Chapter 81
The days that followed were a blur of endless errands, mindless chatter, and fake smiles.
Cameron stayed by Katie’s side, just as she wanted. Not just as her personal chef, but now also her self–proclaimed bodyguard. Wherever she went–boutiques, spas, jewelry stores–he was there, carrying her bags, keeping an eye on her, fetching everything she pointed at without complaint.
He even arranged for some of his men to send more lavish gifts under the name of “Young Master Brown.“>
Perfumes, designer handbags, sparkling accessories–whatever would keep Katie smiling, he provided.§
And she was ecstatic. Katie floated through the mansion like a queen, laughing giddily, her arms always filled with something new. Everywhere Cameron looked, there were traces of her victory.
“Finally,” Katie said one afternoon as she twirled in the middle of the living room, clutching a new designer bag to her chest. “No more gloomy faces. No more depressing Lily sitting around looking miserable. This house is so much better without her!“}
Her friends, lounging on the couches and flipping through magazines, giggled in agreement.>
“You totally won, Katie,” one of them said. “You have everything now–this house, Cameron, even Young Master Brown’s attention!“}]
Katie beamed, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
“Of course I did,” she said smugly. “I told you, didn’t I? Lily was too boring to hold anyone’s attention. Even Cameron stayed because of me.“”
One afternoon, Cameron found himself standing in the living room, arms crossed as he watched Katie sweep through the room with large trash bag.}
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She was ruthlessly tossing anything that even hinted of Lily’s existence into it–photos, books, the little trinkets Lily had collected over the years. A delicate scarf that had once been Lily’s favorite. A framed painting she had done in high school.
All discarded without a second thought.
“Is this really necessary?” Cameron asked, frowning.
Katie paused, flashing him a bright, innocent smile. “Why? Are you concerned about her?“>
Cameron stiffened. “No,” he said quickly. “Just… in case she comes back someday.”}]
Katie let out a sharp laugh.
“Come back? Don’t be stupid. She abandoned everything. She abandoned you.“}
Her voice softened mockingly. “Or… do you want her to come back?“}
Cameron forced a chuckle, shaking his head.
“Of course not,” he said. “She’s nothing to me.“}
The words came easily from his lips–but inside, a small, sharp pain twisted in his chest.
He tried to shake it off. But flashes of memory haunted him.
Lily, sneaking into the kitchen late at night, stealing tiny bites of whatever he was cooking. Lily, pouting stubbornly when he refused to teach her how to dice vegetables properly. Lily, shyly leaving handpicked flowers outside his room without ever admitting it.
Back then, he had thought she was annoying. Childish. Easy to manipulate.
But now… Now the absence of her small, silly gestures gnawed at him in a way he couldn’t explain. He didn’t realize he had been lost in thought until Katie snapped her fingers in front of his face.
“Hey,” she said impatiently. “I need you to burn all of her stuff. Now.”
Cameron hesitated. But then he nodded stiffly, taking the overstuffed trash bags out to the backyard.
The fire crackled and hissed, devouring the pieces of Lily’s life. The scarf curled up into ash within seconds. The painting blackened and disintegrated.
Cameron stood there, watching the flames dance, feeling something inside him shrivel with each pop and crack.§
Without thinking, he pulled out his phone. Tried calling her again. Still blocked.
He stared at the screen, his hands trembling slightly.”
“Why am I thinking about her?” he muttered under his breath. “It’s over. She’s gone. It’s Katie now. Katie… nothing else.“}
But even as he said it, the fire reflected in his eyes like a wound that wouldn’t close.
Later that evening, Katie decided she wanted to celebrate,
“Let’s go shopping!” she announced, looping her arm through Cameron’s. “I want a new dress for my friend’s party!”
Cameron followed silently, still feeling strangely hollow. They strolled down the bustling street, Katie giggling and pulling him from store to store.
Everything was fine–until a car suddenly swerved toward the sidewalk.
Screams erupted around them.}
Katie froze like a deer in headlights. Without thinking, Cameron lunged forward, grabbing her around the waist and throwing them both to the side.
He shielded her with his body as they hit the pavement hard.
Pain exploded in his shoulder and ribs, but he ignored it.”
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