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Chapter 63

*C H A R L O T T E*

I sit on our rooftop terrace and look at the stars above. It's been a week since Hero left Madeira. After I'd said I couldn't be with him he just walked away without another word. The next day he had checked out of the hotel before Kat's shift so she hadn't seen him. I know she doesn't understand but she stands by my side. I feel empty and sad. I'm still not sure I made the right choice because if I'm honest I have to admit that I still love Hero. I'm still in love with him. The only reason to turn him down was my fear. The fear for the future. Fear of giving him my heart again. Fear that he might break it again.

"Can I join you?" I turn around and see Fabio standing there with two glasses of red wine.

"Sure." I try to smile but I fail.

"Oh, Charlotte," Fabio sighs after a few moments of silence. "It breaks my heart to see you this sad."

"I will get over it."

"Will you though?"

I look at Fabio.

"Look, I know that he has hurt you in the past and I know that is why you tuned him down. You're afraid. You are absolutely terrified. And I get it. I really do, you know I do. But at the natural pools I also saw two people that are crazy about each other. Hell, the tension between you guys almost drove me nuts. It was clear to everyone there that there is an attraction between the two of you that you can't deny. You can't run away from it. I am absolutely convinced that whatever happens, you and Hero will always end up in the same place because you obviously belong together."

I keep looking at the stars and swallow the lump in my throat. I can always count on Fabio to tell me the truth no matter how much I want to hide from it.

Fabio wraps his arms around my shoulders and I put my head on his shoulder and cry. For the first time since Hero left, I allow myself to cry.

"You know what to do honey," Fabio says with a gentle voice.

"I can't, Fabio," I say and I wipe my tears. "He won't forgive me."

"He will."

"You didn't see the look on his face."

"No, but I know he punched me in the face because he loves you. And I also know that he knows that not so long ago the roles were reversed. Hero isn't stupid."

"I don't even know where he is."

My phone rings and when I see the name on the screen it feels like a sign from above.

"Hello, Jack," I say and wipe the final tears from my face.

"You have to come over with the first plane, Charlotte," Jack says. The panic in his voice is clear.

"Why?! Is everything all right?"

"It's Lizzie, her water just broke. The twins are coming!"

"Oh god, oh god! The twins are coming!"

By the time I end the call, Fabio has booked a seat on the first plane to the U.K. in the morning. The next few hours are a bit blurry and chaotic. Kat, Tiago and Fabio help me pack some bags because I know I won't come back anytime soon. I promised to help Lizzie out a bit so I will be staying in Cardiff for at least a few weeks. They all drive me to the airport in the morning and give me a tight hug to say goodbye. On the plane I have a few hours to think. I know Hero will be there too and I try to figure out what to say. I'm nervous to see him because I know what he's feeling. I know I broke his heart and this time the roles are reversed.

In my mind it takes me so long to get there. Too long. But then also, not long enough. I'm scared to face Hero, to see the look on his face and to realize that I have pushed him too far. Maybe I'm fooling myself and maybe he meant what he said. Maybe that was my final chance. The taxi driver stops at the hospital and I run over the parking lot as fast as I can with all my bags. I suddenly stop because Hero is pacing back and forth in front of the entrance. He hasn't seen me because he seems lost in thought. I take a deep breath and try to give myself a pep talk. Okay. This is it.