Chapter 12
After what happened in the hallway–after my tears, my whispered “okay,” and the promise Cameron made while holding me like I was something sacred–it became surprisingly easy to play my part.
I pretended
Every day.
I pretended I still loved him.
Pretended that his touch didn’t
me,
that
his presence didn’t make my skin crawl, I wore the mask of a devoted wife. I let h
I him
believe he had been forgiven
And in return, Cameron gave me everything.
Every request–granted.
Every wish–fulfilled.
When I asked for the sunroom to be renovated, he had workers there the next moming. When I mentioned a book I once loved, he ordered every edition ever printed. When I said I wanted a new dress, ten showed up in every color and fabric.
It was almost laughable
Cameron Green–the man who once chained me to a wall–now tiptoed around my emotions like they were glass, terrified of shattering whatever fragile peace we had.
It was like watching a wolf try to become a golden retriever?
And I was enjoying every second of it.
One night, as he sat beside me on the couch, his hand resting lightly over mine, he spoke.
“I’ve been thinking 7
That usually meant trouble!
He looked at me with soft eyes–those eyes he once used to command armies.
“Maybe we could try again,” he said gently. “A baby. I mean… when you’re ready.“2
I blinked, masking the bum of nausea rising in my throat.
A baby?2
With him? I managed a small smile and gave a slow nod, then pulled out the line I’d rehearsed in the mirror. “Tm not ready not yet I still have a lot to process.
He didn’t question it. Didn’t push⠀
“Of course,” he said, kissing my hand. “Take all the time you need. We’ll do everything on your terms. Everything on my terms E
That was all I had ever wanted.
And now I had it!
He treated me like porcelain, like royalty. He made mea
But it was all part of the game
And he didn’t know he was the one being played
meals. Planned outings. Kept his voice soft and his hands gentler.!
The night that followed was quiet. Cameron insisted on cooking dinner himself–steek, rosemary potatoes, and some attempt at a fancy dessert he found online. He served it with wine, dimmed the lights, and tried to create something romantic.
I sat at the head of the table, watching him nervously cut his steak, like he was still unsure whether I’d scream or smile.
I did neither. I let him speak, let him ask me how I was feeling. I gave short answers, sweet smiles. Just enough to keep the illusion alive. Then his phone buzzed.
He glanced down and froze.
I saw his face change immediately.
“What is it?” I asked, sipping my wine with one brow raised.
He didn’t answer at first. Just stared at the screen. Then, slowly, he looked up!
“It’s Sofia,” he said “She’s at the Skyview Tower. The staff says she’s threatening to jump.”
Iblinked Once Then set my wine down.!
“She’s what?”
Cameron nodded “She climbed to the top floor”
I leaned back in my chair and smirked. “So now she’s copying me?“)
He didn’t say anything!
My smile widened!
“So what?” I asked, tilting my head “You gonna go save her now? Run up there like you ran after me?” His jaw tensed. His eyes darkened
“I’m not going” he said “She’s not my responsibility anymore
“She’s not my responsibility anymore “S
about that th
d firmly. “When she tried to kill you, that was it, I saw her for what she really was. And I made my choice ”
His voice dropped to a whispers
“You were always the one”
I stared at him unreadable
Part of me wanted to believe it. Another part wanted to rip out his heart and show him how many times he crushed mine
We sat in silence for a moment longer before there was a knock on the dining room doorX
A staff member stepped in, holding a thick envelope. “Sir, the investigation documents. From your request. About the tragedy of your parents”
Cameron stood slowly. “Thank you?
He opened the envelope with shaking hands.
His eyes scanned the paper, and in seconds, his face collapsed:
His knees hit the floor!!
The papers fell to the ground, scattered like broken glass.)
He looked up at me face pale hands trembling X
1 staved seated.
He crawled forward, grasping my hand. “It wasn’t them. It wasn’t your parents. The investigation–everything–it proves they were framed. LI destroyed your family. And I was wrong “T
He lowered his head.
“Tm so sorry I will regret it for the rest of my life.“%
I looked down at him–this powerful, feared man–begging on the floor like a sinner at an alter.X
And I smiled I
But not because I forgave him.
Not because I pitied him!!
No
I smiled because finally, he was the one on his knees.
And I would ruin him—||
Beautifuliv.
Completely
Deliberately
No matter how many sorrys he said
