Page 86 of Only You

“I just heard you on the phone!”

Eva drew back, a look of confusion crossing her face. “It’s good news. I thought you’d be happy.” Ana watched as Eva’s previous happiness disappeared, her shoulders dropping.

“You think I’d be happy? You think I’d be happy you will break their hearts all over again?” Ana choked on the words, “Please, Eva, you can’t just up sticks and walk away again. You asked for a second chance, and they have given you one. Please, I beg you, don’t throw it away.” Ana’s vision blurred as she faced her sister. She would not let her sister derail Olivia’s and Andrew’s lives all over again without a fight. “I heard you say moving was not an issue.”

Ana’s heckles rose as Eva straightened and laughed. “Ana, please calm down. I’m not going anywhere... Moving is moving here.” Eva raised an eyebrow. “You remember I have been living and working in the US for the past six years?”

Ana sank back against the side and dropped her head. “I’m sorry, of course,” she said. “I should not have jumped to conclusions.”

“No, you shouldn’t. You know what they say about eavesdropping.” Eva grinned, “You can be the first to congratulate me... I am the latest consultant to be taken on at Andrew’s hospital. They have been looking for additional surgeons, especially as Andrew is now caught up in all the television work. Their referrals have increased, and they can’t keep up with current staffing levels.”

Ana’s heart sank. Her beautiful, brilliant sister would now work alongside Andrew. But this was perfect. It is what she wanted for him, for Olivia. Things were falling into place. “I’m happy for you, that’s great news... I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. Forgive me?”

“You love him, don’t you?” Ana’s head shot up, and she stared at her sister, open-mouthed.

“What!” Ana’s eyes flitted around the room, unable to look at Eva.

Before Ana could move, Eva stood before her, her hands resting on her shoulder, “Look at me, Santana.” Ana froze, her eyes finally meeting those of her sister. “Do you love him?”

Ana felt her eyes well. She shook her head in denial. “I don’t, I can’t,” she whispered.

Eva pulled back slightly and frowned. “Why not?”

Ana looked at her sister in surprise. “You are really asking me why not?”

“Yes, why not?”

Ana felt her temper rise. Was her sister playing with her? “Where shall I start? He’s your ex-husband, the father of your child. You are back in his life. Did I mention… he is your ex-husband!”

Ana wanted to remove the grin spreading over her sister’s face. It was clear she was enjoying her pain. “At least you haven’t used the excuse he’s been making, in that he’s too old for you,” Eva said, her grin getting wider.

Ana realised Eva was enjoying this way too much. It was only then she processed what Eva had just said.

“Andrew thinks he’s too old for me?” Ana asked.

“Yep, apparently, you need to go out and party and be around people your own age. I told him he was being an idiot, but when that man gets something in his head... he hasn’t changed.”

Eva let out a dramatic sigh she usually heard from Olivia.

It was Ana’s turn to frown at her sister. Was she hearing this right? Had Eva discussed her and Andrew’s relationship? Ana felt the blood drain from her face. Did Eva know she had slept with Andrew? What must her sister think of her?

“Don’t look so horrified. I think you two make a great couple. Or at least would if you stopped trying to pretend you’re not. The chemistry that sizzles between you when you are in the same room is something most people would give their right arm for. Don’t throw away your chance at true happiness for some warped ideology.”

“But I thought you...”

Eva laughed again. “Dear little sister. I am going to say this once. Andrew and I are over and have been for a very long time. I don’t think we ever really were.”

“That’s not true. He loved you with all his heart. He begged you to come back to him. I heard him that day in the hall after you had Olivia.”

Eva’s eyes clouded, and she shook her head sadly. “No, what you heard was a man trying to hold his family together. It was not because we were right for each other. Andrew and I have discussed our past at length. Neither of us should have gotten married. He was my escape route, which was not fair to him.”

“What do you mean, your escape route?”

Eva cupped Ana’s cheek. “I suppose I should have seen it before.” Eva led Ana to the kitchen table and pulled out two chairs. “Our father was no different with me than he was with you when I was younger. I was their first mistake; you were their second. I grew up in the same toxic environment, striving to do my best but continually failing. It only stopped once I made it to medical school, then he couldn’t sing my praises loudly enough.” Eva ran a hand through her hair. “The more I impressed my lecturers, the more praise I got. He was suddenly proud of me. I got the affection I always dreamed of growing up.”

Ana stared at her sister. “But I thought...”

Eva’s laugh was flat, and Ana watched as she shook her head, her eyes empty in thought. “You thought I was the golden child. Nope... only when he’d moulded me into aStepford Child. You were old enough to see the praise he was heaping on me at that point. I got out of there as fast as I could.” Ana watched Eva’s eyes glisten. “I’m sorry. I abandoned you to that monster. Mum was so downtrodden by that point; she could offer you no protection.”

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