Chapter Text
July 1977
They didn’t see her.
But they should have.
She was standing in the middle of the hallway, perfectly still, Julia asleep in her arms. Dead center. Plain sight.
And yet—they didn’t see her.
Their eyes were only on each other. Burning. Consuming.
As if the world had narrowed to just the two of them.
They stood outside Daisy’s hotel room, swaying slightly, intoxicated in more ways than one. Camila could tell—Billy had been drinking, Daisy too. And there was something in Daisy’s eyes, unfocused and faraway, that said she might have taken some pills.
They were whispering. Close. Too close.
Billy leaned in, crowding Daisy into the doorframe, his forehead resting against hers like they were the only two souls on Earth.
And then—just like that—they were gone.
Into Daisy’s room.
Camila blinked. Confused on if this was an alternate reality that she had somehow stubbled her way into unknowingly.
She made herself move. Step by step, passing the door that had just swallowed her husband whole. Her grip on Julia tightened as if the little girl’s sleeping body was the only thing keeping her upright.
Behind her, laughter cracked the silence like glass.
Billy’s voice, soft but unmistakable. “I need you.”
“Then take me.”
The walk to their room was a blur—walls passing like smudged paintings, her legs moving without permission.
Julia was tucked into bed within minutes, still warm and unaware.
Camila locked herself in the bathroom.
She stared at the sink, gripping its cold edge. She inhaled once, twice.
*Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.*
She repeated it like a prayer. Like a shield.
But when she looked up—when she saw the woman in the mirror—
she didn’t see strength.
She didn’t see the loyal wife.
She didn’t see the mother.
She saw a woman who had finally reached her limit.
And she broke.
She was so tired.
Tired of her heart hurting.
Tired of being lonely.
Tired of being unwanted.
Tired of being an afterthought.
Tired of feeling like a burden.
Tired of feeling like the only one holding a fraying rope while Billy let go piece by piece.
Tired of being in love with a man who seemed to not be in love with her anymore. If he ever was.
She was so tired of being tired.
She had forgiven him so many times she’d lost count.
But tonight—tonight felt different.
It was different.
The rope was finally snapping.
She was done being the one who never lets go.
She didn’t know how long she stayed curled on the cold tile.
But when she emerged, the sky was changing—dawn creeping in through the hotel window. The soft pink of betrayal.
Billy hadn’t come back.
Of course he hadn’t.
And maybe it was best that he didn’t.
By 6 a.m., everything was packed.
Julia was groggy, rubbing her eyes as Camila dressed her gently.
The hotel staff helped carry the bags.
And Camila left behind two things:
Her wedding ring.
And a note.
Billy,
I don’t even know what to say anymore. Maybe there’s nothing left to say.
I’m tired. So tired. Of waiting. Of hoping. Of wondering when I’ll be enough again—if I ever was.
The moment you closed the door to Daisy’s room was the moment you closed the door to our world—our future. The moment you closed the door, something in me just… stopped.
Stopped holding on.
Stopped believing.
Stopped pretending that there was something left to be saved.
I’ve stood by you. God knows I tried.
But I won’t beg to be seen.
I won’t raise Julia like this.
I’m not angry. I don’t even think I have it in me to be angry anymore.
Just… done.
You’ve made your choice. And now, I’m making mine.
Julia and I are going to go now.
I’m going to go now. And you’re going to stay.
You know where to find us. Don’t come unless you’re ready to be honest—truly honest.
You’re free.
Free to do what you want.
Free to be with her.
Free to be who you are without the weight of who I thought you were.
I hope you find what you’re looking for.
Bye,
Camila Martinez