Kiara was helped into Belinda's office, her injured hand trembling slightly as she sat down. The faint scent of disinfectant filled the air while Belinda carefully opened a small first-aid box and dabbed ointment onto Kiara's bruised skin.
The sting of the medicine bit through her nerves, but it was nothing compared to the ache inside. The room was silent except for the soft rustle of gauze and the rhythmic ticking of the clock on the wall.
Kiara thought she was past this, the fear, the helplessness, but seeing Edward again had cracked something deep within her. She bit her lip, holding back the tremor in her voice as her thoughts screamed inside her head.
If I can't even look him in the eye without shaking, how will I ever find Jessica? Kiara, why are you still so weak?
Belinda glanced at her, her expression softening as she caught the silent tears tracing down Kiara's cheeks. She hesitated, then asked gently, "Who was he… and why were you so afraid of him?"
Kiara froze, her throat tightening. She wanted to lie, to brush it off, but the weight in her chest wouldn't let her. After a long pause, she let out a weary sigh.
"He's… my ex-boyfriend." The words came out barely above a whisper.
Belinda didn't press further. Instead, she set the ointment aside and moved closer, wrapping her arms around Kiara in a gentle embrace.
"It's okay," she murmured, resting a comforting hand on Kiara's back.
"You don't have to talk about it now. You're safe here. You can always vent it out whenever you're ready."
Kiara's tears finally broke free. "It's hard… It's really hard," she choked out, her voice trembling.
"I thought I could handle it. I told myself I was strong enough. But I can't anymore. It's been two years since I was diagnosed with LAM," Kiara whispered. "And according to the doctor… I have only about two more years to live."
Belinda froze.
The words hung in the air. Her lips parted in shock, her breath caught in her throat. "Kiara…" she whispered, but no words of comfort came. What could she possibly say?
Kiara gave a faint, broken laugh. "I made peace with death. I really did. I'm ready to die… but not like this. Not before I see Jessica one last time."
Her hands clenched tightly on Belinda's back, nails digging into her palms as the memories flooded back, sharp and cruel.
"That man from earlier… he's my ex-boyfriend." Her voice cracked, her face twisting with pain. "One day, he called me, asked me to come over. I thought he missed me. I thought…"
She couldn't continue. Her voice drowned in a sob. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her chest heaving.
Belinda patted her back, but Kiara kept speaking between gasps of grief. "When I got there… he was in bed with my best friend."
Her lips quivered, her body shaking uncontrollably.
"I thought I hated her… I've told myself that lie so many times. But even after all that, I still love her. I still love.... Jessica."
Her voice broke on the word love. She pulled away from Belinda's embrace just to look into her eyes, eyes that now shimmered with tears of their own.
"Time's running out," she whispered hoarsely.
"I might never get to see her again. Never tell her I forgive her. Never tell her that she mattered to me."
And then, like a child seeking warmth, she threw her arms around Belinda again, her sobs wracking her frail frame.
"Do you think…" Her words came out muffled against Belinda's shoulder. "Do you think I'll ever see her again?"
Belinda's own tears fell silently as she tightened the embrace, resting her chin atop Kiara's shoulder. "I don't know," she whispered. "But if there's a way… We'll find her."
Nothing was said again as the two remained in each other's arms, their soft sobs blending with the hum of the quiet room. For a while, nothing made sense.
Then, Kiara finally broke the silence, her voice low and trembling. "My illness… could you keep it a secret? At least until the right time for anyone else to know?"
Belinda nodded without hesitation. "You have my trust," she whispered.
The rest of the day passed quietly. Kiara lingered around the restaurant, helping wherever she could, washing utensils, wiping counters, occasionally sharing small smiles with Belinda as she stole glances at Fionn.
When evening came, the two women walked together to where Kiara had parked her car. The soft glow of the setting sun painted the sky in shades of orange and violet.
"Kiara," Belinda finally said, unable to hold it in any longer, "are you… Really dying?"
Kiara chuckled softly, as if the question itself was absurd. "Yes," she said simply. "At first, it was hard to believe, but over the years, I've learned to make peace with it."
Belinda looked at her with misty eyes. "You're such a sweet girl to die so young," she whispered.
They reached Kiara's car and shared one last embrace.
Once inside the car, Kiara sat still for a moment, both hands resting on the wheel. She let out a long sigh, her breath fogging the glass for a second before fading. She felt lighter, not healed, but freed. Sharing her secret had loosened the invisible weight pressing down on her chest.
------
"The sole reason I came home was to pick up some clothes. I'm not going to any fundraiser event. That, I'm sorry, Mum," Beat said firmly
Her tone carried both guilt and stubbornness.
Kiara stepped into the living room just as the tension thickened. Her eyes swept across the room, her mother, standing near the couch with arms crossed and that familiar look of disappointment, and Beat, clutching a small suitcase, clearly ready to flee the argument.
Without another word, Beat fixed her glasses and walked up to Kiara, gave her a quick hug that was more apology than affection, and headed for the door.
"Beatris, come back here!" Their mother's commanding voice cut through the air.
Beat froze, her shoulders tightening before she slowly turned back.
"Mum, I've never been to such events thanks to you and dad, so I'm not going. I'm sorry for making you angry, I really am… but I won't go." Her voice cracked just slightly, betraying the frustration she was trying to mask.
Kiara's heart sank watching them. She stepped forward, "I'll go," She said quietly.