kiss, the hotel, the intimacy–was that he didn’t say a word
No yelling. No slamming doors. No accusations!
He acted like nothing had happened.
It threw me off more than I cared to admit. I’d expected fury. A breakdown. At the very least, a confrontation in the hallway. But instead, he brought me breakfast in bed the next morning X
Asked me if I wanted to go away with him.”
“Just you and me,” he said. “A real vacation. Somewhere warm. Private. We need it.”
I smiled–sweet soft, false. “That sounds nice,
But my mind was already somewhere else
Already with someone else.}
Jackson.
I remembered his laugh. The way he kissed without demand. The way his hand fit around mine like it had always belonged there.
Even while Cameron took me to the boutique to buy island–appropriate dresses, I wasn’t really there. Not mentally, I was drifting in a different direction, down a path where I wasn’t pretending anymore.
And Cameron knew it.
He didn’t say it, but he knew.
He became clingier–like a man afraid of a ghost slipping through his fingers.
He held my hand a little too long. Sat beside me a little too close. Asked what I was thinking, where I was looking, what I was dreaming
about!
Sometimes he’d stare when I picked up my phone.
And once, he asked, “Are you texting someone else?“}
I blinked. “What?!
“I just… it feels like your mind is somewhere else lately.“3
I set my phone down and raised an eyebrow!
“You’re imagining things.”
“Alicia-”
“You wanted to rebuild this: I interrupted, tone soft but firm. “You promised peace. Not paranoia.”
He backed off immediately, like a dog scolded for barking too loud.
I tumed away before he could see the grin that tugged at my lips.
The island was stunning. Palms swayed in the breeze, the water was a perfect turquoise, and the villa Cameron booked overlooked the ocean like something out of a postcard.X
I wore a white sundress, walked barefoot through the sand, and smiled when strangers smiled at me.
One evening, while Cameron went off to check something with the concierge, I stayed by the bar. A group of foreign men were laughing near the beach, clearly tipsy and more than a little charming. One of them struck up a conversation. His name was Theo, and he had a terrible accent and a worse pickup line
I entertained it.!
Flirted back!
Nothing serious–just enough to be seen.!!
Just enough to be felt!
And it worked
Because when Cameron returned and saw us talking, saw Theo’s hand brush my shoulder-
He snapped
He punched Theo night in the face.
I gasped, spinning around as the man fell to the sand, shouting in protest.
“What the hell are you doing?!” I screamed.
People stared. Someone called for security
Cameron was breathing hard, fists clenched, teeth bared like a man who had lost himself entirely.
“I saw the way he touched you=”
“He was talking to me I snapped.
“You were laughing with him!′′E
“And so what if I was?” I shot back. “You don’t own me
There was chaos, angry voices, commotion–until we were finally pulled apart and brought back to our room.
I stormed to the edge of the balcony, arms crossed.
He followed, pacing like a storm.
“You’re being unfair,” Cameron said finally, his voice cracking. Tm trying, Alicia. I’m doing everything to be better. And you… you’re doing this on purpose.
This?
“This–this revenge! Is that what this is? Is that what we are now?”
I turned to face him, cold. “You tell me.T
He stared at me. A long, broken silence.
“I thought we were okay,” he said quietly. “I thought… you forgave me.”
I scoffed, brushing past him. “You’re being dramatic)
Tm being-? Alicia, I love you!“?
“Well,” I snapped, grabbing my bag. 1 need some air”
And I left,
I didn’t go for X
Just to the edge of the resort where the cell signal was clean enough.
I dialed the number by heart!
He picked up on the second ring
“You want to see me?” Jackson asked, voice low and amused
roze. “What do you mean?
“I’m already on my way.”
I blinked. “What?
But he had already ended the call.
The next moming. I walked into the outdoor breakfast pavilion… and saw him.
Jackson.
With Roger.
They were sitting at a table near the center of the space, sipping espresso like they owned the island.
And next to me?
Cameron
His entire body stiffened the moment he saw them. Especially him.
Roger stood and offered a hand. Of course, they knew each other. They were rivals, that is why I knew Cameron would be furious about my relationship with Jackson.
“Mr. Green,” he said smoothly. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Carneron shook it stiffly. His eyes didn’t leave Jackson.)
“Neither did 1.2
Tension clung to the air like salt in the wind.
I smiled and joined the table. Jackson stood, kissed my o cheek casually
Cameron’s jaw tightened.
He didn’t say a word the entire breakfast. Just drank his coffee. Watched. Calculated
But I could see it—he was unraveling.
And I loved it
Later that evening, Cameron closed the door behind us in the villa, his silence boiling overk
“We’re leaving tomorrow.“}
at? You’re
“No, we’re not,” I said simply. “Why are you suddenly saying that? You’re the one who brought me here..” “Yes,” he snapped, his voice rising. “We are! No questions!”
I turned to him slowly “Why are you shouting?”
He froze
His hand raised–only slightly, just enough to make my heart stutter.
“Go ahead,” I said, voice trembling just right. “Do it”
He dropped his arm instantly “No–I didn’t mean to–I was just-”
“You said you wouldn’t hurt me,” I whispered. “You promised.”
His voice broke I’m scared, Alicia. I don’t want to lose you. Please.
I stared at him /
Then I softened.
Stepped closer
11:28 AM
de it to the bathroom before throwing up.
Pressed a kiss to his cheek.|
“It’s okay,” I said.
And he believed it.”
The next morning, I woke up with nausea clawing at my stomach. I barely made it
I stared at my reflection, pale and shaken.”
And I knew
I was pregnant
