them around my hand. "One minute."

The door handle rattled. "Now, Isabella."

The name hit me like a slap. I froze, staring at the locked door. "What did you call me?"

Silence stretched between us, heavy with implications. Then his voice came again, softer. "I know who you are."

My legs gave out. I slid down the wall, landing hard on the tile floor. "How?"

"Open the door, and we'll talk."

My bleeding hand shook as I reached for the lock. The mechanism clicked. Nicolas pushed the door open, his massive frame filling the doorway. His dark eyes fixed on my trembling form.

"The twins told me," he said. "They've known since the beginning."

A hysterical laugh bubbled up. "The girls? How could they possibly—"

"They see both of you. Their mother. And you." He crouched before me, gently taking my injured hand. "When were you going to tell me?"

"I couldn't." The words caught in my throat. "Santa Muerte's deal—"

"Forbade you from revealing yourself." He carefully unwrapped the bloody paper towels. "But someone else could figure it out."

Fresh blood welled from the cuts. Nicolas pressed a clean towel against them.

"She's getting stronger," I whispered. "Valentina. She's fighting me."

His jaw tightened. "Is that what this was?" He gestured to the shattered mirror.

"She wants her body back. Her life back." I met his gaze. "You back."

Nicolas's hand stilled on mine. "And what do you want?"

"To survive." My voice cracked. "To protect the girls. To—"

A searing pain shot through my skull. I doubled over, crying out.

"Isabella!" Nicolas caught me as I slumped forward.

"Nicolas?" Valentina's voice came from my mouth. "Mi amor, help me."

His arms tightened around me. "Val?"

"She stole my life." My hand gripped his shirt. "Get her out. Please."

"Stop." I fought for control, pushing Valentina back. "Nicolas, don't listen—"

"Shh." He pressed his forehead to mine. "Both of you, stop fighting."

The world swam. Two consciousnesses warred in my head. His hands cupped my face, anchoring me.

"Look at me," he commanded. "Both of you."

My vision cleared. His dark eyes held mine, intense and certain.

"I love you both," he said. "The woman who was my wife. And the woman who's been raising our children these past months." His thumb brushed my cheek. "We'll find a way to save you both."

A sob tore from my throat. "The deadline—"

"We have time." His voice held steel. "And I have resources you don't know about."

The bathroom door burst open. Elena stood there, her perfect composure cracked by triumph.

"I knew it." Her smile cut like a blade. "You're not Valentina at all, are you, Isabella?"

Nicolas rose in one fluid motion, placing himself between us. "Elena."

"Adrian will be very interested in this." She reached for her phone.

My hand shot out. The device flew from her grasp, shattering against the wall.

Elena's eyes widened. "How did you—"

"Get out," Nicolas growled.

"Or what?" Her chin lifted. "You'll kill me? Start a war?"

"Yes." The single word carried absolute certainty.

Fear flickered across her face. She backed away, then turned and fled.

Nicolas helped me to my feet. "We need to move fast."

"She'll tell Adrian everything."

"Let her." His smile held predatory anticipation. "I've been waiting for an excuse to destroy him."

"The girls—"

"Are already secured." He pulled me close. "Trust me."

I leaned into his strength, exhausted from fighting Valentina's presence. "I do."

His lips brushed my temple. "Then let's end this. Together."

The world tilted again. Valentina surged forward, but this time without violence. Her presence felt... different. Accepting.

*Save them,* her voice whispered in my mind. *Save our family.*

"I will," I promised aloud.

Nicolas's arms tightened around me. Understanding dawned in his eyes. "Both of you?"

I nodded, tears spilling. "Both of us."

His phone buzzed. The message made his expression darken.

"Adrian's on the move," he said. "Elena works fast."

"How long do we have?"

"Minutes." He took my hand. "Ready?"

I straightened, drawing on Valentina's strength and my own. "Ready."

We stepped out of the bathroom into chaos. The deadline raced toward us, but for the first time, I didn't face it alone.