Chapter 18: Chapter 18

“IF I did not have a miscarriage, our child would have grown as wonderful as Josef,” Carlota lamented as she gazed blankly outside the car.

Baron picked her up from the venue, and she thought he was driving back to his place.

“The world was never fair to me. I lost the man I love, then the doctors told me I could never bear a child again.”

“That does not give you the reason to be unfair to others, Carlota,” Baron said. “Your niece cared for you. Treating her as your own daughter won’t hurt. But you actually wanted to control her life by setting him up with Julian’s son?”

Carlota shot him a glare. Baron threw her a glance, unbothered by her reaction at all.

“Can’t you see how fragile Clara is?” she sneered. “She needs someone like Josef. He was a fine man. He’s perfect. I am not just setting her up with any man!”

“Your niece is only fragile because you did not want her to be strong. You instilled in her mind that you always know what’s best for her. You took her away from her family. You never asked what could make her happy.”

Carlota faked a laugh. She was not expecting to hear that from Baron.

“And since when did I give you any right to say something about my personal life?”

“Let’s stop fooling around, at least for now, Carlota. You know we are more than familiar with each other.”

“But it seems to me that you are on Clara’s side, ” Carlota said, raising an eyebrow.

“I am saying you’re wrong this time.”

Her jaw dropped in disbelief.

“Wow. That’s new. I can’t believe it!” She glanced outside the car. “Why are we here?” The car just passed the familiar guardhouse of Carlota’s village.

Baron made a turn on the first street, away from the block where Carlota’s mansion was.

“I decided to show you my new place, ” he remarked nonchalantly. “I guess that makes us neighbors now.” The corner of his mouth twisted into a grin.

CLARA threw her purse into the bed and heaved an exhausted sigh. Coming home did not make her feel any better.

She went to her closet and grabbed her pajamas. Just then her phone rang.

She grabbed her purse, her heart racing, hoping it was Fuego, finally wanting to talk to her. But to her disappointment, she saw Josef del Mar’s name on the screen.

She could only sigh in dissatisfaction. But she decided to take the call.

“H-hello?”

“Hi, Clara! Did I disturb you?” Josef sounded enthusiastic, unlike her.

“N-no. I was just about to go to bed.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I was just checking on you. I can’t wait to see you soon.”

“Me, too, Josef. Thank you for your kindness tonight. I really appreciate that.”

“You’re always welcome, Miss. Good night!”

“Good night.”

Clara sat on the bed and stared at her phone for a moment. Should she let this day end without talking to Fuego? She doubted if she could even sleep.

Are you mad? Can we talk? I want to tell you I’m sorry.

Clara cleared her throat as she fought back the tears in her eyes. She was falling in love for the first time, and she did not know what to do.

She stared at her text message for another moment. She had become impatient, hoping Fuego would read it at once and send a reply.

Then, she realized it was not enough. Should she call him already?

Clara stood up and sauntered to her window. Biting her lip, she clicked Fuego’s number and pressed the call button.

As the other line rang, her heart could not help racing again. Finally, someone picked up.

Clara held her breath as she anticipated for Fuego’s smooth voice.

“Hello?”

Clara’s eyes widened as a woman’s voice answered. She could not find the words to say.

“W-who’s this? This is Fuego’s phone, right? W-where is he?”

“This is Venice, Fuego’s girlfriend. He’s already asleep. May I know your relationship with him?”

Clara froze as the words rang in her ears.

“Hello? Are you still there?”

How could he have a girlfriend? He said he did not have one.

“I-I…” Clara swallowed hard as tears sprang from her eyes. “I-it was nothing important. Please don’t mention that I called. B-bye.”

“Sure. No problem!”

Before she could even go back to bed, her knees gave in, and she fell to the floor. It hurt, but it was nothing compared to the pain in her heart.

She could not believe Fuego lied to her. She felt betrayed. Thinking that he slept with that woman tonight only made the pain worse.

That night, jealousy brought her to sleep.

CLARA was thankful Aunt Carlota was not around the next morning. She did not want her to see her puffy eyes, and she did not want to lie.

“Are you all right, Clara?” Rosa asked.

“I’m not,” she replied weakly as she stared at the delicious food on the table.

“What happened? Did you get into a fight with Carlota?”

She shook her head.

“It’s not like that at all. Aunt Carlota knew nothing. And I don’t want her to have an idea.”

“Was it the man you went with last time?”

Her lips quivered as Fuego’s face flashed her mind.

“I guess we could never really be together.” She sighed. “I don’t have an appetite, Rosa. I got to go. I am sorry.”

“I’m going to pack your breakfast. You can’t have an empty stomach, Clara,” Rosa said firmly.

“I appreciate that. Thank you very much.”

Rosa cupped her face and smiled gently.

“I hope you fix things right away. I love to see you happy and in love.”