The Lies We Tell Ourselves

Chapter 7: The Weight of Her Heart

Camila's POV
The air hung thick with the scent of jasmine and damp soil, a familiar comfort that did little to soothe the ache in my chest. I sat on the patio, my gaze fixed on the vibrant hibiscus blooms that Selena had planted just days ago. It was hard to believe that a week ago, I hadn't even known her. Now, the thought of her, of the way she'd laughed at my terrible jokes, the way she'd blushed when I complimented her on her daughter's beautiful eyes, felt like a physical weight pressing down on me.

Vanessa. Her name was a bitter taste in my mouth, a reminder of the betrayal, the betrayal of Selena and the betrayal of myself. The thought of my own actions, of how easily I'd allowed my stress and loneliness to lead me to her bed, was a burning shame. I didn't want to remember. I didn't want to think about the way I'd let myself be used, let myself be a pawn in their game.

But it was Selena's pain that truly haunted me. It was her smile, so bright and genuine, that was now tinged with sadness. Her eyes, usually so warm and inviting, now carried a heavy burden. And it was all because of Vanessa and Eric. The knowledge that I had, in my own misguided way, contributed to that pain, was a suffocating weight I couldn't escape.

I couldn't believe how quickly Selena had wormed her way into my life. A week ago, I was a lone wolf, content in my world of work and solitude. Now, I found myself craving her presence, yearning for the sound of her laughter, the warmth of her smile. I couldn't explain it. It was a strange, powerful pull that had me acting in ways I never thought I would.

I had never been a person who opened up their heart, who let anyone in. Yet, here I was, fiercely protective of Selena and her daughter Kelly. Kelly, with her chubby cheeks, her curious eyes, and her infectious giggle, had somehow managed to steal a piece of my heart. She was a reminder of the love and joy I had never allowed myself to experience.

And I wanted to be there for them, for Selena and Kelly, to be their safe haven, their pillar of strength. I wanted to shield them from the world's harshness, from the pain that had already touched their lives.

I wanted to love them, to love them with everything I had. The thought was terrifying, unsettling, and yet, it was the only thing that made sense in a world that had suddenly felt so cold and empty without their presence.