PLAYING WITH FIRE

Chapter 58: Day 4 Post OP 2

Carina's expression flickered with a mix of hurt and concern as Maya pulled her arm away.

She spoke, her voice quiet yet laced with a hint of frustration, "Maya, please, I'm just trying to help you. I care about you, Bambina. Let us take care of you."
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Maya looked at Carina and said "Please leave."

Carina's heart ached at Maya's words, her eyes reflecting a mixture of hurt and worry.

She spoke, her voice quiet yet filled with a hint of pleading, "Maya, please... I just want to be here for you. Let me stay, let me help you. You don't have to face all of this alone."

Maya's expression hardened, her gaze firm despite the vulnerability lurking beneath her surface.

She spoke, her voice filled with a mix of anger and determination, "I said, leave! Can't you just listen for once? I don't want you here. I don't want your help. Just go!"

Carina's eyes widened at Maya's outburst, and her heart ached at the hurt in Maya's voice.

She spoke, her voice barely above a whisper, "Maya... I... I'm just trying to be here for you. I love you."

Maya's expression softened for a moment, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through the defiant facade. But then, her defenses came up again, her voice cold and detached.

"Well, maybe you shouldn't," Maya retorted, her voice laced with hurt and anger. "Maybe you should just leave me alone."

Carina's eyes welled up with tears, her heart aching at Maya's words.

She spoke, her voice filled with a mix of hurt and desperation, "Maya, don't say that. I care about you. I'm here for you. I'm not going to leave you alone, even if you push me away."

Maya's expression hardened once more, her gaze defiant and resolute.

She spoke, her voice firm yet tinged with a hint of pain, "Why do you even care? I don't need your help. I don't need anyone. Just. Go. Away."

Carina's heart squeezed at Maya's words, her eyes filled with a mixture of hurt and determination.

She spoke, her voice firm yet gentle, "You're not better off on your own, Bambina. I know you think you are, but you're not. You can push me away all you want, but that won't change the fact that I care about you. I love you, and I'll always be here for you, even if you don't want me to be."

Maya's resolve crumbled a bit, her eyes shining with unshed tears, but she tried to maintain her composure, her voice cracking slightly as she spoke.

She spoke, her voice hoarse and trembling, "Why? Why won't you just leave me alone? Don't you see that I'm just going to end up hurting you? I don't deserve your love, Carina. I'll just break your heart."

As Carina left the room, the room fell into silence, leaving only Maya and Amelia. Amelia, sensing the heavy atmosphere, turned to Maya with a calm expression.

She spoke softly, her voice laced with empathy, "Carina loves you very much, you know."

Maya's gaze was fixed on the door Carina had just walked through, her expression a blend of hurt and stubbornness. Her voice, though shaky, held an edge of defense.

"Yeah, well... She shouldn't," Maya muttered in response.

Megan's eyes were filled with concern, and she spoke softly, her voice gentle yet firm, "Maya... What's going on with you and Carina?"

Maya's gaze flickered toward Megan, her expression a mix of vulnerability and stubbornness.

She spoke in a quiet, guarded voice, "It's... it's complicated, Megan. Carina loves me, and I... Well, I just don't think I'm good enough for her. I can't give her what she deserves."