Chapter Text
Carina said, 'I love you, Maya." Carina saw the sincerity in Maya eyes when she was saing sorry, but it still hurt. It hurt that because of a simple argument, Maya had sex with someone else. How could she do this? How could she do chose of all the people in the world had to choose Jack. Carina carina didn't feel like she could trust Maya, and for her, trust in a relationship is the most important thing.
A few moments after Maya and Carina kissed, Carina got a call for a heavily pregnant patient. Now she was sitting in her apartment at 11 p.m., staring at the blocked phone number. It was Maya’s number. Carina sat and thought to herself, "I can’t do this to myself." But then another thought came, "But I love her."
Her heart ached with a mix of love and betrayal. She still felt the warmth of Maya’s kisson her lips, reminding her of their connection. But the memory of that night, the night Maya chose someone else, was like a knife twisting deeper in her heart.
Tears welled up in Carina’s eyes as she clutched the phone tighter. She remembered their laughter, their dreams, the promises they made. It all seemed so fragile now, like delicate glass shattered into pieces. She wanted to scream, cry, and throw the phone, but instead, she sat there, feeling overwhelmed.
"How could she?" Carina whispered to herself, her voice breaking. "How could she destroy everything we built together?" The pain was suffocating, making it hard to breathe.
After one bottle of wine, which Carina hoped would calm her thoughts, she went back to bed.
Carina lay in the darkness, feeling the weight of loneliness that seemed more overwhelming than ever before. She rolled from side to side, trying to find a comfortable position, but sleep wouldn’t come. Her thoughts kept revolving around Maya, what happened, and what might happen.
In the darkness, memories came flooding back to her like a wave. She remembered the first moments she met Maya – her smile that always managed to disarm her, the sparkle in her eyes, and how she immediately felt something different when she looked at that blonde. Their laughter together made her feel safe and loved. She remembered conversations about the future, how they dreamed of a life together full of love and support. But these memories quickly gave way to images of that one, painful night.
The night when Maya shut her out, when she betrayed everything they had built together. How could she walk into her apartment when Carina was waiting to make sure everything was okay and tell her she cheated on her straight to her face, just to hurt her? but honestly Carina preferred that to living a lie. although Maya did well in your situation to tell you right away
Her heart beat fast, her breath became shallow as tears started to flow down her cheeks. Carina picked up her phone, her fingers trembling as she opened the messages. She stared at the empty text box, trying to find the words to express her pain and confusion. She started to type:
"Maya, I don’t know if I can forgive you..."
But she quickly deleted the words. Then she tried again:
"I don’t know how you could do this..."
But that sentence disappeared too. Each attempt at writing seemed inadequate, as if no words could express the enormity of her feelings. Feeling helpless, she put her phone on the nightstand. She put her hands to her face, trying to hold back the tears, but they kept flowing. There was an emptiness in her heart that she couldn’t fill with anything else.
She began to wonder if she would ever be able to trust Maya again. Lying there, hugged to her pillow, she thought about what she would do next. Would the love she felt for Maya be enough to survive what happened? Did they still have a chance, or was this the end? She was filled with longing for what they had, but also fear of what could happen if she tried again.
Finally, exhausted by her emotions, Carina began to fall asleep. In the final moments before sleep, as her thoughts grew increasingly hazy, she promised herself that tomorrow she would make a decision. Tomorrow she would face Maya and her feelings, but tonight, at last, she allowed herself a moment of respite.
---
The next morning, Carina awoke to the sound of the doorbell ringing. She blinked groggily, momentarily disoriented, as the events of the previous night rushed back to her. The weight the memories began to overwhelm her.she just wanted to sleep in today. is she asking for so much? . She threw the covers off and slowly made her way to the door, not expecting anyone this early.
When she opened the door, she was surprised to see her brother, Andrea, standing there. He wore a concerned expression, holding a bag of food in his hand.
“Buongiorno, sorellina,” Andrea greeted her softly, his voice laced with both warmth and worry.
Carina furrowed her brow in confusion. “Andrea? What are you doing here?”
Andrea held up the bag. “A certain blonde sent me,” he said, a hint of amusement in his tone, though his eyes remained serious. “She wasn’t sure if you wanted to see her, considering you haven’t unblocked her number and she couldn’t contact you.”
Carina’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Maya. She hadn’t unblocked her number; she wasn’t even sure if she was ready to face her. But here was her brother, standing at her door, an unexpected messenger between her and the woman who had shattered her heart.
“She thought you might need this,” Andrea continued, gesturing to the bag. “So, here I am. Breakfast delivery courtesy of your… conflicted girlfriend.”
Carina’s emotions swirled—confusion, anger, love, and a lingering ache in her chest. She didn’t know what to say, her mind racing with thoughts she couldn’t quite form into words.
Seeing the turmoil in her eyes, Andrea stepped closer and gently placed the bag in her hands. “Carina,” he said softly, “whatever you’re feeling, it’s okay. But you need to figure it out—whether you can forgive her, or if it’s time to move on.”
Carina looked down at the bag, the simple gesture of care that it represented. She knew she couldn’t ignore her feelings any longer. She had to face them, face Maya, and make a decision about their future.
