Page 134 of The Spring in My Heart

She pauses, her eyes glowing like burning charcoal. “First of all, neither of those two are here. Second, did Chase say that? Did those fucking words come out of his mouth?”

I shake my head. “But that’s what I heard.”

Her features relax. “You need to clarify. Don’t get me tearing your brother a new asshole for things he actually didn’t say.”

I chuckle. “Thank you.”

“Don’t fucking thank me. It’s about time you and everyone else stop beating on you. You didn’t do anything maliciously. Ollie will see it differently?—”

My insides twist, and I throw the door open. “Don’t say his name. That’s the last thing I want is to talk about him. I’m just going to go in there and spend some time with Bron and CJ before I go on my trip.”

I walk around the car, and Lauren’s sharp gaze is all over me. “I’m going to shut up for now, but we’ll talk about him again.”

“Let’s get drunk instead after we leave here. It will be my bon voyage celebration because you’ll miss me so much.”

“Deal,” she laughs.

We make our way inside the house and walk through the family room, but no one is in sight. I follow her until we get to Bron’s room. We pause outside.

“Go in. I’ll be in Adri’s room.”

I frown, but she tilts her head to the door and walks away. I guess Bron and I are just talking alone. I knock and open the door. My niece is not in there.

Ayla is sitting on her bed and springs up when she sees me. Her face crumples, and so do my insides. My heart splits into pieces at the anguish in her face.

“I’m so sorry,” she says and takes two steps toward me but stops. “You probably hate me.”

I cross the distance between us and throw my arms around her. “No, I could never hate you. I love you too much.”

“Papi is so disappointed in me. I don’t think he’ll ever forgive me or love me again.”

Her arms go around me, and she squeezes me with so much strength, like CJ when he’s in need of comfort, so I hug her tight and rub my hand in circles on her back. “Ay, your father loves you more than anything and anyone in the world. When you love someone that much, there’s no way you can stop, no matter what.”

She shakes her head. “He doesn’t look at me anymore. Just…does everything…”

Her sobs are more than I can take. I hate that she feels like this. I hate that I could have prevented this if I had told him what I overheard.

“Your dad is upset, but that has nothing to do with loving someone. You can be mad at a person, but nothing has changed between you. You know? Come on, let’s get a sip of water.” I pull her to the seating area. There’s a water bottle, and I hand it to her.

She takes a sip and breathes.

“I ruined everything. Papi and I were like best friends, almost like me and B, but now we’re not talking, and he broke up with you, and he really loves you, and I do too.”

Her words knife over my skin, and I feel them deep within. “I love you too. And that’s never going to stop. Your dad and I just don’t see eye to eye, and that happens with relationships. Sometimes, even though you love people, you can’t be with them. I really should have told him earlier.”

“It doesn’t matter when you told him. He was always going to be mad. I should have told him, but I just didn’t think he would want me to talk to Mom. She left us, and he hates her, but…”

“She’s your mom. And he doesn’t hate her either. She just hurt him. He doesn’t want her to hurt you.”

She nods. “I know. But I betrayed him. He’s not going to forgive me, like he doesn’t forgive her.”

“Ayla, you didn’t betray him, and it’s not the same. You are his world. Your dad is a wonderful guy. But I also understand you want to see and talk to your mom. Our parents are our parents. Walter is not a good person, but I remember a time when we were so close, and I was his little girl. I can’t help missing that sometimes. He’s…”

“Your papi.”

The tears slide down my face one after the next. I try swiping, but they won’t stop. “He’s more like a biological father. Papi is someone who is everything your dad is with you. Someone who loves you, puts your best interests above everything, and makes you his whole world.”

“I’m sorry,” she says and leans against me. “I wish your dad was like mine.”

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