Chapter 3 0003.

Camilla's POV

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked into his eyes, seeing pain and regrets reflecting there.

Despite everything that had happened between us, a part of me couldn't help but long for the life we could have had together.

But I couldn't ignore the reality of our situation, I was now engaged. How could I still be thinking of being together with him again?

The rumors, the gossip... if Lawrence found out about our children, there was no telling what he would do. But on second thought, I sighed in relief as I thought about it, he mentioned our child instead of children which showed he might just be saying.

Moreover, I cannot tell him about them, I can not risk putting them in harm's way, not for anything in the world.

"I'm sorry Lawrence but I don't know what you're talking about" I said softly with tears streaming down my cheeks as I turned and fled from the room, leaving him standing there alone.

I made my way through the crowded hallway with the weight of my decision heavy on my heart but deep down, I knew it was the right choice, for me, for my children, for all of us.

After working at the hospital for two years, I finally managed to save up enough money to buy myself a car. I needed it since Raymond was mainly based abroad.

It wasn't anything fancy, just a reliable drive that could take me from one place to another, and the best part, it was mine, and it gave me a sense of freedom I hadn't felt in a long time.

As I drove away from the hospital, the thoughts swirled in my head like a whirlwind.

Why had Lawrence come back after four years? More importantly, how did he find out that I was pregnant?

Those four years had been rough, to say the least. Working in the hospital and having to do things myself to meet up since Raymond was never around.

And now, out of nowhere, Lawrence was back, asking about his child as he thinks I gave birth to one child. It was a relief he thinks that way because I will never let him know they are two.

How could he be shamelessly back after what he did with Jane?

Maintaining the normal drive speed, I tried to push the thoughts aside but they kept creeping back into my mind, like weeds refusing to be pulled. I couldn't shake the feeling of how the kids would feel when they found out about their father.

"I can't let them know, I can't let Lawrence find them?" I resolved to myself with determination, I was going to leave the city.

So deep in thought, I was unaware of a reckless driver who careened around the corner ready to crash into my car but I was lucky to maneuver with the wheel, saving myself from a ghastly accident.

However, the luck wasn't enough. Tying to look back, to insult the reckless driver, I bumped into a motionless car, smashing the bumper, and causing significant damage.

I was short of five hundred bucks just to repair the car's damage. With a heavy heart, I made my way back home and I started packing my belongings with trembling hands.

George and Mira tried playing with me but I didn't respond. They were kids so they couldn't decipher my emotions.

Kiara, my kids' babysitter tried to find out what went wrong but I gave her no answer. I simply instructed her to pack the kid's luggage.

I checked my phone for any updates, any sign of hope in the bleakness of my situation, but all I found was more bad news. It was almost midnight and the airport had no available flights, the bus station was closed for the day, and I was trapped in this nightmare with no way out.

I sank onto the bed, tears streaming down my cheeks as I struggled with the immense despair welling up inside me. I couldn't stand the thought of facing Lawrence and the unavoidable argument that was bound to happen. But where could I go, with no car and no way out? The airport was out of the question, and the bus station had closed for the night. I was trapped like a prisoner in my own home, with no hope of escape.

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room as I groggily reached for my phone on the bedside table. Curiosity ran over me as I saw the missed calls and messages from Andrew.

I wondered why he called, maybe because I left the party unannounced or Lawrence informed him about our encounter.

I was too tired to put that in my mind. Just when I was about to drift off into a restless sleep, the shrill ring of the phone shattered the silence, jolting me awake.

With a sigh, I reached for the receiver. I felt my hand trembling slightly as I brought it to my ear.

"Hello?" I said.

"Camilla, it's Andrew," came the urgent voice on the other end of the line.

"There's been an emergency at the hospital. We need you to come in right away."

I hesitated for a moment, the thought of facing Lawrence again filling me with a sense of dread. "I... I can't," I stammered "I'm quitting?"

Andrew's voice softened with shock and concern. "quitting? Why? Did Dr Lawrence ask you to quit?" he asked gently.

I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. "No," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I want to move abroad, I got a better job offer," I lied.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before Andrew spoke again in a pleading tone "Please, Camilla," he said softly. "At least come in for one last shift. We need you."

I closed my eyes and my resolve weakened as I thought of the patients who depended on me, those lives hung in the balance. With a resigned sigh, I nodded.

"Okay," I whispered. "I'll come in."

And with that, I hung up the phone, rose from the bed, and found something to wear.

Because of the urgency, I couldn't see the kids. Before stepping out of the house, I received a message from the airport informing me that my flight was now scheduled for 6 pm this evening which means I could make it back from the hospital before the time of flight.

As I made my way to the hospital, my mind raced with thoughts of Lawrence and the children I had fought so hard to protect.

I couldn't let him back into our lives, not after everything he had done, not after the pain and heartache he had caused me.

But as I stepped through the doors of the hospital, all thoughts of Lawrence were pushed aside by the urgency of the situation at hand. Andrew was waiting for me with a face pale of worry as he ushered me towards the emergency room.

"There was an accident," he explained hurriedly as we made our way through the bustling corridors.

"The patient is in critical condition. We need you, Camilla. We need your expertise."

I nodded grimly, my heart sinking as I prepared myself for the worst.

And then, as we reached the doors of the emergency room, I froze in horror at the sight before me.

Lawrence lay on the hospital bed, his face pale and drawn as he struggled to breathe.

His eyes met mine for a fleeting moment, filled with pain and regret, before fluttering shut once more.

I felt a surge of emotion well up inside me as I rushed to his side. From what I heard from Dr Andrew, he was drunk while driving and I knew exactly why he must have done that which broke my heart at the thought of it.

My hands trembled as I reached out towards him. "Lawrence," I whispered hoarsely, my voice choking with tears.

"What happened? What happened to you?"

But he was too weak to respond.

His breathing was shallow as he fought for every precious breath. As I watched helplessly, the full weight of his words from yesterday crashed over me like a tidal wave, filling me with a sense of overwhelming guilt and remorse.

But he was already slipping away. His grip on life grew weaker by the moment as the monitors beeped in a steady rhythm of despair and gradually, he faded into unconsciousness.