My head was spinning. I took several deep breaths, trying to think about rescuing my friends instead of Miguel's undeniable lips. We were so close to each other for a moment... Why wasn't I bothered? After all, romance became abominable once Dirk shattered my heart! That didn't make sense... Anyway, I couldn't let my emotions take control. Perhaps Maartje, Nuria, and Joaquim were right about the chemistry, but I couldn't let it get stronger. Miguel and I were just friends. The more I told myself that, the less my heart would jump like a child who had too much sugar when he was nearby. My thoughts were a mess while my friends and I ran to the lowest floor. I sneezed, wondering how someone could leave a house so dirty. Kidnapping Maartje and Laurens wasn't enough... The SHA also had to lock them in a place full of dust! Even Francis seemed upset.

Ricci peeked at the right, "The stronzi are still there. We'll have to fight them."

Nuria grabbed her blunderbuss, "That won't be necessary."

My eyes bulged as Miguel's sister shot both SHA men in the head. That was a little extreme, but they'd try to kill us if we didn't do it first... Don't judge us! You know I'm speaking the truth. I breathed insanely fast once we got to the tiny door... Would we really rescue our friends? That was too good to be true! I gulped while staring at the large padlock.

"How do we open this?" Giacomo rubbed his forehead. "It can't be broken by a sword."

Miguel searched the men's pockets, "No keys in here."

My eyes widened, "I have an idea. Step aside."

I really hope this works...

Shooting the padlock twice, I broke it almost entirely. Miguel nodded and grinned, seemingly proud... Did he need to have such a lovely smile? Damn it! Francis made me less distracted by barking loudly. Despite my dog's efforts, I couldn't stop thinking about Miguel.

Nuria gazed at her brother and I, "If you're done staring at each other, let's enter the room."

Gálvez rolled his eyes, "We aren't doing anything."

What should I do with this nosy family?

She shrugged and shot him a mischievous gaze. Maartje and Laurens ran to us with tears in their eyes. They hugged Miguel and me as if it was the last time. Francis licked their boots while I smiled widely.

Maartje's eyes gleamed, "I can't believe we haven't seen each other in a month! Being that woman's captive is horrible!"

"Based on your outfit, I assume you're the new quartermaster," Laurens gave Miguel a pat on the back. "Our ship was in good hands during my absence."

My cousin winked, "I'm sure you love those hands, Storm..."

I laughed nervously, "I missed you, Maartje."

"You didn't deny it! Interesting..." she slightly narrowed her eyes. "I missed you too. Where's my little boy?"

Miguel took a step forward, "I'll explain what happened..."

Gálvez told my cousin and Laurens what had taken place since the kidnapping. He mentioned leaving the kids at Rosa's, Andrew's situation with Mrs. Campbell, the truth about Joaquim... All but our almost kiss. I sighed in relief... Miguel was indeed a gentleman! Some guys told people about those things just to show off.

"I'm glad Knight helped us despite being Quartermaster Devil's brother," Maartje's lips curled into a sweet smile. "Thank you for keeping Willem safe. I'm sure Rosa will take good care of him."

"I'm happy our boy's alright," Laurens rubbed his chin. "That gives me an idea..."

I knit my brows, "Please don't tell me it's a dinner with Mrs. Campbell! I'll hit my head against the wall if I see that lady again."

"You haven't lost your sense of humor," my former quartermaster chuckled. "I thought we could split up and search for Andrew's objects."

"Why do people always think splitting up is good? Dios mío..." Gálvez shook his head in denial. "Each of us should work with another person to have less trouble fighting SHA men."

Giacomo took a step forward, "Splitting up will make things quicker."

Maartje shrugged, "Faster doesn't mean more efficient. I'm with Miguel."

I crossed my arms, "I'm undecided, so you break the tie, Nuria."

Nuria sighed, "I'm sorry, brother, but I'm supporting my husband."

