Surprisingly Royal

👸 Chapter 28: woods

No. This can't be real.

She would never do this to me.

This letter... it has to be a mistake. A wrong address. A cruel joke.

Yeah. That has to be it.

Because there's no way any of this could be true.

I stand there, frozen. My brain's trying to process, but nothing's computing.

Then I hear the door open behind me.

I turn around—it's Mum.

"Ciara, what are you—"
She cuts herself off the second she sees what I'm holding.

I rush toward her, holding the letter up like it's burning in my hands.

"Please tell me this isn't true," I plead, my voice barely holding together.

"You weren't supposed to see that," she says softly, her face falling.

"Just tell me!" I shout. "Is it true or not?!"

My chest is tight. My heart feels like it's going to burst.

"I didn't have a choice, Ciara," she whispers, her voice thick with tears.

A tear slips down my cheek. I take a step back like she has physically hurt me.

"This can't be real," I whisper. Another step back.

"This is impossible."

Another shaky breath.

"This—" I point at the letter, my hands trembling, "—this is complete crap!"

"I can explain. Please, Ciara, just listen—" she says, reaching out.

"Don't touch me!" I scream, making her flinch.

And then I run.

Tears blur my vision as I bolt out of the house. I hear her calling my name, but I don't stop.

I can't.

Right now, I just need space. I need to breathe. I need to get away from all of it.

Why is this happening?

Why now?

Why me?

Why do I always end up being the one who gets hurt?

As I run, I pass someone who looks familiar, but I don't even look twice.

I just keep running. My legs carry me into the woods without even realizing it.

I feel hollow. Empty. Like my chest is echoing with the sound of my own broken heart.

I slow down, gasping for breath.

My legs are shaky. My hands are cold. I feel weak.

And I hate feeling weak.

Then... I sense someone behind me.

Seriously? Can't I get one second alone?

I spin around, ready to snap—

And freeze.

Carlos.

The last person I expected to see.

He's just standing there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable... but there's something soft in his eyes.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I yell, wiping my face.

"I saw you run off crying... I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he says, leaning casually against a tree.

"Since when do you care?" I snap. "Go away, Carlos. Just leave me alone."

"I don't care what you think of me," he replies calmly. "I came because it felt like the right thing to do. And FYI—taking your anger out on people who didn't hurt you? Not cool."

And that's it.

The wall breaks.

I start crying again, harder than before.

Before I know it, he's beside me, pulling me into his arms.

I try to shove him away, but it's useless.

So I just let go and cry.

And cry.

Until there's nothing left.

"It's going to be okay," he murmurs.

That's when I pull back, eyes burning.

"I'm so tired of hearing that. Everyone says it, but it's never true. Nothing's okay. And it's not going to be."

I turn away, folding my arms tightly over my chest.

Carlos moves beside me.

"Wanna go somewhere?" he asks gently.

I scoff. "Do I look like I'm in the mood for a walk? I just want to sit here and wallow in peace."

"Stop whining and follow me," he says, grabbing my hand. "I'm taking you whether you like it or not."

"Carlos, let go of me!" I protest, struggling.

But his grip is firm. And honestly, I'm too drained to fight back.

So I just follow him, muttering empty threats while he walks ahead like I'm not even talking.

I swear, if he tries to kidnap me, I'm suing.

Finally, he stops and lets go.

"Thanks so much for finally letting go," I mutter, rubbing my wrist.

"You dragged me all the way here just to look at trees?" I say, raising a brow.

"You never stop talking, huh?" he replies, arms folded.

"I would if people didn't keep dragging me around like a sack of potatoes," I fire back, mimicking his posture.

"Alright, alright. I'm sorry, Madam," he says with a playful grin, holding his ears like a kid in trouble.

"Whatever," I huff.

"I didn't bring you here for trees. I brought you here for this." He steps aside.

And then I see it.

My mouth falls open.

It's... beautiful.

Mesmerizing.

I forget how to breathe for a moment.

•••••

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