Achilles’ Point of View:Since it was late night, I figured there was nothing I could do about any of it and just should wait for morning. I spent the better part of the night trying to process how to face dad after everything and how to mend things with Carlos. The thing about him was that he’d always forgive me if I did something wrong, but he had little empathy for himself. So even when I knew it wasn’t his fault at all, I had to make sure he thought the same.The morning came after a very long time, and a lot of turning around. It was 8 A.M. when I got the strength to get up and make some coffee—and that was also the time I heard some movements in the living room.I went downstairs and saw Carlos making some coffee in the kitchen. He looked over at me.“Didn’t think you’d stay.” I said as I walked over.“Yeah, well, I’m not letting you out of my sight till you agree with everything I ask you to do.” He turned to me and then picked up his coffee cup.“And what’s that?”“I haven’t d

Carlos’ Point of View: “Yeah, yeah. I remember. The purple blinders for the room, got it.” I laughed and said to Jo, who was on the other side of the phone in her cabin, still at the company. “Yeah!” She laughed back. “I’ve missed you.” “I didn’t,” I replied and watched her nod in sarcasm. “Carlos, baby, you’ve been dying the past months.” I chuckled. “That’s overdoing it.”“So when are you gonna ask me to move in?” She smirked. A smile formed on my lips. “Well—”“I mean, I’d probably wait for you know, the formality of spending months together before booking a very special place and then, the whole shenanigans, and then you’d give me the key, but we really don’t have that kind of time.” I exhaled, putting up a fake smile. It was now… kind of easy for her to talk about her condition. She’d bring it up, laugh it off. Maybe she had time to adjust—adjust? How can someone adjust to the news of them dying? — but she had. She really didn’t feel pity for herself, or got sad, at least n

Isabella’s Point of View:After having the coffee “date” with Stefan, I went back to my place. I needed some time to process everything that happened—I still wasn’t sure if I made the right move, but letting him down without thinking wasn’t the right thing either. I didn’t want him to hurt, not after everything he had done for me.I went inside and sat down in the living room, and it was just a few minutes before I heard my doorbell ring. I groaned before getting up and dragging my ass to the door. I was tired of facing people who claim to have done several things which I don’t remember, leaving me with no choice but to believe them.I opened the door and saw Carlos—well, this was unexpected. With all the talk of us never talking again, you know.“Hey Carlos,” I said as I stepped aside. “I didn’t… expect you.”“I know,” He said as he entered inside.I followed him inside the living room where we sat down and I looked at him, curious. He looked back at me with a judgy gaze.“You, uh, y

Isabella’s Point of View:The ambulance stopped in front of a hospital. They took the stretcher out and carried him inside, taking him to the ER. I was asked to stay outside while they administer some drugs and medicine to neutralise the toxins and help him with the continuous throwing up.I was out of my mind. Seeing him in so much pain was so hard—I could feel like my breath was sucked right out of me, the way he looked like he had given up on everything. Was it because of me? I wouldn’t ever forgive myself if it was. I hadn’t imagined that the greatest pain I’d ever feel would be when I see him in pain. But the way my heart was sinking in my stomach and the lump was building up in my throat—I had never felt so scared in my life. Not even when anybody assaulted me. Not even when I drove in front of that truck. I was always scared when those things happened, but right now, I was terrified. I was paralysed.After calming myself down for a few minutes, I took out my phone and called Ca

Isabella’s Point of View:We were just sitting in silence when Achilles looked over at me. “What?” I asked with a playful tone.“What’s up with Carlos?” He asked, his expressions curious.“What do you mean?” I pretended to be oblivious as I stole my gaze away from him. I didn’t think it was the best idea for him to know about everything that we talked about.“I don’t know. You two didn’t speak at all and he seemed kinda off about you.”“Nah, just…” I looked at him and exhaled. “Just the stress, I think.”He nodded, almost buying it. “Okay.”I heard Carlos come in just after that conversation and I looked up at him. He walked over to check on him and then looked at me.I needed to talk to him because he made any more sly remarks and Achilles finally caught up and joined the dots together.“Carlos, can I talk to you outside?” I mustered up the courage and looked at him.He gave me a look filled with contempt but nodded.After sharing a small smile with Achilles, I walked outside with him