My cousin kept looking at Miguel and me. Nuria did the same. I rolled my eyes, hoping I wouldn't hear nonsense from the Let's Meddle in Eva and Miguel's Lives Alliance. Let's call them the LMI... Forget it. Too many initials.

"Why does it seem something happened here?" Maartje grinned. "Maybe my absence wasn't entirely bad."

Nuria's eyes widened, "I feel the exact same, but they won't tell me anything!"

I glanced at Miguel, "We should've stolen gags to put on their mouths."

He shook his head in denial, "Not even the strongest gags could stop these two."

Chuckling softly, I looked at Laurens. He smiled, seemingly understanding my request. Giacomo huffed, apparently tired of the nosy women's conversation.

"Let's annoy Miguel and Eva later," Laurens showed the door. "We should search for Andrew's objects before the SHA returns."

"First, Eva must know the truth about Mrs. Campbell," Maartje swallowed hard while approaching me. "She's not who you think she is."

Laurens squeezed his eyes shut. Could Mrs. Campbell be someone I'd harmed and didn't remember? If yes, who? My neck started sweating... Maybe she was Dirk's mom. I wouldn't blame her for hating me if she was Mrs. Bosch... Who am I kidding? Of course, I would! Her son was the evil one, not me.

"Storm has suffered so much," Laurens caressed Maartje's back. "Let's not put her through this now, my love."

"Thank you!" I walked closer to the exit. "I'm not in a mood to talk about that crazy woman."

I need to hear what Maartje has to say at some point.

Although we followed the splitting up plan, I was insecure. My hands wouldn't stop sweating as I opened every drawer of a room on the second floor. Francis sniffed everywhere, which didn't seem helpful. Even though I searched the room, my thoughts returned to... Guess what? Stupid emotions! I used to be better at suppressing them, but perhaps age made it more challenging.

"I hope you don't agree with Maartje and Nuria because my heart is closed," I turned to my dog. "There's no way I'm letting my feelings take control."

Francis whined... Wasn't that wonderful? My dog had turned against me! I felt a headache while analyzing another room. The drawers had everything but Andrew's objects... Yes, I'd found a few disgusting undergarments! Wrinkling my nose, I took a step back.

"Looking for this?" a familiar female voice said from behind.

My eyes bulged once I saw Mrs. Campbell holding a folded letter. She put it in her left sleeve, making me clench my fists. I really wanted to punch her in the face.

"Don't be upset at your Portuguese friend. I used the back door," the lady smiled cruelly. "My partner's men will take care of him soon."

"Aren't you done making me crazy?" I let out a pronounced sigh. "I don't remember harming you!"

"Allow me to refresh your memory," she walked around me like a predator. "You broke my heart."

I shook my head in denial, "I still have no idea what you're talking about."

Mrs. Campbell dropped the English accent, "I came all the way from Amsterdam to make you suffer and yet you keep lying!"

My eyes widened, "You're Dutch?"

"I'm Carolien de Vries," the woman wiped away a tear. "You stole my deceased daughter's identity."

This can't be happening!

My body was paralyzed as if I'd forgotten how to move. The person I'd longed to meet wanted me dead for something I didn't do... Wasn't that a dream come true? The moment I waited for my entire life was more painful than getting flogged by Hendrika. Remember when I said the person behind the SHA wasn't who'd you expect to hate me? Now you know what I meant.

"Once I heard a pirate captain pretended to be my child, I came to the Caribbean for revenge!" she pursed her lips. "My Eva didn't deserve to be seen as a criminal after that witch Hendrika killed her! Govert's RNN friends never saw my daughter because she's dead. They told me everything after returning to the Netherlands, including that Hendrika beat Eva."

"I am your child! The girls you arrested and threatened are your granddaughters!" I slowly walked closer. "Dad's mates probably heard a false rumor. I never showed up for the dinners he had with those idiots because I couldn't stand them. Hendrika flogged me, but I didn't die."

"Liar! My angel would never become an outlaw!" my mom scowled. "Also, how can those little criminals be related to me if they speak Spanish?"

