“This is over, Ofelia,” she said, gesturing at the bags. “You’ve done your part. You can leave now.”
A lump formed in my chest, heavy and suffocating. But before I could say anything, a small voice cut through the tension.
“No!”
Mavin’s tiny feet thudded against the steps as he bolted down the stairs, his little arms wrapped tightly around my waist. He buried his face into my stomach, clutching onto me with all his strength.
“Mommy, don’t go!”
My heart cracked.
Avery’s smile tightened, but she kept her composure. “Mavin, sweetheart, I’m your mother,” she said, crouching to his level.
Mavin peeked up at her, his brows furrowing. “No, you’re not,” he said stubbornly. “Mommy is.” His grip on me tightened. “I don’t want her to leave.”
Avery’s expression flickered for just a second before she sighed dramatically. “He doesn’t even recognize me,” she muttered under her breath.
Gavin finally spoke; his voice unreadable. “Ofelia can stay.”
Avery’s head snapped toward him. “What?”
“She’ll stay for Mavin’s sake,” Gavin said. “But that’s it. We’re done.”
My chest tightened, but I nodded. I wasn’t staying for Gavin. I was staying for Mavin. His small hands clung to me like I was his entire world, and I couldn’t bring myself to let him down.
Even though I knew I would. Because in three months, I wouldn’t be here.
Avery let out a scoff, crossing her arms. “Fine,” she said. “If you want to be a nanny instead of a mate, be my guest. But don’t fool yourself, Ofelia. You were never more than second best.”
I didn’t answer. I just bent down, pressing a kiss against Mavin’s curls. That night, after I tucked Mavin into bed, my phone buzzed. Daniela called.
I hesitated before answering.
“You can’t do this,” she said the second I picked up. “You’re sick, Ofelia. You can’t waste what little time you have in a place where you’re nothing but an afterthought.”
I stared at the ceiling, exhaustion pressing into my bones. “I can’t leave him.”
“And what about you?” Daniela’s voice cracked. “What about what you deserve?”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Ofelia—”
“I don’t care if Gavin never loved me. I don’t care if he chose her over me. I don’t even care if he throws me away like I meant nothing,” I whispered. “The only thing that keeps me alive is Mavin.”
Silence. Then, a broken sigh. “You won’t even be here to see him grow up.”
I knew that. I just didn’t know how to let go.