My only shot at love- Book 3 (From Second chance at love) [COMPLETE SERIES]

Chapter V

Cali stood outside Eliza's apartment building, her hands clenched into fists, the chill of the evening air matching the fire in her eyes. With a deep breath to steady herself, she pressed the buzzer firmly, her determination ringing through the crackling static.

After a moment, Eliza's voice came through the intercom, tinged with curiosity but edged with caution. "Hello?"

Cali's response was immediate, her tone sharp and cutting. "Eliza, it's Cali. We need to talk, right now."

There was a brief silence before the door buzzed open, signaling Cali to ascend with purpose. Each step up the stairs echoed her resolve, her boots clicking with a rhythm that mirrored the beat of her racing heart.

When she reached Eliza's door, Cali's knock was sharp and insistent, each rap a declaration of the fury building inside her. The door swung open slowly, revealing Eliza's surprised but guarded expression.

"Cali... What's this about?" Eliza's voice wavered slightly, trying to maintain composure under Cali's intense glare.

Cali's words were like venom, laced with bitterness and raw anger. "Oh, you know exactly what this is about. I know everything about you and Marcus. Spare me the innocent act."

Eliza's composure cracked under the weight of Cali's accusations, guilt and defiance flickering in her eyes. "Cali, I'm... I'm sorry. I never meant for things to get this messy."

Cali's response was immediate and physical. With a swift movement, she lunged forward, her hands reaching out to grab Eliza's hair, pulling her closer with a fierce grip. "Messy? You've turned my life upside down! Do you even realize the chaos you've caused?" Cali's voice rose, filled with a potent mix of rage and hurt.

Eliza struggled against Cali's grip, her own hands moving to push Cali away. "Let go of me, Cali! You have no right to—"

Cali cut her off with a harsh tug, their struggle escalating as they grappled with each other in the doorway. "You knew he was married, yet you couldn't resist, could you? Did you fantasize about having my life as your own? Well, that's never going to happen. Know your place, Eliza!"

Their confrontation crackled with physical and emotional intensity, each insult and accusation fueling their volatile exchange. Cali's breath came in sharp gasps, her adrenaline fueling her ferocity as she fought to confront the woman who had intruded into her life.

"I'm leaving with Luna and Lucian. We're going back to the Bronx, far away from all this drama," Cali declared fiercely, her grip on Eliza's hair relenting only slightly.

Eliza, struggling to catch her breath, met Cali's furious gaze with a mixture of fear and defiance. "Cali, I understand. I hope you find what you're looking for."

Cali shot Eliza a withering look before finally releasing her hold, pushing her away with a final shove. "Don't pretend you understand anything, Eliza."

Their physical confrontation left them both breathless and shaken, their emotions raw and unfiltered in the aftermath. Cali turned on her heel, storming away from Eliza's apartment building with Luna and Lucian in tow. This confrontation hadn't brought closure as much as it had solidified Cali's resolve to leave behind the chaos and start anew for the sake of her children.

As Cali walked away, her posture still exuded defiance and strength. She was leaving behind a chapter of betrayal and heartache, but she was also reclaiming her power and steering her life toward a new beginning.

Inside Eliza's apartment, the air hung heavy with the aftermath of their physical altercation. Eliza stood in the doorway, watching Cali's retreating figure with a mix of regret and resignation. She closed the door slowly, leaning against it for support as she tried to gather her thoughts.

"What have I done?" Eliza whispered to herself, the weight of Cali's accusations and their physical clash weighing heavily on her conscience. She paced the living room, the silence broken only by the distant sounds of the city filtering through the window.

Meanwhile, Marcus, who had been in the kitchen, heard the door close and turned, his expression clouded with concern. He approached Eliza cautiously, sensing the tension that hung in the air.

"Eliza, what happened? Is everything okay?" Marcus's voice was gentle, filled with worry as he reached out to comfort her.

Eliza looked up at him, tears welling up in her eyes as she struggled to find the words. "Cali was here."

Marcus's heart sank at those words, realizing the inevitable had finally come to pass. "What did she say?"

Eliza recounted their altercation, her voice trembling with guilt and regret as she described Cali's fury and accusations. Marcus listened in silence, the weight of Cali's pain and his own responsibility heavy on his shoulders.

"I'm so sorry, Eliza. I never meant for any of this to happen," Marcus murmured, his voice filled with remorse.

Eliza turned away, unable to meet his eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks. "But it did happen, Marcus. And now she's leaving with the kids because of us."

Marcus reached out tentatively, his hand hovering before gently resting on Eliza's shoulder. "I know. I don't know how to fix this."

Eliza shook her head, her voice choked with emotion. "I don't think we can fix this, Marcus. Not now."

They stood together in the silence, grappling with the shattered pieces of their relationship and the profound impact it had on Cali and her children. The air in the apartment felt heavy with unresolved tension and the weight of their choices.

"What do we do now?" Marcus finally asked, breaking the heavy silence that hung between them.

Eliza wiped her tears away, her expression weary but resolute. "I think we need to give her space. Let her go back to the Bronx with the kids. Maybe time apart will help her heal, help us figure out what comes next."

Marcus nodded slowly, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead. "And us?"

Eliza looked at him, her gaze searching for answers she didn't yet have. "I don't know, Marcus. Right now, we need to focus on giving Cali and the kids the space they need. After that... we'll see."

Marcus nodded again, the weight of Eliza's words sinking in. "I understand."

They stood together in the quiet apartment, the future uncertain but the need for reflection and reconciliation palpable.

Meanwhile, back at the Dayao Residence, Cali, Luna, and Lucian gathered their belongings and boarded the car waiting outside. The atmosphere inside was thick with an unspoken farewell to a life that had fractured beyond repair. As they drove away, Cali's gaze was fixed on the road ahead, the weight of their departure overshadowed by the hope for a new beginning in the Bronx.

Joseph, Cali's cousin and a steadfast confidant, stood waiting at her parents' house in Davao. His concern etched lines of worry on his face as he greeted them upon arrival.

"Cali, what happened? Are you okay?" Joseph's voice was filled with genuine concern as he enveloped Cali in a comforting embrace.

Cali, her eyes tired and puffy from the emotional turmoil, stepped out of the car with Luna and Lucian. She took a deep breath before recounting the painful events that had unfolded.

"Joseph, everything fell apart. Marcus and I... it's over. I couldn't stay there anymore," Cali explained, her voice trembling with a mix of exhaustion and sadness.

Joseph listened attentively, offering silent support as Cali navigated through the raw emotions of betrayal and heartbreak. Luna and Lucian, sensing their mother's distress, clung to her, seeking solace in her embrace.

"Cali, I'm here for you. Whatever you need, I'll support you," Joseph reassured her, his voice steady with unwavering loyalty.

Cali nodded gratefully, acknowledging the comfort of having a trusted ally in this tumultuous chapter of her life. The road ahead would be challenging, but with Joseph by her side, Cali began to find strength in the solidarity of family and the promise of a fresh start.