"Because they have a dad! I'm not Captain Holy Immaculate!" I took a deep breath to avoid freaking out. "Mom, you're chasing your own family."

"Don't call me that! Besides using my daughter's name, you turned my poor niece into a pirate," my mother cried. "You took away the only people I had left! Maartje, her partner, and the kid belong with me!"

"Maartje became a pirate way before I met her," I took a deep breath. "Why don't we stop this madness and go to my ship?"

"If I can't have my family, no one can!" she grabbed six candles. "I hope the gunpowder stored downstairs explodes you!"

Yeah, she doesn't want a warm hug...

Mom set the wooden furniture on fire. She ran away as the flames quickly spread across the room. The curtain, the walls, the paintings... Everything caught fire. To make things worse, Francis was gone... Damn it! The fire had probably scared him. I coughed as the flames got stronger.

"Maartje? Laurens? Where's everyone?" I panted. "Miguel, please be alive..."

My dog, my best friends, my allies... Nobody was nearby. Had they escaped without me, or were they hiding? I ran like a crazy lady as the fire spread throughout the house. Not even the creepy paintings were spared. My insane mother had probably thrown candles in other rooms... How delightful! Wasn't I lucky? I sweated while coughing constantly.

"Stop hiding, Miguel! If it makes you feel better, I can try speaking Spanish," I gulped while walking quickly. "Donde... something. Donde are you? Damn it! I forgot how to say this!"

Although I hate to admit it, Gálvez was who I worried about the most. I wanted to find everybody, but he wouldn't leave my mind. Losing hope, I felt extremely dizzy. I had to be sure my family and allies were alright... The stupid fire wouldn't stop consuming the furniture.

My vision became blurred, "What's... wrong... with... my mom?"

I fell while losing my senses. The flames had taken over the residence and I squinted as someone ran to me. My eyes felt heavy, so they were partially open. Luckily, my sadness decreased a little. Even though I could barely see Miguel's face, I sighed in relief after finding out he was alive.

"Madre de Dios..." Gálvez breathed heavily. "Eva, can you hear me?"

I pressed my lips together, "I can't move..."

"Don't worry," Miguel quickly put an arm below my knees and another around my back. "I'm here for you."

I grinned as he carried me to the lowest floor. I'd almost forgotten how good Miguel's touch felt. Maartje was right about those hands... Don't judge me! I wasn't completely numb... At least not yet.

I felt dizzy, "Miguel, I'm tired..."

He smiled sweetly, "We'll survive this."

My vision became worse as the fire kept burning everything. I put my hands around Miguel's neck, wondering if we'd die in that stupid place. My hands trembled while I struggled to remain awake. Why did my mom have to be so crazy? Damn it! At least Hendrika never tried to kill me.

Miguel gave me a worried glance, "Don't close your eyes. Stay with me."

With the bit of strength I had left, I did what he asked. If Miguel hadn't carried me, I would've never survived. Once we were outside, the house exploded into flames... My mom wasn't kidding about the gunpowder. Wood and other materials fell everywhere. He held me tighter, seemingly afraid I'd get hurt. Although we'd escaped, my headache wouldn't go away, and I couldn't feel my legs. Wondering if everyone else was alright, I controlled myself not to sob. Miguel's voice slowly disappeared while the world turned dark. 

****

Author's note: Hey! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone is well. Please vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter and follow the "Battles and Secrets" playlist on Spotify. Now we know Mrs. Campbell's real identity! :-) Will things change after this big reveal? How is our captain going to deal with this surprise? Keep reading and you'll find out... ;-) Also, take a look at my aesthetic with Mrs. Campbell's real name below the translations. The name is really Carolien, not Caroline, just to clarify.

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance:

1. Donde means "where" in Spanish

2. Madre de Dios means "Mother of God" in Spanish

I chose Jodie Foster to be Carolien de Vries because she fits Carolien's description perfectly and she's a wonderful actress. If "Battles and Secrets" becomes a movie someday, I believe Jodie would be a great choice to play Carolien. I hope you like my aesthetic!