Chapter 3 Tree

She turned away and hurried out of the room, her breath short. In the hallway, she leaned against the cold wall, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

She then heard rapid footsteps approaching.

- Sofia?

She opened her eyes to see a woman with blonde hair styled in a neat bun stop right in front of her, worry painted on her face.

It was Camille, her friend and colleague, a gentle and insightful woman who knew her better than anyone else.

- What's happening? You look pale, murmured Camille, placing a hand on her arm.

Sofia looked away, searching for her words.

- It's... just a memory that came back, she whispered, her throat tight.

Camille frowned but didn't press further.

- Come, let's go to the staff room. You need a moment.

Sofia nodded slowly, knowing that for the first time in years, she might not be able to escape the past that haunted her.

Camille gently led Sofia to the staff room, taking her away from the bustling hallway where the children's voices echoed. Upon entering the peaceful room, Sofia let out a trembling sigh and slumped into a chair.

Camille glanced at her for a moment, then went to prepare a coffee without saying anything. She knew Sofia would speak when she was ready.

The silence between them was not heavy, but filled with the mutual understanding that true friendships offer. Sofia fixed her gaze on her clasped hands, wrestling with herself. Should she talk about it?

The sound of the cup being placed in front of her pulled her from her thoughts.

- Drink, Camille gently ordered. It won't solve everything, but it will help a bit.

Sofia gave a faint smile and took a sip, feeling the warmth of the liquid offering her slight comfort.

- It's the date, she finally murmured.

Camille frowned slightly.

- The date?

- February 17. The day my mother died.

A silence settled. Camille knew that Sofia had lost her mother many years ago, but she had never discussed the circumstances.

- I'm sorry, she replied sincerely.

Sofia shook her head.

- It's not just that. It's the last thing she told me... the last way she looked at me.

She tightened her grip on the cup between her fingers, as if to hold on to something tangible.

The silence was heavy in the staff room. Sofia lowered her head, her fingers gripping her coffee cup. She felt Camille's gaze on her, but she couldn't bring herself to meet her eyes.

- Sofia... please release yourself. I wouldn't want the children to see you like this.

Sofia closed her eyes, as if that could soothe the pain of the memory. Her heart was pounding violently in her chest, her throat constricted.

- You already know, don't you?

Camille let out a sigh and settled across from her.

- I guessed, she admitted softly. Not right away, but over time...

Sofia felt a shiver run down her spine. For years, she had tried to erase that night from her memory, to hide it under layers of work, responsibilities, and above all under the unconditional love she had for her children.

But Camille, with her piercing gaze and compassionate heart, had seen beyond the mask.

- You sold your body to pay for your mother's treatment, didn't you?

These words echoed in the room like thunder.

Sofia felt her eyes well up, but she didn't cry. Not this time.

- Yes, she whispered.

A silence settled between them. A silence heavy with pain, regrets, and memories she wished she could erase.

She took a deep breath, feeling her hands tremble.

- That night... I was desperate. My mother was in the hospital, and the doctors refused to continue her treatment until I paid part of the fees. I had no other solution.

She bit her lip, struggling against the tears threatening to fall.

- So I did what I had to.

Camille listened with silent attention, her expression filled with pain for her.

- I went to a place where rich men get everything they want... and I accepted an offer.

Sofia ran a trembling hand across her face.

- I spent the night with a stranger. I don't even remember her face, just his perfume ... the feeling of giving up everything in me to survive.

Camille slowly put her hand on hers.

-And it was that evening that you got pregnant ...

Sofia wicked her head slowly.

- Yes. I had Liam and his brother that day.

A bitter laugh escaped him.

- I left this hotel with the money to pay the hospital ... and a few weeks later, I discovered that I was pregnant.

She inspired deeply, trying to contain the emotion that threatened to crush him.

- I gave everything to save my mother. But in the end, that was not enough. She died a few weeks later ... and she left angry with me.

Camille hugged her hand a little loudly, as if to convey a little strength.

-Why do you think she was angry? she asked gently.

Sofia let out a sad laugh.

- Because she knew.

She looked up at Camille, and a lonely tear slipped on her cheek.

- She knew what I had done. She guessed it ... and she never accepted it.

A heavy silence settled again. Camille looked at her for a long time, then she got up and got around the table to take Sofia in her arms.

Sofia remained stiff for a moment, then she collapsed against her friend, leaving the sobs she had held for too long.

- You did what you had to do, whispered Camille, hugging her. No one has the right to judge you.

Sofia Hoqueta gently, hiding her face against her shoulder.

-But I judge myself, Camille ...

- So stop. Because thanks to that night, you had your sons. And you are an incredible mother.

Sofia trembled in her friend's arms, feeling comforting warmth wrap her.

During all these years, she had brought this burden alone. But today she was no longer alone.

And maybe ... just maybe ... that she could finally learn to forgive herself.