Twisted Loyalties

11

I watch Val across the table, her eyes full of that look—sympathetic but cautious, like she's trying to measure out her words to avoid setting me off.

I can tell she's here for damage control, and part of me just wants her to get it over with.

"You wanted to talk?" I ask, keeping my voice even, though it's taking everything not to let my frustration leak out.

Val nods, shifting slightly. "Yeah. Look, Julian didn't mean those things he said last night. He's... dealing with a lot, and sometimes it just comes out in ways he doesn't mean."

I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm done trying, Val. I mean, he couldn't even come and apologize himself. After everything he said, he just... let it be."

Val looks at me, her expression soft but determined. "He's going through something, Sabrina. You know how he is—he doesn't know how to handle things without pushing people away."

I shake my head, exhaling sharply. "Going through something doesn't give him the right to hurt me. I get that he's struggling, but so am I. And I'd never say half the things he did, even on my worst day."

Val frowns slightly, like she's taking in the weight of my words. "You're right, it doesn't excuse it. But I know he regrets it. He's just... Julian. He's stubborn and closed-off, but he's not heartless. He knows he messed up."

"Well, I'm tired of waiting for him to figure out how to treat people," I reply, feeling the words stick in my throat. "It's not fair to me, Val. I can't be there for him if he's just going to tear me down."

Val's silent for a second, and she nods. "I know. And you deserve better. I just hope... maybe give him a chance to make things right."

I look away, biting my lip. "We'll see."

I'm in the middle of sorting inventory at the warehouse when my phone buzzes in my pocket.

Pulling it out, I see Camilla's name flashing on the screen.

I almost ignore it, but something in me—maybe the memory of her sticking by me when I had no one else—makes me answer.

Her voice on the other end is shaky, almost broken. "Julian... I... I need you."

Without a second thought, I grab my keys and head for the door. The drive over is tense, my mind racing.

Camilla's not the type to break, not easily.

She's the one who's always had her walls up, so for her to call me like this... it has to be bad.

When I pull up, she's waiting outside, arms wrapped around herself.

As soon as I get out of the car, I see her red, tear-streaked face, her eyes darting away.

She looks... lost. A version of Camilla I've never seen.

"Cami," I say, moving closer. She doesn't speak; she just lets me pull her into my arms.

I can feel her shaking, hear her struggling to keep herself together. I tighten my grip, rubbing her back as her head leans against my shoulder.

She lets out a breath, her voice barely a whisper. "I... didn't know who else to call."

"It's okay," I murmur. "You know you can always call me."

I stand there, holding her tightly, feeling her shoulders shake with each quiet sob.

Her face is buried against my chest, her grip on my jacket desperate, like she's clinging to something real after drowning for too long.

I feel the weight of her pain like a physical ache, and all I want is to ease it, to take it away somehow.

I keep holding her close, her breaths coming in uneven, shaky bursts.

Finally, I murmur, "Camilla, what happened?" I keep my tone soft, not pushing too hard but needing to understand what's tearing her apart like this.

She hesitates, her face still pressed against my chest as if she's not ready to look at me. After a moment, she sighs, her shoulders slumping as she whispers,

"It's my padre... We got into another fight." Her voice cracks, and she lets out a humorless laugh that's more painful than anything. "It's like no matter what I do, it's never enough for him."

I feel a surge of anger at her father, wishing I could protect her from all this, from him. "Cami," I say gently, rubbing her back. "What did he say?"

She finally pulls back a little, wiping her eyes, her expression vulnerable and tired.

"He thinks I'm ruining my life," she admits, a bitter edge in her tone. "Every choice I make, every time I try to do something for myself, he finds a way to twist it. Makes it seem like I'm a failure, like I'm disappointing him on purpose. I'm so... so tired of it, Julian. I feel like I'm never going to be good enough for him."

Hearing her say that just about breaks something inside of me.

I pull her back into a hug, resting my chin on top of her head, wishing there was something more I could do. "Camilla, you're not a failure. And you don't need his approval to be worth something. You're enough just as you are."

She lets out a long, shuddering sigh, and I feel her lean into me like she's finally allowing herself to feel the weight of everything she's been carrying.

"I don't even know who I am anymore," she whispers. "I've been trying so hard to fit into the version of me he wants, and now... I just feel empty."

"You're not empty," I tell her firmly. "You're just... lost, maybe. But that doesn't mean you won't find yourself again. Whatever it takes, I'm here, okay? I'll help you figure it out."

Camilla looks up at me, her gaze softening just a bit as she absorbs my words. "Thank you, Julian. I don't know what I'd do without you."

A small, reassuring smile pulls at the corner of my mouth. "You don't have to find out. I'm not going anywhere."

AUTHORS NOTEE

So Julian can be so nice to Camilla when she's struggling but not Sabrina?? GIRL WHATT
Guys don't worry Julian is just a nice boyy!!

Val trying to change Sabrina's mind about Julian is kind of cute but she needs to be a girls girlll!