Chapter 100
I woke up to the blinding white of hospital lights and the dull, heavy ache in my ribs. The first thing I saw was Katie, perched on the chair beside my bed, her face tight with worry.”
“Cameron!” she cried, grabbing my hand as soon as she saw my eyes open. “You’re awake! Thank God!”
I blinked slowly, trying to focus. Everything hurt.
“You idiot,” she sniffled. “Why would you do that? Why would you throw yourself in front of
Her voice cracked, thick with emotion.
“You shouldn’t have risked your life!” she said again, squeezing my hand harder.
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car for me?”
I tried to sit up, grimacing as pain shot through my side. Katie quickly pushed me back down, fussing over the blanket. She kept talking, rambling, like she was trying to make sense of what happened.
“You’ve always been like this, you know,” she said. “Even when you were supposed to be just Lily’s personal chef–you acted more like my bodyguard than anything else.”
I froze for a moment.
Images flashed in my mind- Standing outside Lily’s door late at night, pretending to be annoyed when really I was making sure she slept safely. Watching over her at the bar when she snuck out. Carrying her inside when she fainted from forgetting to eat.
At the time, I told myself it was part of the act. Part of the mission.
But was it? Why am I even thinking of it now… when I was in front of Katie? Why is it Lily that I had remembered?}
Katie pouted, resting her chin on her palm.
“she sai
“I mean, I don’t get it,” she said. “Why would you care so much for me?”
I turned my head, staring at the ceiling.”
“Do you really not know why?” I said quietly.
Katie blinked at me, confused. “No. I don’t.”
I gave a small, bitter laugh.
“Because,” I said slowly, “I was willing to do everything for you.“}
Her eyes widened slightly. “Really? Why?“D
“Well, after three days, you’ll know why. I’m going to tell you.”
“Well, okay!” she said brightly, standing up and smoothing her skirt, “you should get some rest. The doctor said you need at least three days here.”
I nodded silently.
“I’ll wait,” Katie said, bending down to kiss my forehead lightly. “Get better, and then… you can tell me everything, okay?“}
I closed my eyes.
“And thank you again,” she added, grabbing her purse. “For saving me. I need to head home–Mister Brown sent me more packages.“}
Her heels clicked against the floor as she hurried out, her perfume lingering behind her.
Hours later, my phone buzzed. It was a message from my personal butler back at the family estate.
Butler Nathan: “Young Master, what happened? Why would you throw yourself in harm’s way for her? She’s nothing. She’s not worth it.”}
I stared at the screen for a long time before typing back.”
Cameron: “She’s not nothing. She’s everything.”
Another message came immediately.
Butler Nathan: “Should we start preparing, then? For the beach proposal?”
My fingers hesitated over the keys.
Then I typed back:
Cameron: “Yes. After three days, prepare everything. I’ll reveal who I really am–and everything I planned for Katie.“}
Butler Nathan: “Understood. Also… your father is demanding you return. He’s furious you’ve delayed this long.””
I sighed heavily.”
Cameron: “Tell him… to wait a little longer. After this, I’ll come back.”
I ended the conversation, dropping the phone onto the side table.
I closed my eyes, trying to find some rest. But the darkness behind my eyelids wasn’t empty.”
It filled with broken memories–The night at the bar. The accident.
The time I was drunk, stupid, stumbling into the street and someone pulling me back, saving me.
For years, I thought it had been Katie.
Katie, with her bright smiles and delicate hands.
But now…}
12:16 PM
Now when I closed my eyes–It wasn’t Katie I saw. It was Lily.”
Lily’s trembling hands clutching my jacket. Lily’s tear–filled eyes, begging me to be careful.
A lump formed in my throat, thick and suffocating.
Why did I see her now? Why did my heart twist at the thought of her??
Was I… missing her?
I turned onto my side, wincing in pain. But the ache in my body was nothing compared to the hollow emptiness gnawing at my chest.
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