Her Heart

Chapter 28

Carter's POV

"So how did you get pregnant?" I ask Olivia as we're walking through the gate to get to the house.

She laughs, "What kind of question is that?"

"I mean I thought after everything you wanted to wait."

Olivia sighs, "I did. It was mostly a punishment for Sofia but she made up for it."

"But aren't you on birth control? How does that even work?"

"Mmm well we took a vacation and I forgot to take my birth control with us. I tried to resist Sof but that girl knows how to be persuasive and let's just say things got out of hand." She mumbles the last part.

I make a face, "You two are nasty."

"Hey you asked."

Yeah I definitely regret it.

"Is she not suspicious though?"

Olivia smirks, "I don't think she really thought about it. We never use condoms so you know naturally she's always finishi..."

I scream, "Oh god shut up I don't want to hear more."

She laughs and my cheeks turn red so I choose to ignore her.

We walk up to the house and walk inside. Sofia is sitting on the couch. My mouth slightly falls open when I see Aunt Hazel and Kai. How do they always get to places so fast.

Sofia immediately turns her head, "Is Riley alive?"

"Yes sweetheart I didn't kill her." Olivia tells her. We both walk up to them. Olivia goes to Aunt Hazel and hugs her, her eyes linger on Olivia a little longer than usual.

"Well well well look at the troublemaker." Aunt Kai says.

"What happened?" Mama asks Olivia.

Olivia looks back at me and then at everybody else, "We couldn't find her."

"Huh. That's a first for you. Nevertheless I've sent people to find her." Aunt Kai says.

I clutch my shirt over my heart, "And what are their orders." I ask quietly.

"Shoot first and ask questions later." She replies.

I'm gonna be sick.

"How can you just do that?" I whisper.

Aunt Kai's eyes fall on me. A hint of confusion and anger is in her eyes.

"She shot at my daughter."

I stand up a little taller, "And she told me everything. She had a reason."

She raises an eyebrow, "So you did find her."

"Just hear her out Aunt Kai please." I beg.

"I don't need to. All that girl is doing is lying to you trying to get close to you. Don't tell me you actually fell in love with her."

Aunt Hazel tugs her back a little bit and glares at her which causes her demeanor to change.

"Don't talk to her like that." Mama warns.

"Oh come everybody we're talking about Carter here. She doesn't fall in love."

Mama steps forward, "Say that again. Go on."

"Whoa let's take a breath my love." Mom tells Mama.

"Kai Xavier I swear to god say another word and you'll see." Aunt Hazel says.

"I don't fall in love because I'm scared my heart will stop. I don't fall in love because it's easier to keep everyone at a distance. Because if I let anyone get too close, I might lose them. I don't fall in love because it's safer to be alone than to risk the pain of losing someone I care about."

"Honey you don't have..." Aunt Hazel tries to speak but I cut her off.

"I don't want to watch all of you grieve over me. I didn't want love because I didn't want that person to watch me die. But here's the thing: I've already lost so much, and I've been living in this bubble of safety for so long that it's made me numb. Maybe I'm scared, but I'm also tired of pretending like nothing matters. Riley showed me that life doesn't have to be about avoiding pain; it can be about finding joy even when things are hard."

I look at everyone and mom has tears in her eyes so she looks away. Olivia squeezes my shoulder from behind.

Aunt Kai's stern expression softens slightly, but her gaze remains harsh, "So what, Carter? You're saying you're ready to risk everything for her? Do you know what the Castillos have done to this family?"

"She's not like them."

"Let me tell you then Carter. They kidnapped Hazel when she was pregnant they tortured your mom. And nobody touches my wife and my best friend and gets away with it."

Sofia this time steps forward, "Why don't we all just calm down."

"I like that idea." Mom says.

Everyone's silent. The tensions in this house right now is way too high.

Aunt Kai groans and walks away causing Aunt Hazel to follow her. Mama goes the opposite way and Mom follows her.

I plop down on the couch and sigh.

"You okay sunshine?" Sofia asks.

I nod and look at Olivia, "Why aren't you joining the killing party?"

"Yeah baby, you went all grizzly bear on your sister."

Olivia glares at her and she shuts her mouth.

"I'm not saying I'm not itching to go kill her. But I've had a change of heart. If you saw good in her then I trust you. There's nothing wrong in loving her Carter."

Sofia nods, "Don't worry sunshine. The Mafia theoretically speaking is mine so I won't let anything happen to Riley you have my word."

"And Maya." I add.

"She likes children now sweetheart." Olivia tells Sofia.

"Oh really." They start teasing.

I groan, "Only Maya and well when you guys have kids."

Olivia immediately smiles. Wow she really can't keep that smile off her face. I can't wait for her to tell Sofia.

Sofia opens her mouth to say something but suddenly everyone walks back in to the living room.

"Kai has something to say." Aunt Hazel motions for her to go.

"I'm sorry for speaking like that Carter. I only want the best for this family. You know I love all of you and I just want everyone safe."

"I know that but we don't have to lose our humanity."

Mama steps forward, "I don't like the idea of us talking to her either Kai but Carter's right. Let's just hear out everything."

"Ma give her a chance. We of all people know there's always more to the story." Sofia tells Aunt Kai.

Aunt Kai lets out a frustrated sigh. "Fine set up a meeting. But I don't want to talk to Riley she can be there but I don't want to talk to her."

"Who do you want to talk to then?"

"I want to talk to the boss. The head of the Castillo."

"Doesn't that mean war?" Sofia asks.

Her mom shakes her head, "It's gonna be a very friendly chat over dinner and we're all going."