“Thank you, Andrea,” Carina finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Andrea nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. “I’m here for you, whatever you decide.”
As he left, Carina closed the door behind him, her mind already racing with the difficult conversations that was in her head. But first, she would have breakfast, and try to find a moment of calm before the storm.
After Andrea handed Carina the bag of food, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and saw that it was a call from the hospital. His eyes lit up with excitement as he answered.
“DeLuca ” he said. “Yes? Really? That’s fantastic news! I’ll be there right away.”
As Andrea ended the call, he looked at Carina with a mix of enthusiasm and urgency. “They have a new patient who needs surgery, and I’ve been asked to assist. It’s one of my first major surgeries. I need to go now.”
Carina nodded, trying to hide her anxiety and focus on being supportive. “Go, Andrea. I’m sure you’ll do great. I’ll handle things here.”
“Thanks, Carina,” Andrea said, giving her a quick hug before heading out. “I’ll talk to you later.”
After Andrea left, Carina closed the door and returned to the kitchen. The bag of food was a welcome distraction, but as she began unpacking it, she noticed a small envelope tucked inside. It was addressed to her, with “Carina” written in Maya’s familiar handwriting.
Her heart skipped a beat. Hesitant but driven by curiosity, Carina carefully opened the envelope and unfolded the letter inside. The neat handwriting immediately brought a rush of emotions.
Dear Carina,
I know I’ve hurt you deeply, and there’s no way to undo the pain I’ve caused. I love you more than words can express, and I am truly sorry for my actions. I made a terrible mistake, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to make things right.
If you can find it in your heart to give us another chance, I’d like to meet you at the bar where we first met. It’s a place that holds so many of our memories, and I hope it might be a place where we can find a way forward.
I love you, and I miss you more than you can imagine. Please consider this as my sincere attempt to make amends.
Yours always, Maya
Carina’s hands trembled as she read the letter. The words were heartfelt and full of regret, but they also stirred up a whirlwind of emotions. The bar where they first met was a place of new beginnings for them, and now it was being offered as a chance for reconciliation.
She placed the letter back in the envelope and set it aside, her mind racing with the possibilities. The letter had given her a glimmer of hope, but also left her with more questions. Could she find it in herself to forgive Maya and rebuild what they had? The bar was a significant place, but would it be the setting for a new chapter or a final goodbye?
As she finished unpacking the food, Carina knew she had a decision to make. The letter had opened the door to the possibility of healing, but it was up to her to step through it.
Carina sat at the kitchen table, clutching Maya's letter. The words were filled with regret and longing. She glanced at the clock and knew that Maya, as the captain of Station 19, would have finished her shift at the fire department by 4 p.m. Carina had planned to be at the bar by 6 p.m., the same time they had first met.
As the afternoon wore on, Carina was paralyzed by doubt. The letter had given her hope, but also made her question whether she was ready to face Maya again. Could she truly confront her after the pain and betrayal? The bar, once a symbol of their new beginning, now seemed like it might be a place for either reconciliation or further heartbreak.
Time seemed to drag as Carina wrestled with her thoughts. Finally, feeling overwhelmed, she decided to take a drive around the city to clear her mind. The familiar streets and landmarks passed by in a blur as she struggled to sort through her feelings. The drive was both calming and agonizing, each mile reflecting her internal struggle between wanting to move forward and fearing the possibility of more hurt.
By the time Carina finally gathered the resolve to head to the bar, it was nearly 7:30 p.m. She arrived an hour and a half late, her heart heavy with both anticipation and anxiety. The bar, with its warm, inviting ambiance, looked much like it did on the night they first met.
---
As Carina stepped into the bar, her eyes scanned the room anxiously until they landed on a familiar figure. Maya was seated at a table in the corner, her back turned toward the door. She was dressed in a way that was elegant yet understated—a tailored, navy blue blouse paired with black trousers. The outfit was polished but not overly formal, a reflection of Maya’s practical yet refined style. On the table in front of her was a beautiful bouquet of flowers—an array of vibrant lilies and delicate roses, arranged with care. The flowers were striking, their bright colors standing out against the soft lighting of the bar.
Carina’s heart sank as she took in the scene. The sight of Maya, so close yet so distant, stirred a whirlwind of emotions. She could see that Maya was waiting, but her posture—slouched slightly, her gaze fixed ahead—suggested a deep sense of resignation and longing. The flowers, a gesture of apology and affection, seemed to emphasize the pain and hope mingled in the moment.
Carina stood frozen for a moment, her emotions tangled in a knot of sadness and empathy. She realized why Maya had chosen to sit with her back to the door. Each time someone had entered, it was likely that Maya had hoped it might be Carina, only to be met with disappointment each time. The act of sitting with her back to the door was both a defense mechanism and an act of vulnerability—shielding herself from the hope that had turned into repeated heartbreak.
Taking a deep breath, Carina walked over to the table and gently cleared her throat, hoping to alert Maya without startling her.
Maya turned slowly, her eyes widening in surprise as they met Carina’s. There was a moment of silence as their gazes locked, filled with unspoken words and raw emotion. Carina’s heart pounded in her chest, but she felt a flicker of hope as she prepared to face the woman she still loved but she doesn't know if she is able to forgive